My Big Shed layout

[TrinityJayOne]

Are these conversions you did yourself, or that someone else has done? It seems unlikely that factory installed MT couplers would be at the wrong heights but not impossible I guess. A picture showing the offending stock sitting next to eachother would be good.

[cmaceeepc]

Here is a shot of Helix 2 and its upper transition

Trinityjone
Here are the pics of the couplings height comparison - These are as brought - 2nd hand




I mentioned in a previous post about the large draw I fitted under the layout heres a quick pic


I also previously mentioned the fitting of point motors(peco) and the actuators



Again I hope this week is full of potential

cmaceeepc
Craig

[TrinityJayOne]

Looks like a good job all round. Very tidy wiring under your benchwork.

Looking at the couplers the first thing that stands out is how high the loco on the left looks. Surely either the truck isn't inserted into the mechanism properly or the shell isn't sitting on correctly. Put your thumb on the shell and your pointer finger under the rear truck then give it a squeeze and I reckon that shell will click into place! If not, double check that truck because something is definitely off.

[videobruce]

Why the long throw rods for these turnouts?

Unrelated question; by separating the two leads for your power distribution, is that enough to reduce the noise problem from running parallel wires for DCC operation?

[cmaceeepc]

Why the long throw rods for these turnouts? These were left over from my previous layout - they worked quite well

Unrelated question; by separating the two leads for your power distribution, is that enough to reduce the noise problem from running parallel wires for DCC operation?

Based on the rule - 100% of the diameter of the largest cable spacing to be maintained over the majority of the cable run.
(Please if this is incorrect someone let me know)
Inductance(noise) is created when 2 cables are laid next to each other.

cmaceeepc
Craig

[fcwilt]

Inductance(noise) is created when 2 cables are laid next to each other.

cmaceeepc
Craig

Depends on many factors. In some cases placing the two wires close together (even twisting them together) can help with noise issues.

For example, computer network cables like CAT5/CAT6. Each pair of wires carries a signal that is transmitted and received with electronic circuits that work best with twisted pair wiring.

Some DCC manufacturers suggest placing an RC filter across the pair. Twisting the wires together would give you some capacitance distributed all along the pair, which in some cases might be helpful.

As regards DCC I would say that whatever works for you is "correct".

[cmaceeepc]

Looks like a good job all round. Very tidy wiring under your benchwork.
Thanks - you should have seen my first layout - spaghetti

Looking at the couplers the first thing that stands out is how high the loco on the left looks. Surely either the truck isn't inserted into the mechanism properly or the shell isn't sitting on correctly. Put your thumb on the shell and your pointer finger under the rear truck then give it a squeeze and I reckon that shell will click into place! If not, double check that truck because something is definitely off.

Checked to see if truck not home appears to be sound - body clipped in -Actually both examples appear Ok except when you put the next to each other -
These units are both from the same owner - I wil drop him an email to see if he noticed or modified any thing - maybe thats why he sold them??

cmaceeepc
Craig

[cmaceeepc]

I have purchased a new BACHMANN 2-6-6-2 ARTICULATED C&O WITH DCC - I enjoy the notion of steam - to drag around 21 coal hoppers
(which the wife does not know aout yet!!!!!!).Hope to receive it tomorrow.
15 of the hoppers are coming ex the US should turn up within 1 week to 4 weeks - gees your mails slow in the US

I think it woud look good running against my N&W J Class on the long hauls over the helix's

Also waiting on a batch of MTL trucks to convert as many of my old rolling stock as I can - the old rapidos hooked on but dont they look ugly when compared to the knuckle type couplers

Has anyone installed a sound decoder in an Bachmann Spectrum N&W 4-8-4 J class - advise please


Keep smiling - they will wonder what you are taking

cmaceeepc
Craig

[Burlington Bob]

Craig, regarding the problems you are having with your couplers, I recommend that you buy the N scale Coupler Starter Kit that Micro-Trains offers. It is a little pricey, but is something that you really should have if you plan on using, installing and maintaining their couplers. It looks like you need to do some work on the locos that you showed. The couplers on both have problems that need to be fixed. Even if one of them "works" it is still a long way from being in prime operating condition. There should not be any droop when they are installed correctly and the trip pins should be a certain distance above the rails. This kit from Micro-Trains will get you started in the right direction.

http://www.micro-trains.com/pl-ToolsAcc.php

[cmaceeepc]

BurlingtonBob
Thanks for the advice - I will track one down


cmaceeepc
Craig