Electromagnetic Uncoupling That Works!

[Russ Bellinis]

Gary, I like you uncoupling magnet design. I'm curious, do you use Athearn cars with steel weights or Athearn cabooses with steel ladders? I'm asking because I saw a similar product at a train show recently. I can't remember what it was called, and the guy making them out of his garage doesn't have a web site, just an email address. I took his brochure with me and after reading it over, I found that he did not recommend any steel be in rolling stock. None of the Athearn steel weights or Tichy's use of 1/2 inch steel nuts for weights or Athearn's steel ladders on cabooses. I sent him an email inquiry because I was thinking of using some of his uncoupling magnet set ups on a module in the club, but he advised that the magnets are strong enough that they might derail cars if there is steel in them other than the Kaddee trip pin. I could eliminate steel from my cars, but since the modular set ups are a "community" layout for the entire club to enjoy, I could not expect other members to eliminate steel from their rolling stock. After I found out that his product wouldn't work for my situation, I discarded the brochure and lost his email address.

Also another question about the Kaddee O-scale coils. Will they stand a short period of time energized, or are they a momentary type that will burn out if energized for more than a few seconds? One reason that I haven't considered using Kaddee Ho-scale electromagnets on a module is that when we set up at shows anyone in the club can operate on anyone's module, so I try to avoid any momentary contact components.

I won't be using Kaddees on my home layout, since I want to use the Sergents scale couplers that require an uncoupling wand from Sergents rather than some sort of uncoupler under the tracks or between the tracks.