Search results

  1. D

    Turnouts

    Yes you did indeed get that right. I found that my Peco switches had a spring in them which snapped from one side to the other. The Tortoise machines were not actually able to overcome the spring, so I cut the spring wires on my turnouts. Perhaps your Walthers ones have a similar spring...
  2. D

    Turnouts

    Slow motion turnouts are always more realistic, no matter what the era I think. Nothing wrong with using snap switches on your layout if you want, unless you want full prototypical realism. If you're going to go slow motion turnouts, I'd recommend the Tortoise switch machines. Makes it more...
  3. D

    Somebody stop me!

    I just got started in this great hobby, and while I am a beginner, I went with flex track instead of the snap variety and my local train shop sold me on some Peco turnouts, especially since they recently came out with the code 83 stuff. I have to say I've been extremely impressed with them. I...
  4. D

    ? on loco net

    That's correct. The NMRA standard only defines the communication signals between the command station and the decoders. It is easier to get feedback on turnout status, train locations, etc. on LocoNet because it is a true computer network designed for carrying whatever data you need. If I had...
  5. D

    ? on loco net

    That has to do with the way Digitrax handles controlling loco addresses on the throttles on LocoNet. Normally, you can only have a particular loco address assigned to one throttle at a time. This prevents two people from inadvertently operating the same train and wondering what's going on when...
  6. D

    ? on loco net

    LocoNet is the network architecture for the Digitrax DCC system. While the DCC signals on the rails going between the command station and decoders are standardized by the NMRA, everything else is left up to the manufacturer. Each manufacturer has their own way of implementing a command network...
  7. D

    Height question

    One possibility would be to have one of the loops raised to the level you need all the way around, since you only have 4' x 8' to work with.
  8. D

    decoders

    If you're referring to decoders in your engines, then any DCC decoders will work with your DCC system. That's the beauty of DCC. The communication signal between the command station and the decoders in the engines is standardized by the NMRA, so any DCC command station will work with any DCC...
  9. D

    dcc newbie

    I would recommend either NCE or Digitrax personally. I have a Digitrax Zephyr system myself, along with a couple extra components for block detection and controlling my switch machines. The main reason I chose Digitrax was because I wanted to do computer control and automation. I believe...
  10. D

    Computer control for layouts

    This is very doable to accomplish. I personally have the Digitrax system on a small first-time layout myself that will be fully automated using TrainController software. I'm using a DS64 to control the Tortoise switch machines I have and a BDL168 for block detection. I haven't looked at this...
  11. D

    Computer control for layouts

    I believe you've made a good choice with the Digitrax system if you're interested in getting into computer control. You need an interface to connect your Digitrax system to your PC using either Digitrax's MS100 serial connector, or a LocoBuffer connector. I recommend the LocoBuffer, as even...
  12. D

    DCC and Personal Computers

    That's correct. I'm using a Pentium M (is it Centrino I think?) laptop to run my layout currently. It's a Windows machine (I wish it could be Linux :P) but this is mainly due to the fact that TrainController is only for Windows. However, the LocoBuffer USB does in fact come with drivers for...
  13. D

    DCC and Personal Computers

    That is precisely why I went with the Digitrax system as my choice. For feedback and computer control, I think it's currently unmatched and they seem to have their eyes on the future with their design. I know for sure the Lenz system requires a separate feedback bus in addition to the command...
  14. D

    DCC and Personal Computers

    It sounds like you already made your decision, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in as well. I recently got into this wonderful hobby for myself and wanted a full DCC system. I'm in the process of putting together a basic 4' x 8' layout with a couple sidings, but what I was really...
  15. D

    Newb questions about decoders for HO engines

    Yes, I ran across that software in the course of my research. I definitely want to try this out with my layouts. Transponding is still in its infancy, so I'm probably sticking with just occupancy detection for now since this software can run trains without transponding just fine. The Digitrax...
  16. D

    What do you like to put your layout board on top of?

    Hmm extruded foam eh...sounds good, as it's lighter and easier to work with. The adjustable feet idea sounds like a good one. What do you usually use to make these adjustable feet?
  17. D

    What do you like to put your layout board on top of?

    I know a lot of you like to build your own tables, but what about just having the plywood board on top of a table of some kind? Does this work well? I'm just getting started and have little to no carpentry skills. :) I know you get better customization of the shape of your table for your...
  18. D

    Newb question about track wiring

    Awesome, and I'm guessing the other ends of the wires are just ends that can be connected/soldered to whatever power source you have, correct? Also, what gauge is the wire for these connectors? Is it thick enough to be connected to a power supply, or should it be connected to a main bus wire...
  19. D

    Newb question about track wiring

    That is precisely what I need! From the picture, it looks like you connect two pieces of track using the joiners, which also provides the power?
  20. D

    Newb question about track wiring

    I'm just getting started in HO scale stuff, but previously I setup O27 scale layouts with our family around Christmas, that sort of thing. The O27 track was easy to wire because we had those metal connectors that clip on the bottom of a piece of track and they have those two connectors for the...
Top