I am about ready to start laying track and realized I don't quite have all of the supplies needed. I need to obtain some uncouplers and would like to know what are the best. I will be using code 83 track. I am not to keen about having one above the ties inbetween the rails, would rather take and have them hidden below the track if at all possible. Thanks
Kevin, I've installed these at the beginning of my yard tracks. They are more effective than ones between the rails. Once you ballast, they are hidden. A small shrub or larger rock trackside marks the location for later. http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page308.htm
Besides the extra expense, magnetic uncouplers alot times they aren't where you need to uncouple. So you have to do alot more back & forth moves w/ loco & car(s). Doing the uncoupling w/ a "stick" is so much easier & cheaper. If you have a place "way" in the back, you would probably need one there,but then can you even "see" what's going on w/ the couplers.
Kevin you might want to investigate Neodymium magnets. I use 3mm cubes. They can be arranged in rows of 5, painted the same colour as your ties. I find 4 rows will work, as will 5. You have to be sure to align each row with the same polarity or they won't work. If your track base is firm, you can cut away your ties and replace each one with a row of magnets. Once they're painted they're hard to see. I said if your track base is firm - that's because they are very keen to join up with their neighbours, so they must be glued down very securely. I find that difficult on the foam I use. I have to glue one row at a time, and allow the glue to set really well before adding the next one, which is always difficult to do when there's another row in place. In one place on the layout I've laid four rows between the ties, and again, after painting they're quite hard to see. They never fail to work. The magnets are ridiculously strong. Cheap, too :cute: Mike
