Modeling topic
Wire guage
Ok, wiring up some track. Feeder wires are 20 AWG and run about 10-12" where they connect with 14 AWG bus wire. When I wire up switches to turn on/off the block, I should continue the 14 AWG and heavy duty toggles switches? Now, when I run wires for the signaling (mostly LEDs indicating switch position) I think I can use thin 22 AWG (like telco) wire. This will be isolated from track power, just enough to drive the LEDs. Is this logical thinks or am I missing something?

Off to the Emerald City...
Tomorrow I zip up I-5 to the National Narrow Gauge Convention. This will be my first ever event of this type and I don't know quite what to expect. I am not a narrow gauger, but I have heard that there will be some spectacular modeling on display, and some wonderful layouts to tour, and clinics, lots of clinics...full report when I get back.

Badger service
Just a basic kudo. Or, kudu if you prefer.
Sent my Badger 200 off to the company about nine days ago to extract a broken tip and do a general cleanup. Today it's back in my hands and working like new.
The airbrush was bought some time in the 1980s and has had pretty steady use. This is the first time it has been in for service -- the tip snapped at the thread while I was trying to remove it for routine cleaning but all has been repaired. All it cost me was postage and the price of a new tip.
Thanks, Badger.

DCC Specialties PSX intelligent circuit breakers
A quick question. Apparently these devices can work with a photo transistor so when a train breaks the light, the PSX shuts off power to the track/block.
It also says, power can be restored via a DCC command.
For all you guys (and gals) out there with PSX units, I'm assuming power could also be restored by hitting the manual reset button.
Is this a correct assumption?

Priming Structure
I recently purchased a laser cut structure from Blair Lines. I have been told that I should seal the wood prior to assembly or painting it to prevent the wood from warping. I plan to airbrush this structure with either Floquil enamel or Poly S paint. Which of the two should I use? Also, what should I seal the wood with? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Atlas switch motors
Who has long-term experience with heavily-used Atlas switches/ switch machines?
One of our club guys would like to install a pair at the entrance to a staging area. His position: It's easy to diode-matrix the routes, and they are easy to replace if they fail.
All of my experience with Atlas twin-coils dates back 30 years and involves things like stuck push buttons.
Ho layout benchwork
Hello everyone! I have recently joined this blog because I am in the hunt for a new ho layout (benchwork only). The thing is that my dad doesn't have time to build one or have the skills to wire it etc. I hope someone can point me in the right direction to someone who does benchwork for ho layouts. I live in CT so having it be someone local would be convienent. My email is gmen4life1001@yahoo.com. Thank you

Curren Inspired N Scale Kitbash
Art Curren's chemical factory which has inspired Peter Pfotenhauer's version of this classic kit bash also inspired me to ask Doug Revell (who was helping me build the MK&P layout) to build an N scale version for Augusta Station. To the mix I added the Plastruct and Walthers refinery kits along with a Green Max factory kit and Plastruct water tower. Here are a few photos of Doug's great work.

Making Trees
I spent the evening trying out my skills at making some furnace filter trees. I've never done anything remotely like this either, so I approached it with some trepidation. I think they turned out okay for a first attempt. They will certainly find a home on my layout, that's for sure. I'm pretty confident that they will get better the more I make too. Goodness knows, modeling British Columbia on even a small layout like mine will more then likely require a couple hundred!
where can i buy 3" styrofoam?
I was watching a video about installing a walthers 130' tuntable i bought they said to use 3" styrofoam because the pit on the turntable is 2 5/8" deep.
thanks,bill
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