[MOC] Simple Trackside Decoupler

[Pdaitabird]

I wanted to share this simple decoupler with the community.  The advantage of this type of decoupler is that it actually separates the magnets rather than just holding back a car by its wheel, so there is no chance of the train separating in the wrong place.  Mine is activated by a hand crank, but the output shaft could easily be connected to a motor.  The photos should give you a pretty good idea of how to build the mechanism.  I hope others can make use of it!

IMG_0649 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

IMG_0650 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

IMG_0651 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

IMG_0644 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

IMG_0647 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

IMG_0648 by the chestertonian, on Flickr

Soli Deo Gloria

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice train stuff 

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Roadmonkeytj]

Any chance to get a video? 

[Pdaitabird]

17 hours ago, Roadmonkeytj said:

Any chance to get a video? 

Here is a video of the decoupler in action.  My apologies for the shaky camera - I'm trying to film and run the 9v controller at once!

Soli Deo Gloria

[dr_spock]

Nice work. Is there a way to make it so that it can move a bit parallel to the tracks so that you don't have to stop the train perfectly on the spot?

[Pdaitabird]

8 hours ago, dr_spock said:

Nice work. Is there a way to make it so that it can move a bit parallel to the tracks so that you don't have to stop the train perfectly on the spot?

Thanks! Although I haven't tried it, you could probably mount the whole assembly on wheels to roll on a narrow-gauge track beside the mainline.

[Xris]

12 hours ago, dr_spock said:

Nice work. Is there a way to make it so that it can move a bit parallel to the tracks so that you don't have to stop the train perfectly on the spot?

That might become tricky:

As the coupling is broken up by pulling the train against the decoupler, it is required that the decoupler does not move parallel to the track.