Recent content by Squidbait

Thank you! This system won't work with Digitrax as it stands. I believe if you add the Pro Box, you get the DCC sniffer function, which will let it work with Digitrax's LocoNet. But by that time you will have spent the $600-700 you could have spent on a Super Chief or similar system. If...

Thanks. That power supply powers the track/trains. The handset is powered by AAA batteries. There is an easy way to expand the power supply, but it's not cheap since the Pro Box lists for $450. Street price will probably be lower, but it's still (IMHO) a ridiculous price to pay to get more...

Not really. When you're drawing your curves (with a French Curve or a compass) do you lay them out 3' at a time? Or do you run your curve from here to there at one go? Having to drop each section of flex track and set the radius for each section is clunky! Being able to join point A to...

Dave, What kind of space do you have available? You've asked for a 4x6, but that's a table - how much room around it do you have? You can get more layout with a shelf design than a free-standing table. Let us know how much space you've got - you might be surprised with what we can come up...

4x6 with 18" really doesn't give you many options - a loop with some sidings is about the best you can hope for. There's not really enough room for an up-and-over with anything less than 8% grades :eek: Here's a quick offering - it gives you two areas that you could develop as separate scenes...

OK, so there's a new version of XtrkCAD (4.02) with apparently improved demos. I haven't noticed a huge difference, but what I did notice is that you mentioned the XtrkCAD tutorials. Do you mean the tutorials they have on the website? They're good, as far as they go, but I think the...

MM, I just stepped through the demos in XtrkCad and it led me to wonder which version do you have? Because I found the demos to be very thorough, and quite informative. I had thought of doing some of my own, but I don't think I could do anything more instructive then they have done in version...

I think these would be close: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/585-31332 Or these: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/190-280

Of course it may be a good thing you are having difficulty using the CAD programs.... you might catch a nasty dose of CTSS (CAD Too Soon Syndrome)

If you find RTS confusing, then you are not likely to find anything else that's going to be much easier for you to use. I don't think there's a "Layout CAD for Luddites" out there yet. :p I don't think anyone's saying you have to know the plan before you can draw it, but that you need to have...

:agree1: I use XtrkCad because it has the two qualities I most admire in software - it's effective, and it's free! RTS is OK for smaller layouts with only Atlas track, but it's a place to start.

NCE and Digitrax both have basic decoders (D13SR and DH123, respectively) that sell for less than $20 at Tony's Train Exchange. You can get them either with the 9-pin JST connector used by Athearn and some others, or with the 8 pin NMRA plug.

Not too shabby! I still think the tender's too big, but it's a nice looker anyways! :p :D

Heyyyy.... uhhh.... wasn't he the guy who started that there ZO line?

Bill, The NMRA minimum height clearance is 1-21/32 inches, or close enough to 1 5/8" as makes no nevermind. I always use 2" as a rule of thumb, it gives you enough headroom for just-in-cases. If you stick to the plan, and go with 2-2.25" grade separations, you should wind up with about a 4%...