toddalin

I know that there are several "train guys" here, both in the modeling and real world.

First some background for those who are not into model trains. Every manufacturer uses their own design couplers between the engine and the railcars. The problem arises when you want to mix manufacturers and the couplers are incompatible.

There is one manufacture, Kadee, who sells aftermarket couplers for the various manufacturers and when you replace them, they have a "standard" in that they all become the same, and sit at the same height from the track so you can couple any cars or engines together.

The Kadees also have the advantage such that you can place a magnet between the rails, and when you park a set of railcars/couplers over the magnet, then move the train back and forth, they uncouple automatically. None of the other manufactures offer this in the larger scales. So, most people who run mixed manufactures or "operations" replace their existing couplers with Kadees.

The problem is trying to uncouple the Kadees from above without dealing with the magnets. You can lift the train car/wheels and uncouple them then set the car back down, hoping to get it back on the tracks. Or, if you get just the right flat blade screwdriver, you can put it between the couplers and give a "special twist" once you develop the technique. But its a hassle getting the screwdriver in place and involves lots of bending and stooping.

I've knew there had to be a better way. I found that if you use a piece of brass with just the right dimensions and contour, you could simply push it between the couplers from above.

Then looking at the problem, I determined that if I put a 90 degree twist into the brass, in the right direction, it would accomplish the task of opening the knuckles without having to twist the tool.

Then there was the stooping problem.

Voila! There has never been anything like this offered on the market, at least that I've seen in the 15+ years I've been doing this.

mrg

Two birds with one stone - Cool looking too, Todd. .. Age adjustable (stoop). .. NICE

keystonefarm

Neat idea !!! Think I'll make up one for HO . Yup you are right about train guys and car guys !!! I'm one of both. Interesting to get Model RR ideas on a Corvette forum !!! ------------ Ken McCorry

narlee

Nice job, and I really like the "grungy" look on the coupler on the left. That's the way most of them look unless they're new.

Railroadman

And I bet those Kaydee's are a LOT lighter to change out than a real one!

narlee

Wasn't my favorite job, especially by yourself. Kind of a 3 handed move.

MiguelsC2

I will forward this to my Dad. He has been building train layouts for 50+ yrs. All different gauges including yard trains. He builds most of his own cars from scratch. Used to anyhow. He has a current multi-gauge layout (approx 1000 sq ft). He had to stop building them due to a shaky hand.

Railroadman

Once used my belt to hold the cut lever up while I put the new one in. Tried it another time and something was not the same dimension and it wouldn't work.

I think there's a similarity between railroading and driving an old Vette. If all you see is a guy riding by you - in an old Vette or in a loco cab - man, that's cool, I wanna do that. When you have to lie underneath the car with oil dripping on you to fix something, or walk 50 rail carlengths in the rain and dark because the hoses came apart, somehow it's not QUITE as much fun as you thought!

narlee

Got that right.

Toddalin has the right idea with the smaller scale, and the ingenuity to make it better.

landshark 454

Yes...and being on call 24/7, or sitting in a siding for hours, or waiting on the "Dog Catcher".

Now I get my train fix from being engine crew on the 4449 Daylight.

Also, I just finished 5 months as a conductor and mechanic, running trains for the new Lone Ranger movie. When we shot in Creede, CO, I drove my Corvette to the set for a week. Caused quite a stir.

Railroadman

I see from your profile the Vette is maroon. I was picturing a silver one, and all the Lone Ranger fun - at the end of the day, you hop in and turn the key, and give a hearty 'Hi-ho Silver, AWAY!"

A cool gig none the less!

Gotta admit I DO miss it just a little. We just got back from vacation and we stopped by a line I used to work for out in Oklahoma. It was a good place to work, and when I saw the TM I told him "Put me in, Coach!". But overall I did the right thing by retiring - more Corvette time.

sub006

Any Corvette person with a '60s layout, do you have a sports car track with an original Grand Sport crossing the finish line WELL ahead of a pack of Cobras?

toddalin

I model September 1957, so not on mine