Has anyone tried the new Arnold n scale locomotives?  I would be interested to hear your impressions.

Steve

Does anyone know if TrainCat are actually operating?

Their web site does not make it clear & I am unable to get to their on-line store.

Steve

Sometimes my stupidity amazes even myself!

I spent 10 minutes tracing a short in my newly laid track ​work - DUH!

Ummmm . . . . . . .

Has anyone replaced the short custom couplers of Kato Japanese EMU units with MT ones?

Research suggests that the MT model MT-7 / 001 30 012 / 1128 couplers may be suitable.  Can anyone confirm this for me please?

Today I purchased a DCC equiped Bachmann N-scale EMD NW2 switching locomotive, despite my last Bachmann purchase (a British Class 66) being way less than satisfactory.  Why you say?  Because I have a good relationship with my local hobby store & could take it back if it was not satisfactory.

I have found that the Switch Wire supplied in the package is way too stiff and strong for small scale turnouts, and applies too much force to the rails and ties, often leading to broken solder joints on hand laid turnouts.

SO, I experimented a little and came up with a very simple solution to the problem.  See the attached PDF file for the details.