Kevin M

I have an older Bemo Glacier Express set (7259 120) and I'd like to put a DCC decoder in the loco. It has the 3 pole motor and it runs very well on DC with low amp draw. Pulling 6 passenger coaches it draws less the 0.25amp up a 4.5% grade. It looks like it will be a fairly simple install but I want to be sure there are not any unknown problems that I might run into. My thought is to use a N/Z scale decoder and I will replace the light bulbs with LED's. I have done several hardwired installs on US type locos but I learned a long time ago that it pays to ask questions before starting a different brand. I am building a display layout and my original thought was to stay with DC but I want to be able to run two trains so that means a electrical block system or DCC. And my On30 home layout is all digital using Digitrax. Just out of curiosity does anyone know what the little round things are above the headlights. Goggle translate calls it a safety cell. Both lights are good but one safety cell reads some resistance and the other no resistance. The light does not work with the one with no resistance. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you, Kevin

Its hard to think of the 90's as old when you're pushing 70. This is a display layout I'm building just for something to do that's different. I'm only using three points and they are out in the open for easy maintenance and less complications when I attempt catenary. I have some Peco flex track coming from a eBay seller. Thank you

That answers my questions nicely. The person that designed my track plan used 60mm spacing which seemed a bit wide. I agree with you that cork does not help with sound dampening. I am using the cork for the ballast profile. I purchased these Bemo trains at a swap meet from a gentleman that felt he was getting to old to build a layout. I am not sure how old the track and turnouts that came with them are. They are in excellent condition. The turnout part numbers are 4211 and 4210 if that helps date them. Thank you, Kevin https://sites.google.com/site/nvngrr/

What is the recommended center to center spacing for HOm tracks? This is for straight sections through a station siding and a double track bridge. I realize this must be wider on curves. Also how wide should my roadbed be? I am using N scale cork roadbed and I think I should add about 1/8" or 3mm strip to widen it. Is that about right? And one more question before I start cutting the plywood baseboard, how wide should it be to allow for mounting catenary? I will not add catenary until most of my scenery is finished. Thank you, Kevin Miller

Thanks guys, Now the search for one of these kits here in the states. Kevin

Please excuse me if this seems like a dumb question. This is the first time I have attempted to model a European narrow gauge layout and it seems everything I want to know is in German. I did help a friend build a 4' x 10' Marklin German RR display layout but he supplied everything and I did most of the building. What do you use for structures on a Swiss HOm layout? It appears to me that all the commercial kits are of German protoypes. At least when I type the kit name in google maps it takes me to somewhere in Germany. I have found nothing close to the appearance I have seen in pictures and videos along the RhB and other narrow gauge lines. I can scratch build also if I can come up with plans. Any help will be appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thank you, Kevin Miller

Thank you, this is just what I was looking for. What I have is an older Bemo starter set with a Ge 4/4 II with 4 coaches plus a Panoramawagon and a few other wagons. I am estimating that I need at least 2 1/2" tunnel clearance. And I will use the longer wagons to check side clearances. Catenery is something I have never modeled other then helping a friend build a Marklin layout and his catenary was easy to install. Thanks again,

Paul, that is an outstanding layout. As a new owner of some Bemo HOm trains I can only hope I can come close to your modeling quality. All my former experience has been US Narrow gauge so this is a new challenge for me. I am finding information in English is a bit hard to find although Google translate is a big help. I would like to cast and carve my own tunnel portals but have yet been able to find the dimensions. Is there anything like the NMRA standards gauge available for HOm? Thanks, Kevin Miller