20mm and 17mm Hornby magnetic couplings fitted to locos and rolling stock. 12-07-2023

[@alanwhite4427]

Keep up the good work Graham. 👍

[@Rock_God]

I am pleased that you have got your magnetic couplings sorted. Looking forward to your next video. Best, Jason.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you Jason, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now and now that I’ve managed to get the 20mm versions then I’ve been able to convert a few more locos, it makes for nice and easy set-ups now and smooth running. Cheers. …………Graham

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Nice fix-up, Graham. Definitely better!

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Anthony and thank you, I’m so pleased that I’ve adopted these couplings, very simple to install and gives me a great hassle free method of connecting stock to my locos. It won’t be for everything of course but the majority of my new stuff will be converted over. Cheers. ………….Graham

[@LordTechnopants]

Nice to 'join' you today Graham. Coupling puns, that's how bad I've got.

[@GrahamFoulston]

He he, good pun there mate! 😂😂. Cheers. ……….Graham

[@chris.fulcher]

Hi Graham, fantastic video as always, just wanted to say also, I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments you made in your Respond video, keep up the great work and superb videos, Best Regards, Chris.

[@johnodonoghue7381]

Graham good video well explained yet again . I must say I couldn't fault your Respond video where no comments were allowed . I couldn't agree with you more .

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you very much for your supportive comment John, it’s greatly appreciated and I’m pleased that you enjoyed this video too. 👍🏻. Cheers. ……….Graham

[@mels1811]

Brilliant layout Graham

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you very much Mels and much appreciated too. 👍🏻. Cheers. …………Graham

[@roystudds1944]

Interesting video Graham. I have bought some Hornby magnetic couplings and like them a lot. I’m going to have to modify most of my older coaches which are the “D” type which I am quite nervous about because I don’t want to damage them. Thanks for the tip about mixing the couplings length with the locomotive vs the coaches. Roy.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Roy and thank you for the comment. After a bit of trial and error then I found (for me) that the safest way was to put the 20mm on the locos and 17mm on the stock, that way I can ensure that no matter what stock I hooked up to any loco then they would run (importantly) on any of my tracks. Each layout is different of course so it’s best for you to experiment what is the best solution overall for you. 👍🏻. Cheers. …………..Graham

[@sardine158]

Good stuff Graham.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Thank you very much mate and I’m pleased that you like the video. 👍🏻. Cheers. ………….Graham

[@daviemaclean61]

Nice job Graham. I've been gradually (to spread the cost) been converting all my stock to Westhill Wagon Works magnetic couplers. Cheers

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Davie, I did try the Hunts couplings but I was never really happy with them, some folk like them and that’s fine but to me the Hornby versions look nicer in my opinion but that is only my opinion and I’m not saying that I’m correct - just what I prefer that’s all. Cheers. ………..Graham

[@daviemaclean61]

@@GrahamFoulston I must admit I was surprised when "other" magnetic couplers came onto the market. I thought they might have some sort of patent. Most of my rolling stock has the biggest D type couplers so plenty of hacking away involved! I'm open to trying others though. Cheers, Davie

[@LetsGo_41]

Hi Graham. Pleased to see the couplings in action. Looking forward to seeing you progress the layout. Tim

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Tim and thanks for the comment and the tip off too, really appreciated mate. 👍🏻👍🏻. Cheers. …………Graham

[@davidstrains4910]

Great video on these couplings here graham, they definitely would be something I would try but I wouldn’t be converting everything I have to magnetic couplings personally.

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi David and thank you for your comment and I agree with you, I don’t think I need to convert everything over to magnetic couplings. But I would like to change more locos over to them if I can. We’ll see. Cheers. …………Graham

[@germaN87AC]

Hi Graham, do these couplers work well when coupling on curves?

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi mate and thanks for the comment. They are not too bad but it depends on what you are coupling up to. If the coupling is one the swivels then it will normally hook up ok as long as the curve is not too sharp, if the couplings are of a fixed type then that might prove to be a bit more difficult. I guess the only real way is to try some and see how you get on but generally speaking I find them very reliable. Hope that helps. Cheers. …………Graham

[@germaN87AC]

@@GrahamFoulston I ordered 3 types to test and waiting from a UK colleague to bring them over

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I stopped buying the Hunt couplings a long Time ago but the Hornby couplings seem to be much better quality.

