N-Possible Coupler Announcement (Nashville 2022)

[ednadolski]

They're here!    Thanks @turbowhiz 

[GaryHinshaw]

^Great!!

A little vignette from yesterday's operating session: a northbound train had passed the cement plant at Monolith and was already heading down Tehachapi Loop (2.2% grade, 21" curve) when I realized I forgot to instruct the crew to spot some cars at the plant before continuing on.  In the pre-N-Possible days, a reverse move up the Loop would have been treacherous, but since this ~30 car train was fully N-Possible equipped, I felt perfectly comfortable instructing them to go back and spot the cars.  It worked out fine.

[garethashenden]

Any updates on US Distributors? I'm running low on short scaleboxes and Credit Valley are all out of stock...

[learmoia]

^Great!!

A little vignette from yesterday's operating session: a northbound train had passed the cement plant at Monolith and was already heading down Tehachapi Loop (2.2% grade, 21" curve) when I realized I forgot to instruct the crew to spot some cars at the plant before continuing on.  In the pre-N-Possible days, a reverse move up the Loop would have been treacherous, but since this ~30 car train was fully N-Possible equipped, I felt perfectly comfortable instructing them to go back and spot the cars.  It worked out fine.

How did the operators do with the couplers during the session..

~Ian

[Missaberoad]

^Great!!

A little vignette from yesterday's operating session: a northbound train had passed the cement plant at Monolith and was already heading down Tehachapi Loop (2.2% grade, 21" curve) when I realized I forgot to instruct the crew to spot some cars at the plant before continuing on.  In the pre-N-Possible days, a reverse move up the Loop would have been treacherous, but since this ~30 car train was fully N-Possible equipped, I felt perfectly comfortable instructing them to go back and spot the cars.  It worked out fine.

"That God damn F'n trainmaster made me ride the point for miles because he forgot to workorder the cars for Monolith and said we couldn't set them off at Bakersfield for tomorrow's train"

Just like at work!

 

[learmoia]

"That God damn F'n trainmaster made me ride the point for miles because he forgot to workorder the cars for Monolith and said we couldn't set them off at Bakersfield for tomorrow's train"

Just like at work!

 

How many times have you worked that job.. you know the cars go to Monolith, you should have known to just sent them out.. 

[Missaberoad]

How many times have you worked that job.. you know the cars go to Monolith, you should have known to just sent them out.. 

Perfect!

[GaryHinshaw]

^

How did the operators do with the couplers during the session..

I've now hosted 6+ sessions with these couplers and the operator reviews have been uniformly positive.  Spontaneous decouplings and slinkies are a thing of the past.  It does take a bit of dexterity (and good light) to get a pick* in place but it does work.  (Personally I have often found it easier to pick N-Possibles apart than it is Kadee HO couplers.)  I still only have about half of my on-layout fleet converted now, so we still have to manage conversion cars, which can be a pain in a complex switching environment.  But that is a temporary issue.

* RE picks: I have had good luck taking a used fine-point MicroBrush and snipping the brush head off at an angle:



If it frays a little bit, that's even better. 

[Maletrain]

Has anybody tried uncoupling the N-Possibles with the tooth flossing brushes that seem to work well with HO and N scales Magnamatics?  I bought some Proxabrush "Go Between Cleaners" in "Ultra Tight" version to see how they will work, but won't get a chance to try them for another couple of weeks.

[Sokramiketes]

Has anybody tried uncoupling the N-Possibles with the tooth flossing brushes that seem to work well with HO and N scales Magnamatics?  I bought some Proxabrush "Go Between Cleaners" in "Ultra Tight" version to see how they will work, but won't get a chance to try them for another couple of weeks.

The nPossibles don't have nearly the amount of loose gap needed for a twisted-wire brush like HO and MTL N.  The pointy objects work great though, they pop apart. 

[Scottl]

A dissecting probe looks to be ideal.  Cheap on Aliexpress

[Mark5]

How are folks getting these? All from CVRCO (Canada)? With the elimination of the $800 de minimis exception, I am hesitant to order from Canada - are these exempted from tariffs under USMCA?

[garethashenden]

How are folks getting these? All from CVRCO (Canada)? With the elimination of the $800 de minimis exception, I am hesitant to order from Canada - are these exempted from tariffs under USMCA?

Its the only source currently, and thanks to the changing rules they have suspended shipments to the US.

Anyone want to smuggle some couplers across the border? 

[Mark5]

Its the only source currently, and thanks to the changing rules they have suspended shipments to the US.

Anyone want to smuggle some couplers across the border? 

Great, back to being N-Possible to get.


Special Note for all our USA Customers: Please be aware the de minimis exemption rules have ended for all shipments to the USA. Items purchased through the postal/courier network from any Canadian retailer will be subject to a duty rate of 30% or up to $200 per item. We have therefore suspended all order shipments to the USA until conditions change.
https://www.cvrco.ca

[Iain]

welp, i guess i need to use what i've got wisely