Hi Alex,

Its the Alex Jackson coupling.

http://mmrs.co.uk/technical-articles/alex-jackson-coupling/

And many posts on mrweb about them. 

They have the advantage of being unobtrusive, but can be a bit fiddly to make and fit. On the bright side, it is just a bit of wire, so is probably the cheapest DIY coupling available.   I have messed about with droppers and electromagnets for remote uncoupling, hmm, something I might have a go at again. I have an idea about that.

Well, have a play with them. Not expensive to try compared to other couplings. They don't like sharp curves and like real couplings they need constant attention, but at least they don't look like a set of girders the size of a snowplough. 

I have cheated a bit, I now make the tail a bit longer than the original 5 mm. Mine are nearer 6 mm. Its really about how much lateral movement that the wheels can allow on a given track gauge. 

I'll tell you a secret. Over 30 years ago I made an EM back to back gauge. 16.5 mm. Then I treated myself to a new micrometer and discovered that it was actually 16.55 mm. So when I came to build the new layout I adjusted al the jigs so I run on 18.25 track. I expect the purists will shout at me, but really it just shows that really the whole gauge thing is about what you make not what the box shifters want you to run.

Oh that's lovely. Because the carriages were so elegant they tend to grab the attention on pre-grouping layouts, but the goods wagons do it for me. I like that James Scott wagon.

Interesting to hear about your experiences with manual uncoupling of the Alex Jacksons. I assume it's easier than 3-links since you choose this method, or will you be putting in magnets?

Don't worry about the number of pictures, I can't get enough of this layout.

Way back when I started playing with EM I started with 3 link couplings, and I still use them in fixed rakes of coaches and some wagons, with just an AJ on the ends of the rake. Honestly Mikkel, even back then I found that I couldn't work with 3 link at a distance of more than a foot or so, these days it is more like 6 inches on a good day with a good light. As time goes on I can see that I might have difficulty with an uncoupling stick like that one so I might add some fixed uncoupling positions but what I really want to do is think up a way of uncoupling at any place without having to be manually accurate. Time to buy some more magnets I think....... 

Thanks for that insight Dave. I use Spratt & Winkles but have been wondering whether to go for manual uncoupling of 3-links since I always seem to be putting off fitting the S&Ws after a wagon is done! However, it doesn't sound like that is a good idea as I can also feel my eyesight changing these days.

Thanks Colin. 

I have tried to give it all a spacious feel. I can understand why a lot of modellers try to cram a lot in, but in reality the railways only laid track if it made money. Similarly they never used locos if something cheaper ( horses, men, winches, capstans ) were available. 

Mikkel has started a whole debate about stables and horses, really the info so far suggests the next step is a radio controlled horse .....