Phillip asks readers:

“I am thinking of making an N scale layout and I have stacks of telephone wire, and I was wondering if telephone wire would be okay for wiring up N scale layouts. Thinking of a U shape layout about 3m x 2.26m x 0.7m in the garden shed. As the motors are a lot smaller than ones in HO scale, there would not be a lot of electricity going through. Can any advise if telephone wire will be okay?”

Steve asks readers:

“Hi, I really (think I) want to move from Conventional to DCS (Digital Command System) / TMCC (TrainMaster Command Control). The current O scale layout is 8 x 16, and use Conventional Postwar, Modern, and TMCC Lionel, along with Modern P1, P2, and P3 MTH Locomotives.

• The current Layout
• 8 track blocks using 2 ZW transformers.
• Three (3) Mainlines connected by 2 common sections, with 3 spurs off the main lines.
• Switches are isolated power (non-track) connected to a Lionel 1033,
• Accessories are toggle switched to an LW.
• The 3 main tracks run off 3 bus lines with dropdowns about every 6 feet.
• The two common sections are wired directly to two(2) ZW terminals.
• The layout is basically two separate large loops – an upper and a lower level- with an inner figure 8.
• At the south end the figure 8 and the lower outside loop use a common track section about 6 feet long. At the north end the upper and lower outside loops share a common track for about 2 feet.

So my transformers power an “A” loop, “B” loop, “C” loop as Mains, an “A-B” common, and an “A-C” common, then the 3 isolated spurs on the remaining 3 terminals. Each uses a separate ZW terminal. The remainders are on the ZWs are for isolated sidings,Everything is color coded so I pretty well know what wires goes to what.

So my questions are:
1) TMCC vs DCS
2) What’s involved in moving to DCS / TMMC
3) Can I run post war, and my moderns

One problem I do currently have is that unless my isolated blocks are all at the exact voltage the post war Locos trip into neutral when changing blocks.

Can you help me please?”

Kay asks readers:

“I model in HO. Can the Digitrax Zephyr control four turnouts without further equipment? If not, what else do I need?”

Thanks to electronic technology it is not only possible to control more functions on your layout, but it’s possible to add lots of exciting new features without using up precious layout space, or it costing you an arm an a leg. Digital technology is not only very clever, and very small, it is also surprisingly inexpensive for what it does. A small micro controller can easily be programmed to perform a number of tasks. This video explains more.

Here is another video with actual examples.

Just before Christmas I overheard a young guy at a shopping mall train display say something to the effect of “model trains are just for old farts!” True; a lot of us are getting on a bit, but despite what he implied, many of us embrace the newer technologies like DCC, JMRI, LED lighting, and micro controllers etc. In fact; it is those technologies that are attracting many younger folk back to the hobby. And that’s great!

These days the options for improving functionally (and realism) are far more diverse than was the case in the pre-digital era. For example; tiny microcontrollers can now be used effectively for: scenery and train lighting effects, turnout operation, block occupancy detection, signal operations, and even turntable control.

The sky’s the limit…there are all sorts of possibilities for the model railroader. I’m sure that young guy at the shopping mall would be impressed if he only knew how far model railroading has come, and if he understood the clever technologies being uses by some of us “old farts!”.

If you’re not fully up with the some of the technology options, then you’ll probably be interested in this just released e-book that walks through how to use tiny inexpensive micro controls. The downloadable e-book includes lots of photos, diagrams, links to videos etc, and explains (one step at a time) how to use this clever technology. Here’s the link to download the ebook http://www.modeltraincontrols.com

Frank has some questions for readers:

Hello everybody, fairly new to model railroading (had Plywood Summit Lines layout for over 20 years when father built it when I was a kid), but I’ve seen a major advance in technology since the layout was first constructed. I’m looking to start the Oregon Pass Lines, and here’s where the questions come up:

1. On HO turnouts, would it be easier running above table switches for the yard, and under table switches for mains? Or leave them all above table? Tortoise available?
2. Regarding turnouts, I’ve got a general idea for my control panel, but I’d like to use toggle switches instead of the Atlas switch. Is it possible to add a 3mm LED into the equation for each leg? I’d like to be able to tell which way the train goes
3. If I’m using the Atlas turnouts, basically same as #2, can I add an LED to the panel, if I run the Atlas switch as well? (2nd choice if toggle isn’t an option)

Thanks for any and all help.

Floyd asks readers:

“I’ve not tried this but am wondering if anyone has put a diode in series with the LED. I think it would convert the power to DC but would probably require some tinkering to get the current correct. Just a thought without practical experience.”

Bill asks readers:

“What are the advantages and disadvantages of using McHenry couplers as opposed to using Kadee couplers? Also, do both couples work well with each other?”

Mike asks readers for advice:

“Hello, about to embark on wiring my new HO layout for DCC. I use code 100 peco track and points, all of which are electrofrog. I have had to purchase two large/long insulfrog cross overs and I am unsure how to wire them for DCC (I have never wired a layout before). Can anybody help. Many thanks.”