Couplings
- Thread starter CoggesRailway
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</p><p>I have found that a snail between the tracks has a very unpleasant time when a 4kg steamie goes over it...Chris M - 6/11/2009 10:40 AM I have found that a snail between the tracks acts as a most effective uncoupler - all you have to do is train one to come out at the right time
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</p><p>Paul I use a kebab skewer for removing grit from point blades but I doubt if it would uncouple the choppers. I'm not sure what your small skewer looks like - can you show a piccie of one? I may have to invest since I don't think there is one in the kitchen drawer.</p><p>I can imagine my new-found interest in visiting the John Lewis kitchen department will be treated with great suspicion in certain quarters...</p>owlpool - 6/11/2009 11:21 AMsee my post above same turkey skewer does both
johnsaintjim - 6/11/2009 1:34 PM
<p></p><p>Paul I use a kebab skewer for removing grit from point blades but I doubt if it would uncouple the choppers. I'm not sure what your small skewer looks like - can you show a piccie of one? I may have to invest since I don't think there is one in the kitchen drawer.</p><p>I can imagine my new-found interest in visiting the John Lewis kitchen department will be treated with great suspicion in certain quarters...</p>owlpool - 6/11/2009 11:21 AMsee my post above same turkey skewer does both
I'll try to get a photo of it this w/e with a scale / tape / ruler next to it
its very narrow - has to be to get between the choppers
I now have an image in my head of you in the kitchen dept of John Lewis asking for a turkey skewer like your friend's got, small enough to go between your choppers
you'll probably be kicked out
I also use the LGB uncoupling ramps.
Here at Sheringham, I have 2 placed closely together, as can be seen here between the V52 loco and the hopper wagons.
The reason for having 2 close together, is due to all my stock having a hook at both ends. I can uncouple a loco from a train, without me having to use my 'prodder' mentioned earlier, before running round and coupling up at the other end of the train....
I find it easier to have a hook at one end only of each wagon. Does mean I can't have a reverse loop, but as I don't plan on having one it doesn't matter. Uncoupling so far by means of a piece of half-inch (approx) dowel, with a long panel pin bent into an L-shape fitted at one end. Must try the spade/credit card shape out - sounds an easier option.
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</p><p>Not if I take me chopper with me I won't Paulowlpool - 6/11/2009 4:33 PM ... I now have an image in my head of you in the kitchen dept of John Lewis asking for a turkey skewer like your friend's got, small enough to go between your choppers
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Yep! Push and twist. I enjoy the freight shunting aspect of modelling so this seemed to be the most cost effective approach. I have a reverse loop (and also some uneven track) so need hooks at both ends of each wagon so uncoupling without it is a fiddle. The plant labels come in packs of ten so always plenty to hand if they go walkabout.
Rik
For my Accu-craft chopper couplings I use a highlt technically bent paper clip. The wire is just right to slip between the coupling faces so can lift both hooks at the same time from underneath, while five finger shunting one wagon clear. Improvement would be to fix it to a small stick. 
I use a plastic plant label chamferred off at one end. Slips between the LGB couplings easily (with one hook or two) and if used sideways on it also uncouples accucraft choppers.
Most of my stock is kept in fixed rakes/sets. Some rakes have knuckles, others have hook & loops. But I was thinking of adding Kadees to my locos and then fitting more Kadees to either end of each set. Wouldn't be any point in replacing every coupler so I'd just do the ones at each end. Might make shunting a bit easier.
Glen
Glen
johnsaintjim - 6/11/2009 1:34 PM
<p></p><p>Paul I use a kebab skewer for removing grit from point blades but I doubt if it would uncouple the choppers. I'm not sure what your small skewer looks like - can you show a piccie of one? I may have to invest since I don't think there is one in the kitchen drawer.</p><p>I can imagine my new-found interest in visiting the John Lewis kitchen department will be treated with great suspicion in certain quarters...</p>owlpool - 6/11/2009 11:21 AMsee my post above same turkey skewer does both
remembered to get around to taking a pic of my uncoupling skewer
works for LGB, and Accy choppers
On the Dunny Reichesbahn and the Ruschbahn too, we use knives. The sort that are preferred are the ones with a nice bone handle that have seen loads of action. The benefit of these is the lack of width in the blade which makes them a snap to fit between the LGB Couplings.
They can be picked up a boot sales etc very cheep, so I have around 10 or so littered around that layout. Having good Sheffield Stainless Steel they do not rust either.
JonD
They can be picked up a boot sales etc very cheep, so I have around 10 or so littered around that layout. Having good Sheffield Stainless Steel they do not rust either.
JonD