[@barryturner2916]

Hi Graham I brought 20mm Hornby couplings for my Mk1 Bachmann coaches but unable to use them (not long enough to connect). If you have any Mk1 Bachmann coaches I would be interested to know if they fit on yours. I have used them on my Heljan Cargowaggons with no problems, nice strong magnetic and they look the part. Take care regards Barry...

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Barry, to be honest, I haven’t tried them with many coaches yet apart from my Hornby Pullmans but it’s early days yet plus I have to spread the cost too - assuming I can get hold of them ! 😂. Cheers. …………Graham

[@silkytrack8091]

Hi Graham that’s good to know. Would you suggest the Hornby couplings are better than Hunt etc? Also would you mind letting me know how you go about updating your Z21. I don’t seem to be able to get mine to update. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi mate and thanks for the comment. I don’t think it’s right for me to compare the two and say which one is best, I think it’s more to do with what each of us prefers. I went off the Hunts couplings because they were brittle being 3D printed and I suffered a fair few breakages but both do the same job in a similar manner. I also think the Hornby version offers a bit more realism rather than just a bit of black plastic sticking out but these are just my opinions, it really is up to everyone to make their own mind up and choose which ones are more suitable for themselves and what they prefer. I will be updating the Z21 tomorrow so I will find then how successfully I am (or not as the case may be) I may even do a small video to show the process which I hope will help. Cheers. ………….Graham

[@GronkstonModelRailway]

Hi Graham, My EcoS fried itself this afternoon and I was thinking about the Z21 for my O gauge depot but was wonder if its worth going down that route has I expect would need an ipad on top, making it a lot more expensive than another EcoS. Whats your experience using the Z21 over an EcoS ?

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi mate and I’m sorry to hear about your ECoS, that sucks! 🤬. I still have my ECoS as a standby controller, the two (like most things) have their fore’s and against, I like the Z21 for it’s visual appearance you get on the iPad but it lacks that tactile feel of the control knobs which the ECoS has. I still to this day keep thinking about getting the ECoS back out and trying it again. You’re right, you will have to budget for an iPad - or something similar if you go for the Z21 but I guess you could have a look at getting an old secondhand iPad which would reduce the cost considerably. It doesn’t have to be an all singing, all dancing iPad either, just a basic iPad would suffice. It’s a difficult one to be honest, the Z21 is certainly quite easy to set up and operate but it will take a bit of getting used to in comparison to the ECoS only because they operate in totally different ways to each other. I have always thought of the ECoS as the Rolls Royce of controllers and to be honest, I still do. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help but I’m sure you will make the right decision in the end. 👍🏻. Cheers. ………..Graham

[@GronkstonModelRailway]

@@GrahamFoulston many thanks for your help, keep the great content coming 👍🥂

[@GrahamFoulston]

@@GronkstonModelRailway No worries mate and hope you get it sorted eventually! 👍🏻.

[@GronkstonModelRailway]

@@GrahamFoulston , after a good long talk with a DCC retailer he gave me some options to my requirements and explained the pros and cons. I certainly wouldn’t be getting another EcoS and have settled for the Z21XL kit with the future in mind If I ever get to exhibiting my layout once all completed.

[@GrahamFoulston]

@@GronkstonModelRailway Well you can’t go wrong with that choice, that’s an excellent controller and should serve you well. Enjoy! 👏👏.

[@greghale9972]

Hi Graham, could I ask you a question. Do magnets lose their gripping power over a period of time. Cheers Greg

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Greg and yes, all magnets tend to loose magnetism over a period of time but that can be increased by keeping two magnets together rather than separated, which is why you may have heard of a magnet keeper - it’s keeps them magnetised for longer. Hope that helps. Cheers. ………..Graham

[@moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Excellent Graham I've got most of my stock on hunts not had many breaking but I have put some wagons onto the new hornby ones. They are good and I do prefer them to hunts due to them being moulded rather than 3d printed. I've also found the accurascale ones ok as well and my trains travel through various levels via a helix. Sorry to see you had all those jealous comments made on your previous video, I just can't understand people all the best Andy

[@GrahamFoulston]

Hi Andy and thank you for the comment and like you I have used Hunts and Accurascale but I have settled for these Hornby ones, I just prefer them, they look a little more realistic too but that’s the good thing about our hobby, we have all these choices. No worries about the comments I received, I knew I would get some but hey ho, onwards and upwards. 👍🏻👍🏻. Cheers. ………….Graham