Episode 56 17 Magnetic Uncoupling

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Great Chesterford Junction Model Railway

7 жыл бұрын

G`day Folks,
I have taken the plunge into converting my rolling stock over to small Bachmann couplings with magnetic uncoupling, based on the Brian Kirby method. This video attempts to give an insight into how I`ve dealt with it on my railway.
Cheers Gormo

Пікірлер: 87

@rachelbrady201 6 жыл бұрын

Gormo's the man! Best modelling advisor I have come across. Well done Gormo!!

@cadser0engco 6 жыл бұрын

Nice job and well explained thank you.

@bigdon1a1 6 жыл бұрын

Smart Ingenious was thinking of changing out a large number of couplers this is a money saver

@Wolfyjinny 6 жыл бұрын

I have been thinking of changing over to kadee's for a while now, you have just stopped me in my 'tracks' thank you, this is going to be one of my next projects.

@michaelagnew6203 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip can't wait to try it!!

@JohnPW22 7 жыл бұрын

That's a very useful set-up, thanks for sharing!

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

No worries John. Cheers Gormo

@anthonybooth2091 3 жыл бұрын

A great insight into the kirby uncoupling system.

@FredWilbury 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Gormo ....methinks....ingenious and so simple.....thank you .....it'll save me using the old cocktail plastic stirrer......regards fred

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

No worries Fred Cheers Gormo

@rodneymcgiveron 4 жыл бұрын

absolute genius...greetings from Australia

@greatchesterfordjunction 4 жыл бұрын

G`day Rodney, Thanks mate Cheers Gormo

@bangboats3557 6 жыл бұрын

Kudos! You have demystified the mystery and simplified the system. I now feel confident with going ahead with this system.

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

Don`t do anything just yet, I have an improved system coming up for posting tomorrow........stay tuned.!! Cheers, Gormo

@carol.taylor3675 7 жыл бұрын

G'day from the UK.Just to inform you that i have adopted the same idea as well.I did 3 wagons as a tester,worked just prefect.With a few burnt fingers tips in the process,fiddly as well,hence got my third hands out,much better.So i will now do all the rest of my rolling stock etc.I thank you for bring this simple system to my attention and safes a lot of cost as well...Carol

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

G`day Carol, No more burnt finger tips has to be a plus for sure.! ...I`m glad it worked out easier for you with the Superglue. We must thank Brian Kirby for the idea in the first place for a simple and effective method. Cheers Gormo

@davidspottiswoode3831 10 ай бұрын

Hi, I hope to use this system… also in the UK. Please can you tell me what couplers did you use and where did you buy them? Cheers Dave

@FBMRR 4 жыл бұрын

This is ingenious. We dont have those couplers in the US. But i like it.

@johanswanepoelswanies7483 Жыл бұрын

WoW Thanks Gormo, thats top notch. Shout out to Brian for thinking that one up 👍🏻

@greatchesterfordjunction Жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

@waldenhouse 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent tutorial! Thanks. There are so many methods and I'm VERY interested in this method. Much better to use the height gauge as this was one of my concerns. Super. A UK layout use tufts of "weeds" and removes one coupling hook from each wagon (all wagons must point in the same direction) As the hook passes over the tuft there's enough fibre to move the hook up and in a shunting yard the weeds don't look out of place! Just a thought, but thanks very much for the hints & tips.

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments and tips Bobby D. The weeds idea is interesting and low tech and worth a look. The method in the video above works fine but I am currently working on improving that as well. I have changed the location of the staple on the hook altogether and I`m getting more reliable operation with a distinct visual improvement. As it`s still in the development and testing stages, no video will be forthcoming until I`ve nailed it....but I`m in the home stretch with it now......so it should happen within the foreseeable future.??? Cheers, Gormo

@User-3O3 Жыл бұрын

Really innovative idea. It would be even better if you could have the part of several sleepers between the two rails to be made from this magnetic material so that it blends in even more with the track work rather than having several circular magnets in between the sleepers.

@canalsidingsmodelrailway3411 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Gormo. That is very interedting. I had heard about a systen like this but never seen it in action. It does seem to work really well and is very cost effective. It is also far better than using those unsightly ramps between the rails..............John

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

G`day John. Have to agree the ramps are ugly. The system does work well providing you can set those staples at the same height for each wagon and coach. The height gauge makes a world of difference. I have had a suggestion given to me on Platform 1 MRC that rectangular magnets set down the middle of the track may give a more even pull on the staples. So I have just ordered some to give it a go...they are 15mm x 3mm x 2mm. I will update with the results once the magnets arrive ....which could be three weeks.???? Cheers gormo

@canalsidingsmodelrailway3411 7 жыл бұрын

Yes I use rectangular magnets with my Spratt and Winkle couplings. They work really well and are available in different strengths, N52 being the strongest.......................John

@FarlandHowe 6 жыл бұрын

Impressive, a simple, cheap and effective decoupling system.

