Track and electrical/DCC
On30 Tracks (using HO tracks?)
Hi all,
I am in the process of selecting tracks for my new On30 layout. I have seen M.E. and handlaid On30 tracks and they look really impressive but i would like to go with something readily available in Europe. Given some great examples of On30 layouts using HO (Peco and Atlas code 100) tracks I am also considering some HO track choices. My On30 layout is going to be set at circa 1870s (freelance).
As such, I am considering:
Peco HO Code 75 (readily available, reasonable to my eyes tie spacing, the plates look a bit odd, too light as a code?)
Stall Motors
Good morning.
Thought there were a few postings in the last several days regarding inexpensive but very high quality "can" motors but I cannot find those postings.
Does anyone have a reference for similar in size and quality "stall" motors?
Thanks and regards,
Bart
TrainSpotter - Improved Design!
The TrainSpotter makes detection of locomotives or rolling stock easy and reliable. Place the sensor where its invisible light beam will reflect off the object of interest and you're done - no time-consuming or frustrating adjustments! Works in all lighting conditions. With discrete under-track installation, this low-profile sensor solves many of the challenges that plague other optical detector products.
The TrainSpotter now comes with a detachable 24" cable and simplified circuitry.
DCC and Z
Okay, I want to control my Z scale loop+ of track with a DCC decoder. Yes, I want to connect the motor leads of the Decoder to the track feeders.
One thing gives me pause - this is a coreless motor powered Micro Trains GP35, and one of the rules is "no pulse power." Will turning off the BEMF (which term is always lurking around the word "frequency") be sufficient to disable pulse power on the DC side of the Decoder? Not positive what I will use, a Loksound v3.5 is my most available option.
Wiring a peco 3 way switch -- polarity problem
Before you tell me to google let me tell you that I have googled and googled and I cannot figure out how to get this peco 3 way switch to work right. Please do not refer me to info on wiring a tortoise. I have been to "wiring for DCC.
how much of a layout can one Uno based DCC++EX system power
Just wondering, how much of a layout can one Uno based DCC++EX system power?
My layout has two levels, each level has a 37' long BUSS. Plus the quarry style helix is 48" x 48" x 18".
When I get all the N scale locos DCC chipped and programmed. I will have 16 non-sound steam locomotives on the layout.
Starting a session, there will be a total of 6 locomotives on 4 staging tracks. And 10 on spurs around the main yard turntable.
New Bachrus Speedometer?
I have been keeping an eye out for the Bachrus Speedometer for years. I was about to purchase one when they stopped making them. I have had no luck finding one, at all.
Do you know where one can be purchased?
Lacking that, do you know how to make one?
Other possibilities: is anyone in the process of taking the Bachrus design and reproducing it?
Thanks!
Mike
Gaps for a Reverse Loop & Wye
I'm looking at overlaying a wye and a reverse loop and I'm wondering about how to gap it. Details in the first comment.
Backwards LEDs in MTH Locomotives
Just finished up on reversing the direction of the LEDs on a pair of MTH locomotive light boards. It was no big deal because I had extra 0603 warm white LEDs on hand. I questioned whether I should publish this but decided to anyway. I’m sure any installer or I could do this for you if requested too.
Throwing both turnouts at each end of a double crossover
Found myself in a situation where I couldn't fit switch motors (I used Tortoises here) underneath my turnouts for a double crossover. Due to the support requirements underneath, there was room between the two turnout for the Tortoise, but not room under the turnouts themselves. I ended up addressing this by wiring a single Tortoise at each end of the double crossover, and then using a piece of pivoting styrene to drive both turnouts in opposite directions.
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