Just to clarify on the 1/2" magnets. They don't get mounted anywhere. Instead thay are portable. Just glue one to a small piece of angle stock and place it where ever you want to uncouple cars. When your done uncoupling, pick up the magnet assembly and take it with you. Also forgot to mention this whole set-up works better with plastic wheels. It will work with metal wheels, but the magnet and wheels may attract to each other. Yes, even those non-magnetic metal wheels. Appears the wheel may be non-magnetic, but not the axle.
The Radio Shack 13/64" rare earth magnets work very nicely in N scale for N scale couplers or Z scale couplers. 1/2" magnets are a bit on the large side. Stay cool and run steam.....
Greeat info thread guys! Now, steamghost, please explain the RDA heory to me as I cant see any specificationof how or what this is supposed to mean or do- if this is reversed drfat ger- then I dont see any technical difference with what isnt marked as 'positive' draft gear! thanks, dave
On the older Microtrains couplers the inside edge of the knuckle was slightly rounded. When two couplers were mated, if there was any vertical movement, one would tend to ride up and the other down so they would slip apart under load. The Newer Reverse Draft Angle couplers have a more concave edge so this is supposed to happen less. For a more graphic image, wrap your hand around a cylinder, something like a broom handle. Notice how the two middle fingers stick out farther. That is like the old coupler. Now imagine they are shorter than your pointer finger and your pinky so that the finger tips line up bowed inward. That is like the RDA.