--- In [email protected], "ROGER NULTON" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
> Caution: The washers I recommended at the clinic are magnetic and
may foul up block occupancy detectors and extra strong magnetic
uncouplers.
>
> Right Mr. Ed Loizeaux?
Ah, er, um, h-m-m-m,....duh...... Not sure about that, exactly. In
my case, I do use extra-strong under-the-track magnets to operate HO
couplers with standard Kadee HO gladhands. Just a personal
preference on my part, but it works just fine for me. Because of
the stronger-than-normal magnets, I have found that wheelsets with
steel/iron wheels and/or axles are sucked into the magnet and
prevent proper operation. Interestingly, some wheelsets have both
the wheels and the axles made of steel. Others have non-magnetic
wheels, but have magnetic axles. Not sure of the logic there, but it
is out of my hands. Seems as though there is little
standardization. But that's life in the fast lane.... Thus, I use
NWSL non-magnetic wheelsets as a standard on all rolling stock
except for some imported brass models which already have non-
magnetic wheelsets.
With regard to adding weight to cars, if the weight is magnetic and
added to the lower parts of the car -- such as the underbody or on
the floor -- the stronger-than-normal magnets do attract the car to
an unacceptable degree. But, I suspect, that using only a normal-
strength magnet would not cause this problem. Just a guess on my
part here. But, to be safe, I like to use pennies or brass washers
for car weights because of their non-magnetic nature. I suspect that
using magnetic weights with S scale couplers with long gladhands and
normal magnets would probably not cause any trouble at all for most
everyone else. Let's face it, I am the oddball in my practices here.
Regarding block occupancy, I do not think the magnetism, or lack
thereof, has any effect on block occupancy detectors. But ya do
need metal wheels in order to conduct a trickle amount of
electricity (through a resistor) so that the block detector
circuitry can actually detect the presence of a car on the track.
Plastic wheels seem to have a hard time conducting electricity and
thus are not used on the mighty NYC for that reason.
Hope all this is helpful. Sorry if'n I got carried away.
Cheers...Ed L.
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