Comments on: Uncoupling of Kadee Couplers – A problem https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem Model railroads and model trains Thu, 31 Mar 2022 04:35:32 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Miss Victoria https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-57452 Thu, 31 Mar 2022 04:35:32 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-57452 Coupler height issues can cause this. Otherwise, look closely at the couplers in question and ensure that the spring is there. If it isn’t, replace the coupler. Also make sure that the knuckle moves freely and isn’t stuck.

Rough trackwork can also cause couplers to malfunction.

]]> By: ROBERT SCHWORM https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-57241 Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:39:41 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-57241 If you are decending an incline sharply, and suddenly you get t the top or bottom and level off, this is the point where the knuckels on th ecouplers may go out of alignment and slip apart.

Also if you are interfacing to different pieces of track, perhpas the rail head height is different, the as the knuckles pass over this area, they may misalign. Dropping from a higher rail head t a lower one is a bit like going “downhill”, it becomes more sever in ascending this difference, causing a possilb ebump and the knuckles could shake apart. If there is a car with this problem on one end, give a go at turning the car around and checking if the problem still exists.

]]> By: Richo D https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56800 Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:06:54 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56800 wonderful input. thanks to all!

]]> By: Timothy Morlok https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56796 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 23:04:02 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56796 One cause not mentioned here is the height and angle of the coupler pin. The same kadee gauge has a shelf for checking its position. If the pin is too low or angle to the side, any obstruction between the rails like road crossings or turnout frogs and guard rails will cause uncoupling or derailments.

]]> By: Pat Reardon https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56779 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 00:07:27 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56779 If it is uncoupling at the beginning of end of a change in track elevation, you will need to make a more gradual approach to the change. On some cars, one coupler may be riding over, or under the other, causing the uncoupling

]]> By: Joe Graffi https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56774 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:56:20 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56774 Occasionally, I have cars become uncoupled when the train is moving slowly across the magnet. there is so little tension on the couplers that the slack causes them to uncouple.
One of the side effects to having free-turning metal wheels.

]]> By: Timothy Purdy https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56773 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 14:33:03 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56773 RIX Products makes a uncoupler tool that I hook to a retractable connector, and I clip it to my shirt collar when I am operating my train. It looks like a square horseshoe with magnets on both sides. These magnets pull the couplers apart long enough to separate the cars. Great tool to have in your toolbox. Here is a link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293044874473?hash=item443ad5ece9:g:r9YAAOSwCKRcr43O

]]> By: phil+johnson https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56762 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 07:19:06 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56762 First& foremost obtain a Kadee coupler gauge and both kadee red and gray washers. Check the coupler heights on each and every car in operation. Those that do not match the gauge set aside with a note high or low or no spring. Yeah a lot of work and smaller roster. If you are using talgo mounted couplers, you may want to invest in some of their offset couplers. They’ll also come in handy if/when you need more than 2-3 washers between the truck and bolster. I check wheel/coupler gauge on every new car being placed on my layout. You didn’t say if you were using scale or standard couplers.

]]> By: Henry van Wyk https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56760 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:51:06 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56760 You fail to say what gauge you are using. If it is N Gauge, the light weight of the cars will make it uncouple. Kadee has however got a fix for this problem. A small spring (almost like a knuckle spring) is placed on the end of the axle, giving it a bit more drag and preventing uncoupling. All of the above apply as well. Coupler height, no slack in the train, etc etc.

]]> By: Frank B https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56758 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 04:50:54 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56758 There is helpful advice on the Kadee website: https://www.kadee.com/resources.htm

]]> By: Jerry https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56753 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 03:20:06 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56753 You should also check that the spring pn the outside if the coupler is not missing. Also make sure the coupler springs back toward center when pulling the coupler back in each direction. If not, check the centering spring inside the coupler box.

]]> By: Tom Osterdock https://blog.model-train-help.com/2022/02/uncoupling-of-kadee-couplers-a-problem.html#comment-56752 Wed, 09 Feb 2022 01:43:43 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=6458#comment-56752 All these comments are very good. When running if a coupler comes uncoupled when a strain is present then there may also be another problem. Check your couplers if no problems then you may want to install a keep alive circuit in the locomotive. For the couplers to uncouple there has to be a break in motion. A keep alive will maintain motion by the loco.

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