Thanks for the advice on running them a little dimmer.  I knew that the bulb would "work" at a lower volt, but was trying to run it at the level listed on the packaging of the product.  I will check out these options for getting power to my lighting.  All of your advice has been helpful for a second year layout builder. Thank you, Brian

 
I have added several street lights, buildings and parked cars that all have 16V AC lighting.  I am now tripping the breaker in my transformer and have to unplug it to get the lights back on.  Does Radio Shack or any other place make a 120V AC plug adapter for the wall to a 16V AC wire for my lighting?  I was once told to buy a bunch of old transformers and just use the accessory terminals on them to get the job done.  That just seems like too much extra clutter for my layout.  Looking to streamline the process.  Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Brian Foster
Hermitage, PA 16148

Hello, we no longer have these in stock as this is an older engine. The cost of the tyres is $.25 each for HO and $.25 for a pr of N scale. Thanks, Bridget

-----Original Message-----
From: Barb Graczykowski
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 8:56 AM
To: 'Customer Service ([email protected])'
Subject: FW: HO traction tires


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am not sure how in the first sentence it states that they are no longer in stock and in the second sentence states a price.  If it is no longer available, then the second sentence should state that there are replacement traction tires that will fit the engine and they are $0.25 each.  Will the $0.25 tires work?  I don't think I got the correct answer.

I sent in a Service Email last week requesting that information. 
Hope to hear back from them soon.

You mentioned calling them directly.
What is the best number to call and the best time to call it? 

How would you describe what I am trying to ask the sales person for so they understand?   

I figured that someone on here could point me in the right direction.  Asking on the Bachmann Trains website seemed to be the best place to start.  Maybe someone else on here will be able to locate me a part number for those traction tires.  It looks like I could use traction wheels on one side of each axel as they are grooved out for the rubber liner.  A same model diesel on Ebay had the traction tires on only one axle, but it was both the left and right sides.
So I don't know if I could use 4 tires and load the wheels up or use liners only in the grooved wheels.  I'll use two to start and see how she runs.

Thanks for the help!

Brian

Bachmann EMD F9 Diesel drive wheelsets


I have an older Bachmann Chessis System EMD F9 Diesel train that is in need of rear drive geared axels.


The ones that are on it now no longer have the rubber lining around the wheel.  Hence it has no ability to drive forward.  The engine spins its wheels. 

Can someone help me out? 
Looking for a part number and a price.

Thank you.

Brian Foster
Hermitage, PA 16148
(724) 301-0401

Thanks everyone for your replies!

As you can see in my original track photo,
I have 2 DC trains running on a 4x9 board.
I wasn't looking for a DCC changeover or
instructions on how to block the track sections.
Though if I decide to do that, you have several great ideas.

I was simply looking for more layout designs for
2 DC railways on a 4x8 or 4x9 board.
Thinking that DC was the only type of train at one point,
that there maybe a resource of layouts for my situation.

Thanks again for all your input.
I will continue to seek advice from the Board!

Brian Foster
Hermitage, PA

Those layouts on AtlasRR looked pretty cool.  Can you run two DC trains on them at the same time?

As you can see by my current layout, they are seperate tracks with seperate DC power packs.

Can I connect those two systems together with switches and still be able to run the trains seperately?  I don't think I can do that with DC trains.

I just don't get how to make more of my layout with just DC trains that have their seperate rail systems.  I was looking for layouts designs that had seperate, independent rail lines that fit on a 4x8 / 4x9.

The layout in my picture has 3 seperate trains.
Where can I find designs like that?

Thanks for your help.
The Board has been a great asset to create my current layout.

Are there any good websites / links / books that have detailed layouts that fit on 4x8 boards that support two trains running off of two power packs?     I have used the standard long oval inside another long oval, but was wondering how to improve upon that.  I was trying to stay away from the figure 8's.  Maybe something with some switches to other railways or maybe just to dead ends?  Thanks, Brian 

I currently have this layout on a 4x9 using 3 trains. (2 ovals, 1 circle)

The connections on both my power packs are all established "plugs"
and not terminals for bare wires to be connected. 

The gray controller has two posts for accessories
that bare wires could be attached. 

I can go to Radio Shack for a splitter connector
to plug a the feeder line into the transformer as well
as the original terminal line. 

I thought that these were HO scale buildings when I purchased them.  The dealer had smaller N scale houses as well, but when held next to each other, there was a difference.

More technical background....
Here are the power supplies I have:






Anyone free free to jump in on this line of questions:

1. I had thought you could divided the power from the power pack and insert another terminal piece of track on the opposite corner to split the juice to the entire track.  Since my controller uses plugs instead of bare wires, I would go to Radio Shack and purchase a splitter and run a second red line to the far corner of the track and insert another terminal piece of track.

You can see my simple rectangular oval could have a second terminal placed in the opposite corner.



2. Instead of a piece of terminal track, it was suggested that I use there rail joint terminals....

But I would have to figure out how to get that spliced into the wires I am running from my power pack.

3. Another alternative to soldering is to use LGB's graphite paste (51010) in the rail jointers.  Can I purchase this at Lowe's or Home Depot, or is this a hobby only related item?

4. Power packs:  As you can see I have the next step up from the "chipmunk in the wheel" power supplies. These are the hobbies bottom models.  More power from the transformer to the layout could fix the slowing down and light dimming in my engines.  What would be a moderate power level I should be purchasing?  Any suggestions on a mid-level model to purchase?  At what Amp / Volt should I consider?

5. Sodering sounds really fun.... meticulously soldering every joint.  If I could figure out a wiring fix or buying a bigger transformer to supply power all the way around, I'll try that first.  Does that present a practical solution?

I would like to thank the folks that have taken the time to post responses to these questions.  As someone that has just made my first attempt at the hobby as you have seen in my pictures, the encouragement of those comments has keep me excited about continuing this adventure.
THANKS AGAIN!

What are feeders and how could I use them with a DC power pack?

What are bumbers?

I understand about keeping the soder off the top of the rails.

The Story of my layout....










And it continues.... to this day with adds and extras.

Part 2:
Sodering track.
I have this layout glued down in a few spots to secure it to the board.
But the conductivity of the rails seems to be weak in a few areas.
Would sodering a few of the joints between the track pieces make a difference? If so, how would someone do that effectively?

Thanks in advance for your time with this inquiry!
Brian
Hermitage, PA 16148

Just getting started on my layout.
Tons of trees and bushes left to add.
I haven't secured any of it down yet
as I keep changing what I want to the
layout to look like when I am done.

Question: 
I wanted to know how to get lights and accessories
running on my layout.

Only one of my power packs has accessory terminals.
I was wondering if an "accessories only" power pack was available.
Or could anyone suggest an economical power
pack that is great with accessories?

I don't have much of a budget this year for my layout.

Thanks,
Brian Foster
Hermitage, PA 16148