Track and electrical/DCC
Alternatives to PC Board for N scale track hand laying? (was "MEK and styrene ties?")
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has tried to hand lay N scale track using styrene ties and MEK?
I have recently been calculating the cost of hand laid track using the PCB method and its not all that cheap once you add up the actual cost to put in a PCB tie every 4th or 5th tie. I was thinking that maybe cutting .04x.06 styrene into tie length and setting the rails into the ties using MEK might work?
Fast Tracks Bullfrog Turnout Controller
As mentioned, Fast Tracks has a new manual Turnout Controller called the Bullfrog. I picked up two yesterday at the Hartford NRMA show, and this morning I thought I'd give one a whirl.
Here's my experience, yours may vary.
Curved Yard Leads - Superelevation question.
I have a quick question regarding the prototypical way to superelevate multiple tracks entering a classification yard on a curve.
All listed radii are for N Scale
Briefly, I have 3 concentric tracks that follow a broad curve into a classification yard. The innermost track is the main line (19" radius), next out is a siding/ passing track (21.5" radius), and the outermost track is the yard lead to the classification tracks (23")
Turnout Actuators - Tortoise vs RC Servos
Recently I have seen a growing interest in using RC servos to actuate turnouts and other Model RR stuff like gates, doors, etc. My experience is limited to Tortoise Switch Machines which I have used for several years and found to be well designed and built. Likewise I have never read or heard of a Tortoise failing in normal use. However, being an "N" scaler I often wished they were much smaller.
Digitrax Press Release of Duplex Radio and the DT-402 series throttles
Jeff Shultz and I attended the N-scale National Convention in Portland, Oregon last Saturday (June 20, 2009). While there Digitrax invited us to video tape their Tips and Hints clinic. Unfortunately the part of the video tape covering the announcement of their duplex radio had a messed up sound track making it unusable (I'll have to speak to the idiot that was running the camera...). Expect to see the Tips and Hints on MRH Theater soon.
However, Digitrax provided us with a formal press release which follows. In short
what would you do?
I guess part of the fun of modeling is overcoming un-planned adversities. I do not have the space for a normal caboose industries switch throw on either side of the track. Yep, should have seen this one coming, but I'm a rookie and didn't. This is N SCALE.
I could use an under-table throw, or a switch throw on the other side of the interchange (track coming into frame lower right) and run the wire under the interchange track. Any suggestions?
Central Valley Turnout Kits. . .
Has anyone had any experiance using the Central Valley Turnout kits? I am impressed with the level of detial.
Here is the website: http://www.cvmw.com/cvtswitch/index.htm
How to identify unknown decoders
I am helping a friend fine tune the decoders in a number of his engines. He has over 100 HO scale engines on his layout, many of which did or do not respond well to throttle speed settings, or do not behave well when consisted. This can be greatly improved by fine tuning various CVs in the decoders, and I have made subtantial improvements in many cases.
Digitrax Duplex Radio
I received an email today from Litchfield Station (MRH Advertizer) that the new Digitrax Duplex Radio equipment will be released on June 22nd. I have used the Digitrax simplex equipment for over ten years. I started with a Radio Super Chief set which had a DCS100 command station, UP91 and a DT100R throttle. I have 2 DT100R, 2 DT300R and a DT400R. I like the UT4 throttles but have been waiting to get the duplex DT4 throttles. I will probably send the DT400R in to have it upgraded to duplex, and I will need to purchase a UP92. One of my dislikes with the Di
Digitrax Duplex Radio coming next week
I just got an email update from Litchfield Station telling me that the Digitrax duplex radio is coming out next week. The DT400D handheld will be out and the UT4D will be coming this fall. This will be a nice addition. Anyone else looking forward to this?
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