Brad,

Very inspiring, I see a great deal of time and obvious enjoyment in building to this stage.

I for one would like to hear more about your operating scheme.

Great job, keep it up.


Tom

Unfortunately, mine won't stimulate model trains too many higher priority items I'm afraid.

And I am proud to say I was raised in the twilight of steam and the dawn of diesels.

Tom

Ray,

Irecall a plan in Model Railroader several years ago on a modern shortline that would work reasonably well in this space as it suggested two switchers one working one end of the area and then the crew switching to the other to work the other.

Due to some other utilization of the area I have available I will  have to build high - 58 to 60 minimum.  This gives me some qualms about accessibility for uncoupling cars and throwing switches.

By the way, I can stretch out 16' in length but due to the height might need to stick with 2' in width.

Tom

I am certain that someone on this informed forum can point the way to a web based source of track plan ideas.

I know that only so much can be done on a shelf, but there maybe some possibilities I am overlooking.

If running in a circle is boring, going back and forth is doubly tiring.

Tom

Many moons ago, Bachmann had a B&O Mikado that was for all intents and purposes a Reading 2-8-0 that hand a trailing truck and Vanderbilt tender. This would have been made in the mid to late 1970's.

I had both the 2-8-0 and the 2-8-2, in fact I just came across the tender this afternoon. It might make a good water storage car for a early diesel era work train as I recall a work train kept on a siding on the C&) in Covington, Va using a Vanderbilt into the 1960's.

Tom

I am considering acquiring one of these switchers instead of attempting to install decoders, sound boards and speakers on my own. However, before I invest around $160.00 on such a purchase, will this locomotive operate satisfactorily on the E-Z Command? I seem to recall some threads expressing problems with Broadway-Limited and E-Z.

Tom

If it is any consolation,it is not just Dynamis that will not allow you to run a DC locomotive. None of the MRC Prodigy controllers will allow a DC to operate.

EZ Command will allow one DC locomotive and Digitrax will allow a DC locomotive to operate on address 0. With either system the DC locomotive is not too Happy.

Tom

Snowman,

A Pere Marquette berkshire was the last steam engine I saw running on the C&O in about 1954-1956, several decades later there were steam specials using both a Reading T-1 and C&O Greenbrier.

Although the PM had been merged into them C&O a lot of engines were never re lettered due to equipment trusts.

Have fun with your steamer and thanks to both you and Bachmann for refreshing the memories of a 10-12 year old.

Tom B

Basically all that is required is two wires, to bring power from the controller to the track.

That was/is the case with convectional DC layouts also.

In both case, the problem is that the power will be more uniformly distributed with multiple connections.

DCC has not really changed anything from the basic precips in the classic wiring manuals from Atlas or Model Railroader one or the other of these should be in every modelers basic library

The exception with DCC is the elimination of block wiring for multiple train operations.

Boomertom

I have been exploring sound decoders with the idea of adding sound to a Proto 2000 GP38-2.

This is a DCC Ready locomotive that has the necessity of changing to 12 volt light bulbs or installing resistors.

Digitrax has a decoder designed for the P@K that replaces the existing PC Board and has the appropriate lighting modifications included for approximately $27.00. It is soundbug compatible.

What can anyone tell me about the soundbug ? Will it produce a reasonable likeness to a non-turbo charged 645 engine? Does this offer a means to add sound as budget permits ?

Tom

What Spectrum steam is available that is DCC on Board but not sound equipped?

Boomertom

Soundtraxx also has the 645 not turbo charged available in the Tsunami series.

I have been curious if anyone has any experience with the MRC diesel sound decoder and what locomotives it might approximate if you are not a nitpicker?

Tom

Is that oceanfront property at 7,000 feet ?

Tom

Bob

I all ways look up at you -6,988 feet above.

The little Plymouth would noy be an easy decoder install, and as for

sound. where would you put a speaker ?

Yet, there are still many model rails who prefer analog operations.

BoomerTom

I meant to say the N&W version would represent the J-1, the first ever mountain built. Even the three engines in this class received the flying pumps and a Vanderbilt tender in the rebuilds of the early 1930"s.

So to model a C&O Mountain in the popular post WW2 era, the flying pimps would be required.

Checking C&O Power I see no indication that any of the G Class Consol ever received Vanderbilt Tenders.