HI all -
I am in the process of planning a new layout. Haven't built one in a long time, and consequently this will be my first experience with magnetic uncoupling.
I have read a couple books on "realistic operations" and track planning, and knowing the basics of what I'm looking to do, I've got a feeling I'm going to need quite a few uncouplers. Perhaps well more than my budget for this will allow. For example, based on the idea that I will have trains running in both directions, all spurs are both trailing point and facing point at one time or another. Thus, for each run-around I build into the track plan, the way I currently see it, I will need four uncouplers. One before the westbound switch and one after, and one before the eastbound switch and one after.
Obviously, depending on the number of runarounds I have, the number of uncouplers needed is going to add up fast. That doesn't even count yard uncouplers and any other randoms I may require for putting motive power together/taking it apart.
So the question here is, has anyone ever made their own electro-magnetic uncouplers? I seem to recall a grade school science project where we made an electro-magnet by wrapping wire around a nail. I'm sure it wouldn't be that simple, but surely it's possible, no?
An alternative, of course, would be a suggestion for cheap-but-reliable pre-made ones. I have seen a suggestion for "Kadee #708 magne-electric uncouplers" but I am not sure if they are for HO scale yet.
Another alternative would be for everyone to donate a magnetic decoupler to me because I am such a great guy. I view this as the least likely of all options.
I am in the process of planning a new layout. Haven't built one in a long time, and consequently this will be my first experience with magnetic uncoupling.
I have read a couple books on "realistic operations" and track planning, and knowing the basics of what I'm looking to do, I've got a feeling I'm going to need quite a few uncouplers. Perhaps well more than my budget for this will allow. For example, based on the idea that I will have trains running in both directions, all spurs are both trailing point and facing point at one time or another. Thus, for each run-around I build into the track plan, the way I currently see it, I will need four uncouplers. One before the westbound switch and one after, and one before the eastbound switch and one after.
Obviously, depending on the number of runarounds I have, the number of uncouplers needed is going to add up fast. That doesn't even count yard uncouplers and any other randoms I may require for putting motive power together/taking it apart.
So the question here is, has anyone ever made their own electro-magnetic uncouplers? I seem to recall a grade school science project where we made an electro-magnet by wrapping wire around a nail. I'm sure it wouldn't be that simple, but surely it's possible, no?
An alternative, of course, would be a suggestion for cheap-but-reliable pre-made ones. I have seen a suggestion for "Kadee #708 magne-electric uncouplers" but I am not sure if they are for HO scale yet.
Another alternative would be for everyone to donate a magnetic decoupler to me because I am such a great guy. I view this as the least likely of all options.
"Don't open the gates!! Who the hell needs a wooden horse that size anyway?!?!"
