Tomix uncoupling and freight locomotive questions

[SwitchOnSwitchOff]

Hi all,

 

I have been spending several weeks planning purchases and making track plans for a very compact shunting layout I want to do. Haven't been able to make firm decisions and start ordering because there are a few things I just cannot find clear answers to. Hoping your collective modelling experience can help!

 

1. The tomix magnetic uncoupler track, as far as I have been able to research, works with applicable locos out of the box. However, this only lets you uncoupler the full set, not individual cars. Question: is it possible to buy and fit freight cars (Tomix) with the coupler used for locos, thereby allowing uncoupling of individual cars? If so, does Hobby Search or similar stock these? Hand of God uncoupling will not work for this design. Automatic is a must. I do have Kato joiner tracks, their uncoupling track and appropriate couplers, but having to use three tracks for this compromises the size and possibilities of the layout. Also a must is delayed release. I should note that all my track is Tomix.

 

2. Not necessarily for shunting, but does anyone know which Tomix loco is shortest, DE10 or ED61? I want a short freight loco for C140 curves that doesn't look too ridiculous (n.b. not interested in shorties, pocket trains etc). I would also consider a Kato DE10, but the videos I have watched shows the Tomix being highly superior in crawling speed and slow start.

 

Finally, I have even considered doing the whole things in Rokuhan to maximise usage of available space. They have a magnetic uncoupling track supporting delayed release, but finding the MTL couplers needed seems to be harder than finding a needle in a haystack. I have also been put off by the abysmal performance of the shortys I bought a few years ago, while Tomix track and N locos has just been a dream to operate.

 

That's it, hope someone can help!

Edited July 31 by SwitchOnSwitchOff

[bill937ca]

The C type is short.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11025880

 

The shortest are probably the Kato Pocket Line, but pulling power is limited.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10923240

[SwitchOnSwitchOff]

Thanks Bill!

 

I probably should have mentioned that I already have the Kato steeple cab and a little Bandai DE10 with Kato engine that I bought because the Tomix one is a little too simplistic.

 

For this project, I would like a proper, non-mini loco with headlights and all.

 

Thanks though. Good options!

[MeTheSwede]

1. No you can't fit the loco coupler on freight cars. It won't fit in coupler boxes.

 

2. The lenght of the locomotives looks to be the same, as per this photo: https://item.fril.jp/8a55043963a10a1f2717d010b332d02c

 

 

I thought I needed automatic uncoupling when I started in the hobby, but quickly realised it would be too fiddly for me, whereas uncoupling with a stick just worked. I've still got Kato magnetic couplers in their original packaging somewhere.

 

My shunting with the "stick of God":

 

 

 

[RS18U]

To be that other guy, have you thought about any of the N scale couplers used by the North American modellers (and maybe other places too)?  I guess it really depends on how much switching/shunting you want to do.  https://www.trains.com/mrr/beginners/guide-to-n-scale-couplers/

[SwitchOnSwitchOff]

Thank you both!

@MeTheSwede Super helpful to have a clear answer re. The Tomix couplers. No need to spend more time going down that rabbit hole. Equally helpful with the photo. I don't know how you found it, but thank you! They do indeed look almost identical in length, which is really useful to know.

 

Finally, what an aging looking micro layout! It is even smaller than the one I am planning and it just looks blazing. Cannot believe you did that in an afternoon. It will take me months of afternoons for sure. It also lets me see how the chopstick from heaven lets you do the layout so incredible compact. No need to make room for uncoupler tracks or space for maneouvering to nearly the same degree. Ultimately though, I do need a remote solution, but food for thought!

 

@RS18U Super helpful link and instantly bookmarked. It really helps me understand the utter chaos of couplers better. I think the best solution for me is if I can use the Kato/MTL magne-matic couplers, but with a homegrown solution for the magnets that doesn't requitee to have the conversion track for my Tomix tracks. I will try to find out if perhaps someone sells Neodymium magnets for use with the MTL couplers that I could easily place around the layout.

 

Edited August 1 by SwitchOnSwitchOff

[Beaver]

You could try fitting small magnets to the freight car couplings to make them work with the Tomix uncoupler track. Peco make a set of etched magnetic tails that can be attached to the usual N gauge couplings to make them work with track magnets.

 

 

Peco magnetic tails in use with HO-Naro stock. In this case a magnet has been manually installed in the track but it should work with the Tomix uncoupler track too, since they are both vertical pull/push magnets rather than the horizontal sideways push magnets used by MTL and the Kato uncoupling track piece.

 

Some people buy very tiny rare earth magnets and superglue them onto the couplings instead.

 

23 hours ago, SwitchOnSwitchOff said:

I want a short freight loco for C140 curves that doesn't look too ridiculous (n.b. not interested in shorties, pocket trains etc).

 

Have you considered a DD13? It is shorter than either a DE10 or an ED61, and is most appropriate for a shunting layout, being a class specifically made for shunting.

[SwitchOnSwitchOff]

Thank you for the suggestion of the Peco couplers or micro magnets. That actually sounds exactly like what I need. I will follow that lead!

 

I have actually also been looking at a ND552, which is apparently the successor to the DD13 and exactly the same length in real life. It's just only a 50cm difference so I thought it would have little impact (0.33cm if scaled to 1/150). And the DE10 looks better. If the model is really shorter it might be the way to go though. Thanks again for a good suggestion.

[Rod.H]

Tomix do have a a family of Arnold-style couplers that work with the magnet uncoupler https://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/n/JC6314.html problem is I think they're all locomotive specific and I don't know if anyone's tried to fit one into a freight car. 

[SwitchOnSwitchOff]

@Rod.H Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for in vain. They are pretty cheap so I will order a sample and see how I go.