Off at a tangent once more.

Hi, I've left the neodymium magnets  in place (glued down!) so might still have a play! As you say it might take a bit more practise (I'm afraid my patience is limited these days!(getting older!)). The Bachmann 57XX is the loco I'd like to use but the #19 seems to high in the NEM pocket?? All the wagons seem OK, but I may try that Kadee mixed coupling item to see?

Cheers
Ron
 

Hi Ron,

You may have to shim it down, check with the height gauge. All it needs is a small piece of thin styrene (wedge shaped) in the NEM socket on the body. The NEM pockets are handed, there is a knub on one side that affects the height, try turning them around first before messing with the socket. Bachmann put an NEM socket/pocket in, whether it conforms to Kadee height standards is another issue, as it was meant for NEM tension hooks with lots of vertical leeway.

Nigel

Hi Ron,

I have the same thing with some wagons. That's where the different Kadee's come in. I suspect my Bachmann 08 is going to throw up the same thing …… Maybe not.

Don't let it put you off. I'm the same my patience wears a bit thin but I think it's worth biting the bullet a bit as the Kadee's make all the difference visually, and WHEN you get them going, which we will, you'll love shunting with them.

Stick with it. You can slap me about at Warley if I'm wrong.:thumbs

Cheers for now

Toto

The bad news is the NEM Kadee's #17 to #20  just vary the length not the height.

Found this video, it may help - worth a watch



Paul

[user=1814]Longchap[/user] wrote:

[user=878]Gary[/user] wrote:

[user=1814]Longchap[/user] wrote:

Yes Max, Bachmann do them for both coach and wagons and Hattons have them in stock.

Yes, they are brass wheels, but the axles are steel.

Apologies Gary and Toto. I realised this shortly after posting, alerted by Bachmann's use of the words, 'metal axles'! Unfortunately, my pain threshold had then been breached following earlier shiatsu therapy and drugs for a building incident and I had to retire to my bed!

There are some rather expensive brass axle wheel sets from DC kits and others will no doubt be out there, although the additional cost of changing wheel sets to solve the magnet issue seems a bit daft, as the direct approach of getting the magnet type, size and placement correct is being by-passed.

Toto, have you read the following article, as it  gives much information:

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=Kadee-Resources

All the best,

Bill :)

Hi Tom,

It's a good intro, but no mention of how to put Kadee #17-20, knuckle couplers onto old UK stock with tension hooks. Several post in the forum on how to do that. Dapol OO pockets could be an alternate choice, although I've never tried that. Or just screw them on at a suitable height. Much 8-wheel stock runs better with the couplers on the bogie, Kadee do draft gear boxes for that as well.

It's also wrong about knuckle couplers and UK use. Used at various times by several UK railway companies in the 1920's-1930's, especially for fixed rakes (for example, 2nd dining-kitchen/1st dining-1st dining). Many BR Mk1 coaches from the early 1950's on had dual draw hook and swing-up knuckle couplers to accommodate use with older stock draw hooks. The variety of prototype knuckle couplers is legion, the Kadee one is a generic model. Modern stock of course gets into Dellners and Scharfenbergs, which are available.

The actuator pin on the Kadee is also meant to represent the brake air line between freight and passenger cars. Some fine copper wire wound around and a touch of grey paint improves the appearance for UK stock without affecting function.

If you want to have a DCC controlled uncoupler on the locomotive, check this link: http://www.precimodels.com Not cheap, but it works and is unobtrusive. Needs a decent decoder though.

Nigel

Spent a bit more time in the shed (during a big thunderstorm!!) and after 'really' looking I found it's the same problem you have Tom! Pull over the magnets and they work and as I draw forward the rear wagon's wheels move forward towards the magnets as well and the uncoupling doesn't seem to work, so it's the steel wheels I think!?
I can sort out the height of the coupling when the Kadee gauge arrives..

Cheers
Ron

Ahhhhhh ……. We learn together, and share our. Woes. remember the shuffle as mine do work, it's once I've released the wagons over the magnet, that is when it starts to look like something out of strictly come dancing.

