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Insulfrogs or Electrofrogs
Duncan is into N gauge and sent in this question:
“Hi just starting in N gauge, I am planning my DCC railway and want to know about turnouts, do I need Insulfrogs or Electrofrogs?”
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Wiring Street Lights on a Model Railroad Layout
Daniel sent in this question:
“ I am installing numerous street lights on my O scale layout. How can I connect them to power/neutral wiring without soldering all of those connections. Can I use termination blocks? Or are the numerous connections unavoidable? Thanks”
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Dead Rail System
Ian models HO and asks readers for opinions on dead rail systems – “Any thoughts anyone
if so best systems available please?”
Dead Rail Definition – One of two rails that are laid across a railway track-scale platform, but which are not connected with the weighing beam, and that will permit a locomotive, or other load exceeding the capacity of the scale, to move across the scale.
Power To Layout
Gary has this question:
“I am brand new to model railroading & will be setting-up a small N Scale layout (less than 4′ x 8′)using Kato Unitrak. I also have a Kato locomotive that has DCC with LokSound. After wiring the bus (with feeders) can I initially run the locomotive using the Kato Power Controller (22-018) that I have and then in the near future switch over to the NCE Power Cab I have been looking at? Or, should I just bite the bullet and go out and get the Power Cab to begin with? I just can’t seem to find any articles that address this issue. Let me thank you in advance for any help/guidance any of you may be able to provide.”
Recording Data and Inventory of Trains and Accessories
Robin asked:
“I did a few excel spreadsheets when I was employed and thought I should start a record of my growing collection of locos, cars, coupler types etc. I then started to think of all the other things I could record like where I purchased the item, price and date, manufacturer, model number, prototype length in feet, maintenance history, wheels configuration… there’s probably no limit if I wanted to go crazy. My question is this – should I use a spread sheet which I could backup on a cloud or portable hard drive, or should I purchase software that will do the job, if so what software? Also, what data should I record and how should I organize it into groups? A lot to ask I know, but I value feedback from anyone who has already made these decisions on where to start and where to finish. Thanks in advance.”
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DCC Decoder Selection
N scale enthusiast Michael has this question:
“I picked up an Alco 479 PA DCC ready loco – a pair of them with the road name Southern Pacific. I’m having a heck of a time finding the right sound decoder for this loco. I believe Alco is Atlas? The current non DCC board says CDN4 DCC Ready PCB. Guidance please?”
022 Lionel Switches
Gary who models O scale asks:
“You have probably answered this before. I have an 022 Lionel switch that the track arm will not fully move to the left or right. I have checked and serviced it three times. Any suggestions? I hate to just dump it. Thanks.”
Heisler Drive-Line Short
John asks readers:
“I have an HO brass Heisler with a square rod and tube for the driveline. I think it was insulated at one time but I can’t figure out what to use as it must slide freely. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Weighting Wagons to Represent Prototypical Weights. A Good Idea or Not?
Garry asks:
“I’m not sure if I am wasting my time trying to replicate prototype weights of loaded/unloaded wagons. It might be best to weight them based on feel, the curves, turnouts, and engines I operate? I thought I was being clever trying to make things an accurate representation, but I’m finding this has its problems? Someone with experience advise please?”
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Reed detector
Daniel asks:
“Dear all model train guys, I’ve decided to built up my Marklin HO layout by myself. Big challenge! I am trying to understand digital and electronics, would you please give me an explanation about a Reed detector, how it works and how is connected to the CS 3 or K84? Deeply appreciate your suggestions.”
Z Scale Battery Controller
Phil a Z scale enthusiast asks:
“Is there a way to utilize a Rokuhan Z gauge battery train controller (RC03) to power non-Rokuhan accessories such as street lights and scratch built carnival rides, as well as power the train? Rokuhan does not sell the sockets separately that fit into their accessory power terminal (A016) which links to their RC03 controller…. Alternatively, I require a battery controller for a Z scale suitcase layout I am currently constructing. Is there any other battery controller that would do the job (power train and accessories) that anyone is aware of?”
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