Great stories shared by folks.

In my case two people close to me and some others already mentioned by others.

My Brother and Dad.

My brother who was quite a bit older had health issues was cheered by my parents when he was given an American Flyer train. Then I came around a few years later and he encouraged us to move onto HO scale. Several years and many tables built by my Dad kept it going.

Surviving the teen years in the late 60s and early 70s by reading Model Railroader magazine and seeing what John Allen created always inspired.

Lastly and most recently really inspired by the regular contributors to this forum. Glad to have Bachmann host it too!

PadreCraig

Yes I added a Digitrax to my 2 6 0 and find having sound to be fantastic. I was able to keep it all contained to the engine even the speaker.

Here is my post showing some pictures.

http://s902.photobucket.com/albums/ac226/nmwtrr/2%206%200%20DCC%20conversion/

Normally I work in HO and found it actually a lot easier to do this conversion.

I found some great info on civil war trains in Railroad Model Craftsman October 2009 issue.

The article was written by Thom Radice. He created was an excellent layout based on the Western Atlantic around 1863.

He used the old Mantua/Tyco 4 4 0 Generals. I think they were pretty good representations of the famous Civl War General. He even went to the trouble of making the pilots so that they are wire frames.

Not sure you can get these locos today. I have two but neither run very well any more.

You might chekc out E bay to see if any one is selling them used.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

JWard,

Thanks for the info. The logo on the website looks just like the one on the boxcar.

Here is a boxcar that I found a train show. It fits in with my railroad with the El Paso logo. The state of Missouri icon is interesting though. Does any one know the history. Maybe it is from a train club?

Thanks

http://s902.photobucket.com/albums/ac226/nmwtrr/Boxcars/?action=view&current=ElPasoBoxcar.jpg

No, it doesn't.

I recently converted my layout from DC to DCC and just continue to use the AC connections on my old power pack to power the turnout controls. I use the EZ command. It is very simple to use but has limited features.

As I understand it, you can convert the turnout controls to DCC but you have to add decoders for each swtich (around 15 to 20 dollars each) or buy swtiches that have decoders built in.

By doing this each turnout would then use one of the 9 decoder buttons on the EZ command.

I needed all 9 buttons (and then some) just for locomotives.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Jim and Jonathon,

Thanks for the inputs.

The offset did cause some problems at first and rough operation. I used two screws to hold down the end of the flywheel support and that helped.

I have an older version of this unit and it had a different motor that was higher. The center gear train was different so it all lined up. Not sure why they changed it to this version.

Geared steam,
I had heard about using the 44 tonner and considered it but something made me want to try and get this running. Maybe seeing Jonathon's projects inspired me 

I also remember LeFever's chassis they were a little expensive but I suspect they worked very well.

This unit is geared so low that I suspect the flywheel does not do too much, I might take it out and see if there is a difference.

Take care all and stay warm

Finally got around to getting a kit for an old MDC Box Cab running.

The kit had two major problems. The drive shafts in the trucks were too long and the plastic universal would just slip on the shaft.

After many years of this kit sitting on my shelf, I finally decided this is the time to get it running so I cut the shafts shorter. I drilled a hole into the end of the shaft and through the universal and inserted a pin. Put super glue on it to hold it all togethor. I did have to file the pin smooth but it worked!

Bottom line never give up on that project after awhile you might figure out a way to get it working.

Here are some pictures for those interested.


http://s902.photobucket.com/albums/ac226/nmwtrr/Box%20Cab%20DCC%20conversion/

I am not familiar with your controller but you may have to activate the light. Not sure which funtion it would be on the Digitrax Zepher. Maybe other can help.

Mr. Bach-Man,

Thank you for hosting this site.

I find it very interesting and entertaining.

Hope all the Model Railroaders have a Happy New Year!

Looking at your original post. I think you have two diesel locomotives. Suspect they are an FTA and a GP unit. Which one is causing the short?

While you wait for Bachmann to call back you might want to turn the engine over and look at the wheels. Try moving them a little back and forth see if it there might be anything bridging between the wheels and causing a short or there may be soemthing not letting the wheels rotate. Something may also be physically binding the motion.

This sort of trouble shooting is frustrating on a new product but after solving one or two of these items, you build more knowledge on how things work, it can be very satisfying when you are able to fix something on your own.

There are lots of experts here who can provide help but more info describing the problem will help them help you.

Hang in there 

Jonathon,

As always your projects inspire.

Thank you for sharing, it keeps me trying to improve my meager skills on rebuilding locomotives!

I have seen this product advertised but have never used it looks interesting.  Might help you out.


http://www.choochenterprises.com/

I am going to assume you have a EZ DCC controller. There are no AC connections on it.

What I did is I used my old DC controller AC power to operate my old non DCC switch machines.

I also use the DC power to operate some lights on my layout.

This saved me the expense of buying new decoders (around $20 each) and I still use the old DC controller.

If you want to convert your turnouts to DCC as I understand it you add the controllers and then program them so that you operate them in a similar fashion as your DCC engines.

At least that is my understanding :-)

The old Model Dicasting Boxcab locomotives only had one flywheel. They also had climax that used the same chassis and it had one flywheel.

Trying to convert one to DCC so have it apart on my work bench right now!