Moving an uncoupling magnet below the track after the track is ballasted

[jon grant]

I decided to move a couple of Kadee delayed uncoupling magnets from above the tracks, so they were out of sight below the tracks - not so easy to do after ballasting.

Before

 

First I removed the rails with a Dremel and cutting disc. I did this carefully as I wanted to use the rail again.

 

I used the magnet's base plate as a template to cut into the cork and baseboard to the correct depth.

 

I relaid some new ties with the original rails which were the right length. I also cut some fishplate joiners in half to slide across the rail join.

Finally I re-ballasted the track in place. When the glue is dry I will repaint the area

 

 

Jon

 

[claycts]

Jon those are the Bachmann (McHenery) Magnets correct?

If so how do you like them. I have (9) of 57  installed and the poeple who run the railroad with me do not like them. They cause unwanted uncouplings.

Nice work

Cheers

George P.

[jon grant]

Jon those are the Bachmann (McHenery) Magnets correct?

If so how do you like them. Nice work

 

Thanks George. They are in fact Kadee undertrack uncoupler magnets but appear identical to Bachmann's in every way - except for the 'little plastic bloke (LPB)' you get with the Bachmann version.

I myself like them and tend to mark their position with a short length of rail painted yellow, sticking out of the ground.

To get round unwanted uncoupling I limit their use to the yards, easy for me as the whole layout is a yard. I also over-weight my cabooses to create some pull on the knuckles within the train, thus reducing the potential for unwanted uncoupling.

 

Jon