Dummy couplers wouldn't work on my standard gauge operations, where magnetic uncoupling , and near hands free delivery of individual cars to specific locations is a big part of all operations.
When I started my current RR I had 1 3 foot gauge locomotive that ran well enough to use, and it had only dummy couplers. To start with I just had the narrow gauge reload track, that had a standard gauge / narrow gauge crossing at one end, and dual gauge switch at the other. a single narrow gauge log train was parked on the spur, and it was either blocking the standard gauge access to the reload at the crossing, or it was out on the main, blocking the dual gauge switch at the run around track.
Next I had the idea of adding an iron ore reload, and it was similarly limited to a couple tracks that didn't go any where. Then I got mildly crazy and added State line in dual gauge, hanging off the 45 degree ceiling above crooked creek; with a turntable, and the dual gauge staging yard.
Then I realized that the track next to the Ore reload pointed to some roadbed that was abandoned when the Gizzard module was reconfigured to fit this railroad; so I laid track up the mountain. After I did that I had a dual gauge turntable and staging yard in state line, an ore reload and a log reload, none of which had been built with complicated operations in mind, hooked up to a main line that didn't go anywhere.
Then I had an insane inspiration, and added a fifth level, again hanging off the sloped ceiling, six feet above the floor. I originally was going to put a turntable up there, but I had another flash of insane inspiration, and extended the shelf and added a return loop.
I liked the return loop so much I am adding a second narrow gauge return loop around the Georgia staging yard, so whole narrow gauge trains can come and go, without switching; and be constantly in the way on the single dual gauge passing siding in Stateline.
Since the three elements of traffic on the narrow gauge is Iron ore, logs, and passengers, and I can do all of those things, with two return loops without switching; and I haven't built the narrow gauge track with magnetic coupling in mind, I figure during operating sessions whole narrow gauge trains will come and go. Switching will be a standard gauge activity, and the Narrow gauge trains will contribute mainly by being in the way.
with this operational concept, the dummy coulers will not be a problem, as most likely this critter will push log or ore cars from Georgia staging to Ridgemont and back, and coupling and uncoupling will not be necessary. you will need to uncouple and couple on the standard gauge, but look, there is a log train in the way again ******!
If this locomotive doesn't like the log reload spur (I won't know till I fix a short on that siding) It will push iron ore cars to the ore reload.
Bill Nelson
When I started my current RR I had 1 3 foot gauge locomotive that ran well enough to use, and it had only dummy couplers. To start with I just had the narrow gauge reload track, that had a standard gauge / narrow gauge crossing at one end, and dual gauge switch at the other. a single narrow gauge log train was parked on the spur, and it was either blocking the standard gauge access to the reload at the crossing, or it was out on the main, blocking the dual gauge switch at the run around track.
Next I had the idea of adding an iron ore reload, and it was similarly limited to a couple tracks that didn't go any where. Then I got mildly crazy and added State line in dual gauge, hanging off the 45 degree ceiling above crooked creek; with a turntable, and the dual gauge staging yard.
Then I realized that the track next to the Ore reload pointed to some roadbed that was abandoned when the Gizzard module was reconfigured to fit this railroad; so I laid track up the mountain. After I did that I had a dual gauge turntable and staging yard in state line, an ore reload and a log reload, none of which had been built with complicated operations in mind, hooked up to a main line that didn't go anywhere.
Then I had an insane inspiration, and added a fifth level, again hanging off the sloped ceiling, six feet above the floor. I originally was going to put a turntable up there, but I had another flash of insane inspiration, and extended the shelf and added a return loop.
I liked the return loop so much I am adding a second narrow gauge return loop around the Georgia staging yard, so whole narrow gauge trains can come and go, without switching; and be constantly in the way on the single dual gauge passing siding in Stateline.
Since the three elements of traffic on the narrow gauge is Iron ore, logs, and passengers, and I can do all of those things, with two return loops without switching; and I haven't built the narrow gauge track with magnetic coupling in mind, I figure during operating sessions whole narrow gauge trains will come and go. Switching will be a standard gauge activity, and the Narrow gauge trains will contribute mainly by being in the way.
with this operational concept, the dummy coulers will not be a problem, as most likely this critter will push log or ore cars from Georgia staging to Ridgemont and back, and coupling and uncoupling will not be necessary. you will need to uncouple and couple on the standard gauge, but look, there is a log train in the way again ******!
If this locomotive doesn't like the log reload spur (I won't know till I fix a short on that siding) It will push iron ore cars to the ore reload.
Bill Nelson