Unimate Couplers

[Gettysburg]

Dear Forum,

This is my first post, so please forgive me if I do not have the format right. This question is for the N-Scalers. I would like any advice you can offer on Unimate couplers, as manufactured by Red Caboose. Specifically, I am considering converting approximately 200 cars and 35 locomotives for use on a layout that will be generally, but not entirely, display oriented. The questions I have right now are:

1. Can you manually uncouple cars, say by using a hooked wire to gently lift on coupler over the other, similar to what you can do with Rapido style couplers? I need to be able to uncouple on occasion without (intentionally) lifting the cars from the track.

2. Are these couplers compatible with MicroTrains and Atlas automatic couplers? Again, I understand you loose the automatic uncoupling feature; I just need to know if the cars will couple, stay coupled, and can on occasion be uncoupled without the necessity of taking cars from the track.

3. It appears to me the shorts would be direct replacements for the Rapido couplers normally supplied. Is this correct? I'm thinking now of standard 40' and 50' boxcars, hoppers, gons, first generation diesels, etc.

Can anyone tell me of any instances where the medium or long shanks would be required?

Thank you in advance for any guidance anyone can provide.

Cordially,

Paul E. Trimble
[e-mail]

[DSchmitt]

They are a non-operating "dummy" coupler. They will not couple by being pushed together. To couple and uncouple you have to lift the end of one of the cars.

The are compatible with MicroTrain and Accumate couplers. They are also more reliable at staying coupled.

They are direct replacements for most Rapido installations (Cars and Locos).

The shorts work on most cars but the are some types that need medium or even long. Mediums or longs are often needed on loco, particuarly the front.

For situations where you plan to keep a string of cars permanently together Unimates are a useful inexpensive solution. They are also useful in the few situations where you can't find Microtrains or Acumates that will fit on a particular car or loco.

[Wdlgln005]

With 200+ cars & locomotives to convert, you will find Unimates to be an inexpensive solution. Best uses include:
1) Passenger trains (con-cor), etc that generally run with the same consist, with little or no switching.
2) B ends of locos, again with little or no switching. The MTL couplers go on the A ends. A good example is a ABA set of E or F units. The shorter couplers allow you to cut distance between units. You may want to use longer ones if the cars or locos don't go thru tight corners
3) Unit trains, ore cars, etc. Run your coal trains in blocks of 5 or more cars, saving money by using MTL.
4) Difficult conversions, like ConCor cabooses. Because of the Tshank, the Unimates make direct repacement for the Rapido's. Reuse the Rapido spring, & be sure the coupler retains the coupler height.
They also make body-mount, with 2 holes to screw into the bottom of a freight car.

For uncoupling, you could try the pick. You should be able to lift the coupler & release the other car. You will need to do the same to couple the cars. You can also paint them if you want a rusty color.