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob Cheers Gormo

@frostgfx 7 жыл бұрын

That's a pretty nifty solution! Here in the USA most modelers make the transition to Kadee or Microtrains couplers for their rolling stock and locos. Same magnetic idea but different action.

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, The Kadees are a better system but Brian Kirby`s solution is good for folks on a budget. Cheers Gormo

@jsrogers6464 5 жыл бұрын

How would you place the staples on a knuckle system?

@Romin.777 5 жыл бұрын

Your intro music gives me chills in the best way. :))

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

Wow !!!!.....thanks Romin Cheers Gormo

@NWR_astrotrain Жыл бұрын

this is gonna save me so much money that was gonna be use on converting to kadees

@carol.taylor3675 7 жыл бұрын

ooop's i decided to do it with super clue,far better.As i should have done a re,run of your video.No more burnt fingers tips Carol

@alfredbarten4901 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea

@greatchesterfordjunction 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@vasantharanchigoda7729 2 жыл бұрын

It is really fascinating,simple & practical.many thanks to you.Do you have a simple method like this for 'N' scale? If not please create one.I am Vasantha from SriLanka.

@farric1 5 жыл бұрын

Your jinty might run better at slow speed if the coupling rod was mounted the right way up. The magnets are a great idea and useful for me!

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Craig, The rods were fixed a long time ago Cheers Gormo

@farric1 5 жыл бұрын

@@greatchesterfordjunction I use a Jinty for shunting that I built from a Nucast whitecast kit with an airfix 5 pole motor. It's the smoothest loco in my fleet and has been for the last 30 years!

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

@@farric1 Sounds like a good one Craig, it must have some good weight too being from a kit.? Cheers Gormo

@tyroneroberson5177 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the lessons ,you are good how do one install them coulings

@greatchesterfordjunction 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! Cheers Gormo

@lesatkins42 Жыл бұрын

Might be better to use a thin metal strip to stretch between the two outer magnets to stop that popping up and down. It should then look like one continuous magnet. It'll also remove the need for the other 4 magnets. Just remember to make sure both magnets point in the same direction.

@greatchesterfordjunction Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip Les Cheers Gormo

@rhiwderinraytube 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Gormo Thanks for the replies. I hear no sound effects, so it looks like you are using DC not DCC. I am in the process of adding background sound (station noise, guards whistle, loco movements) to my layout by using downloaded sounds from the internet and playing them in a large hidden Bluetooth speaker (Anker). You can use a cheap tablet pc or even use a Walkman with a cheap Bluetooth transmitter/receiver connected to the Walkman and set to transmit. Unfortunately with Bluetooth you can only connect one speaker at a time, so I will use the Train Tech DC sound system placed in a CCT wagon or a coach to add moving sound to steam and diesel trains. It is much easier and cheaper to fit them to a wagon/coach rather than individual locomotives. You can replace the supplied speaker and tube with a superior cube speaker. The coin battery can also be replaced with a twin AA battery holder for longer life but this takes up more space.

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

Your layout will become very atmospheric with the sound added Ray, It may be a future project for me but at this stage there are too many other parts to concentrate on. Cheers Gormo

@m2944 4 жыл бұрын

This looks great, but I have one worry with this method.. as a loco passes over these strong magnets, does its motor suffer damage in the long term?

@greatchesterfordjunction 4 жыл бұрын

Hi M, I am not 100% sure if the magnets have a detrimental effect, however DC Concepts Power Base system. www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-powerbase/ requires you to fit substantial magnets under your locos for it to work. I would assume they have done their homework and found no ill effects from using such a system. Cheers Gormo

@rhiwderinraytube 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Gormo. Do you have any experience with (preferably variable) close coupling of coaches? I would like to reduce the unsightly gap between coaches but I have some tight curves, which means that the couplings have to lengthen to go around tight curves.

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

Sorry Ray, Can`t help you there.......however I have seen somewhere, somebody who created an expanding connection between the coach ends and I think it was made from folded paper.??? Cheers Gormo

@rhiwderinraytube 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gormo I found a DIY sheet here britishmodelrailwayclubofmontreal.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/coach-corridor-connections-and.html and ready made connections here (UK) www.mbmodelrailwayproducts.co.uk/products and here www.modellers-mecca.co.uk/27-corridor-connections

@PaulGarwood 4 жыл бұрын

Paul from England, just an idea, but would it be better instead of using ordinal stapes you could use power staples, they are wider and stronger.

