Track and electrical/DCC
DCC or RailPro
This is an observation
Not trying to start a war between RailPro and DCC, but as I'm looking at it, I wish there was a mix between the controllers of RailPro and DCC being able to buy locomotives that have the decoders built in. After looking at prices between Rail Pro decoders which I have to install and getting locomotives with them already installed seems to be pretty close to a wash including time it takes to install them plus program them.
Powering the Frog - Cutting closure rails
G'day all,
I have several Code 100 turnouts and I need to cut the closure rails in order to power the frog. My Tortoise switch machine will power the frog.
What is the best way to cut the closure rails, with nil damage to adjoining stock rails?
I do not own a Dremel, and do not know if this is the best tool to use.
John (nikko)
Reading digital calipers with an Arduino
For some reason it popped into my head today that this would make an interesting project. Some folks were lamenting the fact that Micro-Mark does not make the "scale reading" calipers featured in a recent TrainMasters.TV episode. Most all digital calipers have a serial interface for capturing measurements - even the cheap sets. I stumbled around the Googlverse and came across this link: http://nut-bolt.nl/2012/reading-digital-calipers-with-an-arduino/
Question about NCE BD20
Does anyone know if the BD20 will detect a locomotive on a track when the throttle is at zero. In other words, will the presence of the locomotives' decoder trip the BD20?
thanks
Ken L
Copper tie spacing
Happy to say that the majority of my O scale turnouts are finally made thanks to fast tracks system. I had a couple of adventures making some free lanced curved track, a crossing, and a brave attempt of a double slip. Wow! They all work, not flawlessly but close enough. Now some straight 36 inch trackage needs to be stabilized. What is the recommended practice for spacing the copper ties? Example being every 6th tie? Or more? Opinions, direction, experiences gone bad or well? What might an O scaler with code 100 rail do? The answer should not be flextrack! Lol.
TCS FL4 and Sound Car Combo
Hey all,
Doing another CAB passenger car DCC install, and this time I'm adding a Tsunami Sound Car as well as interior lighting and cab front light package.
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Tsunami ditch light programming question
I'm programming my first units with working independent ditch lights - Athearn Genesis GP38-2s and an SD70ACe - and I'm having the same ditch light issue with all 5 units. I have CV40 set to 6, activating FX5 and FX6, which causes F6 to activate both front ditch lights.
Twin track main line crossover
G'day all,
Can you control two Tortoise switch machines from one DPDT toggle switch? We have a simple crossover between a pair of mainlines. My paper wiring plan looks okay - anything I should be aware of? I would wire LED's in series with both switch machines as route indicators.
John (nikko)
signals Help
im new to dcc NCE power cabs plus two other power boosters and i was wondering what the best signal
board / system can be to use ...any help would be great 
Switch Size
As I'm planning my layout I use all Atlas code 100 track and have a mix of #4 and #6 custom line switches. As I'm planning this layout and because I have more modern passenger and freight cars I wonder if I should even consider using the #4 switches on the layout or just retire them. My layout will be a 9x11 around the room layout.
I was thinking of using the #6 switches on the main line and the #4 switches in any yards that I may have. Just curious what others have done.
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