Turnout derailment

[jward]

I'm with Len on this one. I'll elaborate a little more though based on my own experience.

I never cut off the pins. If you ever want to use the uncoupling magnets, you will need those pins adjusted properly. Using the tool Len recommended, I adjust the pin so that the end bends slightly upward. This will eliminate the problem of it catching on your trackwork. I also use a Kadee coupler height guage to check the coupler and pin height before I run anything on the layout.

I have found that with EZ mate or any other plastic shanked knuckle coupler once you snap on the trackwork and bend the shank you won't be able to straighten them out to get it back in specs. At that point I will replace the coupler with a Kadee #148 metal coupler, which is far more durable than the plastic clones. There is, however, nothing wrong with using the existing couplers until they give you problems.