The gauge is the doo dar's. eBay to build and use. Hang on in there.

Toto

[user=1338]Ed[/user] wrote:

I suppose in a perfect world we'd all have some electronic gizmo to handle coupling, a bit like Max has been testing with DCC controlled relays and memory wire in his O gauge rolling stock.

But it's not a perfect world :roll:

In a perfect world we would have those little 4mm scale yard men/shunters running around uncoupling wagons for us !

In that second link I posted earlier, (Ingleton Sidings), the chap explains how he adapts the NEM pocket when it comes to height variations and also about adding weight. Delux Materials Liquid Gravity is good for this. If not, araldite some lead strip into the wagons.

Paul mentioned about Kadee length. True they come in many lengths, small, medium, long and extra long. If you have a twisting tight layout, the long (No.19 or the extra long N0.20) are ideal for this, same for most UK coaching stock where you are using small points or wyes. The length in the shank helps the wagons/coaches to manoeuvre through such track work. The No.18, which is commonly used with NEM pockets are medium length, which also helps with spacing between each wagons buffers. No.17s cause buffer lock and the 19 and 20 leave a massive gap between rollingstock.

Perhaps another alternative to using the NEM 362 (Nos. 17, 18, 19, 20) coupler is to use No.5s' and have the draft box poking out between the buffers. Sol has adapted this method on his rollingstock. Each coupler box is either screwed or glued into position.

I will say it again, if anyone is having trouble with the 'Kadee dance' as Toto desribes it, add some weight to the wagons, which will keep the wagon level and shunt the wagons up the siding away from the magnet. Afterall, the Kadee should remain open whilst sitting above the magnet.

Now, ask yourself, why did you choose to go down the Kadee route ? Was it for 'prototypical' look ? Was it for close coupling ? Or was it for the ease of shunting ? Perserverance and choosing the correct Kadee coupler for the job will pay off in the end.

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Gary,

I'll try the various suggestions when I get the chance to get back into the shed. Tomorrow afternoon may be a winner. I'm still going to play around with changing depth and removing the intensifier plate.

I think it's worth the effort to get rid of the tension lock couplers. Even more so on a layout like Highbridge where there will be a limited number of wagons anyway. If I get the ………… When I get the solution, I will kit out about a dozen suitable wagons which will be specific to Highbridge.


Cheers

Toto.

Hi Tom,

One tip I came across last night was to use the spare coupling springs that come in Kadee kits (not the NEM ones) at the end of one side of the axles in the journal. The pointy bit holds them in place. Apparently provides enough friction to minimize the "shuffle" without significantly affecting running. Haven't tried it, no UK wagons to hand, but it's an easy fix if it works.

Nigel

Hi,

Ain't hit the shed yet. I've been looking out some gear for my visit to Dundee by the sea tomorrow. Well, that and a few other domestics. Gypsy to the Vet, SWMBO to the shops and then dropping her off at her sisters……. It goes on and on.

Tomorrow is a mixture of things ( with the maestro ) including, how to operate a traverser. How to kick off a loco roster on JMRI including reading loco CV's. Maybe a bit of chipping a couple of DMU's and the odd rogue loco. Setting up and using an NCE power cab, maybe looking at setting up a layout mimic panel for Breadalbane / Highbridge.

So …… A busy day ……. And …… Drinking all that coffee.

Things have changed so much since I first poked my nose through the doors of the YMRC with my own pre - conceived ideas of ….. What I thought I wanted ……. The moons have moved in mysterious  ways and complete havoc reigns. I've given up on trying to be organised now and have just learned to accept utter chaos and anorchy.

What a wonderful place to be.

I will get round to these magnets honest as it's going to be holding me back …….. In fact it's already holding me back.

Toto

I thought it was your wagons being held back :roll:

Paul

Ha ha. Hopefully not for long.

These things always come in bursts of famine and feast. Just as well I'm a wee fat ba$t@rd then eh.

Toto

Hi Toto

Just incase your no sleeping, here is a video on Mini-Panels, with two examples of automation.



