I believe these were called "scotchlocks" by 3M. It's a shortcut to wiring the right way. That's fine if you don't need or not concerned about a bullet proof connection.

The effectiveness of a scotchlock is subject to the intallation technique, the insulation, vibration, stress, exposure to the enviorment and time. On the other hand; you can  crimp, solder and heat shrink once and forget about it. 

As long as you understand and accept murphy's law, some might be content with twisting the wires together and taping them off. 

I bought the Baldwin shark nose in both NYC and D&H paint schemes. Added Lenz Back EMF decoders. These are some of the smoothest, quietest and fastest loco's I have. I'm glad I snapped them up. Didn't know that they were out of buisness. Check them out on ebay.

Quote from: Dr EMD on March 05, 2007, 09:21:13 PM
CR 2580 was the last locomotive that ConRail got received from anybody, painted for CR, which was built to NS specs.

It could be the last NS locomotive with the standard short hood.

That would explain why it's missing the two red lights on the nose that are normally found on the Conrail locos. Hard to believe that it's been eight years. 

Jon- looks like that steamer is ready for the scrapper's torch. LOL!  That looks SWEET!!!! I could almost smell the oily steam and burning coal.

Is that your layout in the background?

Also looks like a hand made track.

There shouldn't be a problem soldering that material. You may need to scrape it down to the copper. My only concern would be melting the plastic. Unless you have some material to absorb the heat, you may want to try female spade terminals first. The connector that bachman uses is more than likely proprietary. I've been in electronics and have never seen that connector.

You mention larger gauge wire. I have to assume that you are pulling some serious amperage. If your current wiring or connection is getting warm, then you are without a doubt undersized.

I also have the Bachman spectrum usra 2-6-6-2. It looks good going around 22" and 28" curves and is a tad bit more detailed.

Quote from: atlanticcentral on March 01, 2007, 08:47:38 AM

and if they lower the price even just a little I will buy two or three, not just one.


Sheldon

Any worthy hobby shop would make a deal with you for a multiple purchase.

Quote from: barrowsr on March 01, 2007, 08:06:29 AM
Chucknlead,

You may have already learned this but I would liken the NCE system to a Mac and Digitrax to Mirosoft as far as ease of use and learning the system. 
Semi Conductor
SASS #51020

Sorry in advance but I only have experience with Microsoft. I'm looking real hard at the NCE Power Cab because of it's keypad layout, features, reputation and price. I think I spoke to a gentlemen named Greg at Moose Caboose. He not only had NCE in stock but a layout to play with it. (Marketing tool!) On top of that, he sells the pro cab for the same price as Tony's! I'm making a trip out there this weekend.

John at Peach Creek Shops is decent guy with excellent prices. Most Bachman Rolling stock is $7.95 with the exception of a few. Bachman diesels with DCC on board is $29.00 if I remember correctly. He only has one Lenz Set 100 but I cannot try it out. 

Never heard of MB Klein but since I work in Balto. occasionally, I'll have to check them out too.

BTW- NCE has suspended it's System One with Wangro.

I could give you a list! I started calling locally, Frederick, Hagerstown, Gaithersburg out to Ellicott City. On the Virginia side; Leesburg, Sterling, Springfield, Arlington and Alexandria.

Places that did have at least one system; Peach Creek Shops, Moose Caboose, Hobby Town and Grand Dads in Va.

I've been in the market for an advanced Digital Command Control system. I got a list of model railroading hobby shops in Maryland and Virginia and decided to make some phone calls to see who had what in stock. I wanted to play with a few systems to help make my final decision. I could not believe how many hobby shops simply said "we don't carry DCC systems" Some DID NOT KNOW WHAT DCC WAS!!! One guy said "We don't sell HO. We only carry O scale..." I did not know that DCC isn't compatible with anything else but HO!?!?!??! He simply has no clue. I Called fifteen hobby shops only four had a DCC system. One place only had a Zephyr, another had an older MRC prodigy and an EZ command, one carries a full line of NCE and the other only had an MRC Power pro. None offered or suggested that one could be ordered if I were interested. They must be doing pretty good business to have the luxury of turning away a potential sale and future customer. Why wouldn't you have a layout in your hobby shop with a digital command system with sound locomotives? A friend saw my layout and assumed that I dropped big bucks for a DCC system. It's a Bachman EZ Command. I explained to him how affordable it was and simple to use. Now he's got one for his layout. I think alot of hobby shops are intimidated by it or simply don't care. Some guys never heard of it!?!? Where is the marketing from Digitrax, MRC, NCE,etc......? Every hobby shop should at least have an EZ Command to generate intrest in DCC. Joe Shmo buy's an EZ Command and  a year later he's ready to move on to the Superchief, Pro Cab, wireless system, sound decoders etc. This is new to me. I've only been in this hobby for a year, so there may be alot of things I don't know. What I do see is a market that is being ignored by many hobby shops; amazing.

I bought one about a month ago. I'll have to check the road number of the other cab. I put a lenz Silver series back emf decoder in her and she runs great. Does't pull as much as my BLI Texas type or BLI Duplex. Adding extra weight would fix that if I was that concerned. I love it!

Incredible!!!!!! That is some beautiful work!!!!!!

I'm looking at moving to the next level in DCC command. I love the EZ command but I'm ready to play with CV's and need a larger address file.

The question.

1) What brand and model do you use?

2) What do you like most about it?

3) What do you dislike about it?


I'm looking at the MRC Prodigy advanced or
The Lenz Set 100. What do you think?

That looks like an apartment building............

My father bought my daughter a Spectrum Russian decapod in the WM paint scheme (HO) scale with some track and rolling stock. It was her Chritmas present in 2005; I've been hooked since. It has now taken over the basement; I'm now looking at building an addition.