It's approximately a 7.5' x 3.5' kidney shape with a passing loop and a siding that branches into two sidings.  Don't know the total track length.

Quote from: SteamGene on January 13, 2009, 03:12:04 PM
If you have several sidings for industry, switching adds to the number of cars on the layout, but not the number in the train. 
How large is your layout?
Gene

I understand there are other factors such as # of turns, radius, length of track, etc.  I have entry-level locomotives (FT-A and a GP40) and I'd like to get more rolling stock.  Just looking for a general guideline.

Thanks.

Understood.  Thanks for the info.

Quote from: richG on January 12, 2009, 07:32:02 PM
DC loco on a DCC controlled layout will always buzz. All DCC controllers send pulses that will cause a loco motor to buzz. This can damage a motor that is sitting still as the DCC signal is always applied to the motor, even at zero throttle. Your best bet is to install a decoder.
With a DC power pack, all you are getting is DC.
Hard for me to explain. The signal is trying to turn the motor forward and backward at a high rate of change even when sitting still which causes the buzz. If you could see the track waveform, you would understand what I mean. If the armature is not turning and dissipating heat, the motor can be ruined. I see this issue quite a lot in DCC forums. Controller manufactures will not mention this usually.
The photo shows a typical DCC signal applied to the track. The pulses are there even with zero throttle and always applied to the loco motor for a DC only loco. The width of the pulses are varied for forward or reverse.


Locos with decoders send only positive or negative pulses to the motor. At zero throttle, no pulses.

Rich

I have a Thomas HO locomotive that I just ran on a DCC layout.  The loco makes a steady noise at any time power is on, regardless of whether or not it's the selected loco.  The noise changes according the loco's speed.  The other two DCC locos work as usual.  The Thomas loco does too – just noisy.  All locos are new w/ < one hour of use.  Using a regular (non DCC) transformer = no noise.

Thoughts?

Cause for concern?

Thanks.

My son received this as a Christmas gift from his Granddad (new, still in shrinkwrap):

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1175

Aside from the standard E-Z Track instructions that come with the Bachmann HO sets, there is was no documentation on the four electrical switches to use with the four track switches.  Presumably, the red wires route power from the accessory terminals of the transformer to the switch(es).  These switches in turn, appear that they can be daisy-chained together.  The four green wires are (again presumably) used to route power from each electrical switch to its corresponding track switch.  I'd appreciate if anyone could let me know if I'm in error here.

I searched the website and could find any online documentation either.

A search of the forum shows that at least one other person has run across this problem as well.  Bachmann, a little more hand-holding for newbies, please.

Thanks.

I have a large scale trolley and wanted to see what would be involved in making it automatically reversible (if possible).  I did a search and found that a reversing unit is/was available for other gauges.  Just didn't see anything for large/G scale.

Thanks.

Terry,

I glanced at your profile and noticed you're near St. Louis.  I'm near O'Fallon (Missouri).  I tried to PM you but the letter verification thing is conspiring against me.  Just wanted to say "thanks" and "hello".

Yes!

That's what I'm envisioning.

Thanks.

Quote from: Terry Toenges on January 07, 2009, 10:04:53 AM
Maybe this will get your creative juices flowing -


----------------------------

I'm new top the hobby and have a few multi scale sets.  I'm looking for the most economical way (smallest footprint and cost) to get my sets off the basement floor and up to a level that's more enjoyable, comfortable and will keep the trains and track from being trampled.  My goal is to be able to set up and run all the trains from a single table (hopefully no more than 8' x 8').  With the various scales/gauges, I know scaling will be impractical.  I'm just looking for something purely functional at this point. 

Currently, I have:

Bachman G scale passenger train and a G scale trolley (streetcar?).  The train is currently set up on a 10' x 6' rectangle, though I can go anywhere from 4' x 12' to 8' x 8' with the track I have.  The trolley is running on a 4' circle.  My current thought is to run the train on a 7' square; with the trolley running a separate 5' square within the train (my son likes to see all the trains running, which is my reason for keeping the tracks separate).

Two Lionel sets (a #1473WS set from 1950 and a new Polar Express set).  I currently have 40" x 60" of FasTrack but can expand this is necessary to keep both sets on the track (but operated one at-a-time).  I have the old track that came with the 1950 set but do not anticipate using it.

Two Bachmann HO sets: One Thomas Holiday Special Set w/ 40" x 60" of the steel alloy (black roadbed) track.  One Digital Commander set with two locomotives and 40" x 60" of the nickel silver (grey roadbed) track.  I also have a 43 piece track expansion pack with a number of additional straights, curves and switches.

I've seen multi-tiered layouts (like a wedding cake) and I'm curious if to see if this would be a prudent way to go.  Again, I'm looking for something functional at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Hi.

I have a new HO Digital Commander set.  The Hayes Bumper did not have a joiner attached, nor do I see space around the first couple of ties for one to slip in.  Is this correct?

I have a new Bachmann Digital Commander set w/ two engines.  I can run them separately but cannot get them to run together (nose-to-tail, both facing forward).  The instructions are not clear (to me).  Is a separate (third) address required?

Thanks.

Thanks for the info, Bill.

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on December 15, 2008, 01:36:54 PM
Neo,

You are correct there is no lube port for the trolley.  I have had several of them apart, and all I have seen were well lubed at the factory.!!

You can unscrew the bottom for access to the gears, but getting the electrical contacts to mate well when you reassemble everything can be a pain.

Recommend that unless you hear bad noises from the gears leave it alone. 

Cheers

Hi.

I have a G-scale trolley that was bundled with a ten-wheeler set.  Is there any practical way to access the motors and gears for lubrication?  I don't see a plug to access this area like the engine has.

Thanks.

Not the same video but what I saw was indeed a Shay.  Thanks for the info.

Quote from: Paul M. on December 11, 2008, 07:45:12 PM
I've got a video on Youtube of Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad shay #15. It may help you to determine if the locomotive you saw was a shay or not. (It sounds like it is)

Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kKXmtZebJc&feature=channel_page

Thanks all for the info.  The engine that I saw was on a video that I rented from the library, so the footage could have easily been 10-15 years old.

Quote from: Hamish K on December 10, 2008, 05:38:36 PM
Where did you see the real life. running version of this loco? I agree with Dusten, probably a Shay. I suggest you go to the products page on this site, type Shay into the search box and see if it looks like any of Bachmann's model Shays. (Shays came in many sizes and shapes). If it is a Shay, and you are interested in finding out more, visit http://shaylocomotives.com

Hamish