Quote from: pdlethbridge on March 24, 2009, 03:40:48 AM
Watch it Rick! I'll break your stick

Hey pd - you'll have to wrangle with my "attack Bassett Hound" Daisy first.  If you're successful I'll not write again...till I get a new stick.

Ain't it about your nap time?   

I found everyone likes their particular brand turnouts.  That's good - I'm looking for what brands and why if possible.

Again, not using EZ Track or EZ Track turnouts, what brand do you prefer and what brand switch do you like & use.  I found you like Peco, Shinohara, Atlas and are even making your own handlaid turnouts.

Do you use wired & powered ready-to-go switches on your turnouts?  How about turnouts then adding switches to them?  I priced Atlas, Peco and Shinohara powered & unpowered at a train only hobby store today located East of the Tulsa area about 55 miles from me.  Turnouts were reasnable but turnouts and the  switch of your choice (separate) were more expensive than powered turnouts.

I'll more than likely go with powered ready-to-wire turnouts.  More than likely Atlas.  Finding willing fingers as Spring & Summer comes on will be a tougher thing to do.  Oddly enough folks out here in rural OK would rather be out on a lake or just out fishing or swimming, playng golf or recreating in some other way after they've taken care of their livestock than leaning over an HO track setup in progress.
Imagine that...


Thanks for your input-
Okie Rick



                 

You fellers are going to learn the hard way that Bob hasn't ever stopped carrying his belly gun.  He gets testy around suppa time... 


Okie Rick

Chuck,

That's the same combination I went with - TSU-1000 and my Bachmann Loco.  I added sound to a 2-10-2 Light Steam.  The sound is fair - I put a 1" diameter speaker in and will try a larger oval speaker when I order parts.  It doesn't come across as loud as my DCC With Sound Proto 2000 Series or Broadway Limited Steam locos but I haven't 'fiddled' with the different CV sound adjustments.  I would like a little more volume out of the Bachmann.

This was my first upgrade but not my last for sure.  I need to spend some money on track and layout - not locos.

Okie

I'm not using EZ Track or any EZ track turnouts - just NS 80 together with turnouts and will be using NS 100 for my inner switch yard(s) turnouts.

I'm pondering on using a switch and accessory panel based on the one used by RickWilson - http://www.willnet.mine.nu:8083/images/misc/100_2118.jpg

Who makes good turnouts - who makes the best for less?  Any no-name brands that work good for less money than brand names?


Thanks-
Rick

Rick,
Are you using EZ track and EZ turnouts?  I'm not using either right now (and won't on my own setup in progress). I have my EZ Command set up on my great nephew's small oval inside a larger oval with two turnouts.  Are your switches push button or flip type?  I'm using mix-n-match NS 80 and have lots of non DCC turnouts.  Your switch panel looks like something that would work for me alot easier that using the EZ Command or my Dynamis Wireless Control system. 

I'm operating my trains with a mouthstick - a "one point and work" solution to being paralyzed from the armpit area down.  If you can imagine using only one finger to poke, flip and turn things with you can easily see where I'm coming from.

The close proximity of all your switches looks very handy.

Quote from: RickWillison on March 22, 2009, 04:00:08 PM
I decided against using my DCC controller for my turnouts and crossovers as I will not be able to controll my locos and switches at the same time unless I use 2 controllers one for locos one for accys.
I purchased a seperate 16vac power supply to run my control panel
Here is a link to a pic of my controll panel
I used SPST (on)-off-(on) momentary switches
I am adding lights to show which direction the track is in soon

http://www.willnet.mine.nu:8083/images/misc/100_2118.jpg

Thanks-
Okie Rick

Will you guys forgive me for not being prototypical while I run my Steam Locomotives?   

Okie...who's never seen a ribbed back wheel in real life or on tv.

I never had a ride let alone a meal on a train.  But we've uncovered traces of Harvey Girls while digging, plowing, cleaning up areas and metal detecting here on our land that the A.T.S.F. cut in half with it's right of way.

We originally had 90 acres given to my mothers grand mother as a Cherokee Land Grant.  It's stayed in the family since late 1800 - early 1900. there were several dwelling houses built along the tracks that have been lost to time, fire and storms.  A butcher's workplace was once located here also.

No trains ever stopped here except for the ones that hit cows or horses on the tracks or the people killed at each mile road.

However we have unearthed Harvey silverware - very heavy knives, forks and spoons while turning over the ground by the right of way.  We're not for sure if this area north of Tulsa (just 11 miles south of Kansas) was ever serviced by Harvey Girls or the people living in the pump houses, rent houses, etc. that were once here purchased this and lost it or had it given to them.  There is a movie about the Harvey Girls and they are a staple in Westward Expansion History.  A short history can be found here.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/womens_history/98683

The eating utinsels have a large H engraved into each piece.  Occasionally a piece or two will find it's way to ebay.


