Joe, et al, I have recently switched back to my roots as you did. I inherited some SP Sd's supposedly 40-2, 40T-2, and 45's. They are all older Athearn with open motors. My questions are: What are length/detail differences in those models, ie: spotting features. and also I intend to install sound and lighting details as in your Volume 3. Will I be able to run very slow starts, or will cogging prevent that, and should I re-power with new can motors? thank you, John Colley, Port Townsend, WA/Sonoma, CA 

Well it has been almost a year since my last post, so I thought I would give an update as to my progress on the CN Longview Sub.  The first post and a brief outline of the layout can be found here. http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/8764

My younger brother, who is in the early stages of building a new, large N-scale layout, recently asked me (as the family's DCC and electronics expert) to convert one of his older locomotives to DCC operation.

I have some questions about making resistive wheel sets:

Looking at Intermountain wheel sets, it has a blackened surface. To attach the resistor, does the black need to be removed?

Is there a non-blackened wheel set that would be better to use?

Some mention soldering to the wheel, how does that not melt the insulator?

Scale is HO. Wheel size is 33".

I am looking at the bulk packs as the best route, I have a very large fleet of Stewart / Bowser and Athearn BB cars.

Any suggestions are appreciated!