Magne-Matic

Evolution of the Magne-Matic® Coupler

Model Railroading has been a popular pastime for many generations, bringing the real world of the railroad 'to life' in small scale, with all of its operations, vistas, and excitement! Technology has allowed progression from the tin toy trains of yesteryear, to the prototypical accurate scale models of today, thanks to advances that faithfully reproduce the realistic operations of railroading. The most significant of these advancements has been the introduction and continuous improvement of the Magne-Matic® Coupler.

Early coupling systems gave modelers the choice of either a coupler that looked like a 'prototypical' coupler but did not operate well, or a system that worked fairly well but did not look like a coupler. To operate model railroads realistically, modelers needed a coupling system that both looked and operated like the prototype. This led to the invention of the Magne-Matic® Coupler, which finally allowed modelers to evolve from being spectators, watching a toy train go around the track, to becoming model railroad engineers, switchmen, and brakemen on their own layouts.

To this day, the Magne-Matic® Coupler is the only one with a 'prototypical' appearance that offers the model railroader 'hands-free' Automatic Coupling, Uncoupling and Automatic Delayed Recoupling.

The advent of the magnetic uncoupler brought further developments including the delayed-action coupler. This gave the model railroader complete control over train consists, allowing 'hands-free' operations from the control panel. Model railroaders could finally say goodbye to the 'unrealistic' operational limitations of the past.

Today, most of Micro-Trains® current coupler research involves the conversion of other manufacturers' N Scale rolling stock to the Magne-Matic® System. The lack of standards for coupler design or mounting guidelines has prompted Micro-Trains® to continue ongoing research and development of a wide range of different coupler conversion styles and options.

To Uncouple: Stop train with couplers directly over uncoupler magnet.

Re-approach and push uncoupled car(s) past uncoupler to desired location on layout.

Back train slightly, allowing slack so that couplers can disengage. Magnetic force draws coupler trip pins off center, opening coupler knuckles. Pull train forward. Couplers are in delayed position.

Pull train forward leaving uncoupled car(s) behind. Couplers return to normal coupling position.