Modeling topic

Plastic Couplers
I've always used Kadee #5 couplers with the odd exception of a more exotic Kadee when needed. I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 with plastic couplers I am assuming are Bachmann E-Z Mates. Kadee recommends a #36 and #38 coupler (different shank lengths). It is thier plastic coupler. Having never used a Kadee plastic coupler are they better than the stock E-Z Mates that are on it now?
GregW66

Mascoutin Valley Railroad - Layout Update 002
Hey everybody I'm going to be posting my video updates and my blogs here at MRH! I will be making posts about the Mascoutin Valley layout progress, locomotives and rolling stock updates, and other modeling topics!
My first post will be about my latest video of my layout update.
QSI Decoder Issues
To All,
Having a problem with a QSI Quantum Q1a decoder. I'm unable to program any CV's or address its address with either my Digitrax Zephyr or my computer via JMRI Decoder Pro.
Can anyone suggest any ideas for reseting the decoder to factory settings. If I can't do that I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows where I can get a replacement decoder that will work ... the loco is a Walthers Proto 2000 GP7.
Thanks for your help,
Steve
Track advise
I have been gone about 4 years, time is allowing me another opertunity to return. My question is, please dont flame me, can I hand lay Code 55 for my entire HO layout? The layout in my mind is going to be a switching layout very similier to small town graineries, or a solid papermill, Are the wheel on todays models suitable for code 55, Iv got aver 90 feet of ME rail and several handmade switches that I made a while back
Some recent photos from my N Scale Conrail's NCR Line Layout
I've been testing my new photo backdrops. I'm pretty happy with how they're turning out.
More recent stuff is on my website, Conrail1285.com.
Hope you all enjoy them.

On Test: Which Static Grass is Best?
This week I'm comparing three well known brands of static grass.
Kathy

Working on the Railroad....Again!!! Another locomotive, "Old Hundred"
Finally got around to finishing my On30 Bachmann 4-4-0 American. #100 represents one of the 2 oldest engines on the MSR&N and is actually the smallest. Once again, as with the 12 spot, she has the short smoke box and Pancake stack, as well as a wooden cab and box style headlight. I added an air resevoir to the rear tender deck and the appropriate plumbing and a cord wood load indicating that "Old Hundred" is a wood burner. The name on the cab side is "MONTEZUMA" for the main terminal of the railroad but the crews all call her "Old Hundred" affectionately.
This little lokie is relegated to use on the Local Mail run or switching duties around the 9th Street Yard in Montezuma, although still a good steamer, "Old Hundred" is small and light so not much more can she handle.
She was the first locomotive on the original railroad, the Montezuma & Snake River Railway Co. as their #100 and retained that number when Northstar Mining bought controlling interest in the Railway, renaming it the Montezuma, Snake River & Northstar Railroad. All other locomotives were renumbered into class numbering and acquired motive power filled out those classifications as time and cash allowed, i.e.; #12 is a Mogul 2-6-0 and is in its class as a 10-19 number. Only #100 is in a class by itself.
Well....that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
GW
Machine Shop Interior Pieces
I am looking to put some machinery in my locomotive machine shop. It would also be neat to get some part racks with parts. It needs to be 30-50's electric machinery. Can some of you point me in the right direction? I guess I need to mention HO scale.
Thanks.
Gorre & Daphetid Sorethroat Branchline Mk2
Due to a job change and house move I have started to tear down my british N scale and american H0 scale layouts. My new layoutroom is smaller than the actual one so I can't use parts of the Sorethroat branch layout. But I try to reuse as much track as possible. For my new H0 G&D Sorethroat branch layout I was inspired by two track plans from Ian Rice, one is small town on the prairie and the other is White Horse Logger, where I used the Lumber Mill trackplan.
Modern Era - No Ditch Lights
My current plan for my model railroad is a modern (current) era switching layout. I currently have two Athearn Genesis MP15AC locomotives that I am planning on using. Neither of these locomotives has ditch lights. They would be used strictly inside an industrial park setting, not crossing any "public" streets. Would ditch lights be required in this type of setting? If so, how should I add them? I don't particularly care if they work or not.
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