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mog

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Posts posted by mog

    Armitage Freemo September 9/10 2017

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    No I don't do Facebook, never joined and won't for another reason, anyway forums waste enough of my day without non modelling distractions ;)

    I've got the ops roster link but that's it.

    I'll drop Chris an email :)

     

    Okey doke - I get that. It's just that there is a page with all the info. Chris G will be able to furnish you with the suitable gubbins I'm sure. cheers

    Query re DCC and dummy loco

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    I wonder if anyone can advise.. It's probably the heat and hayfever melting my brain this evening.

     

    I have a fairly basic Athearn GP40 that I picked up cheap and using as an experiment - I want to try stripping, painting and applying decals.

     

    I've stripped the engine out and tweaked the gears so it is a dummy unit. However, I was thinking about adding a decoder to at least have lights for when it is doubled up with a 'live' engine. I may even add sound, although it's likely to be coupled to a sound-equipped engine so that may be overkill..

     

    Anyhoo -

     

    A. Simpler option: I'm guessing that I could take a fairly basic decoder, connect track power and lights and then consist it with the powered unit so that the lights are directional etc? Is it that simple?

     

    B. For sound, I suspect that things might get tricker, as there is no motor and it needs to be 'synched' to the sound engine that it's consisted with. Any advice on sound-only decoders ?

     

    Any advice appreciated,

     

    thanks

     

    TVNAM 2017

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    ooh, kind of threw a lit firecracker in there didn't I? :-D 

     

    I'm not sure how we could do a live feed thing  - I imagine we'd need wifi really. Youtube mobile needs you to have 1000 subs or more, and I'm only half way there with mine.

    TVNAM 2017

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    John - it is a seven and a half hour drive (minimum) from me, living north of Inverness,(virtually a thousand mile round trip, and definitely a weekend away) and I have done it twice - but sadly has now reached the point of being too far for my advanced age - however it is well worth a visit and meet some great people and see some great layouts

     

    And I can't believe we've still not met Jack, after all these years corresponding now via MTI and Carl's site and now here. Maybe we should set up a video link at TVNAM - a live webstream for all those too far away to join :-)

    • Like 1

    Greenville - a new HO layout

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    Thanks for posting Martin, watched your Youtube videos over the weekend, most enjoyable really liked seeing the evolution of the layout.

     

    Soldering has never been a favourite of mine and it good to se you are pleased with the results of power feed joiners and Scotchblock connectors.

    Link to railscenics.com was appreciated and one of their Medium power bus starter kits (218-005) has duly been ordered. :)

     

    I was going to top my hollow core doors with XPS but I think I am also likely be going old school and topping the boards with cork tiles.

     

    Which sky colour did you select in the end, looks good on the vids

     

    Cheers

    Nic

    Thanks Nick, really appreciate your comments.. re the sky colour.. I think (!) I went for the dulux mineral mist. Having a bit of a memory lapse, but it was either that or something else very close to it!

    Greenville - a new HO layout

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    Mog...nice layout and enjoyed that last video indeed. how well has the SwitchList programme been working gor you?? And are you finding that the Caboose groundthrows stand-up to the job??

    Cheers

    Gene

     

    Hi Gene.. Switchlist works just fine for me.. I do find sometimes that it will want to keep dispatching the same cars, but playing with the loads and assignments to see if I can iron out that wrinkle. The groundthrows are okay so far too.. I know they don't look very prototypical but it was a compromise for me. They don't feel very strong, so I do wonder how long they'll last.. but maybe that's intentional give in the material chosen?

    • Like 1

    Track Plans for North American Layouts

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    Good point that; use N to get a more spacious feel, not to cram in more track.

     

    Certainly the way I'd do it.. a step towards the railway in the landscape/cityscape. I built up a healthy collection of American N scale, was mostly focussing on Vermont Railway re engines. For freight stock I tended to grab stuff that was vaguely 'North East ' ish.. don't know that was particularly prototypical. there's so much on tinternet though to give you an idea (even just Youtube and railpictures). For me I gave up on N and stuck with HO because of a fairly 'gut' feeling. I just preferred the weight and feel of HO. And at the time, sound was coming in and prohibitively expensive in N. Ultimately, there is no right way - do what you want and don't waste too much time trying to decide on stuff.. best way to learn if something works, or if it appeals, is to get stuck in and try it out!

    • Like 1

    Track Plans for North American Layouts

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    No reason at all to not use HO in that space. Couple of things to think about - earlier stuff is generally shorter and don't try cramming track onto every inch of the layout! You'll see from LM's ideas that sometimes 'less is more'. I'd be tempted to decide what kind of layout you picture building and operating and then making a decision on scale rather than allowing the scale to dictate the plan?

    Freemo Extravagnaza 2016

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    Great weekend, thanks to all the people who made it happen and kept it running smoothly too.  Mostly spent the weekend on Yard work, although took out a train on Sunday afternoon and had lots of downtime too, just watching, chatting and taking pictures. Still not put that many names to faces really. Maybe I'll make bigger badges next year and we can write our names on them! (kidding)...

     

    A couple of videos posted ..

     

    Pics and run-bys etc... https://youtu.be/BzLdsZMJdZQ

     

    Cabrides... https://youtu.be/yyRVoCKNrvQ

    • Like 1

    Alternatives to Caboose Industries ground throws?

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    I'd go with Long Island Jack if you're going to route them 'offscene' anyway.. Use a slide switch with a hole drilled through to take a wire to operate the point, and the contacts to switch the frog polarity if needed. OR.. nothing at all. Just fit dummy scale throws and use the 0-5-0 ?

     

    I was looking at some manual system a while ago that looked nice - the 'Bullfrog' - Handlaid tracks have them.. but I'm a skinflint and couldn't find a UK supplier. 

     

    Finally.. came across this neat idea too .. http://www.nmra.org.au/Layout_Tours/Saxon/Switch_Throw.html

    Greenville - a new HO layout

    in USA & Canadian Railroads

    Posted

    Looking interesting, Martin.

     

    I must say you are very brave appearing in your videos like you do!

     

    Can I ask you a favour - next time you're over my way can you come and tidy my office/railway room and make it look as neat as yours! ;)

     

    Look forward to seeing progress.

     

    Brave? What are you saying? ;-p

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