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Prodigy, You are not going to want to hear this, but don't buy 6 more Atlas Switch Machines. Invest a few bucks more and buy Tortoises. They are much more forgiving even if not placed exactly. If you want to live the rest of your life pain free, take my advice. I once had a bunch of Atlas...

This is a well known problem with the earlier version of Proto 2000 diesels. The problem exists on several models including GP9,GP18,GP30,GP7,SD7,SD9,SW9/1200. It only happens on engines from Proto with the geared axle #584408. Check the diagram that cane with your engine to see if you have...

I use mostly Atlas #6 turnouts and every kind of engine goes through them but they take up a lot of space. In a few instances, I use Atlas #4 turnouts but only the diesels handle them well. A lot of my steam engines don't like #4 turnouts except for 4-6-2 and smaller. 4-8-4's, 2-10-2's...

Good advice from everyone so far, I use similar methods myself. However, instead of Elmer's Glue, use Matte Medium. It produces a much quieter sound as engines run over it. With Elmer's Glue, it sounds like you are operating within a drum - - - a very loud, hollow sound.

CCT70, I stand corrected, my apologies. I went on eBay and entered "HO engine house" and they do indeed pop up. You were right; I was wrong. Miles, get going.

Miles, Don't bother looking on eBay. I checked both current and completed listings and there are none for this structure. I doubt that anyone has seen it "on there all the time".

The 4-8-2 works fine on 22 inch radius cause I used to run one on my old layout before re-doing the layout to handle 34 inch radius. As for ballasting, go ahead a lay down the ballast now, just don't cement it in place till you are sure that the trackwork is permanent.

White glue dries brittle, so it creates a drum like sound as engines pass over the ballast cemented into place with white glue. Matte medium dries to an ever so slight spongy finish so there is far less noise and vibration as the engine passes over the cemented ballast.

50/50 mix will hold quite well, especially if you use "wet water" first, as a previous post has suggested. My advice, though, is to use matte medium rather than white glue to cut down on noise and vibration.

I mix 1 part white glue with 1 part water, plus a few squirts of liquid detergent, to cement ballast. I mix 1 part white glue with 2 parts water, plus a few squirts of liquid detergent, to cement turf and bushes in place. If you want to get a spray that is the consistency of Woodland Scenics...

There is one or more for sale on eBay and the seller indicates that he has multiple items so you can contact him for what you need. Good luck !

Conrail, The combination of Atlas #4 turnovers and 12.5 degree crossings is the right combination. I have a number of them on my double mainline track layout, permitting track one to crossover track two, while maintaining a 2 inch on center distance between the two tracks. Incidentally, I...

On the question of the proper depth for mounting Tortoises, my layout is 1/2 inch plywood, and I use Woodland Scenics Foam Track-Bed (5mm). I cut a 1/2 inch circular hole in the plywood and mount the Tortoise on the under side of the plywood with screws (two will do just fine). I use an Xacto...

Although some modelers frown upon the Atlas turnouts, I have 58 #6 turnouts on my layout and they work just fine. I use Tortoises on all of these turnouts and they are superb little machines. I highly recommend them, having previously used Atlas Under Table Switch Machines which are awful. Look...

I'll stand by 3 inch separations on curves, particularly on tighter radius such as 22 inch or 24 inch. On 30 inch radius, 2 1/2 inch separation will do just fine. The big issue is the 80' and '85' rolling stock in addition to articulated steam.

I use 2 1/4 inch spacing on straight track and 3 inch on the curves. That permits cars to pass each other without touching. A lot depends upon the radius of your curves. Anything less than 22 inch is problematic and anything less than 30 inch does not look prototypical. Those who have the...

The Walthers Trainline series are the Rivarossi cars - - - -Walthers picked up the inventory when Rivarossi went belly up according to my LHS dealer. There are 4 cars in the series, but some of the road names only have one or two of the different car types because that's what was out there...

A few months ago, I purchased a BLI 4-8-4 with the same results as you are experiencing. I never figured out the problem, but I returned it to my dealer. My track gauge was fine and all of my other engines ran OK. In hindsight, I suspect that the wheel flange depth was the problem. Any...