I have some regular turnouts that are equal to an 18" radius and 9" staight.  But I am just wondering if there is a regular turnout that would be equal to a 22" radius instead of the 18" , but still with the 9" straight portion.

     According to the product search, the only spare part that Bachmann sells is couplers.  I understand that couplers are under more stress and ware, but What about spare wheels or trucks?

     Hey all, I was just wondering about the new sharks.  As for this style of deisel, why is Bachmann only selling the FT and the sharks?  I much prefer the F9 over the FT; however, above all, I prefer the E6 and E8.  I somewhat like the sharks, but they look quite odd without the porthole windows on the sides.
    As to the other type of deisel, Bachmann sells a large variety of GPs, SDs, and the Fairbanks.

     Does anyone else feel the same way about this?

     I tend to disagree with everyone.  I much prefer the EZ mates over Kadee.  However, having only one car with a Kadee isn't much of a comparison, but EZ mates are cheaper and I can't really afford the Kadees.

     Thanks for all the input guys, I'll try with what I have, rubbing alcohol.

     I just recently bought track off of ebay, but it has a dry powdery texture, as if it were used but not maintained.  My simple question is "Is there anything that I can do to make it useful for me?  It is Bachmann's steel E-Z track, but most of this texture is by the end of the track sections by the conectors.

Any suggestions?

     Every locomotive that I have ever had does the same thing.  But now that I have recently purchased the E-Z Command from Bachmann, They seem to begin moving sooner that 40.  I can't tell you why or anything like that, but all I can say is it does.

     I understand the functions of DCC.  Standard DC is exactly what it is, DC, direct current, just like a battery.  Now DCC is more of an AC, alternating current, which defines that the locomotive will always go forward or reverse, regardless of picking it up and placing it backwards, it will still go forward. 

So, it seems to me that we are somewhat agreed that it has to do with some kind of radio signal.

Thanks for all the input.

     What exactly is the DCC technology?  I know how it is used and some of the different functions are, but what is it?  Now that I have an engine and the E-Z Command, I think that it has something to do with different amps of power, but if that be the case how can the lights of each locomotive be turned on or off at will?  I'm really curious to know.  Does anyone know exactly what it is? Please let me know.

     Something like that would be nice to have, but there would be one problem, the detector would be too close to the crossing.  In reality, there would be some distance still travelled before the loco would finaly stop, not just instantanious stopping.  In railroading, You are the engineer of all your trains.

Everybody has there own opinion.  So I'd like to know why some of you guys like model railroading better than some other hobbies.
Here are my reasons:
1.) It's fun
2.) I get to learn so much about not just railroads in general but a particular one.
3.) It gives the modeler (me ) the capability to landscape. The more landscaping is done on a model layout, the more profficient one can become in real landscaping.

Anyways, anyone have any other reasons to share?

And it truly is my Favorite Spot.

This was the first store that I checked out.
Thank you,

I've purchased a few things on ebay, but at first from a seller who has an actual store with ebay.  Viewing their store helped me to decide whether or not I wanted to buy from them.  One of these stores I've decided not to buy from again, yet another I have decided to purchase again from them.
Basicaly, my first time exsperience told me whether or not to continue with them.

QuoteOutdoor HO would be cool, but until people figure something out, USE A GREEN HOUSE!
(I'm going to try that ).

That was one thing I failed to comment on in my first post on this stream.
But also I failed to give the reason why to use a large table or small car trailer for the garden railway.  This would make it very portable.  If it rains, you could take it into the garage, or with the car trailer you could travel to different shows and show it off (but of course, cover it with a tarp).


As to sheldon's comment, I went to a Christian school and I learned all that proper grammatical structure in the third grade.

     I'd love to run a railroad outside, but all the elements do play a part in the results of doing so.
However, for the past two years, I've had an idea for a garden railway in HO scale.  My idea probably costs thousands of dollars, which is why I haven't started it yet especially since I am only twenty.

Here's my idea:
1.)  Get a large table or maybe even a small car trailer.
2.)  Build a wall around it, however high you want the sides to be.
3.)  Fill it up with dirt.  Add the grass and plants, Lay the track (considering that it's HO scale, I'd use Bachmann's E-Z track, but if you use a track without a manufactured roadbed you might want to make your own out of something, maybe thin pieces of wood).
4.)  An added touch of realism would be to have a few trails of bare ground, indicating where a railroad had been at one time.

     Of course, you can come up with some additional ideas of your own.
Is anyone interested in this idea?