When first starting in DCC, I read about Bachmann decoders having a feature called "Service Mode Decoder Lock".  Since all my locomotives were Bachmann DCC on board at the time, I tucked the information away and never gave it further thought, until recently.

I usually have from 8 to 12 locos parked in the yards, and rarely remove any of them while programming a new decoder, and I don't have a programming track (yet). 

The other day I was changing the default address of my new Bachmann 44 ton, which was on the mainline.  Parked on my handy fiddle track was a Roundhouse Bumble Bee in which I had earlier installed a Digitrax DH123, set to address 9. 

Ok, some of you know what's coming, but save the guffaws and read on.

I changed the 44's address to 5, hooked up some cars and turned up the throttle a bit.  It worked fine, but the Bee also started moving down the fiddle track siding.  I thought "now, this is fun".  I removed the 44, reset the Bee to 9 and set it aside until I changed the 44's address.

The DH instructions have no reference to "decoder lock", it just states "all mode programming".  I repeated the scenario with another DH equipped loco, but it maintained its original address. 

My plan is to isolate the fiddle track for a separate programming siding.  (Another "roundtuit". )

For those who haven't read about the decoder lock, the EZ Command brochure has the warning note listed twice.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/ezcommand.php?ezpage=1

I found the event somewhat amusing, it proves DCC is never boring. 

The list of decoder installations at TCS is constantly being updated. Suggest bookmarking the site for reference. A new "real time" search feature was recently added.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/HO_Search/search.html?search=

Whenever someone asks about a decoder install, I usually check this site first. Realize the documentation may not coincide exactly to your choice of decoder, but the pictures can be a big help.   

Regards

This is a great site for anyone interested in steam locomotive workings and nomenclature. Check out all the links at bottom of page for excellent drawings and animations.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~trumpetb/loco/locoworks.html

I found the site about a year ago and had it bookmarked. Later the site went down with no forwarding address.  I finally found the new site after a lot of searching. 

About "Walschaerts", the man.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egide_Walschaerts

Enjoy.   

You've heard it often: "A picture is worth a thousand words". I'm starting a new project that hopefully will allow members to answer questions with a minimum of explanation.

1.  DO copy the images to your computer for your personal reference.
2.  DO upload the images to your personal hosting site if you wish to post them in other threads, (this board only) and maintain the original dimensions and file size.
3.  DO NOT link directly to an image at my Photobucket album. For one thing the image might not be there indefinitely.

Images will include Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 UP, medium USRA and Vanderbilt tenders, Bachmann GP40 / GP35, FT/A-B, GE 70 Ton, and GE 44 Ton, each with 2 or 3 views and as much documentation as possible on the image.

Comments and suggestions are welcome, each time I add new images, I will condense the thread to the basic content. For uniformity, only my personal pictures and diagrams will be included in the updates, however I will consider suggested revisions.

Here is the first set, USRA Medium DCC ready tender.




Disclaimer: All references to wire colors are based on my models, and may not be consistent with other models. The only consistency is the inconsistency.

Pictures and diagrams are Copyrighted. Posting is limited to this board only. 

What are some of the most significant railroad related events? This would include commemoratives, milestones, centennials, historical railroads, etc.  (Worldwide) (Please keep pictures small and stay on topic) 

I have one in mind that has perhaps the largest attendance, if you are thinking the same one, PLEASE NO LINKING TO THE SITES OR PICTURES.   

No, this is not a redo of "all the world railroads", mainly just accomplishments of historical significance.  

I'll start off with Promontory Point: (USA)
http://www.nps.gov/archive/gosp/history/GSNHS_hist.html



Another example, the first passenger train to reach the summit of Pikes Peak.

http://www.cograilway.com/history.htm

I often refer to Don Strack's Utah Rails web site. I read earlier that he was trying to get someone to take over the site.  It appears to be down at this time.

http://www.utahrails.net

I imagine many years of research and work went into the "all time rosters".  I should have copied the pages to my computer while it was still in operation.   

Don's site is still listed at the bottom of the "UP Index" on this site.

http://www.trainweb.org/utahrails/

Does anyone have any information about Don Strack or the site?

Thanks

You've probably noticed that very few model railroad products have complete instructions, if any at all,  provided in the package.  The factories must assume that we are all experts or wouldn't be in the hobby. Well, that's ok, with the help of this forum and the internet, we figure it out (in a year or two).

However, consider the following situation.  A guy goes to the hobby shop, selects a couple locomotives, some rolling stock, controller, track, turnouts, bridges, piers, ballast, scenery, etc, all based on the dealer's advice of course.  The dealer adds it up and says, "ok, that will be $676.39". As you present your plastic, you ask "How do I set this stuff up and get it running?"  The dealer's lips start moving without any vocalization, but we all know what he is thinking. (censored).

