Hello all! Just joined this cool forum and I have a question. I am working on a small switching layout and all trackage is within arm's reach so I don't need any uncoupling magnets. I have an N-scale uncoupling tool which seems to do a nice job seperating cars. My question is this...How well do the various couplers {Micro Trains, Atlas, etc.} hold up to manual uncoupling over time? My locomotives and some freight cars are equipped with Accumates and other cars have the Micro Trains couplers. Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks!
I've been using a RIX PIC for the past year on MT couplers with no issues or damage to the couplers. Jerry
I use a dental tool. They come in various tips so you can choose which is best for you. I been using that for years, and they work great with any coupler.
Well I am going to go against the flow and suggest using magnets.. Why? There is no danger of derailing cars while manually uncoupling cars and above all the delayed uncoupling feature can be used.
I use a custom-made uncoupling tool sort of like the Rix Pic, but made out of 1/8" brass rod that I filed a flat Rix-like point on. I find the brass easier to manuver than the plastic Rix. Been doing it this way for 15 years and no damage to anything. One hint: make sure there is slack between the cars you are uncoupling. By the way, I disagree regarding magnets. They are useful, I think, if you have remote switching spots that can't easily be reached. But if everything is within reach, manual uncoupling is far more reliable in my experience than magnets. John C.
The problem with manual uncoupling in N scale is not just the tool, it's seeing where to place it, the space between cars being in shadow. Harbour Freight has a little pen light that has an on and off button on the end so it's easy to turn on and off (without twisting). Just drill a hole half way thru the lens and insert a brass tube shapped like a Rix tool (or the tool of your choice) and the problem goes away. Works wonderfully! Enjoy Ernie C
Of course, the prototypes need slack for uncoupling. try pulling the pin without slack. I had to learn that as a fireman running switch engines in the mid 60s. If you gave n slack you got no slack from the switchmen and conductors.
I have to try Erniec's solution to the shadow problem. It gets tough to see between 2 cars if the lighting isn't bright. I made my own manual uncoupling tool out of a rubber toothpick and a hollow tube from a cotton swab. It works great and yea, I'm cheap! LOL!!!
Why do you need to manually uncouple? My trains uncouple all by themselves! Anywhere on the layout, too. Oh, wait, you mean you want them to uncouple in a particular spot.... biggrin:
I take off the fuzzy part of a fine micro brush found at the LHS. I have also used skewers. I am into simplicty these days, so I favor them over the magnets, which dont' seem to work as well on accumates and even mis adjusted MT's. For that matter, if you take the coupler pins off, (or let the accumates fall off, as they are prone to do) you will have fewer derailments from coupler pins hitting frogs, etc. So, there are reasons to use picks of whatever kind. I agree, you or your engineer must learn to give you some slack. Hey, that's where that phrase came from!
Thanks guys, for all your input to my question! Looking foward to years of enjoyment operating my switching layout once it's completed!
I bought a half dozen of these uncoupling tools from Micro Mark years ago to fill out an order for some other stuff, they work well with all my N scale and MTL Z scale couplers. I'm a firm believer in manual uncoupling because it's more in line with the prototype, you can uncouple wherever you need to without worrying about magnets, and IMHO it gives that little extra 'hands on' feel to operating sessions. UNCOUPLING TOOL FOR HO AND N SCALE
I use a Rix Pic. My 3 year old son does too and he keeps the cars on the tracks 90% of the time. He's also pretty good at free-railing cars (no rerailers or ramps).
I too use the tool from Micro-Mark,But I have to agree it is sometimes difficult to see just where to place the tip for uncoupling.
Lighted uncoupling tool made with a rixpic and a mini maglight solitare flashlight. Plenty of light where you need it.
Richard 320,,,,,,,, LOL killin me !!!!!!! LOL ! ! ! I have had this question for a while too now, since I am about to embark on a N layout myself. How good to the track mounted uncouplers work and how do they actually work, I assume one is needed at any particular place where uncoupliing might have to take place on a regular basis ? I know from my HO days wayyyy back when that even in that scale derails were a problem. Have the couplers changed since the good ol days the 70's ? or not ? Thanks Tony
