What do you loose by removing the "air hose" that hangs down from a Kadee coupler?
How many of you have looked at the G scale remote coupler system Kadee is going to offer? Looks interesting.
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The ability to remotely uncoupled using their uncouplers is about the only thing I can see from a function viewpoint. I have removed a few and when in a train with cars that still have them it looks odd that they're not there. I would think all or none look better. I've had to adjust (bend) just about every Kadee coupler I've installed. I'vr gotten pretty good at it, but sometimes I just want to CLIP THEM OFF 
I haven't looked at the G scale system yet.
Thanks for the input Bob. My issue is with Kadees on the front of engines, like steam where the pilot sticks out and interferes with the ability to that piece to swing freely. There seems to be two ways around it, mounting the Kadee out a bit further which sometimes looks bad, and bending that piece which would make it useless for magnetic uncoupling.
With the new 3rd Rail E's because 3rd Rail specifies the 2 rail engine as needing a 56 inch radius (0-112) and the 3 rail as needing a 54 inch diameter, I thought I would truck mount the Kadees. 742's fit on the pad for the 3 rail coupler with out any shims, their perfect. Using them on the front truck is hindered by the pilot.
It is amazing that 3rd Rail has solved the fixed pilot/tight radius problem with a truck mounted coupler and a pilot that has just a bit more (not too obnoxious) of an opening. I'm going to post a picture of my CB&Q E under Jonathan's 2 rail engines for comparison on the E7 thread.
Dave, I was still writing while you were posting.
I plan on using a stick to uncouple cars instead of the "air hoses" on the kadees.
That's kind of what I assumed. Which translates to for the front of a passenger engine, cutting the "air hose" off will not really be too detrimental to operations.
With regard to the Kadee G scale remote coupler system, after I see how it actuates the coupler, it may be useful for some O scale usage. In the Q&A all Kadee said was that for now they were going to support G scale. That wasn't to say that it couldn't be adapted to other scales. I'm thinking steam engines with roomy tenders or something with a little room like a baggage car or caboose.
MTH is so not into American O scale right now, but perhaps the Europeans will demand more and they will have to answer. Some of the European products are so much more advanced than anything being done here right now, that it could be very beneficial.
I haven't cut any of my 'trip pins' (air hoses), I like they way they look. Haven't had to bend many up either, they do make a tool for that: #237 Coupler Trip Pin Pliers.
As for uncoupling, I too use a stick - the best one I've found so far is the nice oval shaped disposable chopsticks. I tweak it in a pencil sharpener and it works great!
Give it a try and let me know-
