Building Your Model Railroad: February 2021

FYI: Question about How to Get Sound on DC Layouts: I have an analog layout... If I buy an N scale loco with onboard sound will the sound work on the track? Answer: The answer is YES, but not with a regular DC transformer. You will have to purchase a special DC transformer that has this capability. It is made by Model Rectifier Corp, called MRC Tech 6. It can operate DCC sound-decoder-equipped locomotives on analog track with all the usual DCC functions including the ability to change CVs and programming of the decoders. Here is a video explaining its capabilities. https://youtu.be/NW6ZAA02-Qc Another option would be to just switch over to DCC with a Digitrax Zephyr or NCE starter system. These can operate both DC (using “00” as the code) and DCC locomotives.
http://dlvr.it/Rstxn3

ICYMI: Q: I am planning a 4X6ft. N scale RR. I plan to use a 4X6ft. piece of plywood. I want to nail the track to a cork sub roadbed. What advantage does foam have? Thanks. A: The main reason I like to use foam pads as a layout surface is that if you want to dig out a creek, a lake or a ravine, it is much easier to do that if the surface is foam rather than plywood. It’s also helpful if you want to put a magnet under your track to use for uncoupling. A third reason is that it is easier to manage wiring. You can run wires easily through the middle of a foam pad to the side of your layout where your turnout switches or control panel might be located, or to run wires for an new light fixture that you want to put in the middle of your layout. Fourth, you can more easily embed a structure into foam so that you don’t have the foundation of your structure hovering over the surface of the layout. It’s also easier to plant trees in foam than in plywood. Foam is quieter than plywood when running trains. I also think that nailing the track down to plywood doesn’t allow for expansion and/or contraction of the track as the temperature and humidity change throughout the different seasons. So after a few years, you might find your track buckling a little. You still need the plywood under the foam pad for a good, steady layout surface, but for all the reasons above, I like foam pads on the top.
http://dlvr.it/Rrtp6s

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Friday, February 19, 2021

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Friday, February 12, 2021

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Monday, February 8, 2021

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Monday, February 1, 2021