Trying to use the #5 Y turnouts in a 4x8 layout.

What radius curve track works to connect a left- and right-turn #5 Y?  Have tried several on anyrail and can't seem to get a curve track that will allow a perpendicular section of track to connect to the opposite side. 

I usually use the 18" turnouts, so I may be missing a simple piece of track connection to make the layout flow.  Thanks for any advice.

thanks much, the site has great how-to videos.

Has anyone created a lake on their layout?

I have the green grass mat over a plywood board and am looking to put a lake in the middle of my layout.

If you have done this, I'd appreciate any direction you can give.

Thanks, Darrell.

I, too, have been comparison shopping my local hobby shop vs on-line. In IL, the sales tax is close to 10%, which I think is ridiculous.

Here is where I have settled:  I buy large bulky items from the store because I know that I'll get hit with additional shipping charges for larger items.  For smaller, lighter items, I'll buy from a few online vendors and from e-Bay.

I have found an e-Bay vendor that ships via US postal svc for $4.95 in most instances.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a great hobby shop in my area that carries a lot of train supplies.  And, several hobby shops have closed recently, I'm sure as a result of the bad economy.

I think if I had a great train store nearby, and the prices weren't too high relative to on-line, I'd patronize it more.

did you replace it because it did not perform well?

Having replaced the track, have you found it worth the extra cost to use the nickel-silver instead of keeping the steel track?

thanks much.

Darrell

Thanks Don.

I'm tying to save a few bucks where I can.

Darrell

thanks much for all your guidance.

Darrell

wow at $50-60 for a single DCC turnout, I'd be pretty ******* if it did not work after a period of time.

thanks much.

yes it is all EZ track so it sounds like I should be Ok

Couple of questions:

1.  Can you mix Nickel-Silver and Steel EZ track in the same layout?

2.  Has anyone noticed an APPRECIABLE difference in performance between Nickel-Silver and Steel EZ track?

3.  Should I worry about using Steel track with a DCC system?

I am expanding my original DCC Digital Commander set (that came with Nickel-Silver track) and was wondering if I need to buy additional Nickel-Silver track or if I can buy the less expensive Steel EZ track.

Thanks, Darrell

Thanks.  Yes, i thought that was very odd also - to include a manual turnout on a DCC set.

I have found the DCC turnouts to be very expensive.  Try www.wholesaletrains.com, that is the lowest price that I have found on the net - although their shipping can be somewhat expensive ($9.99 for 1 lbs and it goes up after that).

Glad to hear that your DCC turnout works well.  I'm adding to my track little-by-little and will add a few of those in due time.

Thanks much.  will give it a try today.  Darrell

Recently purchased the Bachmann Digital Commander Set.

Can anyone please tell me how to program DCC turnouts with the Command Center?  There is no information on this in the manual or on the DVD.

I'm sure it's a simple step, don't know why there is no mention of it.

Many thanks, Darrell

How are the turnouts programmed?  I did not find any instructions for programming turnouts, just programming the different loco's that I have.

Any direction you can provide would be great.

Many thanx, Darrell