I was just watching an episode of rescue 911 on youtube, where a pair of runaway boxcars collided with a car at a crossing (perfect T-bone too, what are the chances of that??) because the elderly driver and passenger had no indication that the cars were coming. No gates, bells or lights. They just drove onto the crossing and the boxcars hit them. Now I was under the impression that the warning signals were operated electrically. There is a current running between on the rails, and when the car/train drove onto that particular section of track, a circuit would be completed by the wheelset (kind of like with block signaling) thus triggering the warning lights. But, looking at this video, that does not seem to be the case.

Also, the video I was talking about can be seen here

This is just a little something I wrote in my spare time. It started out as like 3 lines on a comment I posted on one of Paul's You Tube videos, and I just wound up changing a bit or two and expanding it.

"Gone is the is the ill-fated era of the steam locomotive, never again to return. Many of the living, breathing leviathans of the rails have slipped into an eternal slumber, only to remain a fading memory... Never to be seen, smelled nor heard again. Gone are the days of smelling the hot oil of a steam locomotive. Gone are the days of seeing steam and smoke pouring from a Big boy as it pulls a 150 car freight train up Sherman Hill. Gone are the days of hearing the far cry of a Denver and Rio Grande Western K-36 echoing through the Toltec Gorge or steaming down the Chili Line. No more will you find shots of a Baldwin 2-6-6-2 shooting sparks as it climbs up a 7% grade with 20 loaded log cars behind it. You will never again see a Southern Pacific Cab Forward pulling a 120 drag up Donner Pass. And the sad truth is, soon enough, you will never see a steam locomotive again."

And it is a sad truth indeed.

Hey all. I was just wondering, I've been looking for an N scale ATSF 5000 class 2-10-4, and I got to wondering if I found one, maybe I could add sound to it. Obviously, I would have to put the decoder in the tender, but I was wondering if it would even fit in there. Now, since I don't have an HO scale 2-10-4 to rip measurements from, (or even blueprints on the internet) I don't know if it would fit. But I figured that a 4-8-4 tender would be good for a comparison. But again, no HO (Or N for that matter...) scale model to get measurements from. So if someone with a Bachmann ATSF northern could give me the measurements for the tender, a few pictures with measurements photoshopped on, or even a simple yes or no  as to whether a mini Tsunami will fit in the tender. (Not including any frame that or weight would have to be milled.)

Please and thank you!

Hey all. I have been thinking about this for a while now, since my space is a bit small (9'3"x16'9") for what I would like to model (something similar to Cajon, Donner or Tehachapi Pass--Though in the Lush Pacific Northwest Rockies instead of the barren So Cal Sierra Nevada mountains) I have decided I'm going to switch to N-Scale for now (Or, heck, I may get attached to the scale and use it forever!) so I can get what I want into the space I have. But, since I am normally an HO scaler, I'm not very well versed in N scale standards (Not NMRA per say, just regular Do's n' Dont's) I do know a few things, like not to use (C)Rapidos, try to keep my curves above 16" radius (Though 19"+ is the best, which I can certainly do!) ect. But I would like you guys to just point a new N scaler in the right direction! But what I am thinking of doing, is something modern (So I can run Double Stacks, Auto Racks, Bethgon Unit trains, use GEVOs and SD70MAC's, ect) and have SP#4449 on like excursion service (Gotta have an excuse for the Kato GS-4!) and possibly even a UP Challenger. But anyway, have any tips for me?

Hey all. After picking up a few issues of Model Railroader (7 for $10! ) and a copy of Model Railroad Planning 2008, I have rethought how my layout is going to work. After a little thought and research, I think it would be interesting to use a combination of car cards and waybills. Car cards controlling the freight cars' pickup and set out points, and waybills controlling the movement of passenger and freight trains across the main. Now with that, It would be necessary for the operators to be able to contact the dispatcher for waybills. Now, since the layout is planned be in one room, and the dispatcher/operator lounge will be in another, radio headsets seem to be a good choice, but, I have no experience with these. So could someone please give me a few pointers, like what brand you use, why you use it, other brands that may also be good, etc. My needs are simply that it can communicate from my room (2nd floor of the house) to the layout room (basement). Which isn't very far, because if my entire room were to drop down to the basement level, my room would be right next to, if not slightly overlapping the layout room. Radio interference shouldn't be a   problem, since my house doesn't have satellite tv or radio, and regular radio is very rarely used.

Please and thank you!

I just came across a funny Thomas comic, thought I'd show it to you...

http://www.explosm.net/db/files/Comics/Dave/comicthomas3.png

Pretty self explanitory...

