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Didn't see Val's chat room question, but for what it's worth, a standard silicon diode (1N4002 or similar from radio shack) in series between an AC source and a group of small incandescent bulbs in parallel will cut off every 2nd 1/2 cycle of the AC power and cause the lamps to glow at half...

The Wahl Oil arrived in the mail today, had ordered it based on the recommendation of a member of another discussion group. My trains haven't been run for quite a while, just too many other things to do lately, so the tracks have not been used or cleaned for over 2 months. The railtops are...

The link below is for several photos of a Z scale railroad (the Val Ease Central RR) built into 3 suitcases (valises) for travel and display. These photos were taken at the Eurospoor train show (Utrecht, Netherlands) last weekend and show some very fine modelling by the builder, Jeffrey MacHan...

A couple questions on DCC decoders - can anyone help on this? Checking the NMRA specs, it seems that the ability of a DCC decoder to operate on non-DCC trackwork is not mandatory, it is only recommended. Does anyone know of any brands /models of decoders that do NOT revert to standard...

I have heard through another group that a drop of Wahl Oil every few feet on each rail works wonders for Z scale track cleaning and prevention of oxidation. The hair clipper folks make this and it is not really an oil in the sense of the lubricating stuff, so it apparently does not affect...

Ron, Some good info on this site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm

Clean the locomotive wheels also. They will pick up crud from the rails and in certain spots the combination of wheel AND track dirt makes the track appear worse in those spots. Use rubbing alcohol on a Qtip or at the toe of an old sock worn like a glove. Connect a 9 volt battery to the...

Amazing! You mentioned rockets - how about a spaceport with a little shuttle hauled up by a thread with a butane minitorch poking out the bottom? :D This is a wonderful concept. After years of planning it must be exciting to be at the start of construction stage. I've never heard of...

Stick with a single brand for best results. Mixing brands can require shims to match at joints - not a major problem, just need to know - had to mount my Peco turnouts on 1/16" veneer for shimming up to Atlas height. Peco flex everywhere with Peco turnouts is a good choice, but go with at...

Re: Getting It Unstuck If the part is attached to the layout try using the freeze-spray from electronics supply houses before tearing it out of the layout. This aerosol spray is intended to cool electronics parts to about -40 degrees by fast evaporation for flushing out temperature related...

Some nice plans posted here, just one suggestion of caution. Long tunnels need some sort of access for track cleaning and derailed train removal. Either 'lift-off' scenery or hand holes in the table work for derailments, but lift-off makes track cleaning a lot easier. Even with track cleaning...

Looks like another pair of S curves (from both points and diverging track) in the far end turnout of the dual track in the expansion section (10th photo). Is that the troublesome switching yard entrance you mentioned? Here a left hand turnout would fit and solve the problem.

Sorry, ignore that. Looks like with the minimum radius inner loop there is no room for the left hand turnout. But you may have enough room to add a straight section at the points end of the turnout and extend the length of the loop at the expense of the scenery between the inner and outer...

Here's something else to check. Looking at your website, the top right picture shows the inner loop and 2 more tracks against the wall. Is this the one that gives trouble? It looks like a nasty S curve at the inner loop turnout - when the locos come into the loop from the diverging track...

Thought the same, but never heard of it actually being done. You're right, it would make for very slow, precise movement. But I don't know if anyone makes a stepper small enough to fit, the few i've seen tend to have a large diameter to get the torque. It might be more worthwile for...

Byootiful! How did you make the smoke and the steam coming out of the cylnder? Computer magic? A lot of the photos on this forum have to be looked at long and hard to figure out if they are a model or the real prototype. This is one of them. Sometimes the only giveaway is the camera depth...

Just checked through the archives on the cat subject and saw that yes, this is a very common problem. Woodland Scenics tells me they will discuss cat-repelling scenery materials in their next new product development group meeting. While this subject is somewhat humourous, cats do varying...

Are you using Atlas flex track in your 9.75" curves? From your pictures saw only sectional track, which is the best way to go. I've found that the Altlas flex track goes slightly out of gauge on tight curves just enough to give a 6 axle diesel trouble, the rails are just a little too close...

Looks like a great start. Glascow Jct will be a town with character. keep us posted!

Cat's in the layout in the railroad room, Sent a locomotive to it's almost doom. Why are the cars always off the track? Oh no - the cat came back! (Thought she was a goner but) she keeps on coming back! Yes, i was thinking of Harry Chapin, may he rest in peace. I was a fan way back...