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I think your best bet is to get a good book like Dave Frary's book on Realistic Model Railroad Scenery. I think that Lou Sassi has a new book too. Dave's book has sure made my MRR life a lot easier and I'm sure improved the quality of my scenery.

There's one on eBay with the same road number, 4073. Search for "Union Pacific 4-6-2". Yours appears to be in much better condition. Hope this helps,

Here's another discussion of the MRC systems: http://www.railroadforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5167

Bob and Ray! :) Those DCC auto-reversing gizmos work great with a DCC layout, but not with a DC layout. Also they don't work with a DC loco running on a DCC layout, only with decoder equipped locos. The DC loco will just go back and forth in the loop.

I just received my Walthers DB from Trainworld yesterday. It looks pretty nice to me, except for the several dozen grab irons that need to be installed. It runs well on DC so I reckon that I'll try to put a decoder in pretty soon. It will provide a little passenger and freight service under...

Here's one of my favorites: http://www.yosemitevalleyrr.com/dbledeck.htm :)

Dunno. Ian has the PR1 software. I would think that you would program the sounds by setting CVs and the Atlas will do that fine. But I don't have sound so you'd better wait for some "sound" advice from someone with experience. Or look at the Soundtraxx manual...I hear that they are pretty...

The Atlas system is made by Lenz and is compatible with Lenz equipment and ALL NMRA decoders. The Commander is limited to 2-digit addresses (my main complaint) and has 5 functions which is probably enough for the Soundtraxx drop-in decoder but limits you for more advanced sound applications...

Devon, I use the Atlas DCC system and like it a lot. But I don't have sound. Atlas has a problem programming BLI sound decoders but Tony's sells a programming track "booster" (PowerPax) that will solve that problem. I don't know if there is a problem with the Soundtraxx drop-in decoder...

Hi Bob, Here's a recent thread on Doodlebugs that may be of interest: http://www.railroadforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5575 I just ordered the 60' Walthers DB (Couldn't resist the price!.) Apparently the Bachmann is about 10' longer. The Walthers is available at TrainWorld for...

Devon, As you can see from the plan, the left end of my layout is a 4X6 module. It's connected to the other end by a 9' X 18" "shelf. I too was working with space limitations (which have now relaxed after construction is almost complete. :rolleyes: ). Anyway it supports some short-line...

I'll second this suggestion. I found a second battery for my Cannon (Amazon, I think) for about $10. Now I've always got a "fresh" battery and don't have to carry, or mess with, an adapter. :thumb: Of course you could probably find an adapter at Amazon also. Have fun!

DCC, a long journey but not necessarily a difficult one. Basementdweller about has it down. Just take your time and try to handle some systems. I think that all of the systems are pretty reliable and easy to install at this date. You'll probably have to spend at least $200 to get started...

Bob, Looks interesting. :thumb: I think I see a couple of reverse loops (a good thing!). Those 3' wide "dog-bone ends" will yield some pretty sharp curves if I read it right. Just comments. Thanks for showing us your plan and keep us posted please! :wave:

Thomas can be made to run pretty well with DCC but he's still finicky about dirt. A new MRC DC pack would probably make all of your trains run better. Have fun,

Mike, I used and liked the free Right Track software from Atlas.

Steve, There are a couple of photos and some narrative on installing a decoder in an IHC/Mehano 4-8-2 on my website. Maybe it will help. http://www.trainweb.org/silversanjuan/Page3/Page15.html This has turned out to be one of my better running locos. Email me if you have any questions.

As a rookie I've only used Atlas code 100 and Atlas code 83. I much prefer the code83 and think that it is easier to work with. It's easy to mix the code 81 and code 100 since Atlas has made them the same height at the railhead, but I would stick with the code 83 all the way. I used some...

Mike, If you have nice hardwood floors it must be a nice room. Maybe you could use nice "furniture-style" legs on your layout. (These are made from stair balusters and have a plastic "coaster" at the bottom.) I don't know your plan but you might consider "shelves" mounted on the...

Martin, I think that you want to be sure that there is no continuity between any part of the motor and the metal frame. Like some of the old Athearn locos (They can be insulated.) Since most locos pickup via the wheels there will be continuity between the wheels and the motor terminals...