Modeling topic
Micro-Trains Magazine Survey
Micro-Trains is running a survey to see what magazines the people who see their survey request subscribe to or read.
They've got the N scale magazines of course, and MR, and RMC, but they seem to have forgotten one...
Head on over to the survey and tell them that you subscribe to and read MRH! (Particularly under the "Electronic" question) -
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MTLPublicationSurvey
Thanks!
Hobby Black Metal Blackener - Any Tips?
I need to blacken some perimeter handrails that came with five Caboose Industries tank car kits. Out of the box the handrails are a shiny brass-ey metal color. They might be brass but I'm not sure. I'd prefer to not paint them as any future bumping of the handrails may result in peeling paint flaking off. I'd like to blacken them chemically if possible.
Block Detection and Eventual JMRI Turnout Control
I've got a layout with a Digitrax Zephyr Extra as the Control Station, a DC100 used as a booster and PM42 used to handle power management and a reversing section. I'm beginning to think through the process of adding a BDL 168 to allow for block detection, signaling and eventual JMRI control. My switches are controlled from 2 panels that use Berrett Hill touch toggles to change the tortoise switch machines.
Allagash op. session photos - Sunday, September 18!
Hey guys and gals,
A few live and unedited shots from this past Sunday's Allagash operating session, courtesy of friend and recent addition to the Allagash operating crew, Ken Karlewicz. Ken is pictured in the "thumbs up" shot. He is officially the AGR staff photographer. Ken's a real talent and finds ways to get very natural, unrehearsed photos.
Electrical help needed
I have a problem I've been struggling with for the past year. I model a 1940s coal hauler in West Virginia and we load "coal" (black beauty) from 2 online tipples.
I want to build a device to unload the loaded hopers. I have 2 pillow blocks with a 3/4" dowel rod running between the pillow blocks. To the dowel I have attached a 1X4 that has a piece of track on it. The plan is to push 5 loaded hoppers inside a building, rotate the track, empty the hoppers and pull them back out of the building.
Show your Free-Mo Modules!
Show and share your Free-Mo modules. Scale plan drawings, photos, and inspiration wanted... 
DCC Decoded: Expanding an NCE PowerCab system
In this segment, Ed Wilson shows how to add a expand the NCE Powercab starter system to supply additional power for locomotives and add throttles for more operators. In this series, Ed from NCE Corporation discusses integrating their DCC system into your layout, covering topics such as unboxing a Powercab starter set, adding accessories, and using JMRI to manage your locomotive fleet.
Die Cutter Machines or technology and 21 st Century Model Building
So anyone working with die cutter machines such as those by Silhouette, Cricket or KNK?
I have a Silhouette Portrait that I can cut up to 0.010 thick plastic on.
I have not used it much. I have cut some stencils with it and used it for test cuts on plastic as well as cutting decorative shingles for a building (thick paper).
SPSF Meadow Sub: Converting From Digitrax to NCE on a Small/Mid-Size HO Layout
Over the past three weeks, I have converted my layout DCC system from Digitrax to NCE. What follows is my personal experience on the conversion for a small or medium size layout.
Buss and Loconet lengths?
Hi All, sketched up a schematic for the buss and loconet for my S scale layout and have a couple of questions for those more familiar with DCC. First is the buss length, I'd like to break them at the spots shown on the sketch which leaves one run at 36 feet from the Zephyr. Does anyone have runs that long with no problems? I'll only be running one or at most two engines at a time if that matters. The second is the Loconet to connect to a booster on the far side of the layout.
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