Drop away magnetic uncoupler for Kadee/Microtrains couplers.

[TTRAK_andrew]

G'day All,
I have just uploaded to YOUTUBE three video files that outline how I have made a push rod activated magnetic uncoupler in N Scale. It allows the magnets to be under the rails to allow for normal uncoupling, but by releasing the catch on the push rod the magnets drop away to leave that section of track as `normal', and so removing the chance of unintended uncoupling when pulling or pushing a string of freight cars during the normal flow of switching/train running. It is the result of a week or so of thinking, experimenting, and mistake making, so be encouraged that the old saying is true: "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again."While I do not think that I have seen this exact concept before, most likely I am re-inventing the wheel somewhere, so I do not claim 100% originality on this:

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Regards,
Andrew G.

[e-paw]

That's a very good idea. Nice & simple with reliable mechanics . I'm sure that the same idea could be modified for other scales.

[Harry]

good work and idea

[Charlie B]

Andrew, thanks for posting this. I model HO and I have been trying to figure how to wind my own electro magnets to use to avoid unwanted uncouplings.
This will solve the problem, and I have lots of permanant magnets that I can use. One great idea.
Charlie

[TTRAK_andrew]

G'day Charlie, & All,
Thanks for the compliments, and especially for Charlie I am glad that it will help him out in his layout work. The reason I put it up was that I hoped it would imp[rove the operations of people's layouts. I have also seen Charlie's suggestion on switch/point control:
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and like it. Three cheers for the mechanical operation brigade!!! Guaranteed compatible with both DC-Analog and DCC! Also reducing the consumption of solid state electronic components and encouraging people to have truly simple and practical solutions to life's problems.
Regards, Andrew G.

[Russ Bellinis]

I finally had the time to look at your videos. Very ingenious solution to the problem of uncoupling magnets causing nuisance uncoupling. I think I saw something similar in a Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman magazine years ago, but if I remember correctly they used a push/pull automotive choke cable to raise and lower the magnet. Your solution is much simpler and I suspect much less expensive than choke cables if a person is going to need numerous uncoupling magnets installed on a layout.