Trackwork
Tortoise and ME turnouts
I held a tortoise machine in place under an ME code 83 turnout to see if it works and it will not move the switch.
Some specs:
1) From the bottom of the plywood to the top of the turnout tie is 2-1/16" thick.
2) I changed the wire use to .032" music wire, as recommended on many forums. The hole in the turnout was big enough; the Tortoise I drilled out with a pin vise.
3) I moved the fulcrum from its highest point through to the lowest point with no effect.
Laying track in groups and getting it all straight
Starting to lay track on my new layout. I started with some track that is in the back in an area that will not be seen from the end. See the attached diagram for reference. Not to scale.
1) The black section was laid first. I put in the turnouts and the flextrack in between (3 total pieces). Things were centered on the line in the cork and I used a straight edge and track-straighening tool to make sure things were straight. This was attached with caulk.
Engine Facility -Trenton Subdivision in N Scale
Engine Repair and Maintenance facilities have always fascinated me, therefore I had to have one on my layout.
I got a new transformer
I need some help. I started off with a Lionerl Sante Fe El Capitan, and as time went on I added more track. I usually set track on the floor and it takes about 2 rooms. I replaced the small 90 watt transformer with a Lionel KW. Stupid question, do I wire it the same as the smaller one or is it different??? Help, I plan to set the train up this Saturday.
Layout Update: July 2015 - Main/Third Level DCC Testing Results
I finally completed the wiring for the 4th power district on the main level/third level. This is the track that runs from Michaelson Jct. (aka Ottawa Jct., KS) both to the West Helix and on the branch line that runs over the top of the West Helix to the third level that has the cities of Michaelson (aka Ottawa, KS) and then to Elizabeth City, OK (aka Tulsa, OK).
Lower level is "complete"... sort of
The main trackwork at the smelter is completed. I took advantage of a much needed rainy weekend. Usually we are drowning here in BC, but it has been bone dry for the past couple of months and the water reservoirs are starting to get a bit low. My lawn and garden are particularly glad to get the moisture.
Favorite soldering products
With all the various types/brands of solder, flux and cleaning products available, what are peoples favorite brands of each? Please discuss but differentiate between soldering track and electrical connections from soldering brass models and locomotives. Or any other situation in which you had to resort to solder...
If you want to include comments on specific soldering tools you have come to know and love, please add commentary on this too. I have a resistance soldering unit I have yet to learn how to use correctly so...
Unhandlaying Switches
You can find a lot of information on handlaying switches but this may be the first on "un-handlaying" switches.
MRServo now on GitHub
Just a note that we moved the MRServo switch machine design over to GitHub:
https://github.com/IowaScaledEngineering/mrservo
The design files and source code were previously available via zip file and SVN, but now should be more convenient to access for those of you who might want to build your own.
"Pink lady" ballast - "free" source
Wanting to be a modeler of the C&NW, and a guy that values money over time (it comes from 10 years of being poor), I think I finally found a "free" source of Pink Lady ballast, and it's pretty close to the source.
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