Hello Gents, I'm new to these boards but not so new to N scale. I've been building (and unbuilding) model railroads since I was 14 and I'm now on what I figure must be my 10th N scale railroad. I'm well into the planning stages and have completed the basic benchwork for what I'm calling the Jerome and Rio Verde RR, a freelanced line inspired by several Arizona shortlines, Santa Fe branch lines in AZ and John Olsen's famed HO project layout, the Jerome & Southwestern. Anyway, my question regards switching and uncoupling. On my past few layouts I've always used MT couplers and their ilk with a manual uncoupler, that is, a bamboo skewer in a wooded handle. To uncouple, you simply (and carefully) stick the pointy end into the joined couplers and twist. Works like a charm most of the time. I've never used magnets under the track but I'm a bit tempted to try it this time around. I'm not planning on doing tons of switching, but I do like the idea of uncoupling cars without having to reach across the scenery. Point is, if I'm going to use magnets I need to figure out placement before I start laying track so I wanted to get opinions from those of you who use them. So, which do you think is better, magnetic uncoupling, stick-and-twist, or a combination of both? PS: Yes, I have read the other threads related to this topic. Just wanted to get some general opinions from others who have tried both methods.
One main reason for using a skewer or pic...is uncoupling anywhere. I am NOT a proto guy so magnetic doesnt bother me. It just the ease of uncoupling placement....even if its just a few inches here and there. IMHO. For reference...I have had magnetics too. BTW...welcome to TB...glad to see another Arizona N Scaler aboard !! .
I use some Accumates, so uncoupling is pretty much automatic just about anywhere without a magnet or pick. laugh:
OK. Seriously this time. There's a certain cool factor about impressing those that don't know about Kadee couplers (and children) with "automatic uncoupling". On a switching layout like I'm planning, I will use both under the ballast magnets and picks for when I need to uncouple in odd places. I like the hands off approach the most. So to answer your question, I prefer a mixture of both.
I prefer both. On a spur or yard that is close to the operator, I prefer a pick or skewer of some type. In a place that is hard to reach, a magnet is the ONLY way to go. I have a 3 places like this on my dads layout and I can honestly say it would be a pain in the you know what reaching over 2ft of layout with a pick to uncouple a car.
Thanks for all the responses. You make a newcomer feel welcome. I'm beginning to formulate a plan where I might have a magnet or two at certain sidings (like the mine at Jerome for example) and use a pick everywhere else. I'm designing the layout with all of the important stuff within easy reach so access isn't much of an issue. I do like the "cool" factor of remote uncoupling at specific places though.
My layout is only one foot deep so there are no locations that i can't reach with a rix pic. I have even made a lighted uncoupler with a rix pic epoxied to the lens of a maglight solitare flashlight. I tried magnets. Too much unwanted uncoupling. Bamboo skewers are too large in N scale, but good for HO. I find Accumates are not as easy to uncouple so I plan to convert all to Microtrains.
But giant skewers coming out of the sky are prototypical...:tb-wink: (wink) I do both. Where I have the magnets, I like to use them. Sometimes, one wants to set a car out somewhere where there isn't a magnet and that's where the skewer comes in.
Still building my layouit, but planning on using only magnets. Lots of planning as to exactly where they were to go. So far no issue with accidental uncoupling on the completed portion, but I put 1 damper spring on each car, and 2 on each caboose (to prevent oscillation). As extra insurance on the mainline, the magnets are mounted on hinged pieces of wood, so they can be dropped down away from the track when desired. However, getting the automatic uncoupling feature to work reliably everywhere seems to require a great deal of adjustment and maintenance. Currently, I am seeing an issue with my Intermountain F7 couplers (Micro Trains?), where the coupler doesn't always open/spread apart completely over the magnet. Couplers on the Micro Trains cars do spread apart fully. I need to investigate further, but it probably involves flash on the F7 couplers.
That is a great observation! The continually-improving trucks/wheels and couplers make "local" uncoupling better and better. The Sergent Engineering HO couplers are great, but likely not practical in N. I guess it depends upon one's approach. I like the freedom of using a pick anywhere. It influences layout design, to be sure. My 14 cents.
At the end of the day I find magnetic uncoupling too much trouble. It takes a huge amount of effort (and often cost with those MT replacements) to make one combination of cars/uncoupling track location work *most* of the time. And for me "most" just isn't enough when it involves stopping everything to fix a problem. I seriously considered going back to rapido on the basis that those mechanical ramps aren't nearly as sensitive to microscope alignments. As it stands what little uncoupling happens (passenger and unit trains) is done by hand. I'm using mostly Kato's Japanese knuckle couplers (10 pairs for $3), as they are close and don't have a gap between the "fingers", making them look a little more prototypical (or at least less distracting).
