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Hey all, turns out my 2 year old loves trains! So my wife and I decided this was finally the year to do our N scale Christmas train layout. Now I wanted to come up with something that allowed me to use it as a small passenger car layout (think Bachmann Liberty Bell Special) during the Christmas...

Hey guys, I'm not sure if any forum members have an in-depth knowledge of the DCC standard and how exactly everything works at the packet and physical layer, but I have a question for anyone who might know. I am using a Beagleboard to create a DCC command station (I am a tinkerer) and I have the...

So a while back I was going to start a new layout but never really got the time. Well, I was tinkering around with some new ideas the last couple days and I think I may want to change it up a bit. Here is what I have so far: This is my old layout. It is currently in the middle of my basement...

Seven years ago, we moved into a three-bedroom half-double house. Thinking I would have people over to stay, I put myself in the basement for trains. Well, life happened and not many people stayed over, so now I have been given permission to convert a bedroom! This is a rental property so no...

Hey guys. The other day at work, a friend gave me an old AHM RS3. I took the motor apart and cleaned it up, but the shaft must be bent because the motor is binding. Instead of using the old motor, I am thinking about installing a small can motor in the locomotive instead. Even a small can motor...

athearn trucks? Does anyone know a good source of these on the internet or otherwise? I need to get new trucks for my GP9 since I kinda messed 'em up when I did the tuneup (ripped the one clip off, now there is no contact to the wheels.) The unit runs, but there is no contact on the rear truck...

Hey guys! Bought an athearn bb gp7 at timonium today for ten bucks! All it needs is some tlc. Anyhow, I am thinking about adding a sound decoder to the loco and was wondering if anyone can recommend one that will work. I know, cheap loco, but I want to make it nicer so advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Ok, so I just read some "basics" on waybills and operation, and I think I need a bottle of aspirin!! Does anyone have a simple "getting started" kind of site, book, or other advice for operating a simple layout using waybills? I have a couple industries and a handful of cars and am trying to...

Now, I know there are more than enough threads on flex track, with some great replies (I'm looking at you Selector ;) ) but I decided I needed to start another one, because I just don't quite understand the technique on the curves. Some guys have demonstrated sliding part of the inner rail into...

I'll be honest. I never thought that metal wheels could be that much better than plastic. I mean, what's the difference what the material for the wheel is? Well, I'll tell you the difference right now! A Bachmann 0-6-0 DCC steam loco will pull about 2-3 cars (that's all!) with plastic wheelsets...

So, if you guys remember I fried my ez command controller last year. Well, Bachmann was nice enough to fix it, free of charge!! Got it back today in perfect working order. Anyway, I spent the day at work looking at videos of model railroad operations, and long story short, I want to add at least...

Hey guys, I have a quick question. I researched it a bit and think the answer is yes, but does anyone know if the digitrax auto reverser is compatible with the bachmann ez command system? I want to use it because it is so much less than the ez command reverser. Thanks all!

Ok, so the other day I'm tinkering with my ez-command system, putting some spectrum coaches on the rails. One of them lit up and I didn't want to try to run locomotives until I knew how much amperage the lights drew, just in case I would overtax the system. I get out my ammeter, unhook one of...

Ok, so my current layout looks like this: Now I am planning to extend this with an L-shaped leg but I don't know if I want to make it another four foot width leg. I am thinking about something like this: but am not sure yet what I want to build. I have access to all sides...

So I have an athearn s12 that I need a set of handrails/other details for but i can't seem to find them. They are discontinued by athearn. Any ideas as to where i could find these? I tried making them but i just can't seem to get the metal work right! Thanks all!

Ok, I am pretty sure I saw this answered in another thread but could not find it. I have an athearn s-12 that I want to put a digitrax decoder in. I tried to use the DH123 but there was not enough room in the locomotive for the decoder. I was wondering if I could use the DZ123 instead or if the...

So I'm excited. I bought the Bachmann EZ-Command system w/ USRA 0-6-0 locomotive today. Got it for $75 NIB from my LHS then went to another shop and bought a digitrax decoder and performed my first dcc install!! Dude everything has worked out great so far. BTW installed the decoder in a...

Hey all, I have a quick question about briar patches. I haven't spent much time on the scenery end yet so I'm nervous about making bushes. Some advice would help mellow me out!!! :D I'm not sure how many people will know the kind of briars that I am talking about but I need to make some green...

Hey guys quick question. I have a couple of atlas snap switches that I just bought the other day and installed. They are not ballasted, glued, or secured to the roadbed at all. I installed the atlas switch motors on them when they got here but I have a problem now. I wired the switches to a...

Ok, so I am ordering a DCC system on monday and I am adding it to my existing layout. I am getting a bachmann ez-command system since I am getting it for a good price and my layout is not my permanent layout. I just want to know about turnouts. I have 3 lifelike snap switches on my layout and...