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  1. R

    Blocks, buses, DCC, help!

    The current MR has an article about improving performance of your layout through the addition of buses (14g wire under the track, spliced into the track at specific distances to reduce voltage drop). I have a rather large loop of track and my DCC equipped engines do run slower on the far...
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    Adapter Harness for DCC Socket?

    It seems that MRC is no longer supplying decoders with the 8 pin connector on the ends of the wires (bummer). The new decoders come with the flat connector that plugs in to the decoder and has the wires hanging free. MRC was kind enough to send me some 8 pin plugs but my soldering...
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    Give this a wack:

    My plan is to have a turn around for my HO layout in a separate room from the rest of the track. The notched out portion of the design is the rock wall I must cut around to get into the other room. To put the space to work, and to show off the layout, as this will be the first thing viewed...
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    Photos of Flat Car Loads

    I have several empty flat cars on my HO layout and need some ideas. I'll post a few pics of loads I've seen, you post some you've seen. Thanks.
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    Southern MN Trainspotting

    Dakota Minnesota and Eastern near Janesville. Ex CP SD-40s.
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    Am I the only person to purchase the MRC Prodigy DCC System?

    I would love to compare notes with another user of this system. I've been running it for about a year now and have some thoughts.
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    Can this prototype yard be modeled?

    Credit for this photo goes to AA Krug - I saw it on his website. I'm planning a yard for my HO layout and want a truly functional yard. I could fit a lot more yard in my space using curve radii like these. Would it be possible? Would operations be reliable?
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    BNSF to BN SF Rumor, Iz it truuuueeee?

    A gentleman I know works on the CN in Iowa. He thought he heard rumblings about BNSF un-merging. Anyone else heard anything?
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    Real or Not? Take a look.

    This is a photo of my son and me. Are we really in the cab or did we fake this?
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    Operating Sessions - Minnesota

    Is anyone getting together in Southern MN/Northern IA for HO operating sessions? If so, please describe. I am trying to develop some operations for our model railroad housed in our basement. Mostly it is my 5 year old son and I, and we are able to do some sorting and some put outs/pick...
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    Prototype Pusher - How to Model?

    On lunch break today, I watched a UP freight pull into the Mankato, MN yard - two AC6044s on the lead with another pusher. It was a mixed freight of about 100 cars. The train was uncoupled at about mid-point on the mainline beside the switching yard. The two on the lead pulled ahead and...
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    Help. Kato SD-40 electrical pick up problem!

    I'm having trouble with a Kato SD40 I just picked up. It is an early release (has the 8 pin DCC socket and yellow diode lights). I can't get power to the motor consistently. There seems to be a problem with the copper strips that run from front trucks to rear trucks on one side. At first I...
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    5 year old son gives Mom tour

    When I called home today to check in with my wife, she told me our five year old son (my model railroad partner) begged her to come down and "play trains" today. She was quite impressed that he knew how to operate the layout (22 x 12 around the outside, HO with DCC). I'm concerned about...
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    Athearn Loco Problems

    I have an Athearn AC44 and am having trouble getting it to run smoothly. At times, pairs of drivers will bind up and not turn at all as the other push them along the rails. I've tried some bushing break-in fluid followed by a flush and re-lube. I'm pretty new to the hobby - is there a...
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    HO C60-AC from Kato C44-9W - How to?

    I have an unpainted Kato dash 9. I would like to make it look like C60-AC. The most notable difference I've been able to see on prototypes is how the radiator hangs over the rear on the C60. Has anyone tried this? Any suggestions?
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