Adding to what Jeff said, if you ever decide to go with DCC the empty smoke unit cavity makes a nice place to stick a hardwired "N" or "Z" scale decoder. Just be sure it's rated for at least 1 amp and it will work just fine in an HO loco.

Len

Unitrack HOn30 track is available now. The only thing I've heard so far about On30 is people using HO Unitrack for it. Which doesn't mean there may not be something in the works for On30 with better tie spacing.

Len

In general, it takes at least 5 volts on the rails with a DC power pack before a DCC equiped loco will even start moving. While a straight DC loco will be moving at a fairly good clip at that voltage.

Len

Even with 18" radius curves and 'standard' switches, adding passing sidings will push the geometry out over 7ft long. There are several layout possibilities if the overall size can be stretched to 4' x 8'. Otherwise you'll be limited to just the spurs, or maybe a small yard to increase switching possibilities.

Len

For HO, 15" radius is the smallest curve in the EZ-Track line. Anything smaller you have to either use flex-track, or one of the European mfg's for tighter sectional track.

Len

Agreed. Most of the value for the set is in the Nickle Silver EZ-Track that's included.

Len

Not as much as you might think. Unlike some older O gauge equpment, HO stuff doesn't have a lot of collectable value. And since there is no actual Pittsburgh Steelers prototype train, those "Certificates of Authenticity" are just a Hawthorne Village sales gimic.

Unless someone is a hard core Steelers fan who just has to have it, regardless of cost, $100 - $150 would probably be reasonable for the set, assuming the loco runs. If the switches are remote control, rather than manual, it could go for up to $200. Any more than that is someone's fantasy on eBay.

Len

An M2 x 8mm, or 2-56 x 5/16in, machine screw should work.

Len

Since Ambroid is no longer available, a lot of the RC airplane folks I know are using SIG glues as a replacement:

https://sigmfg.com/collections/glues-adhesives-and-tapes

Len

There you go! Even a prototype for sectional track.

Len

First thing I would check is the wire connections from the power pickups to the whistle board haven't come loose. I've had tenders where the wires were installed so tight the first time they hit a curve the wire broke loose. If the wires are okay, try swapping the wires from the transformer to the track around. The whistle trigger is polarity sensitive, so it may just be a case of the wrong polarity getting to the whistle board.

Len

Micro-Trains is the N scale coupler spin off from Kadee.

https://micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=109

Len

It may be a M1.6 x .35 x 3mm metric screw. If you can't find one at a local hardware or home improvement center, Micro-Fasteners is a good source for small screws.

http://www.microfasteners.com/mspps1603-m1.6-x-.35-x-3mm-pan-head-machine-screws-phillips-stainless.html

Len

This is a Fig-8 using 22" radius curves and a 90 degree crossing. For an over and under Fig-8 replace the 90 degree crossing with 2" straight pieces for the upper and lower portions of the Fig-8. Woodland Scenics 2 or 3 degree foam risers would probably be the best way to elevate the upper level.



Len

Sorry, I didn't think to take pics at the time. And right now my layout is in boxes. The oversize flangeways are a common problem with most commercial turnouts, and I'm pretty sure others have put pics of the fix up on the forum. If you use the forums search function to look for flangeways, you should be able to find them.

The frog height problem is easy to find. Just slide an index card across the top of the rails towards the frog. If it's too high, the card will snag. Just reduce the height with a fine flat file until the card no longer snags.

Len