I am making an enquiry regarding other member's thoughts regarding the various options for providing delayed uncoupling of stock.
I wrote an article for 009 News in October 2011 in which I stated that I am working on using 3mm B&B couplings with the tails turned up so that they do not foul the track on turnouts. I have managed to make these work most of the time but the hooks are so short that any unevenness in the track or at a board join can result in the loop lifting over the hook resulting in an unplanned uncoupling.
I have several articles about couplings gleaned from the News over the last few years from which I have concluded that there is no really satisfactory solution and that I am probably trying to achieve the impossible. My objective is to be able to couple and uncouple stock remotely. The delay is so that I just need an electromagnet at the entrance to the siding and can then leave the uncoupled vehicle wherever I want in the siding.
I get good results from B&B couplings with my 4mm OO stock.
This enquiry is to ascertain whether there has been any further developments in the last couple of years.
Tony Clarke
Are the hooks on B&B couplings noticeably shorter than on any other loop and hook coupling used in 009?
I don't understand how adding a 'delay' pin or tongue makes a coupling more susceptible to unwanted decoupling than an ordinary loop and hook coupling.
An alternative loop and hook is to use Microtrains or equivalent knuckle coupling. They may be more tolerant of uneven track as the knuckles can ride up and down a bit.
The Sussex Downs Group use B&B couplings extensively, although my own choice is DG. I can only suggest that you ensure the loop is laying horizontally and marginally below the level of the opposite coupling, and that the hook has a small backward angle, so that it holds the loop when in tension. It goes without saying that smooth track is also a key to good operation in all areas, and it worries me that you have uneven-ness and bad board joins that a can cause this to happen regularly. :(
Graeme Dunbar,
The hook on B&B 3 mm is short and is certainly shorter than the hooks on other 009 couplings.
Tony Clarke
Elmgate,
The track is even but the problem seems to be when the wheels at the opposite end of the vehicle drop into the small gap between the ends of the rails at the board join causing the other end to rise. I think one cause of the problem may be that the hook is quite short because it is intended for 3mm.
Tony Clarke
I think you will find that any of the couplings used in 009 will give problems if there are any inconstancies in the track at all. Baseboard joints are often a problem, but when building a layout it is usually possible to design the rail joints in such a way as they is virtually no gap for the wheels to fall into. But this is not always easy and can make the rail ends vulnerable when the layout is being transported unless you have planned for this and have made sure the ends are protected for transportation.
I think it would be possible to modify the Egger/Bemo coupling to give delayed uncoupling.
The 009 versions are basically a miniature copy of the H0 Markin Relex coupler, except they do not have the delayed uncoupling ramp on the loops.
Here is a photo of the Marklin coupler with the ramp part of the loop.
(https://forum.009society.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fweb4.hobbylinc.com%2Fgr%2Fmar%2Fmar72060.jpg&hash=eb235a591399d670143a1457830767d4a5433395)
(Originating web page: http://www.hobbylinc.com/marklin-relex-coupler-10-ho-scale-model-train-coupler-72060)
Brian Meldon
Quote from: Tony Clarke on August 21, 2015, 16:37
Graeme Dunbar,
The hook on B&B 3 mm is short and is certainly shorter than the hooks on other 009 couplings.
Tony Clarke
I think we are referring to different things. I'm referring to the peg that stands above the buffing face that the loop hooks over. The hook on the new RTR Peco stock is about 1.5 mm tall above the shank and buffing face.
Have you considered DG couplings?
I use these on Latham's Brewery (type A for 2mm/N scale and type D for TT/009 seem to be the same apart from the Type D being thicker metal) and whilst they may need some adjustment and accurate setting up I wonder if they would do what you need them to do. They also seem to be able to couple up to the other popular "lifting loop" (Greenwich, etc) couplings too.
I wrote an article for the news a few years ago regarding delayed operation of Greenwich couplings.
I'll check and see which issue it was in.
Regards,
Darren.
My article appeared on page 12 of the August 2009 issue.
I can't say that I've ever had any problems with the Greenwich couplings and my method of delayed uncoupling.
Regards,
Darren.
Is that the type where a metal pin is inserted into the buffer beam above the hook?
Quote from: GraemeD on August 22, 2015, 07:58
Is that the type where a metal pin is inserted into the buffer beam above the hook?
Yes Graeme, it is.
Regards,
Darren.
Hello all,
I have used the Greenwich coupling for remote uncoupling for quite a while with little or no problems when all set up to a compatible height with a gauge. Height gauges available from Greenwich and RT Models.
When making up these couplings I do not use the pins provided but some soft brass wire I got from a Hobbycraft shop. Far easier to bend soft brass wire than those hard steel pins. To assist getting the wire through the holes I open them out with a broach after bending the shank and the hook tails.
Roger
Thank you all. That certainly gives me some food for thought.
I have a copy of Darren Hedges' article
Tony Clarke