DM toys/Liliput Shunter - DCC uncoupling

[bbunge]

I guess I have a thing for small switch engines.  This offering from DM-Toys caught my eye since it has a decoder trigger uncoupling feature.  A number of other interesting features as well for such a small locomotive. 

Look under "Beschreibung" for technical details.

https://www.dm-toys.de/en/product-details/Liliput_L162589.html

I wonder if a similar uncoupling feature could be cooked up for the US style of couplers.  What they have done here is an interesting advantage of the rapido style coupler.

I wonder what is meant by "swing axle" and how it compares to the flexible suspension Kato used on their recent two axle unit?

Bob

[peteski]

Yes, I just read about this in the email from DM-Toys.

Since the description is translation from German I suspect, like you, that the swing axle design is somethgin like Kato uses in their current "critter" chassis.  They also mention that the locomotive is geared for low speeds and that since the motor will be runnign fast, the flywheel will keep it running through short power dropouts.  That is pretty amazing considering this N scale model is tiny (I have an older version of it).

As I see it, the automatic coupler mechanism would have to be totally redesigned for knuckle couplers.  That is because the rapido couplers are raised vertically to couple/uncouple, where the knuckle couplers swing to the side.

I considered buying one of these but with the tariffs I'm going to hold off.

[spookshow]

I still have my Kato Kobo 2-8-2 with DCC uncoupling on the tender. A very cool experiment that sadly never went anywhere.





-Mark

[dem34]

I still have my Kato Kobo 2-8-2 with DCC uncoupling on the tender. A very cool experiment that sadly never went anywhere.



-Mark

You know, that system looks remarkably similar to the N Possible Mechanism. I wonder if when those come around you could shove a small mechanism to push the spring open slightly.