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Messages - Len

#1
General Discussion / Re: Sound Value
March 25, 2024, 09:13:55 AM
Any DCC locomotive, with or without sound, will require a higher throttle setting to start moving than a straight DC loco. This is because the decoder circuitry does not pass any power to the motor until it detects at least 5 volts on the track. Which pretty much means not mixing DCC equiped and straight DC locos on the same track.

Len
#2
HO / Re: Sheldon's Layout
March 25, 2024, 09:09:03 AM
Be careful not to let the poles and wires get in the way of getting at areas where maint, or deal with derailments, might be required. Had to deal with that on a display layout where the person doing the scenary put poles, wires and rather large trees exactly where he was told not to put them.

Len
#3
General Discussion / Re: New train isn't working
March 24, 2024, 11:04:18 AM
Check the side rides to see if anything is loose, or bent, and binding as the locomotive moves. After dirty wheels, side rod binding is the main cause of steam locos not moving.

Len
#4
General Discussion / Re: Coupler Issue
March 23, 2024, 12:24:10 AM
Quote from: trainman203 on March 22, 2024, 09:34:23 PMLen, will that micro trains coupler height gauge work on Bachmann couplers? I saw that item you suggested but I believe it is for a different coupler.

Knuckle couplers are supposed to be designed to work with equipment from other manufacturers using similar couplers. So the Micro-Trains gauge will work fine for determining proper coupler height and trip pin clearance.

Len
#5
HO / Re: Turnout controls
March 22, 2024, 06:31:49 PM
If you use toggle switches, be sure they are the spring loaed 'Momentary ON' type. You'll burn out your switch motors if you use regular toggles switches that leave power connected. Something like these should work fine:
https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-Toggle-switch-MTS-123-Momentary/dp/B01J62WEH4/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kdM6h9AihpZ8CzICgK4uheFrW4trwp1oeK01xtO3Pfwg_4gp70FxwM9_tdYbA4vNuHwAqoCs1eIhC0bYbBlSxNyjniVltsj9P58lz6MQ_mweD323X1Ut7WeHLMilFI1aEn9r8EYBVOw3Rn7XQz71Yy8oY57Jx1BrSUwhrhyuSHv22Foc22HEu_KyokTn1L8yY8x_v_oZoUZe-1ibbc4mK4U57EjthBReu6idU9SK5e8.Z3TZ5KmJm3qNwFmGJKFjDNJtNJjINvCZfDMB83MS03s&dib_tag=se&keywords=momentary+spdt+toggle+switch&qid=1711146467&sr=8-6

One side of your power source connects directly to the switches, the other to the center contact of the toggle switch.

Len
#6
General Discussion / Re: Coupler Issue
March 22, 2024, 06:25:41 PM
You should also get yourself a Micro-Trains #1055 coupler height gauge. It will let you be sure all of your couplers are at the same height, and the trip pins will ot snag on anything.
#7
HO / Re: Making Your Own Wheel Puller...
March 21, 2024, 09:20:31 AM
The wheel puller should also work for removing the gear.

Since at one time I ran a model train repair shop, I have an arbor press with attachments specifically designed for installing gears on axles. So someone else on the forum may have to help with how to do it without such a specialized tool.

Len
#8
HO / Re: Making Your Own Wheel Puller...
March 19, 2024, 01:54:20 AM
Looks like that "Faucet Handle Puller" will work. You may have to shorten the 'hands' that slide under the driver just a bit. And possibly thin them down just enough to get between the driver and chassis.

That's a problem I had with my NWSL "The Puller", even on O-gauge trains. I had to thin the bottom on a belt sander to get it between wheels and the chassis.

Len
#9
Have you tried a 'factory reset' to get them back to address 3?

Len
#10
HO / Re: Keep Alive in Sound Value 4-4-0?
March 14, 2024, 03:19:31 PM
Don't know if there's room for it, but Soundtraxx's web site says the Economi decoder used in that loco supports their CurrentKeeper module.

Len
#11
The user manual should explain how to program locos with your system. If you've lost it, you can download one from here:
https://data2.manualslib.com/pdf7/242/24152/2415107-mrc/prodigy_express2.pdf?0e78718ac3c3f431796cd31727e85790

Len
#12
It would seem simpler to just replace the reverse board with a newer one with the same functionality.
https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=491_555&products_id=3771

Len


#13
Without mentioning the name, another outfits #6094 track screws for their O-gauge track work well for what you're planning. And they are already blackened. Like Trainman said, you'll have to predrill clearance holes in the track and thread catching holes in the table top though.

Len
#14
Yes, I got it and sent a response. While Lionel and K-Line did a couple of those numbers, With those number blocks they are more likely either original Williams or MTH locos. The couplers are completely different on the two. If they're Williams, there will be a single E-Unit PC board and speaker inside. If MTH there will be two PC boards stacked one above the other.

Len
#15
Yes, if they've been sitting 20+ years you should clean all the old grease out and relube with fresh grease on the gears and light oil on the axle bearings.

As for the couplers, it would help to know what the road numbers on the locos are to determine if they are 'post war' or 'modern' production. It makes a difference.

Len