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Kent, I may be off base here, but, NCE, and Digitrax, are the most popular systems, currently. If you are, or plan on becoming a member of a club, then whatever that club is using would be the "system of choice" just for the convenience of compatibility. I started with Digitrax because...

While I haven't had any experience with Durango Press trucks, I would hazard a guess that the bearing holes need to be reamed out. There is a tool that can be used for that in HO. For HOn3 you would have to use the tool before you assemble the trucks. I know the product as "The Tool", and I...

As steamhead mentioned, it would be helpful to know the DCC system you are using. If there is any one feature that would determine what system I would use, I suppose it would be "helper service", and that is the only reason I use Digitrax. The DT400 throttle, not only can be used for...

Steam Locomotives. I will overlook detail, to get smooth slow speed operation. That said, Brass.....I have several brass steam locos, in various levels of detail, from pretty basic to reasonably well modeled. The Rivarossi (now Hornby) C&O H-8 Allegheny is perhaps one of the most accurately...

As a "Prehistoric" LIRR commuter....well I used the LIRR to get into Manhattan, from Copiague, to check out Polks Hobby Shop, in the late fifties....my favorite would have to be the MP-54's powered, or trailer. My second, and the one I voted for, Tank cars. They are one of the only cars where...

Just a couple of things to consider: 1. If you drill through the flange of each point rail, and solder a short piece of brass wire there, you can use a non-conductive throw bar with holes drilled for the brass wire "pins", and hard wire the the turnout so that no rail contact is needed to...

Until I had a chance to look at scale drawings of thirty inch gauge rolling stock, I thought it was just a coincidence that the coupler height was the same for HO, and On30. I have made the commitment to set the couplers at the same height as 3' gauge. (my brakeman has a back problem :mrgreen...

I build my own motorized switch machines so I'm not sure about this. I believe the tortoise switch machines use a "stall motor", one that has a constant current through it all the time. You would have to determine the current draw of the tortoise motor, and, if you are using several on the one...

Kevin, The "Model Railroader's Guide To Freight Cars" (Kalmbach Publishing) covers trucks from the WWI to present, and makes no mention of Fox trucks. I know this isn't much to go on, but I would believe that Fox trucks were "in absentia" by the WWI era. I would recommend that you do not...

Favorite Diesel...... Any Alco with a "Dashing Dan" logo on it, but the C420(high nose),and RS-1's, sit at the top of that list. FM H-16-44, and Trainmaster SP&S Alco,C-425's C&NW GP15-1's Milw/SOO/Wisconsin Central SDL-39's EMD BL20-2, MP-15AC's, and the FT's, and F-7's I don't have any...

I know Z scale is only now beginning to gain popularity in U.S. markets, so I don't expect to find much in scratchbuilding supplies available.....yet. Does anyone know if there are Z scale decal sets made for U.S., steam era, rolling stock?

As I mentioned earlier, N scale track is 8" too wide for 2 foot gauge in HO. Z scale track is actually closer at only 3" too narrow. N scale track and mechanisms, used to represent 2foot, is hardly advanced. In reality On30, is really On31-3/4, and even Nn3, using Z scale track isn't "perfect"...

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Yeah, I'll bet it was one of those " I'll never use this again" moments. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

N scale Architect kits, are laser cut. I would expect the kit would be immediately available direct from the manufacturer. I would suspect that if you are ordering through a distributer (Walthers, Horizon Hobby, etc.), and getting "not-in-stock" indications, it is because the distributor is out...

The Bachmann HO 80 ton three truck shay, is based on Cass Scenic Railway #5, which I believe, was owned by the Mower Lumber Company (which became Cass Scenic). The model weighs approximately 14 ounces. I have not tested its pulling ability on grades, but I'm sure it will pull, at least...

In HO scale, N scale track is about 32", Z scale track is about 21". If you want to stay in HO scale, Z track is about 3" too narrow, and N track is about 8" too wide, for 2' gauge. I have hand laid code 40 rail in Nn3. I would be more tempted to use the Z scale track and mechanisms for HOn2...

Starting with a simple track plan is a venture not without merit. You can try out all the basic skills of layout building, while not being overwhelmed by unobtainable complexity, and you can enjoy the sights, and sounds of trains running through the mountains and trees. Post some progress...

Welcome to the gauge!, on30er. The On30 forum will give you a considerable amount of information, and what isn't covered here, may well be covered elsewhere on the board. Many of the posts by hminky, will link you to tutorials on his home site. Recommended reading for On30 related information...

Lookin' good! Nice work, great pics. :thumb: :thumb: Pete

The "Mad City show is right up there with Milwaukee's "Trainfest". Last year's Trainfest, had a higher paid attendance than the National Train Show in Philadelphia. I guess I'd call it big.