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Uncouple Cars and Using Electromagnets
Fred wants a solution to uncoupling cars and ask for reader's opinions:
After all these years of RR modeling, why hasn't someone come up with an easy way to uncouple cars?
I am heavily into HO but, running a consist around in circles gets boring real soon. I have a complicated switch yard and I would like a simple electronic way to uncouple cars and do some switching of cars to make up different consists.
I can't reach over and use the stick in all areas and that isn't fun or proper anyhow.
I have tried magnets placed in special spots, I have tried electromagnets also.
I have had some good results but, it is not reliable at all. There is too much running back and forth trying to uncouple.
After all these years, I just can't justify all these master engineers out there not being able to have a fix with this problem of uncoupling.
I have watched a film of European RR uncoupling and when the consist stops, I hear a loud click and then the consist moves forward and has uncoupled.
Why not over here?
So you see this engineer and others I am sure, have the same problem and wish someone out there could give us an answer.
I have a simulated train game. Called Trainz Railroad Simulator or TS2006.
In this game you can make up consist via coupling and uncoupling and sure adds to the fun of RRing.
I need help.
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Fred,
It sounds to me that you’ve touched all the bases as far as uncoupling techniques is concerned. My only comment is that you should make sure that all your couplers are well maintained and are at the proper height and spacing per the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, you may have unrealistic expectations around what your couplers should or shouldn’t be doing. I doubt any coupler is 100% perfect particular ones as complicated as Kadees which I assume is what you are using.
In response to the European film you saw, I suspect there was a certain amount of film editing involved to make the uncoupling operation appear to go flawlessly when in reality, it may not have gone as smoothly as it seemed.
Just my thoughts,
Geof