I am not a dcc nor OO gauge modeller but Ido have 60 years of modelling behind me. For many years I have built and exhibited N gauge DC layouts. Although I will never change there is much to learn from your videos...I have just finished watching them all. Your railway is simply magnificent and highly entertaining. Thank you very much for all your efforts and to all those who so admirably assist you. Cheers, Bob
Dear Bob, Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to us to know that others appreciate our hard work and desire to inspire and share our obsession within the modelling community.
This is a real game-changer: no more magnets, uncoupling ramps, or hand-held coupling poles. I wonder if the cotton thread will be strong enough to withstand sustained use. Will it maybe stretch or fray? Could something like fuse-wire be used as a stronger alternative. It will be very interesting to see how they perform over time. If these ARE strong enough, I wouldn't be surprised if these turn-up on ready-to-run models fairly soon. A great concept which can, quite probably, be adapted for other uses. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination - Thanks for sharing the process. Cheers for now, Dougie.
It may be worthwhile trying a thicker heavy duty button cotton thread as this is two to three times thicker however it would be worthwhile creating two static trial rigs one with normal cotton thread & one with heavy duty cotton thread just to compare the heat generated by the solenoid when using the heavy duty version that there is no noticeable increase. www.zippershipper.com/heavy-duty-button-sewing-thread-100-cotton
@@aureol40012 Good point but there should be a workaround. If the system was adapted for other systems, Hornby could put it on their version, Bachmann on theirs, and so on. If it was adapted to work on tension locks, the various brands are reasonably compatible. Throw some money at it and I'm sure it could be done.
Morning McKinley railway from my lorry parked in Fakenham 😁 Fantastic a coffee and another fantastic episode of McKinley railway and was that Charlie doing the editing.......🤔 What a fantastic team you have and I’m really enjoying this fantastic concept that’s being undertaken as I’m from Manchester so a lot of it’s relevant to me in the 70s as I spent most of my train spotting years in the area especially visiting Sheffield Tinsley yard When class 76s and the class 13 shunters where doing there stuff ones the hump 😆 Fantastic as always keep the good work up. Stevie a great fan of McKinley 👍🏻
Morning David. Yes I couldn’t agree more that Charlie has joined what I see as a fantastic team building the most fantastic model railway on TH-cam I’ve ever seen.....😁 Charlie has a dilemma now pulling up Chadwick TDM 🙈 I think it’s for the best as his new layout I’ll benefit from it and keep us TH-camrs watching lol 😆 Taking nothing away from all the others great model railway builders on TH-camrs but yours is of a scale nobody has mirrored before. I saw you at a model railway show in Manchester many years ago at the old bus garage and sorry I never said hi 👋 Any way keep the fantastic work up. Thanks Stevie.
Ah Dazzy... I was just commenting about you to someone else ( see the comments on this video). It took me an hour to find your old comment. A million thanks to you for that link you sent over a year ago. I need to find a way to promote your channel as a thank you. Regard David
McKinley Railway must be my old eyes, can’t seem to find what you are talking about??. I didn’t wish to across terse. You have made more progress than I wish these little gems. Great video I learnt a lot.
Absolutely brilliant, I want, I want, I want (as my dear mother used to say) one of them for my Hornby 08 "Phantom". It's completely changed my planned build from a tail chaser to a shunting puzzle similar to the one in episode 173 "Chadwick exhibition layout". That's just led me down a whole new rabbit hole. well maybe a design or three on Anyrail to start with. BZ CB
Thanks for the info, I was watching an earlier video of the shunters and I was wondering what you used and how it was configured to do the auto-uncoupling.
Excellent video. I really appreciate the time taken to share this technique. It's really increased my esteem of the McKinley railway channel. Can I ask which coreless motors you use? ...sorry just reran the video and noticed it's from Precimodels. Thanks.
Excellent video, great idea too i guess the coreless motors are the type as used in mobile hones for the vibrator. just remove the weight and there you go, start stripping your old phones down :) Cheers Ian
You seem to have found the Holy Grail of model railway operations! I had dabbled with Krois uncouplers but while it was OK to uncouple I found it hard to couple. Can you couple the shunter back to the wagon easily with this or do you need to open the knuckle of the coupler before you can?
