My thoughts and experiencies with N gauge auto uncoupling.

I was asked by the owner of Barnhill MRC s layout Chipbury to look into the possibility of adding auto uncoupling to the layout. I first set up a test track on a piece of half inch chipboard and a length of Peco concrete sleepered track lifted about 3 inches on timber blocks.

I fitted some Peco rolling stock with the small steel frets from the Peco range as per instructions.

A Peco N gauge magnetic uncoupling solenoid was then installed as per instuctions.

It was wired via a push button and 16 v a.c supply. It failed to lift the coupling. Even with 30 volts a.c it still failed to lift the coupling.

I then tried a Gaugemaster magnet which worked perfectly on 16 volts a.c.

On Chipbury we have 2 dead end platforms and 2 bay platforms. I tried a small permanent magnet which fitted between 2 sleepers,with a little gouging with a small sharp screwdriver.

This worked well. The locomotive drew slowly into the platform and could be stopped over the magnet. After a short delay the locomotive could be drawn forward clear of the stock end isolated. A second locomotive then drew the stock away. The train locomotive could not propel the stock as the coupling was in the raised position held by the permanent magnet.

Having now worked out a reliable method of uncoupling we proceeded to fit the magnets in the appropriate positions on the layout. The Gaugemaster solenoids were not cheap but well worth the outlay.

The panel was drilled for push buttons and wired up.

I then started to fit coupling frets to stock. Peco stock was quite straight forward but Graham Farish wagons required the couplings to be removed and replaced with the Peco type.This at times requires some drastic surgury by removing part of the chassis and fixing the Peco coupling directly to the underside of the body.

Wagons and coaches sometimes require only one coupling at one end of the vehicle. The axlebox at the end with

coupling is marked with a spot of yellow paint.

Wagons can be kept in rakes with a coupling at each end.

Trains could now be made up and shunted into required formations.

If any project tried my patience this was it. It is now very satisfying to shunt a train and reform it just like the prototype.

4th Feb 2015. I have just read some comments on N gauge layouts and I agree Steve Farmers Parkhouse is supurb. Steve was at the Bristol Show at Thornbury

a few years ago and gave me a " Masterclass" in N gauge uncoupling. It gave me the impetus to have a go on Chipbury and it worked out very well.