An explainer for the Kirby Uncoupling system, may be useful.

[LNERW1]

A useful tutorial and explainer that may be helpful for those interested in uncoupling solutions. The first really viable uncoupling system I’ve seen for tension locks.

[Auto-Train Original]

Sick of these model train 'inflencer' types. Frustrated Blue Peter presenters. 

[Galteemore]

Thanks for that. Very informative!

[GSR 800]

On 30/7/2026 at 5:55 PM, Auto-Train Original said:

Sick of these model train 'inflencer' types. Frustrated Blue Peter presenters. 

Bless free will, you're not obliged to watch any of them! 

On 30/7/2026 at 6:39 PM, Galteemore said:

Thanks for that. Very informative!

I think the obvious solution (which he mentioned) to his issues in testing would've been an electromagnet. Otherwise, the big issue (unless like him you decide to 'side' all your rolling stock) is that other than bachmann, the tension lock coupler itself is magnetic. But certainly food for thought!

[Colonel]

 Works well enough with an electro-magnet and from a visual aspect, not a million miles from a narrow gauge 'chopper' coupling, especially in 7mm scale.

 For something much less visible, the Spratt and Winkle is a good compromise. It will work well on tighter curves and in goalpost (rather than bar across the buffers) mode is quite hard to see. 

 For me, tension locks on any model, but especially fine scale ones, are just so ugly.

[Mayner]

A friend successfully used the Bemo originally Rivarossi coupling modified for magnetic operation on an EM gauge layout during the early 2000s. His father who worked for the Irish Railway Clearing House had adapted the Rivarossi coupling for magnetic operation on a large OO gauge layout during the 50s-60s.

One of the advantages of "hook and loop" couplers like B&B, Bemo, Rivarossi, Liliput is that the coupling can be set up so that the loop will couple up to the coupling hook on a locomotive buffer beam.

https://www.modellbahnshop-lippe.com/Accessory/Accessories/gb/liste.html?spur=H0m&hersteller=Bemo&grup=Couplings

The B&B coupling used in 2mm, 3mm & 4mm is similar in principal/operation to a modified Rivarossi/Liliput coupler. I successfully used B&B couplers on British outline locos and stock during the early 2000s

I have a 'stash" of 4mm B&Bs somewhere, just got to find them/time to use them.