Ray:
I use Kadees, same as I did in smaller scale efforts. I’ve standardized on the larger ‘G’ size ones for the 3’ stuff and have some of the ‘#1’ size for use on the 2’ construction RR stock. I have some Accucraft cars with the OEM couplers (probably to be changed) and I also run some ‘unit’ trains such as dump cars and logging cars that use link & pin within the unit, but have Kadees on each end.
I leave the magnetic ‘hose’ in place and have a couple of magnets placed at yard throats, again copying what I liked best in the smaller scales. I especially like using the delayed magnetic uncoupling when a road engine backs a train into the yard tracks and cuts off, but I can just as easily use a tool or the “lift and separate” technique Kevin mentioned, so I’m not in any way tied to a location. The occasional visiting engineer gets his choice.
I do have flat bladed tools to use where there is no magnet or to avoid having to return to a fixed magnet position. My current tools include a long flat-bladed screwdriver, and a wooden dowel with a small aluminum blade epoxied in a slot at the end. I envision putting a leather thong loop and / or small deadhook on the handle end of the dowel, allowing it to be carried on wrist or belt loop.
I use pneumatic turnout machines and have a small control panel housing the pneumatic contol ‘switches’ at each major (yard) location. There are two panels so far, with one more planned for the immediate (this year??) future. I’ll hang one of the homemade dowel tools on the panel at each location.
Before deciding on LS Kadees, I looked at several brands (including Bachmann) of OEM couplers. To me, they all seemed to have the need for initial rework, or are to some degree incompatible with each other. Some share both problems.
I put about the same amount of time and effort into changing to Kadees and avoid a signifcant amount of stress in building / operating my RR. Since they are manufactured by a solid U. S. aftermarket supplier, I can always get them, irrespective of the locomotive or car production schedule in China. They cost a few bucks more, but I just buy them as needed or when I find them on a special deal, so the cost is well spread out.
The ability of the Kadees to operate almost perfectly with minimum maintenance while resisting garden RR type abuse is really appreciated. I do follow the instructions, use Kadee’s setup tool (height gauge), and lubricate them occasionally with some powdered graphite. I think the Kadees are the only LS automatic couplers of their kind.
Just my experience and preference.
Geoff:
Beautiful model work and detailing. I started to comment that your RR seems to only use internal combustion power, but then saw the back of what I think is a steam engine or tender in the last pix. Do you have a thread or site with more information / pix?
Happy RRing,
Jerry Bowers