Model Railroading > HO scale coupler boot needed

My layout includes a transportation museum with a spur track for exhibits.  It is in the rear of the layout, which makes it almost impossible to reach.  I would like to place a soft boot over the coupler on the engine that I use to shove rolling stock onto the spur for display.  The boot could be removed when it is time to send the engine back onto the spur to couple onto the equipment on display and drag it out.  Any suggestions?

Thanks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/22 07:05 by Floridarailfan.

My "quick and dirty" idea is to put a bit of masking tape on it for the duration of that move.

Depends on whether you're using "standard" knuckle Kadee's or scale, but have you tried a plastic drink stirrer, painted black and snipped to length? 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/22 11:34 by RichM.

Or some heatshrink slightly oversized so its removeable

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

I have several industry spots like that, and I just offset the couplers before the shove movement.

That trick is also useful to "kick" cars in the yard.

-LD



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/22 14:14 by LarryDoyle.

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Just wrap a piece of electrical tape around the front of the coupler.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

What is a coupler boot?

Posted from Android

I assume you don't want to use Kadee uncoupling ramps?  Otherwise put a ramp back there and delay the cars when shoving back
-Sean

SPDRGWfan Wrote:
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> What is a coupler boot?
>
> Posted from Android

A sleeve like device that keeps the coupler from operating.

One idea I had was to use a cylindrical styrofoam packing peanut. I could cut a small cavity in one end with a drill bit. The peanut could slip over the end of the coupler on the engine. Using styrofoam should prevent any damage to the coupler on the car getting pushed into position.

Posted from iPhone

Im on the same side as use the Kedee uncoupler. The Kadee is designed to offset over the uncoupler then be pushed. If you still dont like that, just put the uncoupler magnet below the coupler where you want the car spotted and it will uncouple and not couple anything as long as its over the magnet. If then you want to couple it just shove the car off the magnet and it will realign and you can recouple and pull it past the magnet. You wont have to modify anything and takes seconds to place the magnet.

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railstiesballast Wrote:
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> My "quick and dirty" idea is to put a bit of
> masking tape on it for the duration of that move.

Good idea. And if you use BLACK masking tape it won' be noticeable.