Recent content by umtrr-author

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    Retro DCC

    I'd look at the tender as a place for the decoder for the steam locomotives. Depending on the size of the tender it may be possible to get a sound decoder and a speaker in there. The Life-Like E6 will most likely need a frame milling in order to get a hard-wired decoder in. I don't think...
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    N Scale specific magazines.

    I have subscribed to both since the beginning of each one. I don't find "must read" articles in every issue but on balance I find them well worth the price.
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    Second opinions on a shelf layout idea?

    Without looking at any of your plans, my first thought was an interchange to town shortline, with some "scenery" in between. The "main road" could be mostly hidden and serve as your loop and/or staging, while the shortline would serve the industry that you are looking for.
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    UMTRR: March Website Update

    The March 2009 Archive Edition of the Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report has been posted to the UMTRR Website. March Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report The full length edition of the UMTRR was e-mailed to all subscribers on March 9. Unlike the Archive Edition, the e-mailed...
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    First attempt at an N scale layout

    Very nice, solid construction. A 2 3/4 inch clearance is more than generous for N Scale (although there is that 1:1 Scale fingers issue!).
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    UMTRR Website Update Feb 09 (finally...)

    The February 2009 Archive Edition of the Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report has been posted to the UMTRR Website. (Finally...) February UMTRR The full length edition of the UMTRR was e-mailed to all subscribers on February 4. Unlike the Archive Edition, the e-mailed subscriber edition...
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    Roundhouse car kits ?

    The pre-Horizon Roundhouse kits are OK. Athearn upgraded some of these when they re-released them, some more than others (some, just the price was "upgraded"). Newer trucks and generic magnetic knuckle couplers are now standard with these items. The Roundhouse trucks are decent but you need...
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    thoughts on the empire builder train set?

    The Bachmann non-Spectrum locomotives are better than they used to be; it's just important to make sure that it is the newer improved locomotives that you are getting. With individual locos it's easy-- make sure they are in hard plastic two piece (top and bottom) cases, not paper boxes, not...
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    N scale coupler question......

    Micro-Trains website: http://www.micro-trains.com There is a conversion guide, split up by manufacturer, that covers most N Scale equipment.
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    N scale minimum radius question

    Welcome aboard... I'm not familiar with the sets you mentioned, but generally speaking most passenger cars with which I'm family will negotiate a 10 inch radius... barely. I use 19 inch radius on most of the visible part of the layout (with a couple of "cheats") and 11 inch radius in...
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    UMTRR Website Update January 2009

    The January 2009 Archive Edition of the Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report has been posted to the UMTRR Website. January UMTRR All of the release tables and the "2009 Month By Month" page with links to images have been updated as well, to reflect the month's releases and discontinued...
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    Ground throws

    The biggest disadvantage to the Caboose Industries throws is that they are way oversized for N Scale. If you're willing to overlook that, you'll have no issue with them in terms of reliability.
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    UMTRR: Dec 2008 Website Update

    The December 2008 Archive Edition of the Unofficial Micro-Trains Release Report has been posted to the UMTRR Website. December UMTRR All of the release tables and the "2008 Month By Month" page with links to images have been updated as well, to reflect the month's releases and discontinued...
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    joefryfry's layout - The Waynesburg Southern

    Keep the HO if you can... the aftermarket is pretty bad right now, eBay or otherwise, in my estimation. Plus, you might want to have it around for the kid(s). I'd try to get as much done before the little one arrives... I speak from experience when I say that progress will slow down...
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    Tighest radius

    My layout uses 19 inch minimum radius nearly everywhere on visible track and 11 inch radius in hidden sections. I run mostly diesels and don't expect to own anything larger in steam than a Bachmann Mountain I have on order. I would go for at least 19 inch radius for the 2-8-8-2 but then...
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