Invisible Uncoupling on a Budget! Train Tip Thursday

[@AdiPullen]

Hi John I seen these on Mark Filcher channel believe he has a few. But great to bring it back to people attention special people who don't know of this idea Well made video Keep safe arp

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Thanks Adi. If anything I think these work better than the ones from the manufacturer's. I always find the metal strip that acts as a spring just isn't powerful enough.

[@CZ350tuner]

This was in Railway Modeller, back in the 1970's. In the past I've used solenoid raised planks in the track. Previous to this, it was the good old Triang R160 uncoupling tool. I currently use a powerful stick magnet on a stick, that when held directly above metal coupling hooks, raises them with the residual magnetism temporarily keeping them raised for a minute or two. In theory, a powerful electro-magnet, in the roof f a goods shed, would perform in the same way.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

The old ones are the best, as I keep saying!

[@martinhall60]

Thats a great idea for un coupling rolling stock. I use the hand of God method at the moment but i shall try that method as well.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

It's really nice to be able to uncouple automatically, and I suppose the answer is kadees.

[@OlivierGabin]

@@MessingaboutwithModels Kadees works with magnets under the track. Aesthetically, it's fine, you have zero uncouplers visible with under track magnets. Con, they are not cheap, you have to buy a special tool to uncouple them away from a magnet, and the spring that permits their horizontal locking/unlocking action is easy to loose and fiddly to put back in place.

[@NICKSTOYBARN]

Great video.. Thanks for sharing.. 👍😎👍

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

Thankyou for this , I did something similar a long time ago . I'm glad you reminded me as I'd actually forgotten and needed this exact solution!!! 👍 Thankyou, Darren,😃

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Sometimes the old ones are the best!

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

I like this method and looking forward to your other tips ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Cheers Kev

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Thanks kev.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Love this video .Hope more to come.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Got a few more up my sleeve for the next few weeks.

[@jockpilchard5365]

Clever idea, not new, but then nothing is.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

The old ones are the best!

[@alantraish3368]

I use the small plastic spoon you get with a tub of ice cream. Works anyplace on a layout even curves. Try it👍

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Good excuse to buy some ice cream!

[@OlivierGabin]

The flat wood stick you have on some ice bars is also a good tool that works fine with any vertical action locking coupler.

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

A very old fashioned method for hands free uncoupling if you're still using D-Links. Personally I prefer the hand of God approach as it's the simplest way, works with multiple coupling types and doesn't need any unsightly ramps in the track. That said, I'm sure this old school method will be very useful to many people who don't want to be too hands on with their stock.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Sometimes the old ones are the best. Using clear plastic makes them much less obvious than the Peco or Hornby ramps.

[@HiltonBenchley]

Have to say I find the Hand of God far more unsightly.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

A lot is personal preference. With 3 link couplings you don't have a lot of choice.

[@OlivierGabin]

For me, I use Roco universal couplers on OO and HO rolling stock, and the best way for me is the hand of God, helped by the uncoupling paddle sold with the couplings packages. But I can also use this uncoupler, because Roco couplers are 100 % mechanical with vertical action locking/unlocking. If you have uncouplers that works for classical OO or HO couplers, then they work with Roco Universals.

[@nordictram]

Very nice video :) - Greetings Nordic Tram

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Thanks glad you liked it!

[@Finnertoncentralmodelrailway]

An interesting method

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

Thanks! I like the idea of hands free operation.

[@daveday5507]

Peco made this device in 1963 for their TT track, but I could never make it work.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

I seem to remember the Hornby one I had on my trainset never would work properly either. The metal strip that was supposed to push the plastic up never seemed to be strong enough.

[@patrickfoote9466]

Nothing new, this goes back to the 60/70s for goodness sake. Saw articles in the Railway modeler using the same.

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

And I say that in the video - it isnt new, but hopefully this video has brought it to a new audience!

[@andyrussell7506]

Hi First of all can you please get a microphone that gives a decent volume as U -Tube sound is full up and so is my computer and I can just hear what you say. Your video is a good one though I wouldn't say your ramp is invisible as such. As far as the hand of God scenario is concerned when shunting was carried out in various shunting yards across the country was there not a shunter with a shunting pole to uncouple the wagons and apply the brakes, so in fact your original method was in fact quite authentic. I my self have just done a workshop building on your shunters pole by adding a paddle to the wire so you are not lifting the two hooks from above the coupling bar but lifting both coupling hooks from under the coupling bar and far easier to do. But everyone to his own

[@MessingaboutwithModels]

I'm sorry about that, although the sound volume isnt that low here. I have been thinking of getting a new microphone, but most of my spare cash is going on the model railway at the moment!

[@andyrussell7506]

Hi John I don't know what your using to record you videos the picture I cannot fault nice and sharp image just your sound is not up to scratch, I use an old Panasonic camcorder and purchased a separate video camera condenser microphone for it for £19 which is not a lot which boosts the audio up a bit. It comes with a windshield as well. It takes two aa batteries which last ages. Well worth the investment and will be beneficial all the best with your workshops