How long is the cord on this?  I am thinking I may need to exetend it with Cat 5 cable to reach the other side of my layout when walking around.

I have a couple of those model power metal bodied car.  Wondering since they are so heavy relative to my plastic bodied car causing them to derail?

Well I finally got the remote turnouts working (BTW they work much better on DC then AC current) Now I need to fine tune them so the wheels do not derail at the points.  I know this has come up before can anyone point me to thread.

I have several EZ track turnout that have a tendency to stick in one direction when thown remotely.  Short of replacing the bad turnouts is there anything that can be done to unstick them.  I can throw them manually with a stick but thats no fun.

And if I do decide to replace them what should I replace them with.  I don't want to rip up my EZ track as it works well otherwise.

Joe

According to Walthers Today is National Bring A Model Train to Work Day.  I brought pne of my locos in to spark a discussion of the hobby.  Did anyone else?

I had to take down my layout last night to make way for new carpet in the office.  2 1/2 years to build 45 minutes to demolish   Oh well in 2 weeks I'll start the process all over

Well I got to ride on the Washington Metro today.  It's everything the NY subway should be Clean fast and comfortable.

Yesterdays trouble on the LIRR has the MTA switching trains manually in Jamaica NY.  I didn't know railroads could still do that.  I have this image of men standing by each switch kind of like a giant model RR
.

It was a VERY frustrating night last night on my AK & J railway.  I have a string of Athearn Gunderson Maxi Well IV cars that kept derailing when I sent them out as a consist hauling several double stack 40' containers.  This consist has ran well in the past but this time it just kept derailing on mainline curves obviously bringing other traffic to a halt.  Has anyone else had problems with these cars? 
I finally gave up and removed them from service so that other trains could proceed.

Is anyone besides myself and my Fiance' going to be their tomorrow?
97 Sunnyfield Ave Edison, N J

I realize this is a Bachmann Board BUT:

I am at the point where I am ready to add the subway cars (Representing the Staten Island railway even though I know these type cars never ran on the SIR I'm freelancing).  Anyway according to the subway set it is DCC ready and I was wondering if anyone has put a decoder in the subway and if so what did you use and how did it work out?

Joe

I am looking for an inexpensive way to make tress in autumn colors.  I estimate that I will need between 50 and 100 trees to fill in various spots on my layout.  Buying pre made trees is too expensive.

I just found out today that I will be going to a 3 day business conference in Washington DC Sept 12 - 15 2010.  Since I live in Staten Island, NY, I was thinking this would be the perfect trip to take Amtrak rather then drive. 

The hotel is right off the Washington Metro and I will not need a car.  OK here's my question  Knowing that my employer will probably only pay for me to take a regular Northeast Regional train from NJ (either Newark or Metropark) is it worthwhile for me to pay the extra $86 each way myself to take Acela?  Is there really a big difference in the coach service between a regular train vs Acela that justifies the cost.  Time is not much of a factor I have half a day both ways to travel.  However what about on time performance?  I know Acela is roughly 30min faster but what else would justify the extra cost?

Today is National Train Day is anyone going any of the events Amtrak is holding?

Is there any way to do this so the ballast actually sticks to the sides of the trak and doesn't make a big mess?

My EZ command just arrived  I spent last night while my Finance' was working a double shift preparing the wiring for its arrival. Hopefully It will just need to be plugged in and programmed.

I got a bottle of this lube Can anyone tell me if its conductive or non conductive?

Well after much thought and a much bigger than expected Tax Refund I have ordered EZ Command from Toy Train Heaven to replace my DC systems. For now I antipate leaving the turnouts as analog.  I anticipate running no more then 3 Locomotives at a time Anyone have a suggestions about setting it up when it comes.

Joe

I am at the point where I am going to be adding an elevated roadway to my layout to represent the Staten Island Railroad.

I have two questions Does anyone manufacture a third rail Since the SIR uses NYC Subway equipment the tracks have a third rail for electrical pick up.

Second is there a way to have the consist reach the end point pause and automatically reverse back the other way, as the SIR/Subway does?

I am thinking of putting Plexiglas around the edges of my layout (like they do at train shows but only 6" or so high.  My layout would require 4 pieces 2 four foot pieces 1 two foot piece and 1 three foot piece.  Anyone have any idea how much it would cost and would the glass cutting place drill the mounting holes?