Hi Kenneth, We rely on the generic Kadee functionality as that what these couplers are. All the uncoupler motor does is pull the coupler open to allow the Loco to move away from the wagon. It works in exactly the same way as the Kadee magnets except that it is a piece of string opening the coupler and not a magnetic field. Regards David
I Have an 08 with Loksound DCC Sound already inserted. Can these DCC Conversion kits be inserted and added into a loco that already has DCC Sound fitted? So you don't have to lose all the fabulous diesel sounds? Or would I need a way bigger loco and maybee do it down the other end? Thanks
Sorry for the late reply. There are only two The Loksound 5 or the Lokpilot 5. They have identical functionality with the uncoupling. A word of caution when using this function with sound. Sound will often delay the movement of the engine and you might be a little disappointed as a result. We avoided adding sound to our shunters for exactly that reason.
Mckinley Railway Team, What an advance this is to operation. The shunter "shuffle " just puts some slack into the coupling just like the real thing. You'll also notice Pete beare's an uncanny likeness to The Stig. Are they brothers I wonder? Cheers, Chris Perry.
I really enjoyed this video, very informative. However, whilst listening to this my son said what’s that annoying music and it was the background track. I’ve heard this before and I must say I can’t disagree with him. Usually I would put the mute on but this wasn’t possible as the chap was describing the steps at the same time. Sorry for moaning but I wonder if you could leave out the background track in the future?
Hi James, The uncoupler itself is only psrt of the solution. The uncoupling logic (i.e. shuffle backwards and forwards with a controlled time for the uncoupling motor to fire) embedded in the LokPilot DCC chip is the equally important co-player.
Well I know I won't be trying this in N scale haha. Also, why don't you just use magnets? You could even use the elector magnets you can trun on and off? I assume you have a reason I'd just like to know it lol. Seems like a whole lot of effort when magnets have worked fine in my experience lmao.
Hi Zack Bobby, We do use electro magnets for the common uncoupling points. We put this extra functionality in so that the operator can uncouple the stock he is moving at any location he wishes. Its is extra effort but the operating team love it.. Regards David
@@dattouk Oh okay I see so just on like these shunting locos so they can build a train wherever they want, and they could even leave cars in unusual areas for scenic purposes, where you wouldn't normally have magnets. I really like it but it is a lot of extra work lol. Do you think it'd be possible in N scale or is that just too small?
contend ? RC control and battery engine :SDirectg cab control is really close as it gets to real driver control. ? opens a whole new freedom away from DCC and track electrics
I like your idea, but we have 200 engines on the layout and I don't want the job of changing the batteries every so often. DCC gets me away from power worries. Batteries add to it.
I am not a dcc nor OO gauge modeller but Ido have 60 years of modelling behind me. For many years I have built and exhibited N gauge DC layouts. Although I will never change there is much to learn from your videos...I have just finished watching them all. Your railway is simply magnificent and highly entertaining. Thank you very much for all your efforts and to all those who so admirably assist you. Cheers, Bob
Dear Bob, Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to us to know that others appreciate our hard work and desire to inspire and share our obsession within the modelling community.
What an excellent video. I can see how transformative it is. A complex job beyond my skills (currently!) but very inspirational. Great stuff
What a fascinating video.
Thanks for sharing what you’ve done so that all us simpletons can understand.
Brilliant!
Hey all!
I must say this was a great video, makes me more confident about going for this when I get to this stage :)
Thomas,
excellent demonstration of how to fit the new uncoupling unit .......and program the uncoupling unit ......
Liked the topic of automatic uncouplers .. nice job
Brilliant & compliments to the team effort in producing this informative video 👍👍.
This is a real game-changer: no more magnets, uncoupling ramps, or hand-held coupling poles. I wonder if the cotton thread will be strong enough to withstand sustained use. Will it maybe stretch or fray? Could something like fuse-wire be used as a stronger alternative. It will be very interesting to see how they perform over time. If these ARE strong enough, I wouldn't be surprised if these turn-up on ready-to-run models fairly soon.
A great concept which can, quite probably, be adapted for other uses. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination - Thanks for sharing the process.
Cheers for now,
Dougie.
It may be worthwhile trying a thicker heavy duty button cotton thread as this is two to three times thicker however it would be worthwhile creating two static trial rigs one with normal cotton thread & one with heavy duty cotton thread just to compare the heat generated by the solenoid when using the heavy duty version that there is no noticeable increase.
www.zippershipper.com/heavy-duty-button-sewing-thread-100-cotton
@@aureol40012 Good point but there should be a workaround. If the system was adapted for other systems, Hornby could put it on their version, Bachmann on theirs, and so on. If it was adapted to work on tension locks, the various brands are reasonably compatible.
