I've started bodymounting some Atlas and MLT 40' box cars and reefers with 905's and I'm having issues uncoupling if there is and back and forth motion ie.... slack removal. Any suggestions how to stop this from happening? Also couplers are not mounted super tight they will recenter by themselves. Thanks in advanced, Nick
Are you using the magnetic uncoupling? If you are it's my understanding that the trip pin is too high above the track to work and they must be uncoupled manually.
No this was on a 4' long tests track. No uncouplers no nothing just a straight section I have on my desk.
Is the slack due to looseness of the couplers, or due to pull of the cars, ie between cars. MTL sometimes recommends a tension spring placed in one axle per car to reduce slack.
No offense intended here. Just noting: Tension added also causes more drag. This can be problematic on a mountain railroad with 2 % grades or better. Nothing more dissatisfying to the operator then to pull a short string of cars up the hill. I may, (I did say may?) add a tension spring to either the caboose or last train car in the train. Usually, not always, this will keep the slack taut during the downhill run. Although this can also cause a whiplash effect as the tension spring winds up and then releases. I'm not to crazy about the idea of adding on springs. A car with more drag then the others I.e., older wheel sets is usually more effective. I wish I could be there to see what exactly you are talking about. You've painted a great verbal picture. But....I'm not sure that what I see on my workbench, is what you are seeing on yours. This isn't the first time I've heard of this. These are not your typical toy train knuckle couplers, I.e., Lionel's knuckle couplers. Although they look authenticate couple and uncouple nicely, they don't act like the real deal. Micro-Trains is as close to the prototype action as you could ever ask for. Learning how to work with them and knowing you will experience real slack is actually a plus for the model railroad operator. Toy train operator...not so much.
