Modeling topic
Thoughts on a crowd sourced steam engine
Thoughts on a crowd sourced steam engine
The engine can be divided into a number of basic components

Hand laid track joining question
I'm planning on using hand laid code 83 track for my new HO layout. After reading a bunch I'm confused. I intend to create a lot of blocks and handmade turnouts.
I understand soldering curved rails before bending keeps them curving consistently. Do I need to use rail joiners to solder on curves and do I need plastic joiners for blocks or can I just gap and maintain smooth joints? I like the proto87 style of gluing to tie plates but may just use micro spikes and some contact adhesive to attach to ties.
Clearance for a Rapido Railcrew switch machine?
Does anyone have a copy of the Rapido Railcrew switch machine instructions sheet?
I want to check whether I can use the Railcrew instead of a Tortoise for some specific install (small space/footprint so I need to double check clearances). Or if you have used one you can tell me how much space I should plan along side the track, say from the track centerline (HO scale).
COSCOL Livery
Hi All,
Its been a while since I posted anything about my layout, more to come about that in another post, so I thought I would post some photos of my efforts. These are all unpainted kits that have been painted and assembled. I tackled the Atlas Silverline GP40-2 first and finished with the Athearn blue box mechanical reefer. This may seem an odd choice of order for first projects but in my defence I had six of the Athearn kits and it made sense to do them all at once when I felt more comfortable with the painting. The P-S 60' waffle sided box car is an ExactRail kit.
Rail joiner tool
Had a few spare minutes today so made a rail joiner tool for my S scale track Just a piece of code 100 rail bent to a comfortable angle and a piece of brass soldered on the bottom. The handle is carved wood with the rail driven into a drilled hole. A joiner is slipped on til it hits the brass stop then can be pushed onto the end of the rail being joined. Saves wear and tear on one's finger tips :>) ......DaveB

I think I killed a decoder
I have a NCE DASR decoder in an older Atlas RS1, it had been working fine, I cleaned the wheels and tested it and it responded the my MRC Prodegy Advance. I was working with JMRI trying to read and write the decoder. Now the decoder does not respond to anything. I have a PB-100 in line with my program track, it was flashing green.
I disconnected the PB100 and JMRI. I tried to read it and run it with the MRC system but nothing. I tried a factory reset but still nothing. I checked another RS1 with the DASR it works ok. Any ideas, did I kill the decoder?

Please help me find a screw
I have an Atlas N scale SD-24, and while working on it I lost one of the two screws that hold the frame together. The Atlas web site shows the part number to be #480006, and the screw size is listed as 9x2mm.
It's not for sale (that I could see) on the Atlas web site.
I went to my local hardware store where they have a wall of screws. The closest they came was a 2mm x 8mm, but the thread is clearly different, and does not grab.
DCC for vintage HO Bachmann 4-4-0 UP
I've got what appears to be a vintage DC Bachmann HO 4-4-0 UP loco. The motor is in the tender. I see the newer models have placed the motor in the engine. So, how do I get a sound decoder in this loco? There doesn't seem to be enough room in the tender. Any ideas? Recommendations for a decoder?
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