Track and electrical/DCC
Z Spring for manual turnout control
There use to be a way to bend a bit of wire into almost a Z shape for manual turnout control. You would drill a small keeper hole for one end of the "spring" and the other would go in the hole already in the another tie of the turnout. It would operate like the Peco ones do now. I have been able to find a few old drawings of them but not good enough to make one that works. Anyone else remember these? Use them still?
Is There Such a Thing Called a DCC Tester or can I Make a Home Made One?
is there such a thing called a dcc tester or can i make a home made one i thought i saw an artical in one
of the major model train magazines awile back
ron netti
Anyone else ever use this track laying method?
Just curious if anyone else has ever used this method for laying N scale track?
Fast Tracks Switch and flex track
Hi Folks,
I have a few questions about the fast track jigs.
I have always been interested in these and I have never purchaced one before.
I am starting on a new layout in the new house, I salvaged as much of my track etc from my previous layout as I could.
In the past I had been using the HO #6 Atlas code 83 switches and I have 15 brand new switches and a ton of Atlas Flex track left over that was never used.
Removable (block) signals
I am attempting to install signals on a Free-mo module. To spare the inevitable damage, I'd prefer them to be easily removable for the transport of the module. I've seen one method with a mini stereo plug, but unfortunately it can only handle 3 wires. I require 4 (common + 3 LEDS). I'm using the BMLA signal heads mounted on brass poles.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in Advance
Michael
Lethbridge, AB, Canada
Black Gunk
After discussing the track fouling problem with a friend, he sent me a piece of heavily used, poorly cleaned silver nickel track which I then sent to the analytical lab for an analysis of the black crud that was presumed to be from using plastic wheels. The report came back today.
Drum roll please...
Painting Track
I want to paint the rails of the track on my layout to give the appearance of rust to be more realistic in appearance. Since it is laid and I do not own an airbrush I will have to do by hand. In speaking with one of my club members he mentioned seeing a demonstration using a sharpie style pen that contained paint. Since I have not been able to find a suitable source I was hoping the following questions could be answered:
1 - Has anyone heard of this technique?
2 - What is the actual product information for this and where can you find?
Wiring DC for LEDs and DC devices
Hi all,
I'm new here. My user name is DecTrain as in December Train, when our Christmas HO train comes out. It was originally a battery operated plastic train that after years of use and repairs was retired. It was my wife's train, so she was sad when it started to go. Santa brought HO track for her one year and the rest is history. Each year we take on another project for it.
Wiring a reversing loop for dcc question
I am getting ready to wire the return loop on my lower staging. I have done "simple" reversing loop wiring before, but now I am using a "wiring bus." Do I wire the reversing module in line between the main and the isolated bus wire?
Or can you give me a suggestion?
Thanks
Chesticus
Newbie Needs Guidance on Laying and Connecting Turnouts
I am in the process of designing and building my first HO layout in many years and am slowly learning how to solder track without destroying the ties, etc. Am building with atlas code 83 flextrack, atlas and walter/shinohara turnouts -- and have two questions about installing turnouts:
1. What is the preferred way to connect the turnout to the rest of the track? Should the rails be just connected with joiners? Soldered? With gaps to the track on either side? I have seen many comments about removing and reinstalling turnouts -- which might be tough if soldered in.
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