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Andy Oil-fired steam can be quite clean, cleaner than diesel, depending on fuel, condition of burners, and skill of operator. Oil-fired steam used a very dirty bunker C (almost tar) for fuel because it was much cheaper than other fuels in the age of steam. You put in kerosene or equivalent...

I can't see enough value to pay for track planning software. I just don't do it enough, and I use the software as a sanity check on sketches and ideas in my head. I very seldom spend the time planning a layout in exact detail - I'd rather get a good idea of fit in the software and then start...

Use a capacitive discharge unit to power the twin coils, and you will never smoke one again. Won't even smoke even if the button gets stuck in the on position. Build your own (very simple) from a circuit on the web or buy a commercial unit from Circuitron.

Ott The general answer is the DC rectifier will not work. The issue is that DCC has a 15 volt (actual voltage varies from system to system) square wave signal on the rail at all times. While the full wave rectifier will turn the signal into DC, and drop the voltage by 1.5 volts, you are still...

A couple of concerns come to mind: 1) How vertical and straight are your walls? I've been in houses where shelf brackets needed shimming to make the shelf level. 2) 1/4" plywood laid flat needs to be supported about every 12" or less to prevent sagging, or bending when leaned on. 1/2"...

I'm assuming the Ken Kidder switch machines are twin coil switch machines, similar to the old Kemtron or NJ machines. The Kidder machine may or may not have auxiliary contacts for controlling frog polarity, indicator lights, and/or signals. But the machine itself is almost always a standard 3...

Not so sure I agree 100% with you, Russ. Pulse power does create some extra heat, but certainly no more than operating a motor at lower speeds using the pulse width modulation which is standard with DCC, and probably quite a bit less. Can motors do have less cogging than a conventional open...

Don't try to change the grade in the turnout - of either branch. Once past the ends of the turnout you can change the grade. You cannot leave cuts of cars on a grade while the locomotive is switching. Model train cars have no brakes, and they roll down hill. :cry: If you are going to be...

As others have said, a "tray" to set each end into is very helpful. I basically have a U-shaped channel female (plug) that I set each end into. Metal pins into sockets keep it in place and transfer electrical power. I have a 60" window to span with my liftout. I limited width to 8" to reduce...

From a different point of view regarding abuse. I have had ceramic tile and "stone" floors in kitchens. Never, ever, again. They break absolutely everything that is dropped on them, including the unbreakable plastic bottles. Baby food jars, which are pretty tough to break when dropped, never...

It was warm from the short circuit current going through it. Kept taking apart and reattaching wires under the layout, then testing to see if I had gotten rid of the short. I had innocently left the coupler height gauge at the end of a spur where it was being used to check coupler heights and...

Rail codes can easily be mixed. Either shim under the ties or sand the bottom of the ties so that the joints are at the same height. Atlas code 83 track has made their ties deliberately thicker so that the height matches their code 100 flex track. Because of this, it doesn't match as well...

As you have seen from the responses, every model railroader has his own pet system for cleaning track. Based on my experiences with brass, steel, and nickel silver track, these are my thoughts. Climate and environment have everything to do with how often your track needs cleaning and what...

Some suggestions regarding your criteria: I'm assuming continuous running capability is strongly desired. Your 30" depth limits you to 13" or so radius curves for the continuous run, yet you want to be able to modern era "without too much overhang". Not sure that combination is going to get...

Whether a double main is right for you depends on your priorities. Some thoughts: did your prototype have a double main? Do you lean to the "railfan" or the "engineer" style of operations? The railfan likes to see trains roll, often sitting in a favorite spot, watching them roll through...

Just something to keep in mind...Using an easily forgotten track gauge or other piece of metal across the track to hold cars in place can lead to loss of hair and other aging processes. Don't ask me how I know this. Let's just say I had one less Kadee coupler height gauge, one broken window...

:agree1: Second the WOW!

David Thanks for the link. I hadn't thought of spline for the liftout. I was planning on a box beam of 1/4" plywood with 2" foam glued inside. You've given me more to think about!

Another source of supply is PROTO:87 STORES AND ACCURATE MODEL RAILROAD TRACK EMPORIUM. Have all the supplies for both NMRA spec and Proto87 track and turnouts, much of it with very nice detail.

Tetters I really like the painted rail. It's among the best I've ever seen. The colors are very realistic. But if you can stand it - the camera is a very harsh critic. It looks like the black didn't cover some of the rail base edge very well in a few spots. I'm assuming you did the...