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Cabdriver Look for something like forward and reverse trim in your decoder manual. If it has such an option you can tune the forward and reverse running characteristics.

Your solution would be not to shorten them but find a way to "add lightness". I'm not familiar with the cars but substitution of lighter components and improving the rolling qualities of the trucks should serve your purposes better.

Ok just try not to exceed about 32" reach - a lot depends on the layout height.

Another thought on wiring. I rushed a little and tried to run trains thru an auto-reverser that also is supposed to throw the turnout before I had in adequate feeders. I had all sorts of erratic results which went away once I got in all the feeders per reccomendations.

One possibility is to see if you can duplicate it or part of it with stock wood (or styrene) and parts. That you'll get the building experience and not mess up the kit it something goes awry.

That 'splains it. I'm doing somewhat the same. Modeling about a 20 mi streach of mainline with (hidden) reversing/staging loops at each end.

The track cleaning has been answered so I'll attack nos 1 & 3. 1. Twisting avoids "crosstalk" between parallel cables. If you only have one, it's not a problem. But for most, with main bus, power district busses etc there is chance of crosstalk that the twisting avoids. 3. Turnouts with...

I'm really having a hard time evaluating the images you've posted. If you could provide a link or something to view a larger image it would be much easier. Try to scan it rather than taking a pic with a digital camera (which is what I assume you did) so it will be flat, not distorted, and...

I think most of the bugs are worked out and we have a fairly "universal" system There are differences, however which may lead you to one over another. The best way to choose is decide how YOU want to operate and how much equipment you will be using. Cost alone should not be the only factor as a...

Nice job both on the layout and presentation on your web site. Don't take this too critically, but the alternate routing allows for trains going back thru a scene the opposite direction - something I avoid. I like to keep my left-right/north-south orrientation pure. That is MY choice. If what...

I know it's a personal choice but there is more than the $ involved. Time considerations are valid too and to me time spent on old stuff (that you'd probably get rid of eventually) is time wasted. There is no need to rush to build a giant fleet at once. Pick a quality level you're comfortable...

To me it depends on what you're trying to protray. I want the open spacious effect so am trying NOT to jam too much track in. Urban scenes could justify more trackage, structures etc. I have one area approx 13' wide and tapering from 7' to 4' that will only have a single track S-ing thru -...

I wired my friend's layout for DC and he's now going to DCC. I did not follow the current DCC recommendations and he apparantly has no problems. If (and I am) doing DCC starting out, I would (and am) following Allan Gartner's advice. I have a fair sized layout (13' x 32') with some wire runs to...

A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Old low end rolling stock and structures will limit your modeling. I would recommend getting rid of them if you can and spend your time and money on something finer and better detailed. Choice depends on what you plan to protray and the era. IMHO...

Robin: the layout is HO and the chain link fencing is Walthers. A little delicate but the nicest I've ever seen.

I like the idea of a steel service center or steel fabrication shop as we called it on my friend's layout. The main bldg is a kitbashed City Classics and overhead crane a Walthers but with the bridge replaced with girders from an N-scale Micro Engineering deck plate bridge.

3DPlanIt is a 3D CAD program. You draw etc in 2D but can put it into 3D mode to run trains, check angles & views etc. In 2D you can also check clearances (vertical and horizontal) minimimum radius check etc. All very valuable "testing" before building the layout itself. So far I "drifted" a...

Although there are others, Tony's Train Exchange http://tonystrains.com/ is a good one willing answer a lot of questions and pass on advice.

I'm not using terminators (at this time) either. So far the only "problem" I had was erratic performance from a TTX PS Rev but that was solved once I wired in adequate feeders.

Here we're talking length without mentioning wire gauge. Using larger (lower numbered) wire will allow for longer runs. I'm using #12 stranded and have runs (out and back) to about 64'. I don't think (don't really know) that terminal blocks will eliminate potential inductance but twisting will...