But you see, thanks to Kalmbach, Carstens and a host of other publishers, the wily dealer has an escape. "Over on that rack are lots of books to get you going in no time"........ "That will be another $85.50 please".   

The above happened to me two years ago, except the stuff never got to the cash register counter.  I was a newbie, every time I requested an item, the response was  "You don't want that, you want this". After a few months previous research, I already knew what I wanted.  I walked out and ended up spending thousands of dollars on the internet during the past 2 years.

With the help of my good friend "Google", and members of this board, I am now up and running and having fun.  Still more to learn but nothing really important for the time being. 

A couple days late, but my 70th birthday also marked my second anniversary in model railroading. What started out as a new hobby has turned into a passion, it gives me lots of satisfaction. So I want to "personally" thank all the members, experts and novices alike, who helped me get started, and stayed with me all the way through to success.

For those just considering the hobby, a word of advice from someone who's "been there".  Model Railroading is not "instant gratification", it is a continuous challenge which begins when you open the box of your very first locomotive.

I hope I can contribute to the board at least a small portion of what you all have given me.

Thank you.

I think everyone knows I'm not a nit-picker about terminology, but I'm a bit concerned about the increasing use of the word "chip" when referring to a "decoder". Perhaps it is proper computerese, or maybe a new "slanguage" evolving from the newer generation.

I'm even seeing "chip" on technical web sites. Of course "chip" can refer to potato, wood, cow, off the old block, on a shoulder, poker, state trooper, etc. But if someone says he put a chip in his locomotive, well, gee can the "damage" be fixed? 

My personal feeling is that standard terminology relating to technical / electronic subjects should be maintained, if for no other reason than effective communication. Taken in context, it's probably not a big deal, but it sorta makes the writer appear to be either a novice, or someone trying to impose his own slang glossary on others.  Along a similar line, I hesistate to reply to questions written in "texting" format.

While I'm at it, I always thought our role as "helpers" was to answer questions, lately it seems we have to ask all the questions.  Getting information from inquirers is sometimes like pulling hen's teeth.  Also, I tend to ignore questions such as "My loco won't run, what's wrong?" I enjoy helping those who make an effort to help themselves, and not expect me to do all their homework. 

I recently wisecracked that when I first registered I had a lot of questions, but didn't like the answers either, now I have a few answers but don't understand the questions.

Of course I'm from the old school of thought: "When all else fails, RTFM !"

What say you all? (except PD, who already thinks I'm an old grouch)

Since starting up in model railroading, I have accumulated a virtual encyclopedia of information.  Forum topics, web pages, PDF files, pictures, and my various projects.  However, I never keep any information on my hard drive. Here is how I store, find and recover any information I need.

I have a 4 place USB hub attached to my main computer that I use online.  Each hub has four - 2 gigabyte labeled flash drives inserted, ready to receive data. Each flash drive shows up in Windows Explorer and in the tree of my main image program as a separate drive, such as "E" "F" "G" "H", with the drive title displayed.

Each drive has a logical (to me) title and directory structure.  One drive for layouts, track planning, Atlas RTS program and .ral files, anything relating to track. 

One drive for electrical including DC and DCC systems, decoder information, installs, lighting, web pages, images, etc. 

One drive for my personal pictorials on projects including digital images. It has Irfanview installed, and directories for all my rolling stock pictures and diagrams, with a special directory "wish list" with pictures and stock numbers.

The 4th one is a miscellaneous "dump" drive where I temporarily store things until I can sort them out, edit and transfer to the proper flash/category.  It also has a directory/subdirectories for all my smaller install Exe programs, such as Winzip, RTS, Irfanview, fla to avi converter, various Codecs and hardware drivers, web links and updated email address book, along with my own "readme" files in txt format. 

The only data folders on my hard drive are "Incoming" and "Outgoing", Every night, before I turn off my computer, I transfer all "Incoming" items to the dump drive. The Outgoing folder is for items to upload to the forum, Photobucket,  or include in emails.   

It's a work in progress, the flash drives allow rearranging, renaming and moving files as needed.  About once a month, I copy the flash drives to CDs for backup. 

When I travel, I take along the flash drives in my travel case. I have found them very handy when visiting Caboose Hobbies.  I bring up my wish list and let them find all the stuff while I enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with the technicians. 

The flash drives are available from Walmart, made by PNY, one gig for $10, two gig for about $13.  If you run Win98, the drivers are available from PNY web site. The 4 place hub is made by Belkin for about $10. The hub is arranged like wheel spokes for easy access and a compact 6" cable.

