No-Touch Operations with Kadee Couplers

Converting switching over to the Kadee Coupler system on my Erie Lackawanna HO layout.

[@peterperkins2624]

Thanks for the short history of these couplers. I have seen them and was not sure exactly how they work. Now I know!

[@StanFerris]

Thanks for stopping by Peter!

[@matth5241]

Great video, very informative and well presented about Kadee couplers. The part about using a single magnet on the drill track and pushing cars from there reset my thinking about how many magnets (much fewer now) are required for my yard.

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Matt. That's true. One magnet can serve a whole ladder of sidings in a yard.

[@sd90mac8]

Excellent footage, discussion, informative, don't get any better than this, thanks for sharing this with me 👌👍

[@StanFerris]

Thank you for the very kind words!

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

Thumbs up! 👋

[@StanFerris]

Thanks!

[@toucan221]

that was good to see as I always thought you might have to press a button or something to make the magnet do something. now I will consider trying out the kadee system, thanks for showing this ✔✔😃😃

[@StanFerris]

It is a cool and ingenious system working on just magnetism and no circuitry.

[@luke_atthat]

Nice video. Yes the magnetic system of Kadee couplers is wonderfull !

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Luke!

[@luke_atthat]

I tried the magnet over the rails but it was interferring with the couplers tail... So I use the magnets under the rail (Bachmann) , it is hidden and I can make a space under the rail to slide it halfway to avoid false uncoupling. Check on my videos my tests. Not installed yet though...

[@StanFerris]

Thanks!

[@henrywhittaker2519]

Outstanding ! Many thanks

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Henry! All fun!

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thanks for the explanation. I always wondered what the purpose of the curved rods were for. Now I know.

[@StanFerris]

Yes, Jeffery, it is a quite ingenious product I think. The curved rods not only are made to look like "glad hands" (the air hose tubes that connect the air brakes on real rail cars), but being metal in the model, they facilitate opening the coupler!

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Love those Kadees.

[@StanFerris]

Yes, they are fun!

[@flagman515]

Stan, that is a very good explanation and demonstration of how the system works. Check out Larry Puckett's demo of using rare earth magnets for this. Also, I like how you marked the track to show where the magnet is located.

[@StanFerris]

Will do. Thanks!

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Thanks, Stan.

[@StanFerris]

Glad you could stop by! All fun!

[@Joe-cn9gm]

Nice history lesson I didn't know that about how the name came about 🤔👍🏾

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Joe. Have a great day!

[@davidcurtis5398]

I have a friend who has a museum quality finished layout and has all of his KD magnets under the ties and unseen. The biggest problem seems to be that they are really never in the right places or in places where you might stop a train and when you start up again, the cars uncouple. He really regrets using them. I don't use them at all and have ground off all of the drop uncoupling arms..

[@StanFerris]

David, that must be discouraging! Fortunately for me, I applied my magnets after having run quite a bit so I had an idea where they might be placed to be effective without being annoying (and at that I used them very sparingly). The thin ones I use are not quite strong enough to fully release the couplers unless you back up a bit to take some pressure off the knuckles. Thanks for posting. That info could help folks in their layout planning!

[@uptownphotography]

Nice video. I have used these Kadee magnets before (they work great as you know) and will reinstall them on a new layout I am building. I have often wondered if they can be either recessed in the ties or under the ties and still would have the magnet strength to work properly. Have you ever tried it. Phil

[@StanFerris]

Hi Phil! My guess is that the thin magnets that go between the rails would not be strong enough if mounted under. You could always test that before you start laying your track. Kadee does make a larger magnet to go below. I like the magnet to be at least flush with the rail tops, and so I use a thinner one designed for code 83 track. I do have to adjust the metal arms down a bit on some equipment, but even with the code 100 magnets I had to still tweek the arms a bit. With your photography skills, you'll be able to post some awesome shots and videos of your layout build!

[@uptownphotography]

@@StanFerris Yes I agree under the ties won't work likely. I wish there was a way to disguise them to look a little less obvious. You can always mark their location with a sign post etc, if they were more hidden. Kadee does make some quality stuff. I have one of their Kadee Twin Rail Spiker tools. Super well made and built like a tank. I am toying with selling it as I never have used it once switching to flex track. (I was hand laying track for a while.) The are very rare these days and it's a shame to just have it packed away. Thanks for your response Stan. All the best. Phil

[@StanFerris]

Blessings, Phil! Yeah, if I were more of a detailed artistic modeler I'd want to hide them better.

[@uptownphotography]

@@StanFerris I am somewhat detailed, but not a rivet counter....so i I get your point. Be well Stan and happy modeling. You're doing an excellent job on you modeling and videos..... Phil

[@Homebrew58]

I just buy rectangular magnets and before laying my track permanently to the roadbed I route out a pocket for that magnet and glue it so that it lays just under the rails. I then ballast as usual which covers and hides the magnet.

[@StanFerris]

Sounds like a great idea!

[@awesomecronk7183]

I have a bachmann set that claimed to do this but could never get it to work. Now I'm pretty sure I just need a better magnet!

[@StanFerris]

Or just make sure everything moves freely without a lot of friction. Thanks, Awesome! Stan

[@therabbitswhisper]

so i went to the kadee website, they have many couplers to choose from. What do I buy? Frustrating for a newbie. I spent 400 on a set and the couplers don't work properly. Kinda makes me want to return it.

[@StanFerris]

Yes it can be a bit confusing. I use the #148 couplers with draft gear boxes whenever possible. They have the metal whiskers wires built in and are a medium length. The coupler head is a tad larger than exactly prototypical, but that's ok with me. Start referencing from there as a "middle of the road" kit. Then you might need a longer shaft version for long passenger cars.

[@ttpechon2535]

I always thought those lines were just for detail. I will use this system on my layout though.

[@StanFerris]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@davestrains6816]

Very neat!

[@StanFerris]

Gracias, Dave!

[@MrSteen12]

And this one copletes the explanation. Steen, Denmark.

[@StanFerris]

Thanks for commenting. It's great fun to chat with someone as far away as Denmark!

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

This is the only couplers that I use on all my ho scale train rolling stock

[@StanFerris]

Yes, they are the standard!

[@TheSwitchList]

Nice video Stan. -Rick

[@StanFerris]

Thanks, Rick! Wow- you are really making progress on your layout!

[@Mike-hi3sc]

Thanks for sharing. I think I need the #148. Who makes the flat car with the logs on it if u don’t mind me asking?

[@StanFerris]

It's a Gould 40' flat car plastic kit. The logs are sticks from my back yard, and the chain is from a piece of junk jewelry I found at the dollar store. Thanks for stopping by Mike!

[@Mike-hi3sc]

@@StanFerris awesome. Looks very realistic

[@nigelbarrett4741]

Now I know I’ve been using the special pliers all wrong.

[@StanFerris]

Maybe I'm using them all wrong! 🤣

[@laurensiemens1436]

Its expensive

[@StanFerris]

True, Lauren. The Kadee system is not exactly DIY. But my layout is small, so the expense wasn't a big factor. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@frankrosenbaum3471]

When I converted my rolling stock to KD, I could not afford to do it all at once. I converted one end of one car to KD and left the other end with the hook horn. As I converted cars, they went in front of the KD 'd car. Locos were done first of course.

[@mikedulle1149]

Marklin couplers are far superior than KD couplers!

[@StanFerris]

Mike, I haven't had any experience with Marklin couplers, sorry.

[@mikedulle1149]

The quality of Marklin products is second to none.