A complete explanation of those stupid labes can be found on the Aristo-Craft site at:

http://www.aristocraft.com/articles/warning%20label/index.html

Basically California passed a law that can have major impacts on businessess that don't do business in California if one of their customers brings a product into California that doesn't have one of these labels on it. Even though they aren't required in the state where the company does do business. Why this Feds haven't stepped all over this, as it affects interstate business, I have no idea.

Len

Chance,

Both the Atlas and Kalmbach books explain how to create electrical blocks for DC operation of two, or more, trains. It's actually not that hard to start out with DC, and then add a DCC controller either. Even with DCC the electrical blocks can help isolate problems.

Len

Both Kalmbach and Atlas have a number of books and brochures available with small layouts (4x6 & 4& allowing two train operation.

You can also download the free RTS software from the Atlas web page and plan your own layout. The only major differences between the Atlas track geometry and EZ-Track is the 30deg crossing, and the starting point of the curved diverging rail in the remote switches. But that's fairly minor.

You can get a quick look at the sectional track layouts in the Atlas books at:

http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/index.htm

Some additional layouts using Tru-Track, similar to EZ-Track are at:

http://www.atlasrr.com/WebTrue-Track/index.htm

Len

Using a 90deg crossing you will need:

90deg Cross - 1
3in straights - 8
9in straights - 4
18inR curves - 18

Attach a 2in straight included with the 90deg crossing to each leg.
Attach two 3in straights to each leg.
Attach one 9in straight to each leg.
Connect nine 18in radius curves between two adjacent legs of the crossing.
Connect the remaining 18in radius curves between the remaining legs of the crossing.

You now have one each figure-8 that will fit on a 4'x8' sheet of plywood if you are so inclined.

Len

These all sound like great ideas, but...they are all things that will add to the cost of these locos if implemented.

And one of the things that made Williams attractive to many people, including myself, was the fact you got a great running basic locomotive for much less than "the other guys" that often included things you may not have needed just to get the loco you wanted.

Please don't drive off the primary customer base for Williams equipment by turning it into clones of everyone elses stuff.

Len

"The EZtrack system is not exclusively for DCC"

Actually, when used to cross between two loops the #6 crossover was designed specifically for use on DCC layouts. If you want to run seperate trains on each loop on a straight DC layout, the crossover has to be modified to add the appropriate isolation gaps in the rails and under roadbed connections.

How to do this gets asked fairly often here, and The Bach-man points people to David Harrison's web page. What I don't understand is why, as this has been getting asked almost since the day the crossovers were first released, Bachmann doesn't include the instructions in the box?

Or better yet, manufacture it with the gaps in place for DC operation, and include jumpers for those using DCC to bridge the gaps with.

Len

Chuff,

Where are you getting this, "To start with, most of today's power supplies are DCC, not DC, and it reads in AC on a multimeter.", from??

That doesn't jibe with the monthly sale report for the LHS my repair shop is colocated with. It shows for every DCC system they sell, 6 to 8 DC power packs go out the door.

While there are a lot more DCC users than there used to be, they are by no means the majority of HO and N model railroaders.

Len

Chuff,

I don't think DC is going anywhere for quite a while. DCC is still a relatively small part of the hobby. And there are too many folks out there, especially beginners, that don't want to deal with the cost and/or complexity of DCC. And by 'complexity' I don't mean the wiring, I mean the decoder installation and programming.

Len

After all this time, I still don't understand why Bachmann doesn't include instructions on how to convert these cross-overs for non-DCC use in the box.

Len

Personally, I'm taking a liking to the Atlas TruTrack. It has Code83 track, which looks better to my eye, and the track is removable from the roadbed. So if a piece gets damaged I can buy a pack of Atlas Cd83 track and swap out the damaged piece.

And most important of all, 2" straight pieces are available without having to buy a 90deg crossing to get them. This opens up a host of layout plans that just can't be done with EZ-Track because you end up with 2" gaps all over the place.

Len

The "Thomas" coupler shown in the picture is for a Large Scale ("G") size locomotive. The hook & loop couplers used on the HO/OO sized Thomas equipment are somewhat different in look and mounting methods.

Len

I installed a TCS M1 decoder in an IHC Premier "Pacific" without doing anything major to it.  The motor power connectors are isolated from the chassis, but one lead was common with a headlight lead. It wasn't a major operation to isolate it.

Len

Frisco & Andre,

Thanks for your support on this request. I believe a Spectrum quality 'Prarrie' is long over due.

Len

To get things a bit back on track (no pun intended):

Maybe the 2-6-2's were a niche loco, so were the Y6a's & Y6b's. That doesn't mean people (like myself, and others with small layouts) won't buy them if a decent one is produced.

Len

Roger,

I already have enough IHC 2-6-0's that I've 'super detailed' over the years. What I would like is some decent 2-6-2's for my layout.

Len