Modeling topic

Making your own decals

Fri, 2016-11-11 13:00 — Jim Moore

Jim Moore

Why are my Darlingtons Failing?

Fri, 2016-11-11 07:49 — Kevin Rowbotham

A friend of mine is using a Picaxe microcontroller to trigger outputs from a ULN2803 Darlington driver chip that operates 6 relays switching higher loads. As I understand it the driver chip he's using has internal clamp diodes that should protect the transistors in the chip, but it seems like they are not holding up over time through repeated cycles of the relays. Does he need clamp diodes on the relays, which are at the end of a cable run from the drivers and microcontroller? Is the long run of wire back to the driver chip from the relay coil part of the problem?

FORMULA 560 CANOPY GLUE

Fri, 2016-11-11 06:23 — JamesS

I'm looking for a glue that adheres painted part to painted part for structure building. I prefer to paint all component parts first, but have had issues with CA's on painted parts coming loose. I've seen videos with modelers using Formula 560 Canopy Glue by Pacer adhering painted scenery objects directly to other painted objects of different types/textures on their layouts using this glue.. and it dries clear as well. Would this glue also work for structure building ?

11 comments

Restoring a Mantua 4-6-2 locomotive

Thu, 2016-11-10 17:56 — Retired Alex

Steam locos

I don't have a functioning layout so, at the moment, all my pleasure comes from buying junkers and getting them back into respectable operating condition.
My current project started out with the purchase of a Mantua 4-6-2 from an acquaintance on a Facebook group of which I am a member.
This is what I started with. At the time I took the picture I had already completed work on the tender.

Need Wiring Troubleshooting Help

Thu, 2016-11-10 12:32 — David Calhoun

DCC - Electrical

Ok, here goes:

1. I am using a Digitrak System.

2. I have power to the track (my testing lamp lights on both sides of all switches currently installed).

3. Using an H10-44 switcher (4 axle) to test trackage, the DCC engine receives its signal and starts out at 10% of power.

4. On some (but not all) switches, the engine pauses like it is thinking what to do next; does not lose power (lights and sound still present); and then either proceeds or proceeds if I increase throttle to a faster speed setting.

MRC DCC

Thu, 2016-11-10 12:10 — Will_Annand

Are there any MRC DCC Experts out there?

I have started my new layout. My old one was an around the wall N scale layout in a 10x10 room.

My current layout is in an 18x8 room and is a double deck layout.

According to XTrkCAD. it has 206 feet of track, plus 43 Atlas #6 custom turn outs.The turnouts are powered by Hoffmann Switch Machines.

My current DCC system is the MRC Prodigy Express with a 15V 4A power supply. Including two hand held units and one extension plate.

Gaugemaster Ballested Underlay

Wed, 2016-11-09 13:24 — relder

A quick post to see if anyone has used GaugeMaster Ballasted Underlay. For further information about this product, here is a Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYm-LwKtYPk .

I am interested to know how well this attaches to foam roadbed.

Thanks and happy modeling.

~ Ryan

My First 3D design: UPDATE THE PRINTED FILE

Wed, 2016-11-09 10:52 — trainmaster247

Modeling topic

Here are the screenshots of the parts for a small shack that I will 3d print at school (hopefully thursday). It is in 1:87 scale and the parts are as follows: Window, Roll Up Door, Door and the four walls. The roof will be lasercut with a shingle pattern whenever I get that file made. It was a fun project and I have no problems sharing the .stl file if anyone is interested.