Allegheny1600 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Evening all, I've had a good hunt around and i can't find any other reference to these on here so here goes! New! From Kadee! Remotely controlled knuckle couplers - available autumn(fall)/winter. Click on the video on the website below to see them in operation - they look great! http://www.remoteuncoupling.com/index.htm I can hardly wait! Cheers, John E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted July 22, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 22, 2010 Looks like they are only in O scale and above I've had 4mm DCC controlled Kadees on my Clacton units for quite a while, the how-to was published in DEMU's UPDate magazine. Andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Accurascale Fran Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2010 The MTH HO SD70Ace comes with remote couplers via their DCS system which can be operated via DCC. Not sure how well they work as I am awaiting the Athearn version of this particular locomotive but I have seen them and they dont look as good as normal Kadees. Quite long an obtrusive. However, a cool concept which I am sure will be perfected in smaller packages eventually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2010 Well the video looks ok but some diagrams or pictures of the parts invloved would help to know how it works, DCC or radio control? I guess it's a case of bookmark the site and keep watching. I'm sure if this is a success it would work in the smaller scales too, I imagine fitting it in vans and coaches will be possible but locos and open wagons are going to be challenging in OO and HO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfoundry Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Having remote uncouplers in a locomotive is one thing, fitting them to all your stock is another. As we all know, you need to be able to uncouple individual wagons, and also select which end to uncouple. This raises some interesting points: Fitting uncoupling systems and the necessary DCC decoder to small 4 wheel stock. Where to put them without them being seen or having to remove underframe detail. Cost of fitting out each wagon would most probably exceed the price of the wagon itself. Operational considerations of having to program each wagon in your train and work out which end is which when operating the uncoupling system. It has been possible to do this for some time, so that fact that Kadee chose to introduce it in large scale models is probably siginificant. Geoff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Having remote uncouplers in a locomotive is one thing, fitting them to all your stock is another. SNIP Cost of fitting out each wagon would most probably exceed the price of the wagon itself. Operational considerations of having to program each wagon in your train and work out which end is which when operating the uncoupling system. It has been possible to do this for some time, so that fact that Kadee chose to introduce it in large scale models is probably siginificant. Geoff Dear Geoff, et all, I concur. Quick poll - How many cars/wagons do you currently own? - multiply that figure by the cost of a minimum 2 function non-motor "accessory" decoder (TCS fleet 2-fucntion decoders Inc motor control = AUD$40 or so) - + solenoids to convert the decoder function to motion Hmmm, did you get a scary-large $$$ figure? Then consider - DCC system limited to 4 digit addresses - most US outline cars run more than 4 digit roadnumbers - assign the roadnumber to each decoder, hoping not to cross over any existing locos or other cars addresses Thankfully the "which end" is actually the easy bit, simply denote the brakewheel end as the "front" or "Function 1" end, the other end is therefore the "rear" or "Function 2" Could be fun to play with for a 'nook with max 8 cars and a single loco, (limited # of cars to equip, tweak, and deploy, encourages "up close and personal" operation where the workings of the remote uncouplers will be most appreciated), However, could get very $$$ and time-sapping over a "group operation" sized layout... Just my $0.05c + GST Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peach james Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I don't think it is aimed at people with 100+ waggons, nor for every waggon. But, for a Inglenook, or a timesaver, they would be great. If they work so that you only need to open one, then set the waggons the same way around on the track, bob's your uncle, and off you go... I made a lego version, using minimally modified lego parts. (the big non lego bits are a 1/8" barrel magnet, and the decoder). Works like a charm on the loco, fun to shunt with in a Inglenook situation. Nearly useless as a mainline engine...win some/loose some. James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 23, 2010 Interesting to see this eventually happen. Re the cost, I think the problem today is that function only decoders sell in extremely small quantities so the prices for them remain high. If the practice of fitting 2 to 4 output FODs to rolling stock became commonplace enough, then the principle of economies of scale would come into play and the price *should* come down considerably. But it would have to be as low as a couple of quid or less per FOD to stand a chance, and the same would also have to apply to the couplings and their control parts, otherwise it will, as said, really be just for small shunting layout type of operations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2010 This lot have been doing boxcars for a while: http://www.dccuncoupling.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 23, 2010 This lot have been doing boxcars for a while: http://www.dccuncoupling.com/ I think that illustrates the problems we would have with UK outline stock. While the larger vans might be able to fit such an implementation smaller wagons (particularly four wheel flats and three planks) are basically out of the question, and the one operation that could really benefit from DCC-based auto-uncoupling would be pick up freights. Also there are many locomotives where there simply isn't space for that size of gear... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Ron Ron Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Interesting to see this eventually happen. Ian, ..... "eventually happen"???? Do you mean with Kadee's (albeit in large scale only), or remote uncoupling? If it's the latter, note that DCC coupling has been commercially available for quite some time, even for H0. Looking at the control handset, I wonder if this Kadee set-up is just radio control and not DCC ? . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted July 23, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 23, 2010 Ian, ..... "eventually happen"???? Do you mean with Kadee's (albeit in large scale only), or remote uncoupling? If it's the latter, note that DCC coupling has been commercially available for quite some time, even for H0. Looking at the control handset, I wonder if this Kadee set-up is just radio control and not DCC ? . Specifically Kadees. A few years ago I asked Kadee when they were going to implement some form of DCC controlled version of their coupler. They said they were looking into it but had nothing planned as regards a release. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I'm surprised they haven't included a sound chip to play suitable noise, or do they think most applications will apready have DCC sound installed...? Just don't tell the anti-DCC brigade, they'll think it's just another gimmick that'll end up burning down your house, and has no advantage over my Brother's 1976 vintage Hornby 08 shunter... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 On one hand, this is a hobby, and like other hobbies, guys will spend half a mil on a car when a good used one is a lot cheaper and does most of what you want. On the other hand, few of us have unlimited budgets. Even for an Inglenook, after all, a single Kadee 308 (McHenry made an even cheaper clone, at least for a while) delayed action magnet before the first switch will do all you want for uncoupling. After all, even on the prototype, you're limited in where you can uncouple by the time and effort constraints of where you can put the switchman. I can see a DCC advantage in operating sound, even on a few selected locos, and the MRC analog sound controller isn't a walkaround, so I may do some limited DCC one day. But so far, not for uncoupling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yelrow Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 My new MTH ES44AC has these couplings, actioned by functions, say 21, and 22. Apart from watching them work, as yet have nothing to couple to and from. john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasond Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Hi John, these are MTH-built Kadee compatibles - yes? John E's post (hi John) was about Kadee's own product which according to their radio-controlled (not straight DCC) site: http://www.remoteuncoupling.com/ only covers G-scale/Gauge 1 and licensed HO products. Still nothing about O-scale remotes.... Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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