Dear Sheldon,

I have received the 3A power pack and Cre-55470.  Thanks a million for the tip.  If you don't mind, I have a few questions:

1.   Can I use rechargable batteries in the cab/throttle?  If so, which do you recommend?  Jim Banner several months ago had said something about choosing the proper mAh sizes for good duration.

2.   The three buttons on the bottom do not match the set's instructions for initial setup.  For example, the lower left button on my cab is the "on/off."  The center button is different, too.  Do you use them in the same manner as the instructions describe?

3.   I am building a 15 inches x 30 inches switching yard for the kids to play with until I receive my large layout.  I want to use a center X-section with Atlas code 100 rail and several #4 turnouts with switch motors.   Imagine it is like a European Z with two parallel center tracks which use 30 degree or similar crossing sections.  My question is do I have to worry about dead shorts?  Do I have to "block" wire this baby, and if so do I need DPDT or push button switches?

Thank you. 

Best Wishes & Merry Christmas to all!

Jack

Dear Friends,

I believe Rich Cormier contributed to the adding weight discussion by stating he placed lead shot in small balloons.  I think this was for G scale. Finger "cots" would work, too. 

Rich, please correct me if I am wrong.

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Friends,

Really good replies.

My two centavos:  After seeing the Williams stuff being run at a local train club, I would recommend a Williams set or engines/rolling stock.  They run beautifully, are durable, easily repaired, look nice and are a great value.  Too, they are well discounted, especially the last day of a train show, e.g. the York, PA area show.  I intend to get a switcher for my 6 year old who has been running the Lionel Polar Express and the MTH Pennsylvania passenger sets, without a hitch, since he was 5 years old.  I do not think you would be unhappy with that.

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Friends,

A big Thank You! and Merry Christmas! to Bachmann and our dear Mr. Bach-Man for allowing this thread.  Just another testimony to their good intentions and dediction to the sport of model rail roading!!  Three Cheers!

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Friends,

A search for a rail bender showed this site with multiple self help areas, including this tidbit on soldering.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/documents/an01.pdf

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Friends,

A nice chat with our dear Old Curmudgeon brought up the mention of his friend, "Mackers" who has posted here.

His web site is full of amazing stuff.  I hope you all like it!

http://4largescale.com/

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Friends,

Has anyone plans to build one of these beasties?  Or, has anyone built a rail bender?

Seems to me that it could be done by someone with mechanical skills.

Best Wishes!

Jack

Dear Tom, et al,

Here is your link:

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/502157.html

It is from the Altoona Mirror newspaper, Nov. 25, 2007.

Best Wishes to all,

Jack

Dear Friends,

Excerpt from today's newspaper:

"On this date:  In 1910 the Pennsylvania Railroad began service at New York's Pennsylvania Station."

Anyone who wishes to add to this thread is welcome.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Mackers,

So, do you know Huntingdon Beach? 

I used to swim there many moons ago when I had a body the chicks leered at instead of laughing at now.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

The "Altoona Railroaders Museum" has a new director who is a ME with project management and marketing skills.  He hopes to take the museum in a new direction to increase contributions and endowments with a national marketing effort.  To that end, a recent newspaper article in the "Altoona Mirror" stated that the K4, #1361 is back in town, in pieces, and much of the serious repair has been down by Steamtown.

The plan is to build a quarter sized roundhouse to facilitate reconstruction and for the public to have a place to view the work as it progresses.

This sounds like a noble endeavor.  I suppose we shall see, as many of the local rail buffs had thought this ten year project was dead.

Anyone can contact me via e-mail for article reprints, etc, or for more information. As always, if in Altoona, you are welcome to meet for a cup of coffee and to talk trains.  We have two nice clubs here with interest in O gauge and scale, S and HO.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Charlie,

Me, three!  How was the walkabout?

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Friends,

I just did a quick search for battery power in O gauge and came up with an amazing hit.

http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/1/745611/ShowPost.aspx

For me, I am going to do R/C with battery power in LS, and am now thinking about it for O.  This link shows an economical and good way to do it.

So, is this relevant to this thread?  Perhaps not, but for the adventurous person, one may want to consider this as an intriguing option to track power.

The Williams by Bachmann line could work beautifully with this.

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Allan,

Yours is a very perceptive comment regarding starter sets.  I started with several starter sets over the years in HO, O gauge and LS which have only whetted my appetite.  The allure of a starter set is real, esp at Christmas time, don't you think?

A peaceful  and blessed Thanksgiving to All!

Best Wishes,

Jack

Dear Brian & John,

Thank you for the very good tips.  Will "youse" them to good advantage!

Best Wishes,

Jack