Throw some money at it and I'm sure it could be done.
Morning McKinley railway from my lorry parked in Fakenham 😁 Fantastic a coffee and another fantastic episode of McKinley railway and was that Charlie doing the editing.......🤔 What a fantastic team you have and I’m really enjoying this fantastic concept that’s being undertaken as I’m from Manchester so a lot of it’s relevant to me in the 70s as I spent most of my train spotting years in the area especially visiting Sheffield Tinsley yard When class 76s and the class 13 shunters where doing there stuff ones the hump 😆 Fantastic as always keep the good work up. Stevie a great fan of McKinley 👍🏻
It was Charlie doing the editing. He's a great addition to the team. If you are ever in Bournemouth with your lorry..... David
Morning David. Yes I couldn’t agree more that Charlie has joined what I see as a fantastic team building the most fantastic model railway on TH-cam I’ve ever seen.....😁 Charlie has a dilemma now pulling up Chadwick TDM 🙈 I think it’s for the best as his new layout I’ll benefit from it and keep us TH-camrs watching lol 😆 Taking nothing away from all the others great model railway builders on TH-camrs but yours is of a scale nobody has mirrored before. I saw you at a model railway show in Manchester many years ago at the old bus garage and sorry I never said hi 👋 Any way keep the fantastic work up. Thanks Stevie.
Great informative video. I've just ordered some for a test fitting
Great video. glad u took the advice after your video using solenoids. Fantastic
Ah Dazzy... I was just commenting about you to someone else ( see the comments on this video). It took me an hour to find your old comment. A million thanks to you for that link you sent over a year ago. I need to find a way to promote your channel as a thank you. Regard David
McKinley Railway must be my old eyes, can’t seem to find what you are talking about??. I didn’t wish to across terse. You have made more progress than I wish these little gems. Great video I learnt a lot.
Absolutely brilliant, I want, I want, I want (as my dear mother used to say) one of them for my Hornby 08 "Phantom". It's completely changed my planned build from a tail chaser to a shunting puzzle similar to the one in episode 173 "Chadwick exhibition layout". That's just led me down a whole new rabbit hole. well maybe a design or three on Anyrail to start with.
BZ CB
Best of luck!
Thanks for the info, I was watching an earlier video of the shunters and I was wondering what you used and how it was configured to do the auto-uncoupling.
Great Video. Any chance of marketing these finished locos in N ? I'd love to buy one. Cheers Gib
Fascinating David!
Excellent video. I really appreciate the time taken to share this technique. It's really increased my esteem of the McKinley railway channel. Can I ask which coreless motors you use? ...sorry just reran the video and noticed it's from Precimodels. Thanks.
Great video!
I am very interested in the coreless uncoupling. Can you supply any information on motor parameters?
Great! that's very intricate work! whats the name of that silent beautiful background music?
Very nice how-to.
The only thing I'd do different would be the wiring: Since all wires come to the 8-pin plug, why no solder to the lock-side socket?
Excellent video, great idea too i guess the coreless motors are the type as used in mobile hones for the vibrator. just remove the weight and there you go, start stripping your old phones down :)
Cheers
Ian
Very well done - thanks
You seem to have found the Holy Grail of model railway operations! I had dabbled with Krois uncouplers but while it was OK to uncouple I found it hard to couple. Can you couple the shunter back to the wagon easily with this or do you need to open the knuckle of the coupler before you can?
Hi Kenneth, We rely on the generic Kadee functionality as that what these couplers are. All the uncoupler motor does is pull the coupler open to allow the Loco to move away from the wagon. It works in exactly the same way as the Kadee magnets except that it is a piece of string opening the coupler and not a magnetic field.
Regards David
Charlie; are you working for McKinley Railway now?! Man of many talents!
Charlie is helping us out yes. A great addition to the team. David
I Have an 08 with Loksound DCC Sound already inserted. Can these DCC Conversion kits be inserted and added into a loco that already has DCC Sound fitted? So you don't have to lose all the fabulous diesel sounds? Or would I need a way bigger loco and maybee do it down the other end? Thanks
Which ESU decoder would you suggest if I wanted sound as well - on this model?
