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It took me 3 years from moving into a new house to finally start a layout. Step one was to build the benchwork, and then things got interesting. Once the benchwork was in, things just got...

I was wondering since the old RS's had the split light boards (i.e. no board across the middle) with one lightboard on each end of the frame. That was what made it such a pain to do DCC, you either...

I just got the Atlas catalog with new models........they are releasing a new(?) RS3 and RSD4/5, this time with a Gold series/DCC version. Atlas has never had a DCC friendly (or equipped) RS in those...

Hopefully we'll see some of the stuff that went on preorder several years ago finally get produced. All the old preorders will probably go out the window, but it would be nice if the products got...

A little more info on what you've tried would be helpful......and what speed steps are you trying to get? I had some trouble getting my light pacifics to program at first.

The key is getting "just enough" power...........so you want just enough power on the headend to BARELY be able to move the cars ahead of the helpers. That won't neccessarily be a prototypical amount...

90.......70 doesn't seem to work.....guess you have to get the lettering really drunk before it will come off.

I think that was the compromise the guy that de-powered one truck on his helpers took.......he got half power locos which was enough to help, but not enough to cause problems. I HAVE used my...

Can you be more specific than "I attempted to program it".......what CVs were you adjusting? What speed steps are you trying to use?

I've had fair results using alcohol and a toothpick......the toothpick lets you rub JUST the lettering and allows a little more pressure. Occasionally the paint underneath will get dulled, but...

Wolf......the only problem with using unpowered locos to simulate helpers is noone makes any unpowered locos..........I have one SD70 that died and I couldn't find a motor, so I pulled the...

One key for helpers is you don't want them to be able to move the train........so for mid train helpers, put them in place without the main locos and turn on the power.......if the helpers sit and...

Again, I don't have any MP15s for comparison......but the more I look, the less likely your swap appears. As CSXRobert says, the SW has the walkways and fuel tank as part of the chassis.......there's...

I looked on Spookshows site, and now I'm a bit puzzled.........the loco he shows in his evaluation has wipers and contact strips, mine has wires. He says he evaluated the Paragon 4 version (what I...

BLI doesn't make an MP15 that I'm aware of......... which it looks like you are already aware of. Not sure if the wheelbase is correct for the Atlas shell (I don't have any MP15s to compare), and...

I built one of those about 25 years ago.....except it was an Atlas building. Back then you could get the same building from multiple companies. I believe it was also sold as a casket factory, and a...

Hmmmm...........I have 2 10 pair sets of trucks on my workbench (2 different styles) and both have a sprue for each truck . Each sprue has a washer, a pin, and the bushing. Also have a number of...

Yeah......the paint scheme thing frequently rears it's ugly head. I do Milwaukee Road and I frequently find cars and locos that don't have the correct paint. I've resolved that (for me) by making the...

If you buy a set of Microtrains trucks, there should be a bushing on the sprue...... it looks sort of like a top hat. That bushing should fit into the hole in the ConCor frame and then you use the...

So do you have a desktop computer or laptops or both? And how big are your monitors? And do you use the computer while you are running trains? I ask because I have a rolling laptop desk I use...

What ChicagoNW said. Roofwalks on boxcars, refrigerator cars, stock cars, ect. are a key spotting feature. Tank cars would generally be 8000 to 10000 gallon. In 1938, virtually no covered hoppers of...

My layout is at 42", chosen because that's NTRAK height. The layout has nothing to do with NTRAK, but that's what I'm used to and I have templates to cut legs for that height. I'm finding I like it...

I think the U would give you more operating options if you plan on trying to do multiple scenes.....you could do your military base on one leg, and the brick factory on the other, and still work a...

If you want continuous running you'll need loops on each end........that immediately puts a bunch of restrictions on the layout. I haven't seen the room layout, just your description, but the loops...

Last week one train headed east had a FerroMex loco in the consist. We see them from time to time.