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    Varnishing cork roadbed???

    Thanks. I keep humidity in the house above 40% for some musical instruments I have. Hopefully the cork will last longer than I will.
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    Varnishing cork roadbed???

    Can someone give me the pros and cons of varnishing cork roadbed before the track is fastened to it? Does it keep the cork from drying out over time and make it last longer?
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    Wiring Switch Machines

    Thanks. There is a method shown in the Tortoise manual where SPDT switches are used. There is a schematic, and the accompanying text reads as follows: <B>2. BI-POLAR DC WITH SPDT SWITCHES: </B>This system requires two similar DC supplies of not more than 12 volts each. They are wired in series...
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    Wiring Switch Machines

    Has anyone tried using a computer printer or SCSI cable to connect a turnout control panel to the layout? I'll be controlling 24 Tortoise switch machines. I was thinking of a female recpticle recessed into the layout and a cable with a male end coming from the control panel. Wires from the...
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    Gulf Summit Progress

    I'm making some progress on my code 55 version of the gulf summit. More pictures at http://www.billbentgen.com/railroad/ I made the upper level all one piece with the joint in the plywood under the tunnel instead of on top of it: All the ramps are one piece: I made the river bottom with...
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    Using XTrkCad printout for template

    After spending two nights laying out transition curves with a beam compass,I decided to try printing out the XTrkCad file at 1:1 scale to see if I could use it as a template. Printing it to 11 x 17 paper worked, but it was difficlult to layout and overlap all of the sheets for a 4' x 8' layout...
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    Wiring Color Code

    Thanks David. N Scale Supply has a good selection of different colors in 3 different gauges. I'll probably go with orange, white, and yellow for switches to keep it distinct from the red and black for rail power.
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    Wiring Color Code

    Is there a convention for color coding wiring other than black/red for rail power? I'm aware that DCC wiring to a decoder is defined, but how about wiring to switch machines? I've looked through the Atlas DCC & Wiring books but couldn't find an answer.
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    Code 55 - Atlas vs. Micro Engineering

    I was unable to find any Central Valley N gauge products on their web page. I would sacrafice looks for reliability of operation. Just trying to figure out if the rail profiles would match up. Bill Bentgen http://www.billbentgen.com
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    Code 55 - Atlas vs. Micro Engineering

    Does anyone know if Atlas & Micro Engineering code 55 rail work together? I'm disappointed in the performance of Atlas turnouts out of the package (work fine after some tweaking), but thought I would try my hand at one of the FastTracks kits and hand build a turnout. I've asked the question on...
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    Scenic & Relaxed Update - First Train Run!!!

    David, I've got the code 80 bridge coming in the mail. I'll stare at it for a couple of hours and have a couple of bevereges while I contemplate how to modify it. The GS&S actually calles for 6 bridges in addition to the double viaduct. Timber trestles are an option. I might put in quick and...
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    Scenic & Relaxed Update - First Train Run!!!

    Can I ask where you got the bridge? I think I recognize the stone abutments, but not the bridge. I'm starting to lay track for a code 55 version of the Gulf Summit from the same book as the Scenic & Relaxed and need a substitute for the Atlas code 80 warren truss bridge. I've orded one of the...
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    Rebuilding Atlas Layout 25 years later

    Hello Everyone, I'm returning to model railroading after an absence of 25 years. I built the Atlas Gulf Summit & Susquehanna Valley layout with my son back in the early '80's, and now I have two grandsons who have a big interest in trains. A lot has come along since then including DCC and new...
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