N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Teacherpreacher on September 16, 2014, 11:41:33 AM

Title: Uncoupling
Post by: Teacherpreacher on September 16, 2014, 11:41:33 AM
 :hellosign:
I am very new at all this, just moving from 00 to N.  I have bought track, turnouts, Conrad motors, switches.  I already have an H&M dual controller.  I am about to build my baseboards ~ no problems there.  I have also joined the N-Gauge Society and received their handbook.  But nowhere does anybody talk about uncoupling!  Patently it is possible to uncouple remotely, maybe with the use of an electromagnet. but how?  What do I need to buy? 
Help!
John.
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Sprintex on September 16, 2014, 11:54:16 AM
Welcome in John :wave:

Up there in the menu is a 'Search' button - put in "couplings" and there will no doubt be numerous useful results :thumbsup:


Paul
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Bealman on September 16, 2014, 12:36:21 PM
G'day from Australia, John, and welcome to the NGF!

It sounds as if you are an experienced modeller, and have already bought much equipment for your changeover from 00 to N. Good to have another convert!

Your question about automatic uncoupling surprises me, though... having acquired a lot of gear, as you appear to have done, I would have thought getting a layout up and running would have had priority over uncoupling?

If your layout is going to be a shunting yard-type of layout then I can understand the priority.

We are a curious lot here.... we'd love to hear more about your plans!

Again, welcome aboard!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Bob Tidbury on September 16, 2014, 01:15:12 PM
If your stock has NEM pockets you could use Dapol Magnishunt couplings you can also use thier conversion pack for use on non NEM although I think they are a bit fiddly to fit .I also noticed in your post that you are using a H&M controller these are a no go for  new N Gauge motors ,the new Locos now use coreless motors so I would recomend a Morley controller which at £69 is good value it comes with a normal double controller 2 hand held units & a CDU for your points as well as output for lights etc.
Bob
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: CarriageShed on September 16, 2014, 01:50:50 PM
I second Bob. I have a Morley Vesta twin track controller with added CDU and two remote hand-held units, and it's pretty impressive. I can't use my Dapol locos on a friend's layout because his controllers would fry their little motors, so you do have to be a little careful in this regard.
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: LAandNQFan on September 16, 2014, 02:11:25 PM
Welcome to the forum, Teacherpreacher.  By co-incidence (or providence?) we are in the same boat. I've just retired from teaching for the fourth time and I'll be conducting a wedding on Saturday.  I've just started N-gauge, and have been trying to sort the uncoupling dilemma.  I'm putting what I find out on a thread in the Welcome section "Am I getting this right?"  If you look at Caz's layout, (search for Claywell, High Hackton & Bampney Intro), you will find more expert stuff than mine.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Newportnobby on September 16, 2014, 02:27:54 PM
Hi John, and welcome to the forum :wave:
As Sprintex says, the search button will yield lots of reading matter/brain fodder.

Quote from: Bealman on September 16, 2014, 12:36:21 PM

Your question about automatic uncoupling surprises me, though... having acquired a lot of gear, as you appear to have done, I would have thought getting a layout up and running would have had priority over uncoupling?


If you are affixing the track to the baseboards it is a priority to ensure where magnets need to be fitted if going down that route for uncoupling, rather than try and dig track up afterwards.
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Wingman mothergoose on September 16, 2014, 02:37:59 PM
I have mostly non NEM stock and locos, I was going to go down the Gaugemaster/Peco electromagnetic uncoupling route, but this is not a priority at the moment, especially when a single uncoupling unit costs the better part of a tenner! Getting my track laid properly and tested thoroughly is a bigger concern for me, and retrofitting magnets won't be too much of a task....

Chris
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: port perran on September 16, 2014, 02:53:21 PM
Welcome to the forum
What a can of worms uncoupling is !   So many posts about it over the last 2 years or so. Happy reading !
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Bob Tidbury on September 16, 2014, 04:32:01 PM
Don't open a can of worms ,instead of uncoupling you'll get de railments and they make a mess of the track if you run them over  :bounce: ha ha ha.
Bob
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: Ditape on September 16, 2014, 04:48:38 PM
Quote from: Wingman mothergoose on September 16, 2014, 02:37:59 PM
I have mostly non NEM stock and locos, I was going to go down the Gaugemaster/Peco electromagnetic uncoupling route, but this is not a priority at the moment, especially when a single uncoupling unit costs the better part of a tenner! Getting my track laid properly and tested thoroughly is a bigger concern for me, and retrofitting magnets won't be too much of a task....

Chris
I am going down the same road as Chris,I have the magnets and the coupling adapters but not yet started to play with them yet.
Title: Re: Uncoupling
Post by: CarriageShed on September 17, 2014, 11:19:03 AM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on September 16, 2014, 04:32:01 PM
Don't open a can of worms ,instead of uncoupling you'll get de railments and they make a mess of the track if you run them over  :bounce: ha ha ha.
Bob

There's always one...  ;)