Quote from: John Fed on April 18, 2024, 03:51:28 PMI am building a 2 loop layout on a 4x8 platform with an 18" radius inner loop and a 22" outer loop. I will purchase 2 left hand and 2 right hand turnouts to connect the loops and need help identifying which turnout to buy. My interest is the DCC type nickel silver with grey roadbed. Will the standard turnouts items #44130 and 44131 align properly so the 2 loops connect?  Thanks

I would strongly advise against the use of those two. Using them as a crossover between the two loops will leave you with a nasty S curve your trains will not like. And even if that weren't the case, they give an excessively wide track spacing. You're better off using  #5 or #6 for this. They are far less sharp of a curve, and have build in straight parts to lessen the effect of the s curve to something that most rolling stock will run through without derailing. The use of 18" radius curves in an S curve without a straight of at least 6 inches is a well known source of derailments, yet it is a mistake most beginners seem to be attracted to like moths to a candle.

You can use one left and one right #6 crossover to do what you want. Something like this:



You could replace one, or more, inner straight sections with turnouts to create sidings or a yard.

Len

Research on the net, there are countless plans showing how many pieces of sectional track are needed for various layouts.

I am building a 2 loop layout on a 4x8 platform with an 18" radius inner loop and a 22" outer loop. I will purchase 2 left hand and 2 right hand turnouts to connect the loops and need help identifying which turnout to buy. My interest is the DCC type nickel silver with grey roadbed. Will the standard turnouts items #44130 and 44131 align properly so the 2 loops connect?  Thanks

I am interested in making an oval track for my N scale train     approx  24 inches   layout   How many straight and curves would I need

Hi CM099,
Just got back home and saw your post.

My club managed a large around the wall layout in a children's hospital.  We had the following problems.

TRACK
We used brass track and it required monthly cleaning. We used a track cleaning car and also plain old elbow grease.  When we first started we found that the track needed to be absolutely tightly connected in order to make proper electrical continuity which caused problems like you described. We ended up using track clamps. We found that our curved sections wore heavily and had to be replaced every three to six months. The Bachmann steel track you have was designed for small circle of track like that which came with the set, and not for the way you are using it. It can be hard to keep the connections tight, which will cause many problems. 

POWER
We used a 10AMP power supply and set it up so that the train could be started up by a button at floor level which when pressed allowed the train to run for 10 minutes and then stop.  We ran track connectors every 20 feet which helped immensely keeping things running well. The Bachmann Power supply which came with your set is only 1 AMP and was not designed for 60 feet,so a larger power supply is in order. Shop around for a power supply that is 5 to 10 Amps, You do not need a high end power supply.

LOCOMOTIVES

We started out using LGB and Bachmann Steam locomotives, but they required lots of maintenance. Wear on running gear(siderods) and wheels on them led us to switch to using diesel locomotives.  The diesels we used were LGB F Units and USA Trains F units and GP-7's.  Maintenance on the diesels was very simple.  We did find that that the rubber traction tires wore out very quickly and so replaced those axles with the solid metal wheels. We found USA Trains was great with parts and quickly filled orders. The diesel (both LGB and USAT)wheels did wear out and about every four months  or so and had to be replaced.  We kept USA trains geared axles in stock ready for any emergency. LGB parts were difficult to obtain back the so we shifted locomotives primarily to the USA Trains locomotives. Replacement of wheels on locomotives was simple remove the truck covers pop out the old ones and pop  in the new.  We used the lithium hobby grease and applied it liberally to the gears. With the Bachmann 4-6-0 I always recommended using replacement chassis when required by extensive use, but Bachmann is now running out of them.  Since a Christmas theme is important to you, USAT made a Christmas theme diesel as did other makers.

ROLLING STOCK
We used Bachmann, LGB, AristoCraft, and USA Trains rolling stock and all preformed well. We used metal wheels on rolling stock and the horn hook couplers. The couplers worked flawlessly.  Wheels did wear out and all rolling stock wheels were inspected monthly, and replaced as needed. We did keep metal wheelsets in stock for this purpose.  We used Bachmann and USA Trains wheel sets because both companies were quick to fill orders. During inspection each wheel set was cleaned using Qtips dipped in mineral spirits. Each car was also dusted off using a commercial product sprayed on the cloth. Q tips were used to get at the tight spots on the cars.

Well I have droned on for far to long, and will close now wishing you the best of luck with your layout!

Loco Bill

Hi,

I'm building a (DC) thomas the tank layout for my kids. I am looking to purchase peco turnouts. do you use electrofrog or insulfrog turnouts with your thomas locos? I was considering insulfrog as it will be easiser and cheaper but if needed will go the electrofrog route. its just frustrating to have to use switches and polarity accessories for that to work the right way.

thanks

Anyone know if the sale is still going now?

I'm not seeing anything in the parts catalog that suggests that it is, so perhaps it has already expired?!?!

I do think in theory there is something to said about Gator's potential popularity. He's continued to last into the merch, said merch/DOWT events most likely being why the cgi rule exists. It's still A version of Thomas being promoted by Mattel, while model series is basically dead and buried beyond Youtube uploads. I'd still argue the rule is dumb but I get why it exists. I do think Gator is too niche though unless demand here shoots up. Albeit I feel using lack of show appearances since season 18 gets tricky. Norman had supporting roles in 3 BWBA episodes all in the same season. Does that make him more likely than Whiff and Hiro who only had one? Answer is obviously no because of demand from fans here and on other social media platforms but let's just say that isn't a factor. Would that make Norman a better choice because of relevancy? I'm not sure how much the actual show appearances matter truth be told, I imagine the only factor that really matters is what fans at events, here, and so on pitch. Cause like. What Bachmann rep is going to go out of their way to check the episode appearances. If Gator's demand shot up here for whatever reason, I don't think his lack of recent appearances would limit him. Also because the show is over anyway.

TLDR: Gator probably not now, maybe not ever, but I wouldn't rule him out entirely just because he didn't appear more post season 18. I think that's the least important factor when deciding a Bachamnn engine. Fan demand is the big one and I've seen, literally no one request him until this hypothetical so that really speaks for itself now doesn't it.

Good afternoon,
The good news is that the 90037 set that you have comes with the Version 5 locomotive chassis, so if properly cleaned and lubricated, it should give you good service.  Long-term, you will want to plan on replacing your steel track with brass if you plan to run the train year-round; just keep an eye on those curved sections for premature wear.  As others have mentioned, a more powerful transformer is also a good idea.  The Bridgewerks units are about as good as you can buy, but MRC also makes good units that are easier on the budget.  I'm running a no-frills MRC 20-amp transformer that is plenty for most needs.  Others will chime in with more options.
Best of luck,
Jay