New 3rd party magnetic train couplers [and micromotors too]

[Barkmi4]

Sorry for the bump.  
Now that these have been around for a while has anyone got any feedback/experience with the couplers?

Does anyone know if there is an EU distributer?  Product looks great but the shipping is pretty steep.

[bogieman]

I've standardized on the Studly magnetic couplers and can report that they work much better than the current sealed Lego magnets or the earlier Lego magnets on which they are based. I run heavy 8 wide cars and locos and have a 4% grade on my layout and rarely have these magnets pull apart. I've tried the Brick Model Railroad Kadee knuckle couplers, and while I love the look and holding power, they didn't work on my layout due to transitions from flat to grade where they would bypass vertically and uncouple.

Dave

[M_slug357]

16 hours ago, bogieman said:

...4% grade on my layout ... where they would bypass vertically and uncouple.

Dave

Do you have video to share of this? 4% seems steep imho, but sounds fun!

I've recently taken to building 10-wide trains (thanks to @coaster) and have switched from magnets to BMR's knuckle couplers, although I might be in too deep now to switch back...

[Barkmi4]

21 hours ago, bogieman said:

I've standardized on the Studly magnetic couplers and can report that they work much better than the current sealed Lego magnets or the earlier Lego magnets on which they are based. I run heavy 8 wide cars and locos and have a 4% grade on my layout and rarely have these magnets pull apart. I've tried the Brick Model Railroad Kadee knuckle couplers, and while I love the look and holding power, they didn't work on my layout due to transitions from flat to grade where they would bypass vertically and uncouple.

Dave

Great info, Ta

[zephyr1934]

23 hours ago, bogieman said:

I've standardized on the Studly magnetic couplers and can report that they work much better than the current sealed Lego magnets or the earlier Lego magnets on which they are based. I run heavy 8 wide cars and locos and have a 4% grade on my layout and rarely have these magnets pull apart. I've tried the Brick Model Railroad Kadee knuckle couplers, and while I love the look and holding power, they didn't work on my layout due to transitions from flat to grade where they would bypass vertically and uncouple.

That's good to hear, and I'd be interested if anyone else has feedback about them. My deep stash of the old Lego magnets is coming to an end.

Since I've converted my heaviest trains to roller bearings I do not need the extra strength (20 ft long train? No problem) but I dislike the contemporary sealed magnets. Besides, these are only a little more expense than the current lego magnets and a lot cheaper than the original lego magents these days.

 

[bogieman]

6 hours ago, M_slug357 said:

Do you have video to share of this? 4% seems steep imho, but sounds fun!

I've recently taken to building 10-wide trains (thanks to @coaster) and have switched from magnets to BMR's knuckle couplers, although I might be in too deep now to switch back...

This video shows a fairly heavy 8 wide train on my layout and it does show the loco separating from the train on level track at 2:33' for some unknown reason but then shows ascending the 4% grade with no problem at around 3:50' into it. I have found that sometimes the Studly magnets will not "flip over" as they need to in order that the poles align properly; sometimes they flip halfway and connect edge to edge which does have much attractive force. The Kadee's would bypass when climbing the grade where it makes the 90 deg turn due to the rather abrupt vertical transition which I don't have the motivation to modify. I can't use turntables but have to build pitch freedom into the bogies on my locos to deal with it as well, especially steam locos.

You can also see the mess my grandkids have made around the layout - have to let them play - the modular buildings are off limits though.

 

[mark6399]

Thanks for sharing! That's a collection you have!