Mr. B.

I waded through the archives but came up blank.  What make is the decoder in a non-sound 2-8-0?  Can it be used with a Digitrax "Soundbug"?

Thank you,

Peter

Glad everything worked for you.  Suggestion: If your system has the ability to read the decoder, do that and WRITE the numbers down somewhere before you try to change anything.  I was monkeying around with my PCM Goose and got it so scewed up it would only run at about 2 mph and I lost a bunch of the sound.  I finally found the factory reset ( CV 8, data # and all was well.  Now I read them all and write them down in case I cannot find the reset code.

All I know is the orange wire should be pin # 1. If you don't have the pins numbered I also read that it is foolproof-if you plug it in back wards, nothing happens and it won't damage the decoder.  Turn it 180 degrees and it should be fine.

Peter

I would definitely add that to my subscription list!  Do you have an "in" at Carstens you could use to champion this cause??

Peter

Harold,

You never cease to amaze me with your innovation and imagination with these projects of yours.  I'm curious, what ever happened to your S scale idea?

Peter

Thank you all for the input.  I had given proto 48 some thought last night for a couple of reasons.  The 4' 8 1/2" track gauge would make the On30 track "look" bigger and the small flanges would definitely be better for both code 100 and IF I make some dual gauge track/switches (switches unlikely as I remember my first attempts!!!)

Thanks again,

Peter

I want to add a short standard gauge line to my On30 layout for Interchange purposes.  I am curious how small a rail height the RTR (2-rail) equipment say from Atlas will handle?  My On30 is happy on code 70 but I'm guessing that is too small for standard gauge O scale cars. I'm thinking of a small section of dual-gauge track so the largest I could go would be code 100.  Any ideas out there??  As its going to be quite short, I am not averse to handlaying it.

Thanks

Peter

Upon "further review" the posted picture (taken at Supersteel in Scotia, NY) was of "set 1", not "set 2" (PC 2141 and 2162) mentioned in my last reply.  It was the set used in revenue service with PC 158 and I believe 153.  It is currently stored with set 2 as well as the other 3 sets not rebuilt after the "flap" started.  Too bad as they were real crowd (passenger) pleasers with a great ride and huge windows.  Unfortunately their operating cost per passenger mile was about 3 times that of a 5 car P-32 Amfleet set.

Amtrak Turbo Train re-built by Supersteel for New York State DOT.  Used for about 1 year in revenue service then stored due to a "flap" between Amtrak and NYS.  Power Cars 2141 and 2162.  If someone can help me figure out how,  I can post some shots includind the interiors.

Great idea Mike.  I have the same situation for Baltimore MD.  I know about the B & O museum, any ideas of a good RR Hobby Shop in the area?

Peter

Thanks, guys, I'll pull the shell off tonight and have a look.  By your answers, I am guessing there is difference in the Davenport motor from the Porters that have to be rewired in some fashion (isolating the motor)

Peter

I have an early Davenport and a new one with DCC "on board".  Last night I found the schematic for the old one and discovered there is a circuit board on top of the motor w/o a decoder hooked up like in the schematic for the new one.  Question: does this mean the early one is DCC ready, just awaiting a decoder?

Scot,

You are right.  I just thought about lowering the carbody on the truck frame because of the appearance issue as well as coupler height.  All the cars I've lowered have been retro-fitted with center shank Kadee whisker # 148's, making the height correct.  I never thought about washers in the coupler pockets.  Excellent suggestion, thanks,

Peter 

Mr. Bach Man,

I use an airbrush and like Poly Scale.  Which of their blacks is closest?  You were right on with the Floquil dark green-a perfect match.

Thanks,

Peter

Thank you, Mr Bach Man sir.  I like Poly Scale as I can't stand the smell of regular Floquil even with a well vented spray booth.  Do they offer a dark green that is the same color?  Also, I have another paint color question.  Which color black are your On30 steam locomotives.  I note there are about 5 different shades.

Thanks for your help.  BTW, your products rock big time!!

Peter