This month's blog looks at an alternative to electro-magnetic uncouplers, plus a few progress shots on the newly started scenic development of Slaghill. As a reminder, Slaghill is the high level section at the rear of the scene below, and represents Tweedale's heavy-industrial zone.

As mentioned in last month's blog, I wanted to look into the feasibility of replacing the hook and bar couplings with Alex Jacksons. Tests using a couple of wagons fitted with AJs turned out more promising than expected. They negotiated the 18 inch radius curves without problems, and even coupled up on the curves, so the next step was to develop an uncoupler. I didn't want to mess around with the usual electro-magnetic uncouplers (buttons, solonoids, extra power supply, etc), so came up with a mechanical system using permanent magnets and medieval wooden technology. Door catch magnets were used (45p from the local hardware shop). The plastic casing was cut away. Inside was a magnet sandwiched between 2 metal plates. The magnet by itself didn't have enough oomph to operate the couplings from beneath the 5mm track board, but attaching one of the metal plates to the base (as in the right-hand image) concentrated the magnetic rays enough to operate them easily.

Here's a sketch showing the general idea...

The experimental uncoupler was installed at Slaghill. The left-hand shot shows the magnet in its default, non-activating position. The right-hand shot shows it raised against the base of the track board, by pressing down on the lever.

Here are close-ups of the business end of the uncoupler and the arm beneath the baseboard. Not a pretty sight but it does the job. For uncouplers on the lower level tracks I'll probably attach the magnet directly to the arm.

With the uncoupler in place I could proceed with the scenery. The railway at Slaghill is perched on a viaduct, a rickety wooden trestle affair that has been boxed in to protect the structural timbers from the town's corrosive atmosphere. At least that's the fiction. If you ask me what the prototype for this structure is, I haven't a clue - it literally came to me in a dream. It was built from scribed card and balsa framing, painted with brown/black washes of poster paint. The point control mechanism sticking out will eventually be hidden behind a building.

The front parapet has an important part to play. By hiding the underframes it gives the illusion of the rolling stock being slightly smaller than it is, and so acts as a subtle kind of forced perspective. Not sure the photo shows the effect too well, as it introduces perspective distortions of its own.

I decided to try the station with an overall roof, quite a luxury for Tweedale. I don't know whether I'll keep it though. As its a relatively large plain structure it may make the area look too cramped. I'll see how it fits in with later buildings.

Cheers Alan.