Couplings

C

CoggesRailway

Registered
I find shunting things about good fun, but I find releasing the couplings really cumbersome (the LGB type- where ther are two hooks involved) it's really frustrating and if you end up derailing a wheel cos they're so stubborn it kind of spoils the game!

Any method, tool or am I just cack handed?

Ian
 
I believe some people use like a credit card on the end of a pole
 
<p><font size="3">Hi Nico,</font></p><p><font size="3">Have a look at the Scottish Garden Trains page at the following </font></p><p><a href="http://www.gardentrains.co.uk/2001web/2001webhtms/hintstip.htm"><font size="3">http://www.gardentrains.co.uk/2001web/2001webhtms/hintstip.htm</font></a><font size="3">, </font></p><p><font size="3">part way down there are instructions for making an uncoupler. </font></p><p><font size="3">Thin welding wire is mentioned - that may be 1.6mm wire, MIG wire I think will be a bit thin. </font></p><p><font size="3">The whole section seem to have some good tips. </font></p><p><font size="3">No connection with Sandy Alexander.</font></p><p> </p>
 
nico - 5/11/2009 1:44 PM <p>
Steve - 5/11/2009 1:23 PM I believe some people use like a credit card on the end of a pole
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</p><p>its the best place for it :D
</p><p>
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</p><p>Nico, do you say tis as your to short to reach the cash machine :rolf: </p>
 
Steve - 5/11/2009 1:59 PM
nico - 5/11/2009 1:44 PM <p>
Steve - 5/11/2009 1:23 PM I believe some people use like a credit card on the end of a pole
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</p><p>its the best place for it :D
</p><p>
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</p><p>Nico, do you say tis as your to short to reach the cash machine :rolf: </p><p>
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</p><p>Oh Steve using a credit card in a cash machine now thats a no no ,i have only used a cash machine once in my life about 20 years ago.
</p>
 
peterbunce - 5/11/2009 1:54 PM

No connection with Sandy Alexander.</font></p><p> </p>
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Sandy's one of the good guys in G Scale - actually he just loves trains of any sort :thumbup:
 
i use a simple flat head screw driver pushed in between double couplers-a tiny bit of slack is necessary
any 'knife like' item works well-including the back of a blade-

and

one can also reach under each carriage and depress the lever-altho this is often a pain
 
I use a thingy that I found lying around, I don't know what it came from (I'll take a piccy tomorrow - battery is flat at the mo) and I stuck it on the end of a stick that came from a firework rocket. It uncouples a treat and if I reverse it I can change the points, 2 gizmos for the price of one:D :D
 
small cooking skewer
as used for fixing turkey skin once the front end stuffing is in



.................. may have to confess soon.................




:rolf: :rolf: :rolf:
 
I use a large plant label, one of several that Netty sent to me.

The flat end is used as per the credit card idea, and the pointy end is useful for removing ballast trapped between point check and stock rails, getting boy scouts out of horses hooves, or prodding annoying peeps who don't like my railway!

Suffice to say, no-one has yet been prodded to date....
 
<p>
Steve - 5/11/2009 1:23 PM I believe some people use like a credit card on the end of a pole
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</p><p>That would be Mr. Pole, from Poland :rolf: </p><p> </p>
 
I use plastic plant labels. I usually have a couple tucked in my back pocket. You could always hot glue one to a piece of dowel to avoid stooping. I find the pointed end really good for hoiking out gravel from point blades.
 
Ahh so you stick the plant lable/credit card down between to the two loops bushing the hooks down and twist to push the stock apart. Great!
 
LGB used to make (perhaps still do), a uncoupling ramp for their hook and loop couplers, these will also uncouple Bachmann Knuckle Couplers by pushing up the pins, I have two varieties Elrectric Operated and Universal, as long as train is being pulled does not uncouple, on pushing or stopping over the ramp uncoupling is done.
 
And for your encore guys, please present your brilliant ideas for uncoupling Accucraft choppers....

Nearest idea I have come up with is a similar arrangement to the credit card on a stick but with a hook shape so you can lift the choppers up and then twist - but I haven't made one yet.
 
This is my version of an uncoupler for LGB hoop couplings. It is made from a drinks stirrer courtesy of your local eating house and csn be made in minutes.
 
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #43647e; font-size: 10pt">Re Accucraft couplings, on my indoor layout, I'm using a piece of brass wire, bent up into a small hook at one end. Works fine for lifting individual "choppers", but the positioning of the stock is important. Perhaps a flat piece to separate the centre buffers might help. <p> </p></span><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #43647e; font-size: 10pt">This is obviously easier on a waist-level line than at ground level..</span></p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #43647e; font-size: 10pt"><p><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #43647e; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><img border="0" src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/yottie/Trains/P1010104.jpg" /></span></p></span>
 
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 :D
 
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