Hello all. I am having a problem with my new K-27. ( ) When I put the locomotive on the track, it powers up, and makes all the sounds it should in neutral. But when I press a function key, or move the throttle I get nothing. I tried changing the address, and I successfully did it. (The motor pulsed and the loco moved a bit) But I still get nothing out of it. Any help is really, really appreciated!!!

Hey all, I was feeling bored so I whipped up a spreadsheet showing the Angle of a #x turnout (Frog #'s 1-30 are included) in degrees for quick reference. Go down to your frog number, and in the cell immediately to the right is that same angle in degrees. Not much to it, but it can be useful.


You can download it at http://rapidshare.com/files/71381098/Frog_Angles.xls.html


P.S.-If there is anything you think I should add, tell me. I'll check it out.

--Happy Holidays! --Jake

Yes finally! Though I dont have much set out at the moment *Cough*Staging*Cough* But I figure I might show it anyway. :roll:


Sorry the picture isn't very good quality, I had to zoom out a lot to fit the whole yard into it, and on top of that, photobucket only accepts Jpegs. Basically, it has 8 tracks total, and 6 tracks available for storage. (The other two are bypass tracks.) The overall yard length is about 12' 8”, which in HOn3 is pretty good, considering narrow gauge doesn't run very long trains.

Now for a little summary about my layout. Really, what caught me onto HOn3 was the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic (And it IS scenic!!!) RR & the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR's wonderfully mountainous terrain & scenery, Blackstone Models wonderful K-27's, and Mountain Model Imports also wonderful K-28's and (Yet to be released...) K-36's. My layout is to be a freelanced representation of the C&TSRR and D&SNGRR, located in southern Colorado & northern New Mexico. It will be an around the walls layout, in my 9x16 basement. (Well, it’s really a room in the basement...) So, that is really all I have to say for now! There should be an update tomorrow! If not, then on Friday.

EDIT: Ooh, the forums resizing didnt do much good, here is a direct link to the pic: http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/Vekoma_fan_boy/HOn3%20Layout/?action=view&current=HOn3Staging.jpg. Click it to get a larger size.

Hello. I have been doing research for my railroad, and since I have moved location to the Northwest and era to the present, I have been doing research on steam engines from railroads such as the Great Northern, Santa Fe & others, since I am trying to assemble a "Historical Fleet" if you will, and came across what I think would be a great addition to the Bachmann line of Spectrum 4-8-2's, a GN P-2 Mountain! While I know the probability of this happening is unlikely, I'm just throwing it out there.

It seems there have been disputes over the spelling of the word "Allegheny" (Alleghany, Allegany) between someone who shall remain nameless *cough*Gene*cough* and other members. Not anything bad by far, but I figure I'll settle this little spelling problem. After looking up the Alleghenies (Alleghanies, Alleganies...) for a bit of research for the AC&S, and found that it had a section on the spelling of the name.  The name is derived from the Allegheny (no other spellings here...I'll explain a few lines down) river, which when translated Lenape Indian roughly means "Fine River" (The translation may not be totally correct, as no one is exactly sure, but Fine River is the commonly accepted translation) The reason that there are no other spellings for the Allegheny river is because it was once part of New France. So therefore, Allegheny is the french spelling, which since I am about 2/3s french (And Damn proud of it! Pardon my french.  ) is the spelling I use. But what about the Alleghany Subdivision of the Chesapeake & Ohio? Alleghany is the English spelling, which Gene being a former English teacher (Correct me if I am wrong, Gene) is what Gene uses. But what about Allegany? Being the lesser used of the three, it was just one of the spellings John Norton used around 1810 to refer to the mountains in Tennessee & Georgia.

Hello again all. I was watching an NMRA turnout standards video (made by fast tracks) and at one point, the narrator of the video was talking about two types of wheels, code 110 (meaning the wheel tread is 0.110" wide) referred to as "full scale" and code 88 (0.088" wide) referred to as "fine scale" wheelsets and that the small difference of 22 thousandths of an inch, can make a big difference at the frog. Now comparing a wheelset to bachmann code 100 rail, the look to be a bit smaller indicating that they are probably fine scale wheelsets. Am I correct in this inference?

