You can buy a handheld magnetic uncoupler too - looks like an "n" with a pair of magnets in the legs and a handle. They work reasonably well though they're not truly hands-off

You can also get under-track magnets that might be a better idea. On K track they'd just go under the sleepers as they do on 2 rail. Just beware the way that any rolling stock with ferrous metals on board is attracted to them!

P.S. One other word of advice - get a height gauge. Kadees are excellent, but they don't work well if they're not at the right height. Kadee's own is very effective and not too expensive.

Thanks for your replies.
The goal is smooth, hands-off coupling and uncoupling.

We are contemplating using kadee couplers on a club layout (C-track). The main reason is for easy and accurate shunting, as the layout models an endstation and the locos need to move around to the other end of the train to depart again. For now, this is done with M* uncoupler rails, but that's not always very efficient.[:(] ALso coupling the train to a loco is not as smooth as we'd like.

We've equipped two cars with kadees to test. Indeed, bending the wire is needed to avoid contact with pukos on turnouts. So far tests went great.

Only the locos and front and rear cars of a train would be converted to kadee to keep the cars close together (As I understand that kadee cannot couple as close as M* closecouplers).

I have a few more questions...[:o)]

Would a magnet, mounted under the plastic bed of C-track, be strong enough to uncouple them? Or will the metal from the pukos interfere with the magnetism? Will it magnetize the complete track?

Will a standard magnet do, or do we need "supermagnets" of some sort? And what size is appropriate?

Anyone who uses these uncoupler magnets with C-track have some suggestions, tips, tricks?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions at once, but the layout is already finished and we'd need to tear it down quite a bit to insert the magnets.[V] So I'd like to be sure that all that work will bring the desired effect before starting the demolition work.

Some pictures of the layout can be seen at http://www.dwarsliggers.be/De%20Dwarsliggers.htm (in Dutch), click on "fotoalbum" and then on "Wiltz".

The problem is almost never the rails themselves but center rail pukos that are higher than rails in turnouts and crossings and in which coupler trip pins can jam.

This problem has already been discussed in several threads including this one.

Pierre.

Pieter-Jan: Your club layout looks really nice, kudos to you and your fellow members.
Ira

Is there trouble by using magnetic uncopler on the digital railway...?

Goofy