Abstract: A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle on an adjacent car. The knuckle is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A first permanent magnet is mounted on the knuckle and a second magnet is mounted on the car structure with an unlike pole facing the adjacent pole of the first magnet. The resultant magnetic attraction between the unlike poles resiliently urges the knuckle to the lower position. Cars may be uncoupled by providing an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract one pole and repel the other pole of the first magnet to create an attraction/repulsion force couple to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple adjacent cars.