@greatchesterfordjunction 4 жыл бұрын

G`day Paul, Yes I guess the larger surface area would be more effective, however what we are trying to do here, is not only have the coupling work magnetically, but also from a visual point of view, we don`t want the staple to look very dominant. So it`s a balance of mechanical effectiveness and aesthetics.........down to personal choice really.??? It`s a bit of a holy grail for me and I`m nowhere near the answer yet.....I`ll just keep plodding. Thanks for your idea. Cheers Gormo

@rhiwderinraytube 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Gormo. Thanks for the video, great thinking to set the height correctly. Question:- What diameter of magnets do you use? Have you tried different diameters to see if they make any difference to performance?

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

G`day Ray , Welcome aboard. The circular magnets used in this video are 3mm diam x 2mm thick and they are code N35. The "N" number denotes the power of the magnet. The bigger the number the bigger the pulling power.There are N50`s available but depends on the size too as to whether you can get the higher rating. In the end I have changed over to rectangular magnets that sit on top of the sleepers. I have had to change the height that the staples sit at, but overall it is easier to fit the magnets and they are also easier to remove if you change your mind. The rectangular magnets are 10mm long x 3mm wide x 2mm thick x N35. I went down this road to stop the coupling hooks raising up and down as they passed over a sleeper to the next magnet in between the sleepers. The rectangular magnets achieve an even pull along their length. At the end of the day it`s best to experiment and try different combinations and settings until you find what works for you. Which ever magnets and or strengths you use you will still find the trickiest and most frustrating part is fitting the staples. I still think there has to be a better way to do it but I haven`t come up with anything at the moment. Hope this helps.?? Cheers Gormo

@rhiwderinraytube 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Gormo. Sorry, I wrote the question before I saw your other video ! Do you still use your metal jig to bend the staples to a consistent shape?

@greatchesterfordjunction 6 жыл бұрын

No worries Ray, Yes I use the jig.....you have to be able to achieve consistency.......mind you that said....sometimes you have to tweak the staple when it`s on the wagon. There is quite a lot of play in the hooks on these tension lock couplers and consequently they don`t always allow the staple to sit centrally over the magnets.....so sometimes you have to fiddle it a bit. Cheers Gormo

@PerthMRC 3 жыл бұрын

Agree really useful video esp the jig to get a consistent height. I use 15mm dia x 0.5mm magnets located beneath the sleepers but above the baseboard. Clearly this is best installed before you ballast any track.

@pim1234 Жыл бұрын

clever !!

@dannyvanstraelen3273 Жыл бұрын

I love the idea, very good video👍 have you ever thought or tried an electromagnet?

@greatchesterfordjunction Жыл бұрын

Thanks Danny, No never tried an electromagnet but it would certainly give an extra option to shunting. Cheers Gormo

@ravenscrossmodelrailway3281 5 жыл бұрын

What size magnets do you use?

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

In this case, round 3mm x 2mm....Neodymium

@michaelagnew6203 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks will it work for me although I have fully magnetic couplings?

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

Sorry the answer is no. If you have metal couplings that are attracted to a magnet, they will not work at all. In fact the magnet in the track will pull the drop down bar on the coupling hook down towards it and lift the other end of the wagon. This system works best with the mini Bachmaan Tension Lock couplings, which have no components that are attracted to magnets. It could also be applied to the Mainline style coupler, which is all plastic. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Cheers Gormo

@michaelagnew6203 5 жыл бұрын

Hi again if that won't work do you know of any ways of doing it??

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

You would have to replace your current tension locks with the mini Bachmaan system. Cheers Gormo

@unklehomer 4 жыл бұрын

I have found it will actually. Not tried with the massive old hornby hoops, but using new hornby, or the Dapol ones you can by in big packs I get good uncoupling all round. Only difference is I have magnets either side of the uncoupling point, but not in the centre. And i tried several different depth and radius of magnet before getting one the worked well. Less is more with magnets, as too powerful and they begin to attract the axles of trucks giving unpredictable and clunky movement.

@michaelagnew6203 5 жыл бұрын

Are these metal couplings?

@greatchesterfordjunction 5 жыл бұрын

Yes Michael, The coupling hooks are made of brass. The rest of the coupling is plastic. Brass is good because it`s non magnetic ........very important in this application. Cheers Gormo

@IchsanToretto 4 жыл бұрын

smart

@jakedarling7549 7 жыл бұрын

Your jinty's con rods are upside down... Other than that a very helpful video :)

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

Ooops!!!!!

@davemarson7241 7 жыл бұрын

A lot cheaper than Kadee's Gormo

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

That`s true Dave but the Kadees can do a good deal more.???......Anyway for me it will do and it works.....that`s good enough.!! Cheers Gormo

@davemarson7241 7 жыл бұрын

Kadee's are ok if you have new wagons with nem pockets in them, Most of my stock is over 30 years old, i think this method will work just right....Dave

@greatchesterfordjunction 7 жыл бұрын

Well that`s good Dave..........I would suggest experimenting with it first to find what works for you. The height gauge makes a big difference to help set it up and that` s what it`s all about......uniformity. Cheers gormo