Does this make sense?

F

foulrift

Bob
May 2, 2008
112
0
16
Phillipsburg,NJ
When I was planning my layout I asked a lot of questions and did a lot of searching and the one topic that had me thinking a lot was uncoupling cars.I posted a question about and searched the topic and the one thing I learned was that a lot of model railroaders used various techniques. I guess it came down to personal preferences but it got me thinking about my own layout.True it was inspired by a real industrial park but looks nothing like it. Mine is totally fictional.It is only 2'x8'.On past layouts I used between the rails magnets but wasn't thrilled with them.Given the fact that I would not have to reach far to uncouple cars,I'm leaning towards manual uncoupling.My rational for this line of thinking is this-I'm probably the only one who will see or run the layout so why not do it the way I want? Also it would allow me to do two other things-get rid of the trip pins and to add realistic looking air hoses.Does this make sense?I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.Bob :confused:
 
Hello Bob!
By the way what years are you modelling, and what kind of trains? And yes,this makes sense. As you said - yur railroad is probably only seen and operated by yourself. You build your layout for your own enjoyment. You decide what is cool, and what you don't like. Others opinions do not count. But I agree with you. The degree of automation is up to you.
By not using hidden magnets you model manual decoupling, as you 'walk' along your train to get to the couplers. If you think you'll have fun operation your rr, then you have choosen the right path!
 
That's how the prototype does it...! I think the "loss" of the gladhand and the gain of a scale air hose is worth it.

And I agree with olamat that it does give you a feel for being there and acting as one of the crew during your operations.

Andrew
 
Thanks for the replies.They are appreciated.
Olamat-I'm modeling the 50's and the engine for the industrial park is an EMD SW7.There is one still one question that I have about manual uncoupling-once the knuckles are opened can I still push a car if necessary as happens with the use of magnets? Bob
 
There is one still one question that I have about manual uncoupling-once the knuckles are opened can I still push a car if necessary as happens with the use of magnets? Bob
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. You simply have to manually set them in the "delayed" position. Same caveats apply as with magnets - don't let slack into the consist or they may recouple; smooth trackwork and well-performing rolling stock are required.

Andrew
 
foulrift said:
Thanks for the replies.They are appreciated.
Olamat-I'm modeling the 50's and the engine for the industrial park is an EMD SW7.There is one still one question that I have about manual uncoupling-once the knuckles are opened can I still push a car if necessary as happens with the use of magnets? Bob
Click to expand...

Exactly what I do.Just hold the coupler over until you back the other car up to it. My layout is like yours, and I use the skewers only. I have a couple magnets but i use them to pick up junk off the layout ( nails and screws ).:mrgreen:

Loren
 
Thanks again for the replies.Andrew and Loren-That is exactly what I wanted to know-Thanks.
I must say that I find it refreshing to post here for many reasons-replies are made short and to the point without dragging things out,the information given in replies is both useful and helpful giving the modeler choices and the most important thing that I find here is respect,not only in the way posts are replied to but the respect shown a modeler reguardless of his abilities.I'm sure that this means as much to me as it does to the other people that post here.Thanks to all of you. Bob
 
My last layout was designed so that I could reach all the trains, and the new one is designed the same way. I used manual uncoupling on the old one and the new one will have the green giant doing the same thing. Besides, those magnets were very unsightly. Good luck,
Allan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom