Modeling topic
Doing Signals on the Cheap
The prototype Big Horn Subdivision of the BNSF is dispatched by CTC. This is a relatively heavily used segment of single track main with numerous sidings for meets. During my first operating session, I decided that given the lack of signals on my layout we would dispatch the layout using track warrants. This proved to be a huge workload for the dispatcher (me) and for the crews, and I was not satisfied with the fluidity of the layout. Too much of our time was spent copying warrants and not enough running trains. This set me to thinking about how better to dispatch.
Re-writing history
Re-writing history is a subject near and dear to most of us. Some of you are pure free-lance while others are strict prototype. I think that most of us fall in between these two extremes. While I claim to be a prototype modeler, I am not strict in how I go about it. For example, I model Sturgis MI set in 1927. I am building a locomotive that never visited Sturgis. It is a Boston and Albany (a component of the New York Central) USRA 2-10-2. The B&A had ten of these beasts. All remained on the B&A between the namesake cities until being sold to the CP in 1928.
Colouring hydrocal/laster castings of "wooden" items
Hi there everyone,
I have a DPM Gold kit of the Coal River Station buildings, which has a part of the "wooden" platform as a hydrocal/plaster casting. I also have some plaster castings of wooden tunnel entrances and retaining walls. Do anyone have some good how-to tips or instructions to colour/paint these to get a nice wooden finish? I have searched the site and found a lot of discussion on the colouring of castings, but mostly rocks and such - no "wooden" items.
Will appreciate any help.
Best Regards
Stefan
N de M steam locomotives
I'm working on a decal set for N de M steam locomotives. I am trying to decipher the markings on the cab below the number.
In the picture, on the cab below the number, we have:
GR-33
27 ?/? 54-TONS
brass caboose occasionally shorts out
I have a brass caboose that was beautifully painted by a previous owner. My problem is that it occasionally shorts out, causing the DCC system to reset. This is annoying.
A friend suggested I brush "Liquid Electrical Tape" on the underframe any place where the wheels might touch - center sill and inside of steps.
Does this seem like a good idea?
Anybody have experience with LocoFi?
I see WIFi Model Railroad has banner ads (for LocoFi) on the forums. Sounds interesting, almost to good to be true. I think having only a smart phone app as a throttle is an issue. I have a ProtoThrottle that I really, really like. I don't know if Iowa Scaled Engineering can come up with a way to connect to LocoFi. How is this compared to the Ring Engineering system? Lots of questions.
Feed store questions
I am putting this feed store, a kit from Branchline Laser Structures, on a siding in a small town on my layout. Locale: upstate New York. Time: early 1950s. I am going to put interior lighting for the first and second floors, so I want to put a bit of interior detail in the structure, in addition to details on the rail and truck docks.
My questions:
Multiple Arduinos on a lap top, with JMRI
Two issues.
Background:
Laptop only has three USP ports. One needed for mouse, one needed for Digitrax PR3 interface
JMRI.
Digitrax PR3 interface
Arduino UNO with a 16 port servo card.
Was using Windows XP, but moved to Linux Mint. (Tried both, but still same issues)
"Safety First" Herald/Decal in HO
Does anyone know of a source for "Safety First" Herald decals that would be appropriate size for an HO scale water tower? I've seen them before on a model, perhaps they were custom made, but I can seem to find any commercially available.
Thanks,
Lou
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