I had the same problem with a DCC equipped FT-A. I ended up sending it back to Bachmann and they replaced it.

I hope to start with the plaster next weekend.  Before I do, what should I do with my rail yard?  Do I need to put any sort of foam underneath it?  I want it to be flat and noise does not seem to be an issue running my switcher on it now. If I do not use any sort of foam or risers underneath it, do I need to plaster it before painting it gray and spreading gray ballast over the area?

Thanks,

George

Here is that rerailer ramp made by Kato. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/381-2502

I bought a ramp at my hobby shop which makes it easy to get my 4-8-4 on the tracks. My ramp was made by Kato, but other companies make them too. I paid under $5 for it.

Quote from: jboot111 on February 12, 2011, 02:08:13 PM
i wish i could make as good a layout as you

I'm sure you can. This is my first one. It just takes time and patience.

I look at the layouts in Model Railroader Magazine and wish I could do a layout like those.

I know that some locomotives won't program correctly without a controller which supports a separate programming track.  Are these Bachmann locos or some other brand?

Had a snow day off from work today which turned into train day!  I changed up the layout some and added risers and inclines.  Most are 2% with a few short 4% sections.  The overall layout changed so a train never has to take a turnout to stay on the mainline.  This also gave me more room for the Mississippi River on the left but took out a little from my railyard.  About 90% of the risers and inclines are still held in with pins, but a couple of spots are glued down.

Next I have to order a girder bridge, the supports for the bridges, and tunnel entrances.  I also need to add one more car shelf underneath the other three on the end of the table and four shelves on the opposite end.

I could not get the toothpick to stay in place.  Here is what I ended up doing.  I adjusted where the gear was in relation to the teeth on the thingamajig that goes back and forth.  Everything is all good now.  No cars derail at that turnout at any speed.  I have a couple of other turnouts to adjust before I permanently affix the track to the table.  Good to learn this little trick for the more difficult turnouts.

Okay Hound,

I had an idea and the testing worked.  I just hope a better modeller jumps in and tells me how to do this right.

I cut off a piece of a plastic toothpick and filed it down smooth.  I then glued the end of the toothpick next to where the spring is attached to the geared mechanism.  This in effect increased the length of the arc and stiffened up the spring.  I ran several tests and never had a derailment.  When I took the switch back apart to take a pic, I touched the toothpick and it fell out.  I will just have to figure a better way of doing this, but the principle worked.

I may try adding a similar length toothpick to the other side and glue them together with the spring in the middle, but I can't work on it right now.

I feel your pain.  I have a right turnout which causes all sorts of derailments.  I have filed the one point until it is razor sharp.  Still, some cars do not like it. 

I had several other turnouts which caused derailments, but with just a little filing they are working fine.  If you find a solution to the spring issue, post it so we can get our turnouts working better.

Quote from: Hunt on February 02, 2011, 06:48:04 PM

Quote from: daxdog on February 02, 2011, 02:58:32 PM
I bet that would be a whole lot of track.  I have not measured, but I think I have just over 50' of track on my layout.  I am only connected in one spot and I have no issues.

The lack of good power/DCC signal distribution will come to your attention as you populate the layout with locomotives, rolling stock and layout use.

Using any terminal rail joiners should be considered a temporary fix especially when using DCC.

I am running DCC. What should I do if not terminal rail joiners?

Quote from: jward on February 02, 2011, 07:32:38 PM
that's what ectensions are for.....

i know if i had the room my railroad would grow arms like an octopus.

I am afraid that mine will. I am thinking of adding a couple of spurs that will be able to easily attach to additional tables with more track!

Quote from: ACY on February 02, 2011, 03:06:33 PM
it is best to have feeders every so often.

I have a handfull of the Atlas terminal joiners.  Can I use those rather than adding actual terminals?

I bet that would be a whole lot of track.  I have not measured, but I think I have just over 50' of track on my layout.  I am only connected in one spot and I have no issues.

Here is what the layout looks like today.  I apparently had some s-curves in my layout that I didn't really notice until I ran more than just a locomotive through them.  I had to redesign part of the layout to avoid the s-curves.  I added two of the three bridges.  I need to add one more.

You can see that I added some support on the legs.  The table was very stable, but when I would move it I had to be so careful.  Now, it does not matter about moving it.  Every leg moves together.  The extra wood on the floor is going to become shelves for cars which are not currently on the track.

I cannot wait until I can start changing the elevations of the tracks.  I am thinking about using the Woodland Scenics Subterrain products in order to achieve the different elevations.  My plan is to have the far left and right be at about 2" except for the track coming down to the rail yard in the front.  It will be constantly declining until it connects to the flat rail yard.  The middle section will be around 3" with slight variations since that area will be mountainous. 

What is your opinion of the Woodland Scenics Subterrain products?
Do they work well with the Bachmann EZ-track?
If I go that route, should I use the Woodland Scenics roadbed in order to dampen the sound?

Thanks