Micro Train Coupler Magnets - Pull Strength

[Harry Mantheakis]

I have been thinking of getting these "Neodymium" magnets, which I could fit between tracks to operate (trip) the Micro Train couplers on my stock:

http://www.first4magnets.com/rectangular-magnets-c35/6-x-4-x-2mm-thick-45h-neodymium-magnet-0-75kg-pull-p3563

But it struck me that 0.75Kg pulling power is actually quite strong!

Does anyone have any experience of using such magnets - and what "Pull" strength I should go for?

The strength of the smaller "Neodymium" magnets ranges from 0.025Kg to 1kg, so there is plenty of choice.

[Hugh Norwood]

One problem with permanent magnets between the rails is they can cause wagons with steel axles to stutter as they cross over the field. I've got some electromagnets - but I haven't placed them yet....

[Harry Mantheakis]

That is what I am hoping to avoid. Unfortunately it is too late to fit electromagnets on one part of my layout.

[Russell Brown]

Hello Harry,

You could try a mechanical swing arm that drops the magnet away from the track.  I am working on this for my layout at present and I am using the Greenwich magnets so I can't comment on other types. 

The magnet is attached to an L shaped arm which can swing upwards just below the top of the sleepers and uncouple the stock, then dropped down out of the way when not in use.  It is controlled by a rod which goes to edge of the layout.  There is a bit of work involved, soldering mainly, but I prefer mechanical workings as much as possible.

DSC_0727 by russ_b52, on Flickr
DSC_0729 by russ_b52, on Flickr
DSC_0732 by russ_b52, on Flickr

Although it is untested at the moment, it should work and prevent accidental uncoupling and steel axles being drawn into the magnetic field.

Let me know if you need more details.

[gtmspyder]

Good morning Russel.

That looks a neat solution, looking at the size of the magnet, I think you could use the sleeper undersides to act as a stop to stop any over throw, and the magnets coming into sight when in the operating position , and if I am wrong, you could soon cut through the sleeper to clear it out of the way and allow the magnet to protrude further.

Just a thought. ;)

Kind regards,

BrianT.

[Russell Brown]

Thanks Brian (and good evening  ;D )

Good idea  :) I will tweak it a little once I get to test it under the track.  I'm hoping level with the bottom of the sleepers will be enough but if not I can thin the sleepers a little to get a bit closer to the couplers.

[Harry Mantheakis]

Hi Russel - your little rig looks good, and I am sure it will do the job.

It is too late for me to fit something like that on part of my layout, so I guess I will just have to experiment with those little magnets :)

I will update this thread as and when.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I am fairly sure that Microtrains magnets are magnetised cross-ways, i.e. North pole towards on rail, South to the other, to pull the couplers sideways, unlike the uncouplers for e.g. Greenwich couplers where the object is to pull the lever down.

Some people use two Neodymium magnets, one under each rail or outside the rails. If the magnets are too strong I guess you could move them further away to the sides if you can't go down into the baseboard.

[Harry Mantheakis]

Thank you for that response, Graeme - I had not thought about the pull-direction, which makes sense of course.

And yes, the fact that I can distance the magnets from the rails means I can hope for some leeway in setting them.

I promise to let you know how I get on!

[Graeme Dunbar]

There are a few photos online that show a number of variations.

[Harry Mantheakis]

There are a few photos online that show a number of variations.

My man, Graeme - thank you (!)

Can you tell me what magnets you used in the last image - the rectangular ones?

EDIT: Can you tell what all the magnets were, even the round ones? Many thanks.

[jimowers]

I looked at magnets but found them a bit clunky in operation and wonder if the reason why this thread has been written is for similar reasons.

In the layout after next where I want several uncoupling locations I have decided to try Gaugemaster EM-1 electro-magnet uncouplers http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GMC-EM1&style=main&strType=&Mcode=Gaugemaster+EM1.

I have set up a test track and had a go with these and they look quite useful and wondered if anyone else hase experience of using them.

[Graeme Dunbar]

My man, Graeme - thank you (!)

Can you tell me what magnets you used in the last image - the rectangular ones?

EDIT: Can you tell what all the magnets were, even the round ones? Many thanks.

Sorry, I cannot claim credit. Normally I  include the link to any photos I find but today I was in a hurry.

I assume they are all neodymium magnets and so will have similar magnetic properties in proportion to their size so it is a matter of judging the sizes from the photos.

[duttonbay]

I used much smaller magnets on the Dutton Bay. They are small enough tisit under the rail, between sleepers, on Micro-Engineering HOn30 code 55 flex. Sorry no photos - construction predated digital cameras. The magnets pictured seem way too big for the job. From memory I used two or three magnets on each side. Those magnets still work perfectly today.

[Harry Mantheakis]

My man, Graeme - thank you (!)

Can you tell me what magnets you used in the last image - the rectangular ones?

EDIT: Can you tell what all the magnets were, even the round ones? Many thanks.

Sorry, I cannot claim credit. Normally I  include the link to any photos I find but today I was in a hurry.

I assume they are all neodymium magnets and so will have similar magnetic properties in proportion to their size so it is a matter of judging the sizes from the photos.

Graeme, no worries - the photos did the trick. I will post my own results in due course.