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Trains In Peru
Carlos has sent in this information about his layout and the trains in Peru.
I live in Peru, the city of Lima, my layout is in a 7 x 4 mt. with one main line with a big station with the city (every thing is in construccion right now). I just began a re-construction of all the layout.
It will have 8 trains DCC at a time. My station have 4 secondary lines and 2 industrial ones with 2 cranes for material delivery. I also have a connection to pass through without entering the station and a round house for diesel locos (16) and another round house for steam locos (17) already install.
I just buy a DCC control MRC prodigy so I’m making changes. When it will be finished will be 3 lines (flat) one faller bus inside the city, one monorail in between two main stations and one rural station, sawmail area and mine landscape one big mountain that is construccion with 3 different lines that will pass thru. I have almost 80 machines (diesel and steam) and 150 wagons (freight and passangers).
The first photo is taken at the top of los Andes mountains at 4550 meters above sea level we just left the highest point where a trian pass through in the world call “Ticlio pass” at 4818 m.a.s.l. and enter to the “puna area” a high city landscape and mine foundry (La Oroya city) of zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron, magnesum, gold, etc the biggest in Peru. All that area is mines site, Peru is the first producer in South America of Gold, zinc, lead the second in silver (1st is Mexico) copper, iron. Then the train rolls to the city of Huancayo at 3200 m.a.s.l. one of the biggest in central peruvian andes.
In Peru are 2 main train lines one thats go from Lima city the capital to the central andes and to the main mines of the area, don’t pass thru to the jungle, and the other is in the southern part of Peru, and it bigin at Ilo port and copper foundry and goes to Arequipa city, at 2200 m.a.s.l. and from there to Cuzco city, machu Picchu citadel one branch and the other to Titicaca lake, the highst lake in our planet at 4200 m.a.s.l. and finish the trip at Puno city. There are other little lines in between Chile and Peru in sugar factories at the norther coast of Peru and thats it.
Flexi Code 75 Peco Track
Mike has a question for readers:
“I am going to change my set track to peco code 75. Has anyone got any good tips on how to put the track down successfully. I’m asking this question as I have tried before wiwh code 100 and I don’t seem to get yhe curves right on cutting. Can I get help please.”
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Making Flowers For Model Railroad Scenery
Charlotte is working on her layout scenery and has an unusual question to challenge readers:
“Apart from trying to shred foam rubber in a liquidizer and dying the foam, how can one make flowers?”
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Charlotte has replied to comments posted:
“Thanks for the flower tip, Geof. the scale is HO. In case anyone wants this tip, but I’m not sure it’s unique, here it is. spray texture paint on paper. it makes great walls if you’re into making your own buildings. Glue the textured paper on the cardboard or balsa wood you’re building with.”
Powering Turnouts On HO Layout
Jim has a question for readers on powering turnouts and asks:
“I have 4 turnouts in my HO layout that need to be powered and the transformer that I have does not have a power outlet for accessories. How do I get power to the switches for the turnouts and what voltage should they be powered with? I also am in the process of building my benchwork and would like to know where the best outlet for the pink insulation board to set everything on.”
Have a go at answering Jim’s question below.
Moving a Layout
Phil wants to hear from any readers who have moved a train layout. It sounds like he is looking for suggestions on the best construction methods etc to make a later move easier. Phil asks:
“Can you give me some ideas how best to build a large O layout, with mountains, etc, that can be disassembled and moved some day?”
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How To Control Train Speeds and Avoid Surges
Hank has a question relating to power surges for readers to answer:
“I am running 4 sets of Lionel trains on my 20 by 6 and 12 by 6 L shape layout. I use 027 tracks using conventional Engines (purchased in 70’s). Someone told me that I can use a DCS legacy to run these trains. I am using 2 Lionel ZW transformers and use a DCS terminal block for one track. The other three tracks I loop every 6 to 8 feet. However, I still have surges in certain areas. Would the DCS correct these power surges? Thank You in advance for your assistance.”
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Wiring Bachmann Turnouts to DS-54 Digitrax’s
Phill has a brief question for readers on wiring Bachmann turnouts to DS-54 Digitrax’s:
“How would you wire Bachmann’s remote control turnouts with Digitrax’s DS-64 moduals?”
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Parts Diagram Lionel 2338 O-Scale
Kerry is having a problem with the horn on his Lionel 2338 and asks readers:
“I just bought The Milwaukee Road 2338 – O-Scale and there is a battery compartment.
When I took the cover off, I do not see any wires going to the battery terminals. The battery sits right under the horn relay. I bought it off Ebay. It runs great, but the horn does not work. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
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Beginner Derailed With Hobby
Ric is new to the hobby and would like some guidance from experienced readers please:
“I just starting model railroading and did a layout. Two curved tracked before the switch and at the switch the train derails. I have checked for level and it was a little off, fixed that and that didn’t help. I switch curved track and that didn’t help. I’m lost and that doesn’t take much.”