For the benefit of all the new members, I retrieved this from the archives for a fresh exposure.

Jim,
Had I known years ago that I would one day be working with GPS and digital command for trains, I would never have sold my oscilloscope.  Since you have one, I'm hoping you can settle my mind on a couple of issues.

I'm interested in how the EZ Command controller modifies the digital pulses on address 10 to allow operation of a DC loco with throttle control.  My theory is that the alteration must be one that is recognized by the DC loco, and rejected by any DCC locos also on the track, even though (or because) they are on different addresses.

Would it be possible for you to take pictures of two wave forms?  One would be of the usual DCC wave form sent to a DCC equipped loco, another picture of the address 10 form sent to the DC loco, if indeed there is such a modification.

Also, is there a current restriction that limits the use of only one DC loco on address 10, as stated in the manual?  You know what I'm thinking, running 2 low current draw DC locos in consist on address 10.

I have set up and used special encoders/decoders to send packets of GPS information via commercial VHF and UHF radio signals, to track search and rescue teams and plot their locations on a computer topo map.  Of course this is a different application, but when I run my DCC locos, my mind starts spinning nonetheless. (another reason I run my trains sitting down) 

Thanks in advance for your help. (when you get time) 

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but will toss it out for what it's worth.

I have a surge protector power strip with a master switch and pilot light, mounted on the side of the layout.  As a usual practice, I always turn power to my EZ Command off before placing or removing a loco.  Well, almost always, tonight I goofed.

While placing a GP40 on the tracks, I felt a series of buzzes as the wheels made intermittent contact with the rails. (censored).  I turned the switch off, pushed the loco through the rerailer to position the wheels, and turned the power back on.  The loco was on address 1, also the default power up for EZ Command. I turned up the throttle....nothing.  It just sat there. 

I hit F10 and the rear light came on, though the controller forward indicator light was on. I placed the loco on a DC powered track and it ran fine, with lights changing from forward to reverse.  I put the loco back on the DCC layout, and still no response other than the stupid light.

I sat and stared at the thing for about five minutes, pondering the sequence of events.  Then I thought it might be an "initialization" problem with the processor. I changed the address to 3, and the loco took off with no problem.  Forward, reverse, lights changing, cool.  Then I changed the address back to 1, and all is well once again.

This reaffirms to me the fact that intermittent opens or shorts can drive the decoder nuts.  Luckily the decoder was more confused than I was, so I was able to think it out to a logical conclusion.

Final score.....Yampa  1      Murphy  0 

Many modelers, including myself, use a credit card to pay for internet purchases of trains, so I consider this to be on topic.  I have recently encountered problems with card billing companies (banks) . This may or may not be associated with recent banking problems.  Therefore I offer several cautions and solutions.

1.  Billing companies are  required to mail statements not later than the 26th of the month.  Recently we have not been receiving statements until the 8th or 9th of the next month, with  payment due by the 10th, so it is impossible to get the payment to the company on time. 

2.  There is no postmark date on the envelope, so we have no proof that statement was mailed late by the company.  I called the card company and was told they have no control over the mail, since the statement comes from a separate billing company (holding bank).

3.  The last statement we were charged $39.00 late fee plus interest, even though the balance was less then $80.00.  Apparently this exorbitant fee is allowed by law.  We always pay the full balance each month so we never owe, nor have we ever paid, any interest.  It is my suspicion that some banks might be deliberately sending statements late to justify the late fee, or simply have too many accounts to meet their deadline.  Those with high unpaid  balances probably don't even notice the added fee.

4.   For security reasons, we have requested that the complete card number not be shown on statement.  All companies we buy from enter only the last  4 numbers, such as XXXX XXXX XXXX 9999.  The card company has refused to do likewise. Credit card theft is rampant, anyone intercepting your statement has your card number. Never discard your statement in the trash without shredding your card number.

5.  If your card company calls, offering theft protection at $9.95 a month, beware.  You will be charged the fee and never receive the protective software they promise to send you.  The software is claimed to encrypt your keyboard strokes.

6.  Don't be mislead by "Secure Site" encryption.   There are subtle spywares that can reside on your computer, that are virtually undetected by so called "Spyware Protection  Programs".  This spyware will detect your keystrokes and grab your card number.  I only give my card information on the phone to select companies and individuals I trust, never online.  No, I don't have "PayPal" and want no part of it. 

7.  If you repeatedly receive statements late, or  are being charged unwarranted extra fees, call the Comptroller of the Currency in Houston, Texas. They take any complaint very seriously, and will immediately send you a complaint form.  I sent in a complaint regarding one bank's billing practices, and the Comptroller is investigating the matter.

