I love it

Hi Thomas,

I love it when a plan comes together.  Mr Goldberg strikes again. 

Well done, and give yourself a pat on the back, 

That Rube G. has so any amazing devices.

I think my parents originally got me started using that phrase. I don't now the current cutoff date/age that does not get that reference. 

I'm glad you liked it, thanks for all the tips on magnets. Can't wait to hear about your updates on MRR.

Happy & Flattered

Glad this worked out for you! Thanks for the credit but it really was inspired by everyone here. 

Hive mind on MRH

You’re welcome Neil. It is an interesting mix of ideas we can get from the other hobbyists on here.

I hope you keep us posted on your layout progress and future innovations. 

Ripple effect

This is very sweet - the idea, the refinements, the sharing via video... Thomas, John & Neil thank you! 

Many of my setouts are on sidings with slight grades and I've been contemplating various methods of "handbrakes" to replace the unsightly Pink Pearl erasers that I currently use. I'll have to study Thomas' videos more carefully to understand why the flip-up brakes cause derailment problems. I've operated on a few layouts with variations of the flip-up and they seem to be pretty effective, but there always seem to be unforeseen consequences!

Jeff Allen

My issue with flip up brakes.

Thanks Jeff. My flip-up brakes work great, except for the one on that track for one specific reason. When the train arrives, the power has to be cut off from the cars. I use Kadee magnets for all my uncoupling. Hands free operation. So... there must be slack between two Kadee couplers to make the magnets have the effect on the trip pins and allow for the uncoupling process to work. 

The entire train is on an ascending grade. I needed to apply the flip-up brake to hold the caboose in place so I could have the engines back down the grade, pushing on the entire train, to gain slack between the engines and first ore car.

This backup move caused the caboose to hop over, or even derail, on the flip-up brake. The flip brake only comes in contact with the axle. The backing-slacking move put too much stress on that portion of the caboose/brake and caused it to derail almost every time. The magnet and pin remove the contact with the axle and all chances of derailments. I still use those flip up breaks at the mine track as well as the arrival and departure tracks to hold the ore cars on the grades. 

I hope this helps and good luck with your adaptation. Please keep us posted on your progress.