Hello, I have been planning my layout recently thanks to Alex who gave me a nice spring board. And every time I start to plan instead of Ideas, my brain clogs up with 'Staging Yard-not enough room' And I have worked out all of the details to adding a staging yard deck to WS Mod-U-Rail stands. So I'll spare you all of the tech specs. I plan on running long (20-25 40' Hoppers, speaking of which, can anyone tell me how long this should be? If you know, please at 20" to it for engine room and clearance of main for passing tracks) coal trains, medium length passengers. (Maybe 6-8 cars max) and medium mixed freights (8-15 cars) I don't have to worry about limited length. Using a split ladder from a single spur I can get two tracks about 12' 6" long, two tracks about 12' 0" long and two tracks 11' 6" long. I don't have to worry about a run around since technically that would be my main line/passing tracks. And I will probably have a maximum of 3 operators. While I do reckon a total 72 feet of staging is enough, I have seen much larger yards, maybe 125' to 150' total! 

Hey. I was searching around the Bowser website and found a nice (looking) USRA Light Pacific And I was wondering, how well do Bowser locomotives pull? I know I don't have to worry about it weighing too little, as it is made of Zinc and has a listed weight of almost 2 pounds. () And also, how long am I looking at to build this? It doesn't matter to me if it'll take an hour, a day, a week, or a month! I like projects & seeing things come together. And also, is it possible to put in a motor other than a Bowser DC-71? Preferably a can motor with a flywheel? (Well unless the DC-71's run smoothly...) Should I worry about short problems with Kadee couplers since the loco, tender, & couplers are metal? And lastly, what glue would you recommend for attaching the super detail parts? And what kind of applicator? I currently have a CMR polyethylene bottle with blunt tip applicator. (See the bottom of this page)

EDIT: At the end of the assembly manual, it says "After tender and loco are
assembled it is time to track
test. Track test thoroughly.
Do not paint. Why shouldn't I paint the engine?

Hi. About 1-1/2 weeks ago I submitted a registration to the BLI/PCM forums. And It said that I would have to wait for an admin to activate my account. And this has not happened yet. Does anyone know how to contact the admin (e-mail) and if not, how long did it for your account to get activated?

Hi. As most of us know, If we buy a DCC equipped steam locomotive from bachmann, we are able to take out the decoder and put in on of out choice, but when we buy bachmann diesels, the decoder is hardwired to the frame, and cannot be removed. I suggest that you put a DCC socket type installation in the DCC equipped diesel. Because, if we get a steam engine, (assuming it isn't sound equipped) sound installation is a sinch. Just unplug the old decoder put it somewhere safe, and put in the new sound decoder. But we can't do that with your fine running diesel engines. And I think a few transition era modelers might appreciate this. Now I know this probably won't happen, but it is just my $0.02.

I was reading a book my school library gave me a few years ago to gain information on logging line, and when I came across a section on the shay I found this statement

QuoteShays haul at a five- or ten-mile-an-hour speed. If they go faster, they may "walk off" the tracks.

Is it true that a shay can "walk off" the tracks? (what that means I am not entirely sure, but we can all assume that it has to do with the train derailing) And if anyone knows if that is even true, does anyone happen to know why?

Hey it's me again. Mr. 20,000,000 questions. For a layout I am currently working on, I plan to buy a Digitrax Super Empire Builder set and a few extra throttles later on. Now I want to use the Infrared signaling feature, now aside from buying a UR91 Radio/IR Receiver Unit to replace the UP-5 Interconnect panel, is there anything I have to do to use the Infrared signaling? And also, can the UR91s handle input from multiple throttles? Thanks for all the help you guys have given me so far, you are all life savers! 

I have always been wondering this since Bachmann started the HO scale DCC & Sound Onboard models. My thing is, what is the real difference between the "special" Tsunami in the pre-equipped engines and a retail one? I also know that the on board engines are not hard-synced with a cam. Are they reasonably soft synced? Because while I do not care where the sound comes from on the engine (unlike a few of us ) an off-synced engine is one thing I will NOT have. And if it is oddly synced, is there a way to correct it, or, preferably a way to install a cam? Does buying it with the decoder equipped save a bit of time? (Well obviously it does, but if the retail Tsunami take 5-10 mins to install, and isn't stupifyingly hard it doesn't matter to me, I will go with what is less expensive!) And that basically covers all I want to know! Thank you in advance!

Ive been looking to finally start on a layout and Ive decided on a small logging/mining road, and one (well two technically) engine has caught my eye, the Mantua 2-6-6-2 w/t tender and the Mantua 2-6-6-2T now I haven't been aware of Mantua's existence for very long, so I don't know whether or not these are limited availability like BLI engines, or produced in small numbers many times like Blackstone locomotives, or just occasionally go out of stock like B-mann. So should I start to build the layout now and not worry about it, or should I get my hand on one of these beautiful suckers first? Help is appreciated!