When and where to use those black isolating decouplers

[AndyH]

Hi all new to all this.
Retrieved an acquired train set and just about up and running basic on the floor with some manual points.
It'll eventually be on a board. Anyway it's an old DC with Hornby hm2000 controller with two loops and cross overs so can now run and control 2 trains independently.

In the set I have 4 black pieces of track with those little springy black rectangle piece in the middle which I'm sure are decouplers? Are they used to disengage the wheels from the track?

I'm wanting to set up a bit of a fiddle yard at the back so I can test trains are on properly before sending out on main loop and retrieve incoming trains . I have a second basic retro throttle controller, to power the seperate track and was just going to use 2 points either side with the 3rd power controller or would I also need to add decouplers?

Thanks best regards Andy

[IanS]

They don't touch the wheels (the coach/wagon would come off the track!). They for unhooking (decoupling) two coaches or wagons.

[Walkingthedog]

No they are not used to disengage the wheels from the track. If they have a sprung ramp they are used to uncouple. Stop the couplings you wish to uncouple over the ramp, reverse the train slightly and the coupling hooks will uncouple.

[AndyH]

Ah never knew that always wondered how you hook the carriages on off.
Just need to think where best to site them now then.