How could I provide power and/or data coupling between train cars?

[legoboy3998]

On June 5, 2017 at 1:50 PM, Lowa said:

That's quite impressive!  But if I got it right you'll need a servo motor in each car that you want to be able to decouple ?

That is correct.  Some modelers either use magnets (permanent or electro) mounted strategically under the track to actuate the magnetic trip pin in the couplers to uncouple cars.  However, most modelers just use a wooden skewer or pencil to manually open the coupler knuckle to decouple cars.  This is acceptable because in the real world train cars are manually decoupled.

sal

WFB, WI

[Paladonius]

What about this (shown without the buffer housing) running wires internally through the coupling ? The downside is the protruding pin - means they would only be coupled to another one - tender / power supply freight car / tandem loco. 

Cheers

Paladonius

[baard]

On ‎02‎.‎06‎.‎2017 at 2:07 AM, Rob Klingberg said:

 

Feedback is appreciated!  You'll be seeing more photos, video, etc. of this product line in the coming weeks.

--Rob Klingberg

 

I really like this idea.

For my purposes this will work excellent and looks less bulky than other solutions

When do you perceive these will be produced?

[Paladonius]

It depends on how much support this concept gets. I like it a lot (but I'm biased) and designed it to suit my needs, might not be everyone's cup of tea

[zephyr1934]

Interesting topic that I missed first time around. I hate having a PF cable running between a tender and locomotive (or boxcar and detailed diesel locomotive, etc.). It would be nice to have a 4 pin to PF connector that combines the plug and play of @Paladonius solution with the supplemental attachment of 4DBrix. Oh, and @ALCO, your want of N American style couplers just needs a small saw (evil grin)

[ALCO]

Hmm! This looks interesting! 

@zephyr1934 I cannot believe you would suggest such a thing! *gasp* lol

[Rob Klingberg]

8 hours ago, baard said:

I really like this idea.

For my purposes this will work excellent and looks less bulky than other solutions

When do you perceive these will be produced?

I'm glad you like it.  We made a small quantity for Brickworld Chicago back in June, but as I mentioned earlier, the drawback is that the price was high due to using original 9V parts.  We're still looking into another solution that's less expensive, but it requires purchasing a high-end 3D printer, which we still haven't quite been able to justify (yet!).

 

[Flemmbrav]

Hi,

I know this is an old topic. I made something like this.
Shall I post it here or should I open a new topic?

Edited September 7, 2024 by Flemmbrav