Sorry for the late reply. There are only two The Loksound 5 or the Lokpilot 5. They have identical functionality with the uncoupling. A word of caution when using this function with sound. Sound will often delay the movement of the engine and you might be a little disappointed as a result. We avoided adding sound to our shunters for exactly that reason.
Can you do this to the back and to other shunters
Could you clarify for me pls?
Mckinley Railway Team, What an advance this is to operation. The shunter "shuffle " just puts some slack into the coupling just like the real thing. You'll also notice Pete beare's an uncanny likeness to The Stig. Are they brothers I wonder? Cheers, Chris Perry.
Mr Perry. I sense you were a frustrated detective in another life... : -)
David
@@dattouk David, I should have said Charlie looks like the Stig's twin brother! I don't know where the Pete name came from. Cheers, Chris Perry.
Like the video very much thanks.
Is that Chadwick Charlie?
I thought so but he said Pete did it, hey ho!
Yes it is his voice, not his hands!
Yes it's Charlie's narration and Pete's carrying out the modifications.
Ah, the secret is out!
Conspiracy of the year revealed, great work guys, quality presentation.
Got a notification for update 32, but it says it is a private video.
There was an error with the sound output. We re-uploaded it. Sorry
Just got a notice for video re block detection but can’t see it. Says it’s private, what gives?
Hi matthew. I just explained the reason to Larry. Sorry for the hiccup
Where did you say the coreless motor came from and what is the model number?
I did a quick bit of googling and I think this is what they've used:
www.precimodels.com/en/8-products/1-dcc-uncouplers
Thanks for your help, John. Have now ordered some.
Thanks for helping John. You were absolutely right. David
Nice video here
where did you get the uncoupler motor from ?
I have posted a web link above..
who made the coreless motors?
www.precimodels.com/en/8-products/1-dcc-uncouplers
I really enjoyed this video, very informative. However, whilst listening to this my son said what’s that annoying music and it was the background track. I’ve heard this before and I must say I can’t disagree with him. Usually I would put the mute on but this wasn’t possible as the chap was describing the steps at the same time. Sorry for moaning but I wonder if you could leave out the background track in the future?
Must someone always find something negative in everything 🙄
Can you do it to both ends and to other locos
Yes you can modify both ends and then both couplers open at the same time. Whether you can modify other locos, depends on the space available.
The web site link to the uncoupling motors is
www.precimodels.com/en/8-products/1-dcc-uncouplers
Regards David
This is almost like what MTH has been doing on their locomotives for years. The coupler itself is the whole mechanism though.
Hi James, The uncoupler itself is only psrt of the solution. The uncoupling logic (i.e. shuffle backwards and forwards with a controlled time for the uncoupling motor to fire) embedded in the LokPilot DCC chip is the equally important co-player.
Well I know I won't be trying this in N scale haha. Also, why don't you just use magnets? You could even use the elector magnets you can trun on and off? I assume you have a reason I'd just like to know it lol. Seems like a whole lot of effort when magnets have worked fine in my experience lmao.
Hi Zack Bobby, We do use electro magnets for the common uncoupling points. We put this extra functionality in so that the operator can uncouple the stock he is moving at any location he wishes.
Its is extra effort but the operating team love it.. Regards David
@@dattouk Oh okay I see so just on like these shunting locos so they can build a train wherever they want, and they could even leave cars in unusual areas for scenic purposes, where you wouldn't normally have magnets. I really like it but it is a lot of extra work lol. Do you think it'd be possible in N scale or is that just too small?
@@zackbobby5550 Too small.. The uncoupler motors are too big.. Sorry.
@@dattouk Yeah I figured lol thanks.
Are you Charlie Chadwick's younger brother ? Spooky....👻👻👻
Thats the best comment of the year. Wait till I rib him that.
Great Video! noticed you have two spaces in the title though.
I'm sorry but I don't follow?
@@dattouk it might just be an issue on my side, not to worry!
I'm seeing a larger gap in-between 'automatic' and 'uncoupling'
contend ? RC control and battery engine :SDirectg cab control is really close as it gets to real driver control. ? opens a whole new freedom away from DCC and track electrics
I like your idea, but we have 200 engines on the layout and I don't want the job of changing the batteries every so often. DCC gets me away from power worries. Batteries add to it.