Rick

Is it a Bachmann DCC Onboard or been converted to DCC or DCC with sound?

I added Tsunami sound to a 2-10-2 Light steam.  Default for the Tsunami is DCC only.  CV29 needs changed to 6 to get Dual Mode or DC / DCC.  That was after the Sound addon.

Rick

Thanks for pointing it out richG.

Okie

Bach-man,

Do you have a pdf version of the user manual to the Dynamis System for d/l?  It would sure make things easier for some of us less able to pull it out of it's notebook and thumb through it.

Rick
-

BestSnowman,

A search on ebay will usually give you and idea about hat your locomotive is worth.  But that may not be what it's worth to you.

I was mouthsticking through a Walthers catalog and found an NCE decoder for Bachmann Diesel Locomotives.  It is item # 524-139 - BACH/DSL replacement DCC decoder for Bachmann diesel locomotives.  I called NCE and asked about this "BACH/DSL" item to see what it would replace.  It is a "one size fits all" DCC board for Bachmann diesel locos except for their newest releases. 

I asked if it would work as a DC to DCC conversion board and was told it would.  You'll need about 5-5/8" x 3/4" in which to work.  The only thing I'm concerned bout in your case is the type motor you have in your F9.  Check the NCE website to look it over and d/l pdf file.  It's $19.95.

I would for sure ask Yampa Bob and / or Jim Banner before investing in this.  The instalation consists of two headlight solder joints, two motor solder joints and two tail light solder joints (if you have a tail light).

                 

Good luck-
Rick

When I first signed on this forum and explained that it had been a long time since I'd done anything with HO gauge and that I was disabled but still seeking information re: adding sound to a DCC equipped steam locomotive I was welcomed to the forum by most everyone.  It was Yampa Bob who replied first with a message filled with information.  I learned I wasn't the only disabled person here - that there was someone recovering from a stroke, another with not so good eyesight and others.

The next day in my email there was a message from Bob - a personal welcome and was told not to hesitate in asking him Q:'s via email.  Together we got the sound added to the locomotive and I learned a lot about more than DCC sound.  There was a period here when some folks were right down testy & full of hot air.  The gentle old bear had thoughts of leaving here but held on to weather the storm.

Thanks for putting up with my badgering questions Bob.  Your assistance is always appreciated.

Okie Rick
-

Long and short, No. 

If you're looking for more control invest in another handset.

I got my Dynamis System off ebay last week.  I'm in the process of re-building an 4'x8' flat layout.  I bought the E-Z Command system to see how DCC works.  I was able to operate (with a little help)* my Proto Steam Loco, a Bachmann 2-10-2 Steam loco and a Bachmann 2-10-0 Russian Decapod Steam loco at one time.

* = I'm disabled, paralyed from the armpit area down - my keyboarding and operating train controls is done with a mouthstick - a 1/4" piece of dowel rod with a rubber end attached to it.

I had the E-Z Command disconnected and removed.

Enter the Dynamis - in a never ending search to find the easiest way to controll 4-6 locomotives with the end of a 1/4" dowel rod (my mouthstick) I researched the Dynamis system and found some things are easier - like picking out a particular loco on the track to control by using the joystick left or right movement.

No wires! 
With my controller velcroed to my tray I was able to elevate my power chair as to look down on my simple small oval inside a larger one and get a birds eye view.  I also moved from one end of the layout to the side without loss of control due to wireless signal drop.

It is different in getting started - Emergeny Stop Button first then start yor trains. 

You can program CVs but I'm a long way from being there.

Most of the information seems to be coming from the U.K. - here are a couple of FAQ and answer sites.



Contents:
- DynamisWireless Handset with backlit LCD screen
- Dynamis Command Station including wireless signal receiver
- Transformer
Features:

    * Entry point for the Dynamis DCC system. Control trains and accessories via simple menus.
    * 9999 Digital locomotive addresses can be controlled.
    * Direct control of 25 accessory decoders each capable of controlling up to 4 points each.
    * Allows main track programming of decoder CV values.
    * Locomotive database for name or icon assigning.

http://www.dynamisdcc.co.uk/index.php?lang=en

http://www.dynamisdcc.co.uk/faqs.php?lang=en

http://www.dynamisdcc.co.uk/answers.php?lang=en


If you find out different let me know.
Okie

Are / were ribbed back wheels ever put on prototypes?


If not, why are they made?


If they are / were, what purpose do they serve?



...jus curious...
Rick