Search results

Anyone know off hand what size screws to use for the wire terminals on Atlas HO twin coil switch machines? I have purchased a lot of used ones and many do not have screws. They don't seem to be a standard size. Thanks! Sean

Finally!! A corporate move required I dismantal my layout and and move into a new home. That was 2 years ago and I am finally ready to start buinding a new layout in the garage. I am a veteran N-Scaler with lots to learn. I plan on posting updates as I contruct the new layout in this...

Two minor things I dislike about model railroading… One is the high cost of switch motors and the other is working under the layout. Under the layout work used to be fun in my 20’s, but now that I am closer to my 50’s, not so. I was able to make a BIG dent in both of these with an interesting...

Any of you used raw cork bark for scenery? I had a friend who knew I was into model trains showed up the other day with a box of raw cork bark. He said it looked to him like it would make good scenery on a train layout. I have to agree! It looks very much like rock formations. This is...

I have looked at a few model railroad database programs. I have tested many of them and they all seem to have things lacking. Some are aimed at "collectors" and others don't have DCC. I don't mind spending some money and I am sure I COULD, given enough time, create one in MS Access... I just...

HELP!! I have a new Loconet USB that I was testing last night very unsuccessfully. Since my layout is not even started yet, I am doing this all on the bench. Setup is REALLY simple. DCS100 Dt400 in A Locobuffer in B Prog A and B clipped to a piece of Unitrack PC is a Toshiba Satellite...

Been a long time since I have posted anything here. I had a layout I was building andposted pictures here as I was constructing it.... but I got relocated by my company. I have started over and as we all know, it seems each start over is alittle better from lessons learned etc. Here are the...

I know I have read a few threads about email that tries to get your Ebay account (phishing)... but the other day I was almost phished!!! I was looking over some items on EBay itself. I was logged in through My EBay. There was an interesting description of something I was interested in. The...

OOOhhh! Aaahhhh! I just went from a Oly C-2020 to a C-8080. Should be at least 4 times better eh?? Actually, a friend wants to sell the 8080 and I am messing about with it for a while to see if I want it. Sure is BIG compared to the 2020. It has A LOT more features, buttons, dials and...

I just got a nice new set of Kato passenger cars. They are beautiful! I placed them on my track which is tested Atlas code 55 that has run freight cars with no problem….. My passenger cars are picking the points on the turnouts! Out with the gauge and wouldn't ya know it, they are all narrow...

I have been working on a Walthers turntable and though the parts look good, the mechanics are not very good. I have taken a piece of 1/2" by 3/16" steel under the desk and drilled it to accept a 1/4" steel rod which I have run through a bronze bushings in a piece of wood under the pit. I have...

I thought it would be a good idea to put all of my progress in once place. Some of this will be review of other threads, but I would like to use this space as sort of a log of my progress on the new layout. I will continue to post out side of this thread, but though it might be a good idea to...

I got all the cork down for the main yard on the new layout. I am liking using Liquid Nails with it. I can work really fast. I DID find that I needed a MUCH darker center line to show throough the glue... so I remarked my XtrkCad with sharpie pen. It is sort of hard to get a good picture...

Supplies have arrived!!! Looks like I need to get the sub road bed started.

HELP... I am in lust. N-Scale Supply has some OMI gas turbines at a really good price. I have never owned anything by them. Anyone have a set or seen a set in action? Do they DCC OK? Will they run on Atlas code 55? What minimum radius do they need? Any info would be helpfull. Thanks!

I goofed around long enough trying to decide how to light the lower deck of my new layout. I am using 1x3 and did not have a lot of room for lights. Didn't like the idea of shop lights.... so I went to the hardware store and found these! They clip on to the wire by unscrewing the back...

... I LOVE the look of a curved or bent yard. In my current working layout plan, I have included this feature. NOW I realized something. Will I be able to couple up to cars on the curved portion? Maybe not!! I am working in n-scale and will be using mostly MT truck mounted couplers. The radius...

Has anyone taken digital photos of buildings and used the photos cut out as background flats? I think this would be pretty easy in my scale (N) as even 4x6 pics would be abvout the right size... and even an 8x10 could cover one large building.... Anyone done this and care to share some...

I have taken a stab at a new layout to replace the old TBA Railway. First some of my druthers... It will be freelance. It will be MOSTLY shelf based. No more then a 2 foot reach to any track. (Helix accessed from inside) I want to be able to run tains in loops, but not exclusivly. I want to...

I just started using XTrcCad to help with creation of my new layout. Seem spretty good but there are a few things I wish were a bit easier. Anyone else using it? Tips? Gotcha's? Does the digital layout really represent reality? I know even with graph paper and a compass etc that my paper...