Recent content by Dorkmaster Flek

Yes you did indeed get that right. I found that my Peco switches had a spring in them which snapped from one side to the other. The Tortoise machines were not actually able to overcome the spring, so I cut the spring wires on my turnouts. Perhaps your Walthers ones have a similar spring...

Slow motion turnouts are always more realistic, no matter what the era I think. Nothing wrong with using snap switches on your layout if you want, unless you want full prototypical realism. If you're going to go slow motion turnouts, I'd recommend the Tortoise switch machines. Makes it more...

I just got started in this great hobby, and while I am a beginner, I went with flex track instead of the snap variety and my local train shop sold me on some Peco turnouts, especially since they recently came out with the code 83 stuff. I have to say I've been extremely impressed with them. I...

That's correct. The NMRA standard only defines the communication signals between the command station and the decoders. It is easier to get feedback on turnout status, train locations, etc. on LocoNet because it is a true computer network designed for carrying whatever data you need. If I had...

That has to do with the way Digitrax handles controlling loco addresses on the throttles on LocoNet. Normally, you can only have a particular loco address assigned to one throttle at a time. This prevents two people from inadvertently operating the same train and wondering what's going on when...

LocoNet is the network architecture for the Digitrax DCC system. While the DCC signals on the rails going between the command station and decoders are standardized by the NMRA, everything else is left up to the manufacturer. Each manufacturer has their own way of implementing a command network...

One possibility would be to have one of the loops raised to the level you need all the way around, since you only have 4' x 8' to work with.

If you're referring to decoders in your engines, then any DCC decoders will work with your DCC system. That's the beauty of DCC. The communication signal between the command station and the decoders in the engines is standardized by the NMRA, so any DCC command station will work with any DCC...

I would recommend either NCE or Digitrax personally. I have a Digitrax Zephyr system myself, along with a couple extra components for block detection and controlling my switch machines. The main reason I chose Digitrax was because I wanted to do computer control and automation. I believe...

This is very doable to accomplish. I personally have the Digitrax system on a small first-time layout myself that will be fully automated using TrainController software. I'm using a DS64 to control the Tortoise switch machines I have and a BDL168 for block detection. I haven't looked at this...

I believe you've made a good choice with the Digitrax system if you're interested in getting into computer control. You need an interface to connect your Digitrax system to your PC using either Digitrax's MS100 serial connector, or a LocoBuffer connector. I recommend the LocoBuffer, as even...

That's correct. I'm using a Pentium M (is it Centrino I think?) laptop to run my layout currently. It's a Windows machine (I wish it could be Linux :P) but this is mainly due to the fact that TrainController is only for Windows. However, the LocoBuffer USB does in fact come with drivers for...

That is precisely why I went with the Digitrax system as my choice. For feedback and computer control, I think it's currently unmatched and they seem to have their eyes on the future with their design. I know for sure the Lenz system requires a separate feedback bus in addition to the command...

It sounds like you already made your decision, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in as well. I recently got into this wonderful hobby for myself and wanted a full DCC system. I'm in the process of putting together a basic 4' x 8' layout with a couple sidings, but what I was really...

Yes, I ran across that software in the course of my research. I definitely want to try this out with my layouts. Transponding is still in its infancy, so I'm probably sticking with just occupancy detection for now since this software can run trains without transponding just fine. The Digitrax...