What about the mainstream, monthly publications?

I'm new to this hobby and was wondering what single publication (in terms of magazines) would you recommend in regard to HO model railroading?

The Bach Man suggested tape two or three weeks ago.  I bought ShurTape at Lowe's to use (1.44 in wide) for the track and wider tape to secure the Woodland Scenics inclines.

I just brought up the nails because of curiosity.

For me, tape is a better option.  It mitigates the "Oh, no.  What have I done" aspect of the job..

Someone else recommended nailing down EZ Track to secure it.  That individual pointed out that each piece of EZ track had still closed hole outlines to accommodate track nails.  All one needs to do is open the hole and drive a nail.

Into what?  Foam?  Will foam hold enough to make a difference?

Will double-sided carpet tape (Lowe's SureTape) work better?

Just wondering.

Do the nails need to be 9 inches?

Just kidding.

I've had my share of similar problems with EZ track.  One way to approach the problem is to isolate the problem. 

Run a locomotive slowly around the layout from the terminal.  When it stops, note the location.  Separate the track, and re-connect it.  If a straight piece is involved, simply turn it around.  make sure there's a smooth connection between pieces.  Make sure that the rail joiner has not slipped under the rail.  Make sure that the joiner is not deformed in any way.  It could be that in the process of running your layout (and especially if you didn't have it locked in place), you layout shifted enough to expose underlying problems connections.

The pros in this forum are free to correct me, but I assume that electricity will flow without interruption if the track isn't oxidized and if the joiners are actually appropriately joining the rails so that there is a flow of electricity.

Don't worry.  You'll get it right.

I'm afraid I don't have that many extra pieces of straight EZ track.  I have curved pieces though.

I still think the problem comes from a poor connection.  The right crossover has no problems.  As for the left, one of the two switches always works when I press the # that activates it.  The other switch in that left crossover has intermittent problems.  When trains cross it, the problem usually clears up.

I will take the pieces apart and put them back and see what happens.

I've already done that.  It programmed easily, but then demonstrated the problems I described.  I suppose I could disconnect it, run it to another terminal piece, and test it.  I could turn it over and wiggle the wires to see if a loose wire is the problem.

I seems unlikely that this crossover has the same defect as the one I sent back.

Good question.  I posted that awhile back and had a lot of good input such as that from jbrock. 

I have not as yet secured mine.  A lot of oxen have been in the ditch, but when my expanded layout is ready, I plan to use two-sided tape from Lowe's (Shurtape).  It's cheap, comes in several widths, and maybe most importantly, lends itself to changes in track position more easily.

Here's a link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_256904-14510-282640_4294715670__?productId=50037492&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

BTW, Bach Man's Yardmaster recommended it.

Thanks, Jim, for the clarification. 

You had commented a couple of weeks ago about Baker.  I watched all of his long video on operating his layout.  Very instructive.   I plan to watch all of his videos in time. 

I began watching the video you mentioned in this thread.  I think I'll be able to follow the details later. There's just so much to learn.  I'm just trying to work my way through it.

An old friend of mine--whom I haven't seen in awhile-- is a retired electrician and a semi-maven of things electronic.  I need get him to come over.

Quote from: jbrock27 on March 13, 2015, 10:46:46 PM
Moosie, 3 lead or 2 lead bi-color LEDs?

I'm afraid I need a Rosetta stone to get through this comment.

But the idea (as far as I can follow it) sounds terrific, being able to see how the switch is thrown.

To follow up, I'm having virtually the same problem with a replacement crossover.  I've replaced track on either side of the piece with no improvement.  I think it could be the wiring, but it's nothing I can detect.

MM,

I just posted the crossover question as a new topic.

Please read it if you have the chance.

I'm on my 2nd left crossover.  The first had a problem that, according to Bachmann's service department, was caused by a defective switch.  I sent it back to MB Klein, who sent a new one that has the same problem.  So I'm assuming that it's something that I've done wrong.

The problem: I programmed the crossover to respond to #4 on my DCC Command.  I used a separate piece of track to program the crossover. 

When I power up the layout, the problem crossover may or may not respond to the # 4 button (after I've pressed 9 and the yellow buttons).  If I run the train's through a time or two, the crossover works.  Then it may go out again.  What I mean is that almost always one of the two switches for the crossover will work, but the other is the one that will hang up.  If I manually adjust it a couple of times, it usually works for a few switches, or it may work and then stop again.

It sounds like a wiring problem, but nothing seems loose and I've checked the EZ Track on either side of the crossover.

The likelihood of both crossovers being bad is possible, but I feel, not likely.

It seems to be operator error.

I'd really welcome some help.

Have you had any difficulty with your left crossover?  My right works fine, but the left is temperamental.

Hey, Mr. Moose,

I've been following this thread off and on as I have worked with my Echo Valley.  I just moved my layout to larger environs because of the expansion factor. 

I really like your layout, and I admire the slow, steady process with which you've developed it. 

I am wondering about your switching control panel.

I have two crossovers and three turnouts.  I have 4 locomotives (not all running at once).  I'll admit I find it a challenge to think quickly enough (for example) to go through the combination of EZ Controller buttons to make a crossover switch, then a left turnout, then get one loco moving correctly, and keep another one from going astray.

I think your system of having them on a control panel makes considerably more sense.

Are all of them EZ Track?