Removing Kadee Trip Pins

I use a cut off wheel in the Dremel. Then flip the coupler upside down and file/grind down any high spots with the cutoff wheel until its nice and flat. Dont grind it too far cuz it will cause the knuckle to stick open or closed.

Thank you both for your replies.

Bill,

I have also used a similar method as David mentioned.

Me,too.

Mark in Oregon

Besides being necessary for delayed magnetic uncoupling, the coupler trip pins represent the air hoses (brake lines) between the cars.  Why would you want to remove them?

Ed

Because many cars now have air hoses on them, so the kadee trip pin isn't needed. If you're not using it for uncoupling, and the car/engine has an airhose, why NOT cut it off?

This is a 2R car I did for someone, and I think it looks ridiculous because it has a trip pin and an airhose. He uses the pin for uncoupling so I ask if I could remove the air hose, but he likes the air hose on there too.... so I left it per his request. That's just my opinion of course, but my cars/engines have one or the other... not both

If you want to get fancy, remove the air hose, and paint the tip of the pin silver to represent the glad hand.

Point taken.  Who makes cars with the air hoses already attached?

Ed

I use a Xuron track cutter that is designed to cut HO track to cut off the pins.  It is quick and easy.  I got my cutter from Micro-Mark but most model railroad hobby shops carry them.  

I cut off the pins because I find that they sometimes snag on my 3-rail track and cause shorts. It is easier to uncouple the cars without the pins.

Joe 

Atlas, MTH come with them mounted to the truck. Just pop them off, make a few cuts and glue them back on the car floor.

Laidoffsick,

Are these cars 2-rail, 3-rail or both?

Ed

The newest Atlas Masterline cars either 2 rail or 3 rail come with air hoses, on the 3rail versions they are truck mounted also on MTH Premier cars, obiviously with 3 rail operators the uncoupling pin is not needed as there is no way to mount uncoupling magnets on the track.

Kadee makes a unique uncoupler which is two magnets specifically designed for 3 rail track. Each magnet mounts opposite of the center rail. It is Kadee part number 809.

Not being a 3railer I was not aware such a product was available although I have always used the magnets I have started to use the pick or screwdriver method for uncoupling.

Because they look about as realistic as that pink plastic flamingo in the front yard!

For those cutting off trip pins, you might want to consider Protocraft couplers:

http://www.protocraft.com/cate...EA1-BE6E9B0BFFA46A40

Note that the $46.95 price for the coupler and draft gear is for a quantity of 5

Simon

Good morning Simon

Thanks for the link to the portocraft sight. Do these couplers uncouple like the Kadee with a small screwdriver type tool? The magnetic ones seem like they would be good?

Clem

Blissfield Railroad Days' Events - Blissfield Main Street

Now you are knocking my pink plastic flamingo!  Where will it end?

Hello Clem,

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing they would (I have the magnetic uncoupling tool.) Norm Buckhart the owner could probably tell you. E-mail and phone are on the front page of the website.

Simon

Ed,

I have a whole flock!

Simon