Quote from: davidone on June 15, 2015, 03:16:14 PM
Who does not like sound? It gives your layout a whole new dimension.

I don't..Just listening to the videos on YouTube drives me up the wall..I did buy a CD with steam engine sounds and that is more than enough to set the "mood" for the railroad...

Gus.

I have a "smoker", but it barely puts out a visible wisp of smoke. It doesn't justify the extra expense over a non-smoker.
I also have a mid-50's AF 0-8-0 with smoke & chuff sound...Now THAT's a smoker..!!
Gus.

I agree on the SY...Beautiful loco, though not much of a puller...I use it around the yard mostly...

I use Radio Shack "Cleaner and Lubricant" spray to clean my track.  I spray a little on a piece of cork and go to it.  Using this process I don't need to clean track only every 3 months +/-...

Gus

What loco # did you use to test the loco after setting CV8 to 8..??
You should use loco #3 to test after a reset of CV8.

Sell the steel and use all NS...

Gus

Gotta love that steamer..!!
Thanks for posting..

Gus

Quote from: kdgrant6 on April 06, 2015, 07:12:26 AM
I now see the advantage of what this thread discusses and would like to do it on an expansion I'm working on, but I'm still confused (though not as much as I was earlier, as a reader of my replies to this post can easily see).

Here's my problem: if I follow these directions, I can run a DCC locomotive out of the part of the layout controlled by my Bachmann EZ Controller.  It moves onto an isolated section of track powered by another source.  The locomotive still responds to the command of the EZ controller because . . . because why?

Does the fact that it receives electricity, even though it's from another power pack, keep it operating as it was when it left the Bachmann power block--and "by keep it operating" I mean bell ringing, light on, etc.? 

But what about speed?  How would I stop it if the EZ controller isn't controlling that part of track because of the insulated joiners?

After it is finished sleeping, how does flipping the switch allow me to take control again even though the engine is on another power block?

You don't say what your "other power source" is.  There is a cardinal rule in DCC which states that there can only be one command station controlling a layout, whether it be  a small shelf layout or a large club layout.  Multiple command stations will soon lead to disaster...

Gus

Are you thinking of running different engines at the same time with just one controller..??
I guess it can be done, but you will soon find that since no two engines run exactly the same, you will need to adjust that engine's speed, which will then affect the other engines, and so on...
As  a general rule of thumb, each engine should be controlled by its own controller.

Gus.

A rotary tool is fine, if you have a good, steady hand.  For cutting gaps in track that's already in place I use a very fine track-cutting saw.  It cuts a gap that's barely wider than the thickness of a sheet of clear acetate which I glue in place and file to conform to the track's profile.  You really have to look to notice it's there.

Gus

Quote from: Len on March 27, 2015, 04:21:43 PM
The #6 crossovers require modification for use in a DC layout. They were designed for use in DCC layouts, with no simple provision to electrically isolate the two sides.

Len

I built my 12'x14' foot layout with two independent "loops" for continuous operations with the ability to cross from one to the other. This was in pre-DCC days.  When I changed to DCC I did not have to change any of the wiring.  I just disconnected the power pack (DC) and replaced it with a command station (DCC).
Electricity is electricity, regardless of the wave form.

Gus.

You are not alone...
I've been at this for close to 50 years and still run up against head-scratching situations...
You gotta just keep plodding along...

Gus.

I've solved this problem the same way...By gluing a small bit of lead to the top side of the leading truck. Make sure it doesn't touch any part of the frame as this will only make the problem worse..!!

Gus

The HD store where I buy my lumber/ply has these items and more inside the store.  They also sell pre-cut ply in several dimensions so you don't have to buy a whole sheet if you don't need it.

Gus

Quote from: jward on March 14, 2015, 03:49:02 PM
it is not possible to park an entire train on a turntable radial track like the original poster said he wanted to do. that is why he specified killing power to a particular dead end siding.

PHILWS' comment is complementary to the subject at hand...I  have ON/OFF sidings for parking rolling stock and entire consists, and all turntable storage tracks can also be turned off for engine storage.

Gus