Also, if you receive an email (or phone recording) from an unknown and phoney (probably overseas) company offering huge discounts on trains, with a supposedly toll free number, usually with a 908, 808 or some other weird number, don't call it.  You might get a phone bill for $25,000.00.  It's perfectly legal and you have to pay the bill.

I have to tell this story, first a little background. In November I will celebrate my 70th birthday.  All congratulations, sympathies, condolences and wise cracks will be graciously accepted or ignored accordingly.

Yesterday my wife (the CEO of Y.V.R.R. and my favorite cowgirl) and I visited Caboose Hobbies in Denver.  While I'm searching for a brass tender light from among the 10,000+ detail parts, she's looking over the HO locomotive section.  She called my attention to a beautiful AC4400 Union Pacific with the US flag on both sides, road number 5978.  Here's the conversation.

She: "Didn't you say you wanted one of these?"
Me: "Yes, but it's a bit long for our 18" curves."
She: "I didn't ask how it would look, will it work and do you want it?"
Me: "I've always wanted one, but if we don't run it a lot, what do you suggest we do with it."
She: "I want you to park it in that long siding, it's exactly like the ones we saw at the yard in town."
Me: "Well, I've already spent too much money on trains today."
She: "I'm not asking you to spend your money, I want to buy it for your birthday."
Me: "It will run on 18" ok, but it will look odd by itself, we saw three of them in town."
She: (Speaking to the salesman) "Do you have another one with a different number?"
Salesman: "Of course, we also have #5817."
She:  "Are they both DCC?"
Salesman: "They are both DCC ready, with a JST 9 pin plug, and we have the right Digitrax decoders in stock."
She:  (Ignoring all the jargon). "Set them on Bill's desk, we'll let him know for sure tomorrow."

(Today)....She: "Can you show me pictures of that locomotive?"   Boy, do I ever have pictures just in case.
She:  "Do you like it?"
Me:  "Of course, it's a great looking locomotive."
She: "Call Bill,  have them install the decoders and test run, we'll pick them up in two weeks."
(And she will hide them and make me wait until my birthday).

Am I lucky or what?  Oh, you should know, this is the same person that bought our first train set two years ago, a Bachmann ON30 Roaring Ridge,  because it was "cute".  Now it usually sits on the buffet, on tracks, as a display. Once in a while, she takes all my locos off the layout so she can run "her" train, full throttle, accompanied by a shrill "Toot, toot". 

First to dispel a myth. Dial up is not on the endangered list, nor is it likely to become extinct.  In fact, with people moving away from the big cities, far into the country, dialup is actually increasing.  These people can't get broadband, and most, like me, can't afford satellite. My ISP informed me that their dialup customers have greatly increased over the last few years.

Don't believe the "ratios" posted on  the net, these polls are posted by broadband companies and are obviously biased.  My research indicates about 20% currently with dialup, and increasing for reasons stated above.

I don't mind waiting 1 to 3 minutes for each page to load, it's due to the javascript sidebar menu. 

What I do mind is the invasive scripting that literally locks up my computer, even to the extent of destroying the registry, and having to reformat the hard drive.  I have to delete my cookies 4 or 5 times a day, sometimes during a session, just to post, preview, modify, log out and in, etc.

Even after I close my browser, and disconnect from the internet, the Bachmann link remains on the task bar for several minutes, with Windows trying to digest and close the scripts.  I have 3 late model computers, 2 with 98SE and 1 with XP.  It even locks up the XP frequently.

I was a webmaster for 4 business sites, including one international foundation,  for many years, I have never seen such a mess, and your scripting is highly invasive. It controls not only this site, but my computer as well.  This problem has persisted for many weeks, it seems the more it's tinkered with, the worse it gets.

I am just one dispensable member, but I am a very loyal Bachmann customer, and I  feel I am providing worthwhile contributions to this board.  However due to the increasing problems, I may not hang around too much longer.  I, for one, am tired of it.

If Bachmann can afford to lose roughly 20% to 25% of its audience, then so be it and I'll move on.  Please scrap this "glamorous" format and go back to something that was working just fine. Consider it an experiment that failed. 

By the way, this is the only site I have these problems with.  Even those with extensive graphics, scripting, flash and applets, although slower, work just fine. I spend a lot of time on the forum, but having to reboot several times a day is irritating.

As far as I'm concerned, this new format is all show and no go, and does not speak well for Bachmann quality. 

Respectfully, and Thank You

My only complaint about my Bachmann 2-8-0 Connies is the puny headlight.  Even at full throttle it's not very bright.  By comparison, when I barely advance the throttle for my Roundhouse locos, the light comes on bright and stays that way.  I like "flamethrowers", don't care if it's proto or not.

