Jonathan,

Why a Zener (as opposed to a regular diode with a higher PRV)?

What Zener voltage?

Joe

Nice job on the video, Mike !

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Bachmann's turnout controller and the #56 have the same functions:

1. Remotely control the points of a turnout with a momentary connection to its 3-wire twin-coil solenoid.

2. Leave an indication on the controller of the last position the points were set to.

The main rule for wiring the solenoids is "center wire remains center wire."

Look in the yellow pages under "computers-networking" for companies that install cat5 cable. 

They generally throw away or recycle lengths under 30 feet. 

They probably have a dumpster full. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik       

Hi, Beano.

DC block or DCC operation?

Does it light when you run in reverse?

Thanks.

Joe

Hi, Sully.

I suspect the distances between the nine controllers and the turnouts are longer than the supplied green cables. 

In that case, you would have to buy #44598 extensions, or lengthen the cables by cutting and splicing wires in between. 

You can use small wire nuts, crimp connectors, or solder and shrink tube. 

Scrap Cat5 cable would work to extend the lengths if the distances weren't too long.   

You can drill smaller diameter holes if the wide terminal ends don't have to go through your table.

You could hard wire in a competitor's #56 controllers (stripped wires under screw terminals) instead of using the wide Bachmann slide-on 3 wire connectors. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Hey, Dan.

Thanks for the kind words.

Actually, we both live in a pretty big neighborhood;

the entire English speaking world that's connected to the internet.   

If you understand the geometry and trigonometry of track laying,

you can accomplish a layout design without a CAD program,

(e.g., John Armstrong since the 1950's). 

The difference these days is that CAD programs do all that (math) for you visually. 

I've given suggestions to the program owner Dave H.,

and he's actually put some of them in on his updates !

Imagine that ! A few of my ideas are floating around in that awesome software...

Hope this helps.   

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

 

Fun with AnyRail:



HO N/S EZ-Track 18"R-22"R Folded Figure-8

(Twice Around?)

Small stuff:

*2 ea. 1.25" straights
*2 ea. 1.5" straights
4 ea. 18"R - 15 degree (half) curves
4 ea. 4.5" (half) straights.

The rest 18"R curves, 22"R curves, 9" straights and 30 degree crossing.

Note: A 36" straight is used in this drawing as a sub for four 9" straights.

Hope this helps.  

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Edit: *

*Note: With no ill effect, a 3" straight could be substituted for 1.25" + 1.5" on each loop.
(AnyRail target length = 2.84")

Dear Dan,

Download and use AnyRail.com track CAD software.  Free for the first 50 track pieces. 

Fun and easy to learn. 

You should be able to find a combination that works. 

Try 18"R half-curves (15 degrees each).

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik 

"Hey, Enrico, how you doin?  My girl broke my heart."

"Not too bad, Conrad.  Went to the cardiologist yesterday, had some chest pains. 

Getting used to it now, though."

Your mod looks nice, though I have a few thoughts:

1.  There are less visible black tie-wraps available. 

2.  Make sure the motor's ventilation is not blocked by the card wrapped around it.

3. Make sure the motor's flywheel is free to turn, and not interfered with by the card wrapped around it.

4. Since the motor body follows the rotation of the trucks, your crew will move back and forth (and forth and back) in the cab as you go around curves....

Great idea, though.  Wish I would have thought of it...

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik


 

Dear Rielag,

Here is a thread with a 18"-22" dual-oval 4x8 pictured:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,12474.0.html

Hope this Helps. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Hi, EJ.

Charlie at Model Train Classics in western Wisconsin can give you some advice. 

715-838-8858  Tu-Sat Noon-5p

http://www.modeltrainclassics.com/

I think he stocks Marklin track. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

 

Hi, Mark.

Ear bud question already answered in my previous post's first sentence.

Similar to inflating a small paper bag vs. inflating a large air mattress with your breath.   

2 HO scale miles is about 120 feet.  That's one impressive layout.

You'd have to have a different channel for each loco.

Multiple subwoofers along the route using signal strength (distance between transmitter and receiver) as volume control. 

Perhaps too complicated on a large layout.  Much simpler on a small layout using one subwoofer at a constant volume.

Large or small, much simpler to describe than implement.         

  Sorry about your having to move.  Even buying a house can be temporary if you end up having to move for your job.   

A deceased friend's family is talking about tearing out his (walk-in along-the-wall U-shaped 11' x 27' 3-Rail-O gauge) basement layout to sell the house.

It would be an asset if you could find a 3RO model train enthusiast as a buyer.

For many house buyers, though, it's not.   

All Gargraves track and switches (absolutely gorgeous compared to Lionel tinplate) ballasted down with Elmer's glue and grit.     

Beautiful murals painted on the walls.

His son suggested he make it modular (i.e., removable), but he didn't.

Hope your relocation goes smoothly.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Hi, Mark.

There is a lot less air to move in your ear canal than in a room. 

You should study acoustics and loudspeaker building. 

Put a receiver and sub-woofer under your layout,

then send your loco's sound signal to it using

a small, low power radio transmitter (modulator) mounted in the loco or tender.

Your ears (stereo hearing) can't easily locate the source of bass sounds,

while mid-range and treble sounds from the loco or tender speaker can

easily be followed.

This combo should then give you the auditory illusion of having bass sounds

coming from the loco.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik         

 

Dear All,

1/35 of 2 ft would be 0.6857",

which is fairly close to (5.3% wider than) standard HO gauge track (= 0.651").

Given the track and all the drive mechanisms available in HO, I would overlook the slightly narrower (22.8" vs. prototype 24") gauge.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Dear newguy,

Check to see if both the front and rear wheel sets are spinning in the same direction.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik