Peco magnetic uncoupling conversion.

Alec Hudson · September 29, 2020, 10:37

I thought this might be of interest.
I have used Bambi No.25 staples and drilled a 0.5mm hole near the bottom of the coupling arm that hangs down. The staple has one bend near the centre and the unwanted piece snipped off. It is then super glued into the hole with the arm horizontal to the track. The picture should explain and show this clearly.
Paint black when finished. I am using 4mm dia. X. 2mm thick magnets and they work ok.

Hobby · September 29, 2020, 11:50

That photo could really do with being much larger, say 800x600, as it's impossible to see the detail of what you have done, if you enlarge it it just pixilates.

Alec Hudson · September 29, 2020, 12:12

I sent the picture at 135KB. I see now it says it's 41?
This 427KB.

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 29, 2020, 14:24

Intriguing! (Why doesn't Peco sell them this way?)

Hobby · September 30, 2020, 08:21

(For the same reason none of the other manufacturers don't, most people don't use auto couplers... And it would add to the costs (manufacturing, assembly and retail))

Robin Webster · September 30, 2020, 17:23

Intresting. I wish there was more compatibility between manufactures in coupler standards.. My Mini Trains, Peco and Roco dislike each other. Oh well, it's the joy of frustration.
Alec, I hope your conversion works with other brands.

Robin.

Hobby · October 01, 2020, 10:06

I can't say I have had any major issues with the various makes coupling together, the only major thing is to get them all the same height, that solves most issues... At least they are all the same "type" unlike Peco/HD and Triang back in the 60s! ;)

Stephen Rainsbury · October 03, 2020, 18:19

Thanks, I just started replacing my peco couplings with Greenwich, and that looks much easier and cheaper :-)

cp.409067 · October 03, 2020, 22:35

*

Having used the excellent Greenwich coupling on all three of my "O9" layouts they have my recommendation as follows.

[1] Use them single ended - loops only at one end. This works well when there are no reverse loops or turntables.

[2] Add a Paul Windle style delay pin over the end sans the loop.

[3] Use the Greenwich 6mm diam magnets as intended and you have a simple delayed action facility that is more effective AND discrete than the Peco, Bemo, etc.

CP