Check out the new M.T.H. HO Announcement. Interesting new feature in HO “Remotely Controlled Couplers”, perhaps the MTH O Gauge (Scale Wheel) Steam Locomotives and Diesel Locomotives will have this feature in the near future!

http://www.mthhotrains.com/default.asp

http://www.mthhotrains.com/models/SD70ACe.asp


Regards,
Swafford

I agree the coupler announcement is very interesting and can't see any reason it would not be available in O Scale at some point. That said, its only worth including a feature like this if the coupler is convincingly realistic. What I have seen of the Atlas "scale" electrocoupler does not impress in terms of looks, and it protrudes much too far from the pilot.

RM

It would be great if MTH not only implemented this idea in O scale but actually improved upon it by where the coupler actually closed when coupling up to another car unlike the Atlas version. When I was into 2 Rail TMCC I got so frustrated with the Atlas couplers that I took them off the locomotive. Yes, I know with some modifications they will work better but I feel that certain givens on a new locomotive should work properly and one of those is the couplers.

I guess I am dense or something, but what is the use of remote couplers on the locomotive? I am much into operations, and remote couplers on everything would be of great use, but just on the locomotive seems pointless.

For example when classifying cars in the yard, the loco is pushing maybe 10-12 cars. Each should go to a different track to classify for next destination. This means that each car from the end of the string must be uncouple, not from the loco. Only the last car is uncoupled from the loco.

The same is true if working an idustry. The train is stopped. Then it is uncoupled somewhere in mid-train where the setout is located. It must then go into the siding and pick up the cars, then go back in set out. This is all done somewhere in midtrain, most often. When a train is made up, only the cars for one industry can be next to the loco. All other industry cars are somewhere else in the train. So what does a remote coupler on the loco benefit?

Very very seldom does a train have just one car or cars for one industry.

Hi Joe,

It is still nice to be able to uncouple the engine from the cars, to change engines. It would be wonderful to be able to uncouple each car anywhere at any time you want. At least we have the Delayed Action. I had a Kadee on the back of, one of my tenders that I opened with the coil from a giant Lionel style coupler. The coil was underneath the tender. The hard part was getting slack at the same time that you pushed the uncouple button on the remote. I had added a circuit to lengthen the time the coupler was energized. I do plan to do some more experimentation with the Atlas "scale" electric couplers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lisa Marie Tahtaras,

Excellent point Jim, which is why operating couplers on a locomotive are not a big deal to me but I do consider them a very nice option to have. I agree with everything you wrote but for the times the locomotive coupling up to something or uncoupling I think having remote uncouplers is pretty cool. Also they would come in handy if someone were to operate a Timsaver layout where a good portion of the time the engine is doing some coupling/uncoupling. but they have to work properly!!

Lisa, would you like me to save you any Atlas couplers? I usually throw them away.

Hi Phil,

I sent an E-mail to the address in your profile.

Phil,
Good point, if using one loco and one car at a time, such as a timesaver, it would be pretty convenient. Then you could also use DCC controlled switches and throw the switches right from you handheld also.

I saw some Athearn 1928 Fords (sedans, coupes, trucks) in a local hobby shop recently. I think they are 1;48, but may not be your timeframe.

Lisa,
Do you need more Atlas couplers. I remove them and have just stored them.

Jim

quote:

I saw some Athearn 1928 Fords (sedans, coupes, trucks) in a local hobby shop recently. I think they are 1;48, but may not be your timeframe.

Thanks for the heads up Jim. Yes, I have already purchased at least one of every auto Athearn has put out so far except the the one with flames. They are 1:50 scale but are a heck of lot closer than 1:43. They look right to my eye. I figure if someday I get decent at weathering I'll weather some of the older models. It doesn't look good for the Atlas 1:48 autos but they haven't officially killed the project yet. I'm still hoping.

Hi Jim, I will take all of the "scale" size electric couplers that I can get.

I have not seen the Athearn Model As and AAs yet, I will look for them. My RR is supposed to be 40s and 50s. A twenty year old 1928 Model A Ford, should be comon place. My regular driver, is 27 years old. (1980 Mustang)

Actually, about a year ago when Mike Wolf was visiting Eastside Trains, in Kirkland WA, I asked Mike about the possibility of a scaled sized "proto-coupler" for the Proto3/2 locomotives. As Mike played with the Coors "Silver Bullet Train" (sigh)... He stated they would be coming out with an HO version first... So here's hoping the O Gauge (1/48 Scale) version won't be far behind.

Lisa,

I have no electric ones Atlas couplers. Lotsa plastic and some diecast.

Jim

I don't care for the Atlas scale non electric couplers. I still have some on a few cars. I have changed the centering springs, to a softer spring, so they can be used as delayed action couplers. I think it is better to just change the standard Atlas couplers out for Kadee couplers.

Hi Lisa Marie
If you take any more Atlas couplers apart to fit a softer spring (I use spares from Kadee), try snipping 1/16" or so off the fixed part of the coupler and then file it back to a smooth edge. It lets the oversize Kadee knuckle head into the Atlas knuckle a whole lot easier.
Jason