Well before we go switching wires 'round, make sure that is actually the problem. I've had bad experiences with switching wires...

I have an odd medley of EZ-couplers and X2F (aka Horn Hook) couplers, and I don't set speed limits on my layout. Fast, faster, and fastest is how we roll here! 

The EZ couplers are great for slower layouts. Horn hooks are best for speed. However, I can say that I've only had a train separate at an EZ to EZ section when someone took a switch too fast. ON the mains and up/down the grades, both the EZs and X2Fs stay connected.


If you're wondering how I have this sort of medley, I have some railcars that have an EZ on one end and a Horn hook on the other. Works for me!

You have an interesting issue. Never heard anything like it. I don't think it has to do with polarity, though.

Quote from: Terry Toenges on February 23, 2023, 10:42:33 AMI live almost right next to the track. It's Park Hills now but it used to be Flat River.

I've driven past your house quite a bit then, ha. My dad loves the MoPac so we follow the old lines whenever we're up there.

Before I go any farther, we're talking Park Hills, MO, correct? Near Desloge, MO? Or somewhere else?

Quote from: trainman203 on February 19, 2023, 12:13:27 PMI bought a 4–8–2 to run on that layout, then four mikados. Then a couple of pacifics. Naturally right after I bought the Pacifics, the last ones of the bunch, the club closed and was torn down.  The only place left to run them was at home. And I rarely do it, because of the cabs hangover too far when going around certain curves and through sharp switches. I do use them as switchers in the yards on either end because supposedly that is mainline trackage where my branch intersects to go out Into the backwoods. But their days of hauling 40 and 50 car freights are over.

Wanna sell any of those mikados or pacifics? Ha.


Those stupid brass locos are beautifullllll!!!!! Gonna start the painting soon. Need to sketch lines out for the design. My dream is slowly coming true... probably shouldn't say that cuz something'll happen if I get too cocky, ha

I don't know the answer, I just want to compliment you on running that monster. I have one (not spectrum) and that thing finds EVERY track malformation.

That's great. There may be something wrong in the can, or a bent rod, who knows. I had one (it was a diesel with a can motor) that had a slightly bent rod that caused it to kinda lurch. Who knows.

Trainman,
By operating steam I meant from the stack, lol.
Yeah, its a custom paint job, and they did a helluva good job on it.
I'll check the pickups again, but pretty sure they're messed up.

Len, Thanks for the info

Also, does anyone know if this model has operating steam? I don't think so, but just covering my bases.

Update 2. Loco only runs with tender pickups. No pickups anywhere on the loco itself.

UPDATE: My NKP #765 Berk is NOT a NKP #765 Berk. It is supposed to be the #1222 Pere Marquette from '97. They didn't even MAKE a #765 Berk according to their "memories" website. I don't know if I'll repaint it or not.

Probably not.

Anyway, I'm just now sitting down to take it apart and clean it. Just thought I'd throw that out there, since it gave me a good laugh. I found the outline of the original "1222" on the cab sides when cleaning the exterior.

I have those left-right switch boxes. Both are fairly old (about 8 years?) and are still going strong.

Trainman,
I got the book on Kindle. Started reading it today, already a good read.

Must. Finish. Second. Caboose.

Geeper, I need more geeps to use. I run a lot of steam locos, and all my steam locos are 2-8-4s or larger. Except for one 0-6-0 that I use as a switcher. My only diesels are 2 FA units (SF Warbonnet), 2 SD-40 units (BNSF and SF Bluebonnet), and one SD70ACe in Erie Lackawanna paint.

Pretty dang sure it was Sprint Mobile.

Radius would be the sharpness of the curves. the bigger the number, the wider the curve. DCC and DC should be the same. Radius should be in inches. The DCC turnouts will work on DC layouts, but the DCC motor will not operate. you'd have to manually switch them.

Hope this helps.