All my locos are DCC equipped.  I found schematics for making a constant brightness ciruit using an LED, but don't want to mess with that.

Several questions.

1. Has anyone changed the headlight to an LED, if so what were the results?  I want as near pure white as possible.

2. Other than adding an appropriate resistor, and modifying the metal casting to accept the LED, are there any tips or cautions.

3.  The Roundhouse apparently uses an LED, is the constant lighting achieved by the light board circuitry, or is it simply due to the low threshold of the LED?  If the latter, then the LED needs to withstand the voltage variance from 1 volt to 12 volts.  The Roundhouse light appears to remain constant over the entire throttle range, but may be going from bright to super bright, I can't tell.

4. Finally, why don't any or all decoders have the constant bright feature?

Thanks

From my limited research, I understand Edward Harriman's railroad career started in 1881,  He apparently had much influence on standards for locomotives, cars, even bridges, and owned or had interests in many railroads, including IC, SP, CP and UP.

He was also one of David Moffat's nemeses, and along with Gould tried to block all of Moffat's ventures.  Moffat was not allowed to use the facilities of Union Station in Denver, so he had to build his own depot for "The Moffat Road".. It's ironic that the company that fought Moffat the most today benefits from the Moffat Tunnel.  Harriman was indeed a shrewd and formidable adversary who always managed to get what he wanted.

I often hear someone refer to a "Harriman Locomotive".  Being a bit steamer challenged, I get no picture in my mind of what that means.  So please enlighten me, what characteristics distinguish a  "Harriman" from other locomotives?

One site stated that from 1903-1913, many loomotives were "Harriman's design", including Mikados, Pacifics, Consolidations and Atlantics, which must be referring to W. Averell Harriman since Edward's death is listed as 1909.  W.A. apparently "controlled" UP by virtue of financial investment, but didn't become Chairman until 1932.   

Union Pacific's ten wheeler #1243 is often called a "Harriman engine" because it is the only locomotive still owned by UP from the era when Harriman controlled the railroad. 

So...isn't the term "Harriman Locomotive" pretty vague? 

A friend gave me some old brass HO track sections Code 100,  6 - 18"curves, 2- 9" straight, one damaged, 1- rerailer, 1- RH #4, 1- LH#4 damaged.

Imprint on bottom of turnout is  "Made in Italy by Casadio" with a USA patent number 3379873.

Anyone know the history of these?  My friend said his Uncle had them for about 25 years.  I have no plans to use them, maybe just keep for conversation pieces.

Just curious.

Santa Fe Buff should love this site....over 40 years of photos by Jerry Appleman. Check out the heavyweight office cars.

http://www.jerryapp.com/arcv_r1.html

Lots of other railroad photos (main index).

http://www.jerryapp.com/arcv_idx.html

Enjoy.

For Fathers with trains on their mind, timing is very important.  When Junior is young, we don't want to have expensive trains and delicate layouts, can't afford them anyway, so we buy him the wooden kind so he can go "toot toot" and drive us nuts putting wheels back on.

We are counting the days and minutes until he graduates from high school, hopefully to move out.  Nope, he hangs around and wants to go to college, so for the next four years we can't afford trains anyway.  At last he graduates and becomes an engineer, making lots of money.  Great, now he can help set up the layout and pay for his own stuff.  So for a few years we spend some quality time together.

Then Junior and Mrs Junior have a child, a boy...hehe you know what's coming.  Grandson gets old enough to notice your trains.  Grandson has ten fingers, with strawberry jam on all of them....."Papa Papa let's run trains!!"......

All in fun, we love our kids and our Grandkids...in 2 months I will be a Great Grandpa, I hope it's a boy, and I pray I will live long enough to hear him yell.  "Papa Papa let's run trains!!"...

I dedicate this post to all Fathers, Grandfathers, and Great Grandfathers everywhere.

Does anyone out there in forum land have the Atlas 9" turntable?  I am considering incorporating the escapement mechanism into my home made table.

Is it supplied pre-assembled, and not easily dismantled to keep snoopy people like me from seeing how it's made or bashing it?

I have searched the net, and all I can find are pictures by dealers.  No reviews, exploded drawings, or any details that might help me.

I can buy one for $18, but hoped to find some drawings or information first. I am also considering the motor drive, does the mechanical indexing also pause the motor or what?  Ideally it would have a momentary button with micro switches to "step" each index position. 

Last question: The thing is belt driven, so to increase the diameter means using a longer belt.  Is the belt grooved on the inside mated to gears, or just smooth?