Hornby uncoupling tool

If you would like to get started on your own magne-matic, self releasing couplers for your next railway project, then have a look at our KADEE range of products. Watch Video here. We use cookies to optimize your experience, analyse site traffic, and targetted ads. By continuing to use this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy.

Now open again for walk in customers. Please read our Christmas Deliveries Cut off Dates for more details. Close menu. Hands-free operation can really add to the immersion and fun of operating your model railway.

Magnetic uncoupling is a simple way to allow for a hands-free coupling experience on your layout. The Coupler:. The Kadee 18 Magne-matic Couplers are designed as plug-in replacements for locomotives and rolling stock equipped with NEM hook couplers, which includes most recent models produced by Hornby and Branchline by Bachmann.

Installation is as simple as pulling out the existing coupler from the mounting pocket on the underframe of the wagon or carriage and plugging the Kadee Magne-matic coupler into place. No tools are required and it can be done in seconds! Kadee produces replacement couplers with different shank lengths depending on your requirements. I used 18's which have a medium shank length and I found them to work well with short wheelbase locos and rolling stock.

Recent Post Hornby Mar 17, Liliput Mar 17, Author " Henry's grandad " forum member. Starting with a Thomas Playmat layout, I quickly became aware of the damage that a 5-year-old can do when trying to disconnect a loco from its train, or indeed any uncoupling activity.

The lifting and twisting involved resulted in rolling stock being scattered in all directions. So a look at the Hornby uncoupler track length caused some problems, first the cost, second the size which limits the positioning possibilities and third it seems to me to be particularly ugly! Not having modelled for many years, I searched the internet for alternatives, without success.

I did find an electrically operated device at www. So I thought back to my modelling days in the s and an idea which was current then. Basically it consists of a short bit of thin plastic strip being inserted in any section of the track, although it works best on straight sections.

I cut a 10mm wide strip of PET plastic 0. Depending on your make of track and its sleeper spacing it may be necessary to adjust these details. It formed a raised hump, which was carefully adjusted for height by pushing items of rolling stock over it to ensure that the coupling hooks lifted clear of the bar.

Pulling the stock over the ramp just depressed it and does not lift them as they passed by. Once adjusted it can be fixed simply by inserting a track pin at each end. Below are some photos of this test rig showing the strip in position, and with stock in push and pull mode. In operation the rake of stock is pushed over the ramp and stopped with the couplings disengaged, the loco then draws away leaving the rake behind. To assist the spotting exactly of the couplings, it may be necessary to have some sort of marker alongside the track.

Oh, yes, where did I get the PET plastic from? Mine came from the base of a supermarket pack of small tomatoes! At 10 thousandths of an inch thick it had just the right flexibility for the job. If you ignore the cost of the tomatoes, the only cost is your time and a couple of pence for the track pins. Hornby E-Link Computer Control. Hornby Trakmat. Hornby Extension Track Pack A. Hornby Extension Track Pack B.