A question for the "veterans" out there:

I, too, am a beginner to model railroading.  Only, I am nowhere near replicating specific railyards, towns or regions like some of you.  I admire your experience and zeal.  I am just getting into railroading purely as a recreational hobby - a "stress buster" if you will.  I have a Bachmann Ben Franklin Ltd. HO starter set, expander set, and a couple buildings.

What "label" do I give to my pursuits?  I am not technically modelling anything, nor am I using "toy" trains.

My next acquistion, wife and budget permitting, is an EMD freigh circuit.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, everyone.

Jim, I did that very thing before signing on to the forum tonight.  Upon closer inspection, I noticed one axle was slightly bent, and another had an eccentric wheel.

Anyone,
Are wheel & axle sets universal or standard, or do I have to buy replacements with some specification?

Thanks,

mlt1

Thanks, Bach-man.

mlt1

Gene,

What's a Kaydee washer?   

mlt1

Thanks, bnsfan.  I'll give it a try.  It does sound odd, though, I agree.

mlt1

Are there any implications to routing the wire from my HO gauge EZ-track to the controller by tucking it under the roabed to aid in concealment?  Didn't know if emf was a factor in DC power.   Once I have an idea of a semi-permanent layout, I can drill and route them under the table top.

Any thoughts?     

Thanks.

mlt1

One of the cars in my Bachmann Ben Franklin Ltd rolling stock wobbles from side to side as it goes down the track.  The side to side frequency is proportional to the loco speed, and happens all the time, not only at track section joints.  Coudl this be eccentric wheels?  One car is noticeable the others seem okay.  Any thoughts?   

Thanks.

mlt1

Hi Jim,

If you're talking about current day colors, 76 Lubricants uses black drums, white ends, and labels on side and top end between bung caps.  Labels are white background, black lettering and have the 76 logo on them (orange ball with blue 76 in it).

I grew up in Jersey.  Never saw any steam locos in passenger or freight service.  Buildings were often brick front in town centers.  Cape Cod was a popular house style in that time frame in suburban areas, or "farm houses" in the country.

Hi Bo,

Yes, when you see this, send me an e-mail.  I don't have your address.

Thanks.

mlt1

Thanks, Bo.

PS - I sent you a PM when I was looking at another topic.  Did you get it?  I'm not sure it went.  Kept getting the same screen over and over.

mlt1

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Bojangle, you said I can run a DCC engine out of the box on my present layout and power pack?  The guy at the store I bought my stuff at said DCC engines running on a regular track and pack may get warm / hot.  Is he right?   

Thanks.

mlt1

Thanks for the reply, SteamGene.

I'm sorry to say, I don't know the answers to your questions.  I am a very new beginner to model railroading.  I just bought my train set as a starter set a few weeks ago.  I'm still on the upside of the "learning curve".  Maybe we should "cut to the chase" and ask, what would the conversion cost?  If it is as much as the whole layout was in the beginning, maybe I should run it as a separate loop.  Your thoughts?

Thanks.

mlt1

I have a Bachmann Ben Franklin Ltd HO train set.  I am thinking about going to a DCC layout system.  Can I convert my American 4-4-0 to a DCC compatible engine?  I want to be able to run multiple trains on the same layout.  Can I do this, and how?

Thanks.     

mlt1