Hi Everyone, I am in the process of designing a small home layout. I will use Kadee couplers with digital control. I have used the Kadee couplers before, but I have never actually bothered to put uncoupling magnets under the track on previous layouts. Can anyone provide guidance or opinions on where to locate the magnets on industrial spurs or on a yard ladder? Also, any comments on permanent magnets versus electric magnets. I will be using the 800 series uncouplers on S Scale trains. Thanks.
Scot Osterweil has a switching layout described here which shows where he put uncoupling magnets. But, personally, I think he has too many if you are prepared to make use of the delay feature of the Kadees. Main tip is to try and place them on track which is straight for a car length each side of the magnet. (I have to put one on a sharp curve and have offset the centre of the magnet a few mm to the outside to try and keep it with the couplers. Seemed to work when I mocked it up, but I haven't finished that piece of track yet and it may yet be a problem (OK, a disaster ).) I've not used electric magnets. Thought about it, but there seemed to be too many downsides . So I went with the mechanical method where the magnet is hinged so it drops away from the track. Then some method of pushing/pulling it up is used to achieve uncoupling. Works a treat .
