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After years of building and fine tuning my layout I am finally ready to give operation a try.I've just finished reading an article by Jim Kelly "The ABC of switching cars" in October 1997 issue of Model Railroader magazine in which article he states that lots of experienced modelers - probably the majority - dont use magnets to uncouple Kadee equipped cars because its imposible to have uncoupling ramps every place you might want. He goes on to say that if you did you'd have one big magnet running down the center of every track on your layout. Instead he says you can uncouple manually by using your hands by lifting the car that's away from the engine, meanwhile placing your fingers alongside the truck so the wheels will rerail themselves when you set the car back down. I've tried uncoupling by hand and it works beautifully - the only problem is the negative comments I get from my guests as they say it is not like the way the real railroads do it. I do not agree with them as the real brakeman has to close the angle cocks (valves above the air hoses) then pull the uncoupling lever and pull the train away - The only thing I do diferently is lift the car to be uncoupled slightly while holding the truck in alignment which is like pulling the train away after car uncoupled by brakeman. OK now I'd appreciate feedback from you guys and gals operating your railroads as to how many of you uncouple by hand (not with small screwdrivers, skewers, Rix tools etc) and if you do what to say to those that critisize this method of uncoupling cars by hand. Thanks for any and all comments re above Keep on Trackin Rudy Montreal Canada
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