I'm a bit surprised that this announcement by Kadee re remote uncoupling for G scale hasn't generated any patter on this forum...especially the 3RS category.
http://www.remoteuncoupling.com/
The use of Kadees seems to have an increasing following among the 'hi-railers'. A truly remote system, as they now offer for the garden-guys, for more than just the couplers on the end of an engine might revolutionize the operational (read: switching, car orders/routing, etc.) side of our hobby. Heck, you could have a two-person train crew, engineer and conductor/brakeman, the latter's job specifically to execute coupling/uncoupling maneuvers. He/she would have their own dedicated remote for just that purpose.
Of course, the current cost is a tough pill to swallow. But, as with any new technology, the larger the market, the larger the economy of scale, costs could/should come down.
The guys in our (LHS) R/C department were especially intrigued with the announcement seeing a new use for miniature, micro-miniature servos, a mainstay of their product line for the car/truck, airplane, boat, etc. R/C enthusiasts. The use of batteries and R/C of G scale trains is already fairly commonplace with lots of how-to articles for the DIYers, as well as an assortment of quality commercial products/conversions.
Of course, on the surface this would seem to be an extension-in-waiting for the current O3R sumos, Lionel and MTH, with their respective Legacy and DCS systems. If Kadee has significant proprietary control, as has been their history, of some of the fundamentals as applied to their own couplers, that could be a problem for the sumos. Maybe, maybe not. Certainly, as this forum has shown, Kadee has a strong precedent and future in the O3R market. That would be tough for a new kid on the block to overcome.
So, whaddya think? Hmmmm?? Time for some gentle encouragement of the Kadee folks??
KD
