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LGB 55081 Reversing Unit
Seaborn has a question to challenge readers and asks:
“I need help wiring a 55081 LGB Reversing Loop Module. The manual that came with it has several wiring diagrams but, I don’t know which one to use with my simple layout. I am just doing a simple 2 loops at the end of a single straight track. I need to know more about wiring diagrams such as, how long to make the track with the sensors between the insulated area of the reverse loop?”
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HO Farrer Siding
Colin has sent in this article and photos for publication. Thanks Colin for sharing your thoughts with others in the model railroading community.
Several model train makers produce forms of ‘Rollers’ which allow a Locomotive to be operated although stationary, as in the same way a car can be tested on a Dynamometer. I recently obtained a set of 4 Bachman ‘EZ’ Rollers, which are designed to sit snugly on top of HO track as shown. (pic 1)
As there are locos with more than 4 driven axles and other parts such as trucks and bogies which need supporting, I designed the Testbed shown (pic 2) to maximise the use of the 4 rollers.
The 4 rollers sit between 2, 12 x 12 aluminium angle strips 90mm long facing inwards which are in turn clamped between 2 longer pieces of angle 300 mm long facing outwards. The long back strip is screwed firmly to the wooden base while the front strip has slotted screw holes to allow in/out movement. Two short pieces of track on wooden blocks also fit snugly between the long strips and can be slid in and out as required. The rollers and blocks are adjusted to suit the loco under test then the 2 screws are tightened lightly. (pic 3)
These rollers were meant for 2 rail systems but can accommodate 3 rail locos as the material between the rollers is plastic. A small clip is used to get power to the centre pickup shoe. On 2 rail the outer strips conduct current into the rollers so the tightening screws must be insulated at one end. I mainly use this for testing locos which I convert to DCC but it is useful for all sorts of maintenance, and particularly helpful in locating bent axles and other mechanical problems which are hard to diagnose when the loco is tearing around a loop out of reach and sight.
Atlas Dwarf Signals
Arnie wants help from readers and asks:
“I have followed the directions included with the Atlas dwarf signal included with the device. I am using Atlas switches. I can not get the light to change. It stays either red or green depending on how I connect the 2 leads from the signal to the switch. I can make them work properly eliminating the circuit board and using a relay, but I would like to use the circuit board. I have switched circuit boards with the same result. Any suggestions from anyone?”
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Golf Course on Train Layout
Harvey models in HO scale and asks readers:
“I have just got to have a golf course in my train set up. How much space would I need to set up a nine hole course, approximate 3000 yards?”
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Double Loop Power-Loc Track
Richard wants to hear from you if you are able to help:
“I have a double loop Power-Loc track. It has a large outer loop with an smaller inner loop which I have 2 switches in each side to run loc in either loop. What would I need to purchase to be able to run 2 locos in different directions? One loco would be in the inner loop and the other loco in the outer loop.”
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DC Wiring Or DCC For New Layout?
Patrick wants to hear from someone with experience in the hobby and asks:
“I need some advice please. I designed a layout with some minor modifications based off the Mineral Mountain/Metro central layout combined. I created it with anyrail. What I am facing is which should I go with: DCC or DC? I am fairly good with DC power wiring, but the DCC concept is new and unexplored to me. The last HO layout I had was 18 years ago, all hard wired with minimum turnouts. Where should one block end and one begin? How much power will I need? I plan on adding magnetic uncouplers in addition, and know I need a rerailer or few. Does someone have any advice to help me?”
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Bachmann GP38 with DCC
Bill asks readers:
“What sound decoder do I use for a Bachmann GP38 with DCC. This unit is totally stock and I want to add sound to it, and how do I install it?”
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O Gauge Wiring
Claude has a wiring question for readers and asks:
“I have about 18 o-22 switches on my carpet layout. I am using a Z transformer with switches on one circut & track on another. My problem is when I turn on the power to the switches the train moves. What is the best way to locate the problem. It was ok before I added the last part of the lay out. I disconected that and others. It didn’t help. I tried several more possible remedies without success. I’m afriad I will have to start from scratch. I think I am missing something but what? Does someone know?”
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Lighting Kits For Caboose
I presume that Richard has already done a Google search without success, but he wants to locate a supplier of train or electrical accessories for his O-gauge 3-rail system and asks readers:
“Do they make a lighting kit this caboose? Where can I get a breake-down for a lionel engine #2037 4-6-2?”
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DCC E-Z Command
Tony asks:
“Earlier this year I converted my train set to DCC. All was well until recently my trains just stop. After 10 or 15 seconds they just start up again. I have worked hard on keeping the tracks clean but am unsure where to look to eliminate the problem. Using E-Z command. Hope someone can help me.”
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Turnout Feedback
Alan has a technical question for experienced model railroaders and asks:
“I am using a DS64 and tortous turnouts and I am trying to get the JMRI panel pro to (SEE) the position of all my turnouts when I first turn the program (panel). Do I need to wire S1 or A1 on the DS64 to the DPDT on the tortous or do I need to toggle a switch on the DS64, the command station, or JMRI program or just wire the DS64 and the toertous together so when I turn on panel pro the turnout is not in and unknown state. How do you wire up exact and or simple feedback to a DS64 Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.”
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Computers And Trains
Mike has a question for readers:
“I have an old computer and I want to use it to run my layout? Where do you find info on this? I need to know how involved it is, is it worth the hassle? What is the price – will it cost a fortune? I am not good with computers, there has to be some hard wiring involved, and where can you find the software?”
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MTH DCS System
Walter is hoping for some help from someone who might know how to fix his model train problem:
“Sometimes, it seems for no reason, my MTH Engines fail to respond to the remote control. Even though the engines (or engine) is on the track, the remote says ‘engine not on track’. This happens when the engines were running correctly and powered down and you come back a week later and this condition exist. I play with wires, the engines, and check the track until it finally responds…but I don’t know what the problem is. This has happened enough times, that I have become very frustrated with the DCS system. I have both Lionel and MTH engines and love the MTH engines more than the Lionel which makes this condition all the more frustrating?”
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Signals
Gord has submitted this question for publication. However, I am sure it would be helpful if he could add some more details to help people give a good answer. Use the green comments link below to add your comments or answers.
Gord asks:
“Can anyone help with a wiring solution for a grade crossing alternating flasher signal.”
Shelf Benchwork
A reader asks:
“What is the best way to attach shelf benchwork to a wall? I will be running brass engines and I am hoping the shelf can be as much as 3 feet wide.”
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Grandchildren Enjoy Trains
Walt wants some ideas for an interesting layout and asks readers:
“I have four grandchildren who love trains, but limited space. I would like to make a setup on a four ft by six ft platform. Can anyone give me a suggestion please?”
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Track Types
Mario asks readers:
"Do I need to be concerned about track types 83 or 100? I believe it refers to the height of the rail? Can 100's be mixed with 83's?"
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Newbie Needs Help
Taf is new to the hobby and asks you for help:
“I have just started to build my first model rail track, but I am short on space. I have a 6×4 space to play with. I would like to have 4 trains running continiously with one long track. The only way I can see it being done is on a two tier system. Can anyone think of a way to go about achieving this? I would also like to have sidings for several carriages, and hopefully a station. Is that possible. Can anyone think of, or come up with, a plan so that it would look authentic? Any help with this would be great.”
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