Track and electrical/DCC
Location of Block Sub-Buss Connection
What is the preferable location for the connection of the block sub-buss? Is it one end, in the middle or whatever is physically convenient? Is one better than the other? In my case, the blocks won't be more than about 8 feet in length.
Doug
What About Contact Cement?
Anyone have experience using contact cement to lay cork over a plywood base? I've done it over a small area and it seems to work ok. However, I don't have any long term experience with it. Does it hold over the long run?
Doug
Using Charlie Comstock's Turnout Controls with N-Scale
Just curious if anyone has tried using Charlie Comstock's manual turnout controls with N-Scale turnouts. This control was featured in Issue #2 of the Model Railroad Hobbyist mediazine. I built one up and found that the "throw" was way too great for N-Scale turnouts. Not surprising since these were designed for HO. In fact, I think about half of that throw distance may work but I'm not sure. If anyone has constructed one of these for N-Scale, I'd be interested in how they worked.
Doug
Proto 2K SD9, DCC and resistors for lights
Ok I bit the bullet and got a good deal on a HO Proto 2K SD9 and pre ordered a 2nd run of the BLI SD9. Like I really need more projects. I'll run em both and see which I like best. The Proto 2K SD9 (DCC ready according to the box) is supposed to arrive today. I have a TCS DP2X for it. Some of what I have read is a resistor is needed when these units are run in DCC for the lights. Some say not. Just wondering what the folks here have done. What size resistor did you use if you used one?
Thanks and Happy Holidays
Steve
Wiring DC turnouts with DCC???
Okay...I'm sure I've overlooked it somewhere. But if I was wired for
DC with all 9 of my turnouts, and moving over to DCC...how the heck
do you wire these turnouts? Can I wire them as I did with DC? If so where
in the back of the Zephyr do you wire them? If not, I'm guessing I have to go out and buy a bunch of decoders for them? Man....I thought this DCC thing was cost-effective! 
A different way to hand lay track
I have seen the threads about using ME flex track (expensive, but I would use it if I can get it cheap enough) as well as using Central Valley tie strips, which I plan on trying. I, however, started handlaying a small bit of track using individual tie plates from Proto 87 stores and ME ties using a Fast-Tracks tie jig. I don't know if you all are interested, but I will post photos if you are. It is coming along, slowly.
Minimun turnout for steam/diesel transition layout???
Plan on using fast track jigs and asking for advice on minimum turnout i should use for transition / diesel period. I will be modeling in ho using dcc. I will model coal operations on the N&W (Pocahontas division). I plan on having a small yard for sorting full/empty loads. I plan on using 30 degree radius as minimum for main line and 28 degree radius for industries and mining. I have a few heavy mountain 4-8-2s and a few rs3s and 11s. My coal cars are all 40' and 50' ers . My layout room is a 12
DCC command station - booster - power district sizing.
Does anyone have any informed opinions on how many N scale engines can conservatively be run at one time with a given amount of available power to the track? From a design standpoint, on average how many "N Scale" engines can be powered by a 5 amp command station without running into shutdown due to current overload? Or stated another way what is a good number to use for the average design current load per engine for N scale engines running on a club layout?
Thanks
Steve Raiford
Atlas Code 55 70" radius sction
I'm intrigued by the Atlas Code 55 70" full radius sections. This is huge in HO let alone N scale. Has anyone used these sections? It would be great to hear some thoughts on how to implement.
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