Modeling topic

DCC wiring question...

Fri, 2013-01-25 12:31 — selineman

I heard that the Bus line wire should be 18 gauge. That's like lamp cord wire. Is that right?

7 comments

How have you handled mountains on YOUR shelf layout?

Fri, 2013-01-25 12:17 — ThatAppyGuy

It seems a lot of modelers are going to shelf layouts rather than islands for both space reasons and realism. How are you guys handling the higher (and for that matter, lower) scenery on your shelf layouts? Obviously mountains take up space both horizontally and vertically. Being an Appalachian modeler, I personally devote about 1/3 of a 2' wide shelf to the mountains of the region (horizontally) and between 8 and 12" vertically.

And yes, pictures help and would be appreciated. :)

20 comments

Spiral Hill Hopper makes it to the Midwest on the S scale Great Plains Northern

Fri, 2013-01-25 11:25 — BobWerre

A few weeks ago, a coal hopper lettered for the Spiral Hill railroad was spotted on Roy Hoffman's S scale Pennsylvania based layout. Seems as though the hopper has made it South of the Chicago area to the coal fields in Illinois. Here it is in a Milwaukee Road yard.

A week later it's empty and being moved via the Chicago Northwestern Road near Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photo #2

color opinions wanted

Fri, 2013-01-25 07:40 — Mycroft

So, TO DO list:

1. 2 photos for magazine articles - scheduled for Feb 9 - it isn't Feb 9 yet

2. Finish Flat car(s) - repairs complete! on to the next step.

3. 3 flexivans to add grab irons - When did I get old? I can't see where to put them! HELP!

4. 9 units to apply names to. - They aren't all back from the painting yet

Standards for Road Signs and Markings

Thu, 2013-01-24 19:07 — JC Shall

I came across a couple websites that have copies of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. This is a federal publication that explains about all there is to know about road signage and markings. This manual has answered about every question I've wondered about regarding this subject . . sign types, sizes, colors, placement, etc. And about everything you need to know about striping the road.

The primary site link is:

GLN RR Logging Camp Structures, Part 2

Thu, 2013-01-24 15:03 — ferroequinologist1

Scenery - Structures

Does DCC put pulse power into locomotive motors at running speeds?

Thu, 2013-01-24 13:38 — Rick Mugele

Rethinking Consist Power Balancing

Thu, 2013-01-24 11:42 — Benny

DCC - Electrical

So last night on my way to work I got to thinking about how some manufacturers use two-way decoders to achieve near perfect power balancing between consisted units. it really is a work of art to see the engines working together on video.

But then I got to thinking: what if all of my units are not equipped with two-way decoders, yet one of them has Advanced consist power balancing. Does that power balancing HAVE to rely on a "two-way decoder in every locomotive" device?