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BigJim tries soldering a very small PC board rail to rail with an isolation cut. Large pain - looks bad compared to the very attractive bridge track. Slaps head - goes to LHS to get some rail spikes and a some small drill bits to connect the gantlet rails to the plastic ties. I will try -...

I certainly don't understand the inductor idea. DCC can have long DC output pulses. I think they are on the order of 83 milliseconds. Yes, the normal pulses are 8 khz & 16 khz but the allowed long pulses are in the 12 hz range. This is a VERY LARGE inductor to be a couple of ohms at DC and...

Sorry if this is a duplicate but the system hung wwith my other reply After trying to make one I ordered the one from Fast Tracks. What a difference. It is very, very precise and solid. The two large hex head screws really clamp down to hold the rails in place. The one for the crossover...

I think it was "Rube Goldberg" after the cartoons that showed complex methods of doing simple things.

I would think a RF walk around throttle would be less expensive than separate DCC systems. Unless multiple trains are running in the other sections there should be no power problems.

Found the solution Two problems: One - the "pointless turnout". Purchased some PC board ties and a point form tool from Fast Tracks http://oregontrunkrails.fast-tracks.net/index.php and freehand laid the turnout over a drawing using a toggle style hold down clamp and three-point track...

Don't trust the trains to check clearances. For example,make a bowtie with a double slip switch. Set the switch to not cross. Run two trains in opposite directions through the slip switch at the same time. They won't crash. On the other hand I have seen two trains running in the same...

I suspect the LED is "breaking down" with the reverse voltage. Yes - LEDs are diodes BUT they are very low voltage diodes. If you have a variable voltage DC power supply try connecting the LED (with a resistor of course) and turning up the voltage. I will guess you will see the same thing at...

Not sure what type of tree these come from but we have a big one in our backyard. Drops these all over the ground. The ones on the left have been spray painted green. Might do a Christmas Tree Farm on my hill:-D

Ace hardwaare site shows 50' of "Bell Wire" at $7.95. I am sure you could find more for the same price or the same amount for less at other stores. It is solid 20 gauge. This is 100 feet total as it is two conductor (Red & White). I have found that this works great for feeders. Push up...

I was hesitant to change to handlaid double crossovers due to the wiring problems associated with having solid frogs. After running the Walthers ones for awhile I have noticed that they still short out when the wheels cross the frogs. I am planning on detecting the current on the approach...

50HZ is fine but it would have to work @ 240v in Europe. You said 110 but not if it would work with higher voltage. ...Jim

I would look for a "brick" style power supply. I think it was a deal but I just bought a 4.2 AMP 12VDC out brick that is 100>24o volt 50>60 hz input. It was a local surplus store. Asjed $5.00 but I talked him down to $4.00 without the cord. ( I have LOTS of those from old computers) Since...

Why not use flex track?

The spiked sewing wheel sounds like the best suggestion. The first way seems like a waste of glue and I am not sure I would want paper under the track or other area. ...Jim

Sid, Thanks - Your comments make a newbie proud. Russ, I agree and do plan on making some changes. Just wanted to post the first version to show the advantages of locating the pivot away from the edge of the opening. My thoughts include using wood or plastic and having some "bumps" on...

Andrew, The UHMW plastic looks perfect for the job. Considering the number of uses I have found for the HDPP plastic (appears to be very similar) I rescued from the trash, on a daily basis, from a business near my work 15 years ago I am sure you will find additional ways to use it. ...jim

I used a "pin" pivot just below the table level but back a few inches from the opening. This allows the track to overlap the connection and meet on a single surface, Since the angle of the track motion on the left side is only about 7 degrees from vertical you can cut it at a very slight angle...

The base and pivots are made of high density polypropylene plastic. If I didn’t have a bunch of scrap I obtained years ago I would probably use pieces of hardwood. The pivots need to be thick enough to keep the wire up to the points straight. Mine are about 0.5 inches thick. I wouldn't go...

Does this help?