The other day I was testing a Kato chassis'd diesel shunter and needed a quick and easy coupling to add an open wagon to 'the train'.
Fishing around in the spares box, I found the small size paper clip end to be almost perfect. A dab of cyano' and to my amazement it all worked - even over points and quite tight curves.
I think to perfect it, it needs to be able to pivot vertically as well. This will be the next test....although uncoupling may need a bit more effort ?
Ideas ?
Dave
For couplings in "rakes" of vehicles it's a good idea.
Taking the idea a little further - at the other end of the vehicle, the paper clip loop could be nipped together and bent through 90 degrees to form a simple hook - ready for the next vehicle in the rake (as per Blair's suggestion).
Now, if the 'loop end' could be made to pivot up and down, push coupling becomes possible....a sort of "Omega" shape should do it.
With a bit of paper clip 'origami', it may be possible to extend one part of the omega loop to the other side of the pivot. Track-magnet based uncoupling may then be possible.
I know we've now, arguably, lost "simple" but we still have "cheap". I have a box of 1,000, small-size, paper clips in our stationery drawer (cost was about £5) to experiment with. Will post some results when time permits.
Plan B - I have a pack of 10 Greenwich couplings just in case !