Anyone else having a problem watching the videos for this article? I cannot see any of them.

Jerry,

I checked my embedded and standard-pc versions and the Parallel Lines videos play ok for me.

Are you able to see any of the other videos?

Are you viewing the Embedded, Standard, or Flash Book version of the magazine? PC, Mac or Linux?

If Embedded and none of the videos play, do you have version 9 of Adober Reader installed?

Best regards,

Charlie

Standard or embedded edition? Try the online version too ...

For the embedded edition, make sure you're using Adobe Reader 9.1, and second make sure you're using Flash Player 9+.

Download both versions of the magazine and try them. Also try the magazine on a different computer.

First I have no trouble viewing anything.

Now as far as Tim's Article.: When it comes to turnouts I consider Tim the foremost expert on most everything connected with turnouts and crossovers and He always has a great presentation with his videos. I did learn why the old shinohara turnouts need jumpers and where they're needing them.

I do have a question for Tim: The point rail section on the Shinohara Duel gauge HO/HOn3 turnouts uses a pair of rail connectors to attach the outer most closure rail. The left and right point rails for the HOn3 are connected together with a rivet centered between them on a hinge point and a bar approximately 1/8 inch wide spanning between the left and right. Should I remove this hinge and replace it with two more rail connectors and run small jumpers from each point rail to their closure rail's so to make better contact or is this unnecessary? I am only using 4 Shinohara Duel Gauge turnouts and all the rest are made with your "Fast Tracks" turnout building fixtures and have no trouble with them. I can say that Shinohara Duel Gauge turnouts are in no way DCC friendly without some kind of modification.

Thanks Tim and I can't wait to see Part 2 in Janurary.

Rio Grande Dan

I enjoyed part one of this article and I'm looking forward to the remaining parts; my layout is over 20 years old and uses primarily Shinohara turnouts; I'm ready to add another section of the layout, and perhaps re-work my main yard; this information is very timely.

Jim Brewer

Hi. I'm new to the group and I really enjoyed reading the magazine. Please keep up all the good work! I was a little surprised that the Parallel Lines column didn't mention some of the well-known great on-line resources for turnout wiring and improvement, such as www.wiringfordcc.com and the www.proto87.com Helpful Stuff pages. 

The helpful stuff includes a fully illustrated tutorial about rejuvenating old Shinohara turnouts by modifying them into modern DCC friendly ones. And now apparently, as well as providing all the throw bar parts you need, they even have some slick new points hinges that save you having to fudge the joints with cut in half rail joiners. For people like me who still have lots of those good looking Shinoharas from way back, it's a terrific saving, and they now work 100% reliably, without all the frequent maintenance they used to need. Hope this helps some other old Shinohara users.

Walt Griffin

Walt:

This was only part 1 of this discussion, with more coming in future issues of MRH. The goal with part 1 was to simply introduce the various kinds of turnouts, not get into solutions - at least that's my understanding from my conversations with Tim. Maybe Tim can comment further.

By the way, welcome aboard MRH, and thanks for your helpful links!

Where is part 2 ?

See comments by waxgroove and myself:

model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/4700#comment-37803

(Tim did a great job on part 1)

Part 2? Good question ... I'd say send an email to Tim and ask him. He's since stepped down from being a columnist, focusing instead on his business which is booming.

Very well, Joe. The only way I know to contact him would be through the contact form on the Fast Tracks web site, so I have done so. If I get a reply worthy of posting, I will add it here.

Tim did reply to my email message. See this post reply:

model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/4700#comment-38462