I'm looking into getting a sp 4-8-4 made a few years back #58157. It's not dcc and I was wondering how hard it was to convert if anyone has.  If you have converted it could you attach pictures?

Its been a few months since ive been active on here. Its a new season and its time for me to get back and make a new layout. I remember how much my old ho layout cost and ive realized that now is the time to make a proper n scale layout (as my little loop with a siding isnt cutting it). I love being able to build your own layout but right now school takes up most of my time and money (college). I know a few people that have ventured into terrain for trains which is a company that makes durable 4x2 1/2 ' n scale layouts of various track plans. I really like these but cant seem to find them any where for a good price. Most places have then for at least over 350 dollars and some up to 700. I want to get 2 sections and have a 8x2 1/2 layout and upgrade my dcc roster so I dont want to spend thousands (maybe a thousand). Does anyone know of a place/website where I can get terrain for trains for a good price? And since im here what do yall think about terrain for trains?

The reason im posting in the n scale tab and not general discussion is because this concerns an n scale layout and I figured this would have the "I've done that experience". I recently found an interest in n scale (about a year and half ago) and have been wanting to start a layout but have very little time to construct one to the quality that I want. I found a 4x8 layout on my local Craig's list (I know some of you are saying dont do it) but it is a nice layout. It was built by an old railroader about 15 or so years ago, thus it has a lot of blocks for control. I have a dcc setup from my old ho layout and would like to use it on this, but I haven't been able to find a conversion topic in n scale. The layout is 200 dollars which to me is a bargain. I dont mind putting some $ into it since I know it will probably need a good cleaning and possibly some track replaced. Has anyone converted a block system layout to dcc? And how did you do so? Is it easy for the average Joe to do and is it going to require some special tools? I imagine the layout has either plastic rail joiners or no rail joiners at the block sections and those would need to be taken out and soldered. I just dont know what exactly I would need to do and can I take advantage of what is there already (I.e the lead wires to each block could be hooked up in a dcc bus wire to supply track power). Any help and any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks, BaldwinMikado

I've been thinking about the 2-10-4 texas  and I want to get one but bachmann doesn't make them. Is there a possibility in one being produced in the future or is one in the planning stages?

I have a few locomotives I would like to get repaired. I know that you send it to the and there is a small fee but how do you send the money. Do you put it in an envelope and put it in the package with the locomotive or do you send it to like the financial department if there is one? I know how to get it there but how do you send the money? This is a good ? for the Bach-mann

This summer I plan to make a layout but I'm not the best layout planner and I havent found a suitable plan I liked. I like layouts that keep the engineer busy and not bored. Does anyone have any interesting plans that match my specs?
Here are some dimensions:
-8x8 outside perimeter
-5x6 inside perimeter
-a little complex but not mind boggling

The layout I pictured has an interior island where the engineer stands and the trains go around him. A table like this here engineer is in the middle trains go around

Even though I model n scale now, I still have some ho scale models that I would like to convert to dcc. My two are gp40's in atsf and western maryland. They have the plain jane pcb boards with two light bulbs in them. I was just looking around in the parts section and under gp30 part number    6230X-6071 is a pcb board tjat appears to be  a dcc board. Is it dcc (notice the leds) and could I use it in my gp40?

So I have been wondering about the prices for some dcc sound locomotives. I know that many have dc cousins that are just a little bit simpler in design. I started thinking about costs for conversions and kits. So, would it be cheaper to buy a dc loco and buy a dcc sound chip and convert it or is it cheaper to buy an already dcc sound loco? Remember though, I'm not your tech school electrician or 20 year model railroad veteran. I know basic electrical knowledge (soldering, wiring, grounding, lights, pcb boards, etc). I.E- would it be easier and cheaper to buy preinstalled or install myself

So I have been wondering about the 4-8-4 northern in at&sf. I've seen them around and I like them, but I've been thinking if it is possible to dcc them. If it is I could use any tips and what chips I should use. I've been looking at the empire builder set with this loco and just wanted to know if dcc was possible. Any help?

Ok so when I first decided to dive into n scale (about year and a half ago) I wanted to start out with what I knew worked. I.E get a train set and some track and go from there. I purchased the bachmann super chief train set (santa fe f7, rio grande box car, bn gondola,  sf caboose). I was amazed with the loco's detail and was  surprised when it was a spectrum. I liked it enough that now I want more of themn but I can't seem to find them on bachmann's site or anywhere else (ebay, local shops, online retailers). I wanted to know why you can't find them or if I'm doing something wrong to not be able to find them. Any help?

 i am planning on trying to model the ATSF 3751. I have seen models of the loco but they are brass and cost a good bit. I have been wondering if it is possible to use a bachmann atsf 4-8-4 to model the 3751. i just need to know is if anybdy has tried to do this, and what modifications or detail procedures they used and about how much did it cost. I know places and have been to train shows where i can get the 4-8-4 for about 100$ and i would like to if possible keep it under 250$

ive got 2 bachmann gp-40 dc locomotives. on is AT&SF and the other is Western Maryland. they are standard dc. i would like to add sound and dcc and i am currently thinking about MRC's decoder for 645E prime mover locomotives. is any one aware of a decoder or manufacturer that makes decoders w/ gp40 sounds and how is the decoder from mrc. i am working on a budget so a 100+ dollar chip is a little to much.

I have been using brushes to weather my railroad fleet, and after a few years you get tired by the length in time and patience. I have been thinking about a small 1/6 hp piston air compressor to go with my g22 airbrush. I've read reviews and some say they heat up and suck from piston friction, and some say they work like a charm. Has anybody expierenced problems with piston compressors from overheating or is this just some hooplah. i am in need of knowing. thanks      baldwinmikado

ok so ive had a regular starter ez command dcc controller for a while because i have always known that i wasnt going to get a big layout. i have had my eye on a dcc sound f3 and 4-8-4. i know that with this controller you can only do the first 10 sounds. so, if i get a walk around companion, does that mean i can control more sounds

Ok so i purchased a brand new dcc equipped 2-8-4 locomotive from model show. I get it home and run it and i noticed that the headlights are orange or amber in color. I first noticed this in my dcc 0-6-0, but thought that that was normal as it was my first dcc loco. even after doing some disassembly, the actual lights are this color. I've searched allover and have not been able to find my answer. So, maybe you guys can help. Why does bachmann use these orange or amber colored headlights?