Over the past month I have been putting together my plans for rebuilding the old SASME T&SW layout into my own AT&SW layout.  I started the transition with the main peninsula first, whereas this section features the engine facilities, the freight yard, and has code 83 track. Alas, I have found the arrangement wanting, and in going back and forth between the old plans and my new arrangements I find them completely them inadequate since before the section was ever built.  In short, the overall plan lacks a power yard.

This is the next evolution of the original $5 Mobile/Accessory/Multifunction 17 Channel Configurable DCC Decoder.  This edition: 1.expands major functionality to drive a stepper motor, dual motor control with sound, and even triggered sounds (like a driver cam), servos, and LEDs with 17 function pins, 2.implements long DCC addresses for both mobile decoders and accessory decoders, and 3.and now uses the updated NmraDcc library compatible with the ATTiny84/85 and Teensy 3.x processors.

To All: One of the MRH bloggers requested these two interurban Heralds. Have Fun! Yours, Elvin Howland/E. St. Louis Rail group Layout

Lets follow along with Extra 3608 North as they work a Mine turn. Mine runs are based out of Vermillion Yard in Tower, MN. They run northwest to Soudan and Ely,MN  and other points on the Vermillion Iron Range in northern Minnesota.

It's the summer of 1970 and the crew gets their pair of RS-36's from the service tracks.

I've started a new series on my Algoma Central modeling blog which will consist of several posts/mini-articles over the next month or so about various aspects of the operations on this northern Ontario railway.

Fans of the ACR should enjoy this series, or if you even just have a passing interest in the operations of a regional wilderness railway, come give it a peak.

Introductory Post (includes an overview map of the area for orientation)

I am looking for ideas that I could use for a small 2'x5' switching layout. I have that much space in my room and am trying to plan as much as possible to pitch the idea to my parents. 

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The switches available are:

This train doesn't run very quickly but does a good job of holding track in place while the glue dries.  The smelter yard is in (hopefully) it's final form so the track is being glued, wiring to follow.  I'm using Weldbond to hold the track in place, if I need to make any changes or change out a switch (god forbid) it should be a relatively easy process. 

The teacher in charge of model railroad club has an abundance of basic DC motors simillar to the image shown. Does anyone have some ideas on uses for them in relation to railroads? I know there are many creative people here so I thought I would ask.

More here: www.hitopbranchmodelrr.com