Quote from: union pacific 844 on October 06, 2012, 01:10:29 PM
i have diesel engine to fast  it's to fast to run with my anther diesel engine is there any way to slow it down ?   and to fast to pull car with out the cars flying off the tracks   

who makes them.  Sometimes adding weight slows them down.  Especially with Athearn     phil

Quote from: union pacific 844 on September 25, 2012, 12:49:44 AM
hi how do i use decals? this is my first time using decals      I like to use clean warm water in a shallow bowl.  Some suggest distilled water.  then follow the instructions.  Your surface should be clean.  Decals adhere to a gloss or semi-gloss finish.  I would also suggest you use MicroSol and Microset to assist the decals to settle down and adhere to your model. 

4% is pretty steep.  However, 2 or 3 diesels should be able to handle your train lengths.  Not sure on your steam.   6 axle diesels generally pull better than 4.  What I have found to be a small problem is not working trains upgrade but going down grade.  Some engines suffer from cogging.  the weight of the train pushes against the engine forcing the worm gear forward.  Shouldn't affect you unless you're running longer trains.     Phil

in a 48 seat coach I usually put in 10-16 people.  Domes, I fill to 75% capacity.  except for the full domes.  I purchase unpainted people so the cost is lower.   Phil

All plastic clone knuckle couplers get replaced as soon as a problem occurs.   All engines get Kadee's if they don't have them when purchased.  Too many embarrassing failures.      Phil

recommend  not to use solvaset on microscale decals, though.  sometimes they disintegrate  phil

I use Kadees.  However the pins on bachmann's cars are smaller than the Kadee's holes.  Kadee makes a centering adaptor for them.  Not sure which coupler it comes with. Phil

will other engines run in reverse?

Quote from: ScobeyLarry on August 21, 2012, 06:23:48 PM
I have an old Santa Fe Super Chief, both sets of wheels are driven.  1: Is it an F7, F9, FT??  2:  The front drive is kaput so I need to buy  a new truck, but since I don't know what I have I am at a lose.  The closest I can figure out, is it looks like a power truck for the GP30.  We're just getting started with a new club and road.  Neither one of us know a lot about HO,  so any assistance will be appreciated.  Oh yes, we are located in the middle of Mississippi and there are now train stores closer than 125 miles away.

Thank,
Larry

is the frame metal or plastic.  Many years ago Athearn produced engines and cars for Cox.  And those parts may be available. 
Also, are their traction tires on the locomotive.  If so then scrapping would be the easiest.   Phil

american model builders has a side door caboose kit.  AccuRail made/makes a 40' wood outside brace box.  Red Caboose  did a drop bottom gon. in IC.  Intermountain did a 40' ice reefer.  Westerfield and Funaro & Camerlengo did kits to match your time frame if you can find them.  Pricey                              Phil

either P2k or Intermountain did these a few years ago.

might try a separate power pack for your accesories or a pack with more output. 

if no screw in the fuel tank, spread the air reservoirs and drop the frame like the old athearn BB.  Have a spectrum gp35 that opens like the old Athearn bb.  But my gp30's and sd45's have screws holding the fuel tank on then 2 more screws holding the frame to the body   Phil

most modern freight cars (100) have 36" wheels.  Some coal hoppers and intermodal wells have 38"  50-70T cars usually have 33" wheels.  Most passenger cars use 36"  You will find metal wheels will improve you locomotive's pulling power.   Phil

try miniatronics.  LED's operate at 1.5v.  you're going to need some resistors.  Phil