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Remember that there are more systems than Digitrax, Atlas and MRC -- I, too, was interested in sound when I bought my system (as well as operating a Roco Crane) -- Comparing the ease of use for functions led me to the North Coast Engineering System (NCE). NCE is comparable to the higher end...

Be careful in assuming that a new engine is "over-lubricated" -- Some sit on the shelf long enough for the lube to dry out (and some were lubricated inadequately to start with). I run the engine, listen and look at all the easy, visable spots to see if something may be needed. If there is...

My dad broke the train he was going to give us a couple of days before Christmas. I think it was 1956 when we got that working American Flyer diesel and the broken steamer. My brothers and I had some fun with that for several years before all that adolescence stuff set in. ...then it was...

I've been using track power for my passenger cars for a few years now, first with DC now with DCC. With DC there was flicker, with DCC there is very little -- I think the AC nature of the power helps cut through dirt (also the fact that it's at full voltage level all the time, rather than...

You can get solder without flux, however you can't solder without flux. With solid solder, you must use external flux. Remember not to use acid flux with electrical connections, the acid combined with the current will eat the connection. And, yes it does build up on the tip and must be...

Besides what's already been said -- the electro-frog turnouts have no un-powered gap at the frog, ie. all wheels always have power. The Insul-frog has a gap at the points (of plastic), thus there is a point where a wheel crossing will not be powered. Admittedly, on the Peco Insul-frog, the...

I use a product called "Rosco Cinefoil" or known as "black wrap" -- it's a heavy black anodized aluminum foil that is used by TV/film lighting people to kill light leaks around lamps and to block and shape light. It's heavier than regular aluminum foil and holds it's shape better. Slightly...

I got one of the IHC Old Timers for my son for Christmas (heard that before, huh) -- anyway, I managed to fit one of the little Lenz decoders behind the motor in the tender. It is only rated 1/2A, but it's been doing OK so far. Of course, I also had to add a light in that huge lantern, which...

I've had good luck using lead flashing --available from most home supply stores as it is used for flashing around chimneys. It comes in sheets, and, since it's lead, it's easily cutable and bendable. For small areas I cut it small and stuff it into the space (I use Goo to hold it in place, so...

Just wanted to add a note to the adding engine weight part of this thread (as opposed to the superelevation part...) - If or when you add weight to the engine, make sure to keep it balanced -- the engine should balance on the center driver (or between the two center drivers). It's not always...

I love the hovering dog -- great effect -- and just where does one get pixie dust? The tornados were made two different ways: one was a flat board that spun to make the cylindrical appearance, the second was indeed cotton or batting twisted around an armature, it also spun. Various shades of...

In response to the DCC thread part -- I have NCE and am very happy. I have a small layout (5x11') and DCC makes it way more fun -- switching to allow more than one train was too much even for me -- but now my 6 yr old can drive alone!! Admittedly, DCC does involve a bit of electronics and...

I separated out individual strands of multi-strand hook-up wire to use for powerlines. By using wire I was able to create an authentic looking catenary (droop) and have had no troubles with breakage (but I must be careful in that area -- I have had to reglue some poles after some misplaced...

For my background "village" -- I used a hobby shop kit of two diameters of fiber (I have since acquired some actual communications fiber and it's way too thin to be of great use. I didn't treat the ends in any way, they just stick out of the foliage on the mountain backdrop. When viewed from...

I use 2" foam board to form mountains as part of my backdrop. Nestled in the mountains is a small village made up of various sizes of fiber optic strands, all connected to a 12 Volt bulb behind the backdrop. The various thicknesses give different sizes of bulidings and looks great. "Glass...