Paul

Cheers,

I'll watch it now. I'm no sleeping as SWMBO is not back in yet ………. Dirty stop out.

Lying in my kip though.

Cheers

Toto

Good videos , tells the story and an example of what can be done. Ideal for sending a few DMU's along on there merry way whilst you do some shunting or whatever.

I take it you can programme a time for this to happen automatically like a schedule.

Cheers

Toto.

Hi Toto

In the video they trigger the sequence via a pushbutton, you could use any input signal, so a small timer circuit with an output connected to one of the mini panels inputs could cause the sequence to run.

So for example on Victoria Road, we could start the sequence, the mini panel would
1. Set the points from the Traverser road A-3 to Platform 1,
2. Then run the DMU1 from A-3 to Plt 1. Once the dmu arrives and stops.
3. Sets the points for Plt 2 to A-3.
4. Then runs DMU2 from Plt2 to A-3.
5. Move the traverser to A-4.
6. Then run DMU3 from A-4 to Plt2.
7. Set points for Plt 1
8. Run DMU1 to A-4
9. Move Traverser to A-3
10. Run DMU2 to Plt1
11. Set points for Plt2
12. Run DMU3 from Plt2 to A-3
13. Move Traverser to A-4
14. Run DMU1 to Plt2
15. Set points for Plt1
16. Run DMU2 from Plt1 to A-4
17. Move traverser to A-3
18. Run DMU3 from A-3 to Plt1
19. Set Points for Plt2
20. Run DMU1 from Plt2 to A-3
21. Move traverser to A-4
22. Run DMU2 from A-4 to Plt2

We have now completed 1 full cycle, using two traverser track, two platforms and 3 DMUs, Each DMU has used both platforms.
You could either stop the cycle, or could have a delay running on the minipanel before restrting the sequence.
One drawerback on this, all will run ok providing the loco's remain the same, changing the loco would mean either reprogramming the Macro for the new Loco decoder number, or changing the Loco decoder number to the same as the one being replaced. There are ways around this limitation, but when you get there I'll explain

Paul

Hi Paul,

In a sense, it's a bit like writing an excel formula. All about meeting conditions. Using the IF , AND logic. One condition must be met before the next one starts within a set logic trail.

It's a case of getting used to the way you need to write the logic sequence.  They will be written in a macro, again, like an excel macro is used to undertake a certain predefined task ( or calculation to satisfy a condition in the case of excel ).

I won't go as far as to say that I have it cracked but I think I am on the way to a certain degree.

Cheers

Toto

Morning Toto

Whats even better is, JMRI has a NCE macro editor, I know it works with the command stations, but would need to find out if it works with a MiniPanel.

Primarily designed to backup your macro's, it allows you to edit them as well. Easier than keying in line by line via the keypad.

See you later

Paul

Evening all,

Just back from my day out on Victoria Road……….. And it gets ……… Eleven out of ten.:thumbs:thumbs:thumbs

Fantastic day being shown the ropes on JMRI ……. An expert now …….. Ahem, Paul ……. How do you do that again.

Like anything, a bit of a learning curve but I don't think I'll take too long to master it. Or at least bits of it. A loco roster has been started which can be used on any of the three layouts ………. Make that four as it could be adapted for Victoria Road as well.

Had some running time with various loco's and of course was given the guided tour and playtime on the traverser. Runs seamlessly.  Paul has his man cave packed with all sorts of gizzmo's and the all important nerve centre………. His computer and programming area. Very well set out.

Managed to get my first DMU chipped after a bit of ……. Cough ……. Adjustment of the interior to take the 8 pin chip. Shall we just say that the seating capacity has just been reduced by two.

The catering department played a blinder ……. Even had diabetic friendly doughnuts ………. Bless them.

Great day had. The actuator for Breadalbane is on vacation at camp Dundee as we did not get time to test it out on the hardware that Paul had set up for it . That's for another time.

I'll look forward to getting the JMRI set up again for another session progressing the roster. First of all though I need to get back on the great magnet puzzle.


Cheers for now, I'm away to play catch up.


Toto