Jim and others. Sending DCC signals down the track is a nice idea. The problem is that if the track is dirty you lose your signalimple as that.  The better idea is using an R/C carrier and having the DCC as a signal component. Back in the early 70s another man and I did extensive experiments with battery operated R/C HO trains. It worked very well, the systemm was very simple, much like the Big Hauler's R/C unit but much more robust. That's whats needed. Hybrid drive might as well be battery operated for all of the trouble you go to.

I prefer my R/C system for outdoor. It can run off battery or track by throwing a switch. Just need a different crystal for another locomotive.

One other methiod for a garage or portable layout is to suspend it from the ceiling when not in use. I had a folding 4x8 layout when I was a kid that went up against the wall when not in use.  Some fellows use door hinges to ensure accurate fit when sections are put together.

2bdesign:

Buy him the locomotive he asked for. He will love you for it. The only downside will be when he tells you he needs a larger layout so he can have 34 inch radius curves.

The 2-10-2 is a fine runnung locomotive. The fellows are telling you so, the other locomotives are fine but those can wait until a birthday. My wife can tell you the same thing. She took up building scenery and small buildings and I love it. I do have to let her run the trains, however.

Jim (I can't decide which scale this week) Pasha

Is your real name Kurt Tank Jr? Your handle is a pretty high flying variant of the FW-190.

Many German war locomotives went to eastern bloc nations and some to Turkey where they ran for many years finally being retired in the 70s. To the best of my knowledge, used Kreigsloks were given in reparations. They were still active in Poland who copied them. Many were built in the Czhech works of Skoda, etc. I would guess that the Henschel locomotives in Brazil were shipped as new builds as the Brazilians bought many pieces of railroad equipment from Germany as well as the US. The design is probably the same 2-10-0 that was made for the military as it was not only a sound design but easy to maintain as steam locomotives go.

Nevin, the Seelars turntable from Freshwater Models is O scale. That makes it 120 feet long in HO. The smaller one is about 25 feet in ), so it's under 50 feet. You could build one using an Atlas turntable for motion. It will need to be about nine inches in length, the MDC locomotives are slightly longer than that so a ten inch turntable would be better.. The atlas mechanism automatically aligns at 12 degree intervals.  I use them to drive my Walthers 90 foot tables. Not a hard mod.

Guys, I have a fifty year old Varney Berkshire that pulls a lot more than the new Bachmann. It does not have DCC nor does it have much in the way of detail. Maybe we could get Lee and the team to copy the mechanisim and keep the superb detail. The new stuff is beautiful/ We just need superpower drivetrains.

Zubi,

I need you to contact me at my regular Email. I'm looking for Japanese locomotive models by Otaki. Rolling stock as well. I believe the scale is 1:50

Thanks,

Jim Pasha
japasha@aol.com

Shayman (Carl),

Hang in there. I'm looking forward to progress on both you and your layout. If you need anything, Hollar.

Jim Pasha
japasha&aol.com

The problem may really be grade. If you have an 18" radius set of track then the grade is about 5.7%. That's way too much for the 2-6-0. If you have 22 inch radius then you have a 4.5% or so grade with the normal over-and-under set.

I went out and checked my 3% grade and the 2-6-0 pulled five passenger cars up the grade before slipping. If you want a 5.7% grade, use the shay:))

I used Woodland Scenics foam ramps on my layout. I would use a piece of plywood under the foam to hold it in place. Do not use the 4% grade, use the 3% or less if you can.  You will find tht the 2-6-0 will only pull three passenger cars or five freight cars up the 3% grade. It's just liek the prototype, they rarely ran more than three passenger cars with one 2-6-0.

If you can, use 22 inch radius curves which will ease the resistance on the grade.

On the Varney/Bowser Old Lady, I put a MDC Harriamn boiler on one and it did look decent. I did one Old Lady and a Casey jones so I could have a ten-wheeler.  This was done in the early 80s and they looked good. There is some metal removal required for the return pipes for the cylinders...... mounting needs to be addressed but it can be done

Kevin,

Go to the Northwest Shortline site and look up replacement motors. They had one for most AHM locomotives.. The motors were problem. I have replaced most of mine with NWSL motors. They will not be cheap but they will work and they are either Sagami or anotehr Japanese quality brand.

The work involved is usually minimal.

You may also get a copy of Gerald Best's "Mexican Narrow Gauge" and go through the 30 inch gauge lines there. One had a 4-4-0 much like the upcoming Bachmann On30 locomotive. The consolodation is also in there as it was originally a Mexican narrow gauge locomotive,30 inch gauge. 

The Yosemite Short line  was also 30 inch gauge, it's rolling stock went to a logging line near Twain Harte.

Bob,

I understand your apprehension about ordering.

I live in Tennessee and I have a big problem ordering from my local hobbyshop in Knoxville. I have been ordering from St. Aubin's in Ilinois. I haven't had  problem and they are a stocking retailer of Bachmann trains in Large Scale and On30. Call them and talk to them. I have ordered Large Scale brass and had no problems. They will ship the way you want with trackers and all. That's the best way, get UPS or FedEx tracking on what ever you have shipped.  I know the place you had the problem with and I wouldn't buy from them.

Note the prices at St. Aubin, among the best for Bachmann and other brands.

An easy to work with material is Wallboard Compound. It isn't runny and will adhere to all foam products without any treatment. If you carve your foam, this stuff is like a finishing layer. A bucket costs about $6 and goes a long way. It can be carved to represent rocks or stonework. Been using it for 40 years and it is very inexpensive.  You can even put it over dry papertowels or newspaper.