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Slow Trains With Bachmann EZ Command 16 Volt Transformer
David is have problems with power to his HO layout and asks readers:
“I have one track. It’s a big square 30ft by 11 ft track. I run 2 diesel sp engines only with sp pass set all lighted on brass rails. It runs very slow and the engines run off of a bachmann ez command 16 volt transformer. The farther away from transformer the slower they go. I have a sound decoder in 1 engine. Why are they so slow. I have a 3rd sp middle engine but I can’t use it to complete my whole pacific set because then it hardly moves at all. They run better on an older style transformer, but then I will lose my sound and I love my sound so that won’t do. Can someone help. Thanks.”
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OO Gauge Layout Support Structure
John has an OO gauge attic layout and asks readers:
“My attic layout is cantilevered off the roof structure of my bungalow. This keeps the attic floor clear so panels can be lifted to give access to house wiring and central heating pipes without the need to disturb the layout. This gives me an oval 28ft long by 9ft wide. I am trying to make this structure perfectly level by using a spirit level. Building is by clamping, drilling and screwing. There are no nails because hammer blows move members out of position in the clamps. How do I achieve perfect leveling of the baseboards? The hardwood timber framing of the baseboards has been machine cut and is accurate thickness and the baseboard panels are 9mm. ply. But I believe there is about 10mm variation in the support structure throughout the 28 feet run.”
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Ballasting Track Mix
John asks a question of readers:
I propose to use PECO stone ballast and wondered what proportions of glue mix PVA to washing up liquid and water I should use for ballasting track?
Marklin Track
Andy has a question for readers about Marklin track:
“I’m planning a small layout using Marklin HO equipment. As you probably know, Marklin has two types of track: C track which has a built in roadbed and K track which is similar to other HO track. In my yard area the logical choice would be K track but I would then have to ballast it. I wondering if I might be better using C track–which looks like it fits together much more securely–and building up and ballasting the area between the tracks? Any comments would be appreciated.”
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U.S. Military Railroad During the Civil War Siege of Petersburg
Palmer has a question about US railroad history and asks readers:
“I am an HO scale modeler and a Civil War re-enactor. I plan to include a TV set scene from the siege of Petersburg including some rolling stock from that period. All the photos I can find are black and white. I would like to know the color schemes used by U.S. Military Railroad during the Civil War siege of Petersburg.”
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Wiring & Computer Control
Dick wants to get back into the hobby and use technology where possible. He would like to hear what others think is his best course of action:
“I am reactivating my hobby interest after a 45 yr. hiatus. I am on a fixed income. I would like peoples recommendations please on the use of a computer for operation of a HO multi train board. I would be interested in knowing about software for layout designing for getting me back up to speed on current model RR’ing. I expect the wiring for a lot of the board will be difficult after initially done since a major part of the board will be very difficult to access for under board wiring later on (and I can no longer crawl under tables & benches). I’m hoping that with current computer technology that there might be some system to alleviate or minimize some future re-wiring should it be necessary. Also, since I haven’t yet designed the layout, I’d like to get recommendations for some affordable design software. I’m really looking forward to reactivating my long delayed hobby. Any help or suggestions for further investigation will be appreciated.”
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Steps in Laying Track For Layout
Mike has put considerable thought into his questions, so please take the time to read what he has to say, and offer your suggestions:
“Hi everyone, I am at the stage of beinning to lay track on my 3′ x 8′ N scale layout. I plan on using Digitrax DCC for the controls. I have all the track /switches I need to start using code 80 PECO flextrack and electrofrog switches.
My questions are:
1. What is preferred/recommended sequence of laying the track? Lay down the switches first and gradually add track? Prewire the switches before completing the track lay down? Other considerations?
2. How do you wire for DCC at the electrfrog switches? I know one needs to ‘reverse’ the wiring at the frog to maintain power through the switch but does anyone have a detailed ‘How to Method’? I have seems several articles already on this subject but sometimes they are quite lengthy – I am a ‘get to the chase’ type of builder.
All recommendations are welcome and thanking you in advance.”
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Support for HO Scale Ceiling Layout
Bill wants to hear what readers think about his ceiling train idea:
“I want to build a HO scale tracks around my ceiling. I know it needs to be very rigid. What materials would work. I am thinking of 1″ X 6″ maple with iron book shelve braces. I can see the 30″ radius corners will need special stiffening. Your help would be much appreciated. Thank you.”
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Broadway Blueline Engine
John wants advice from readers to help solve the problem he is having with his Broadway Blueline locomotive:
“I have a Broadway Blueline engine running on DC with a DC master for sound, the engine stopped chuffing soon after I got it. I told Broadway and they sent me a new chip, however before the chip arrived it started chuffing again, so I left the old chip in. It keeps doing this on and off. One day it works the next it doesn’t. I don’t want to muck around with the chip unless I really have to. Do you think this is the problem?”
Background info: BlueLine Locomotives come DC Sound Equipped and DCC Ready. Sound effects in the DC mode can be operated by the PCM DCMaster Analog Control Module. For DCC operation, a simple 2 function decoder must be added. Adding any two-function decoder will give access to the DitchLites or Beacon funtions, all sound functions and programming so the locomotive will operate like any Sound Decoder-Equipped engine.
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