Recent content by hocaboose

Use what ever you can get that fits-ribbed or flat. Anyone that looks, and comments in my house gets tossed out... Pete

Put the yard wherever you like... Wire a handheld throttle socket (or two) near the yard and you are in business. Pete

Definately think about the plywood route. It is more dimentionally stable than 1x's and a hell of a lot cheaper. The only down side is it does take some time to rip it all down but the payoff in money and in the long run is worth it. Pete

I would seriously reconsider the 22" radius. While you may not be into bigger/longer steamers now it is always prudent to plan for the future and all of your rolling stock will look better as a result. I have a simpler around the walls/island style layout 17' x 21') but held the minimum...

I've posted some HO stuff for sale in the buy and sell if you're interested. A recent downturn in life leaves me with no choice but to sell some of my stuff. :mad: Take a look, Pete

Here's an idea. Build an elevated platform above all of the tracks (I'm thinking masonite on dowel piers). Put the station on top with suitable ramps up and down, and detail the underside (track side) to resemble a subway style station. Pete

Keep in mind that some manufacturers released buildings under different names (eg Model Power/Pola/Tyco). All inexpensive models are potentially great building with a little forethought and effort. Pete

I've been in the same position and in my humble opinion if the pieces have some sentimental value put them in a display cabinet, otherwise dump or try to sell them. The effort you will need to put in on them is probably better served building better models. Talgo truck couplers are no great...

Nice windmills. I love to make stuff out of unlikely other stuff (my wife says that makes me cheap) but I'm turned on by the dictum that one guy's junk is another man's treasure. The latest project is a portable chop saw stand from the frame of a barbeque. Keep up the good work. Pete

Hello fellow Atlas guy, and welcome to the group. I'm sure you will find this group of modelers informative very talented and alot more fun then the group we are both used to hangin' with. Pete

Remember some thing sas they relate to most fire codes: All "habitable" areas need two means of egress (ways to get out). Generally our basements are not considered habitable as they don't have two means-the stairs up to the first floor or outside would be one and an "accessible" window...

In my humble opinion: I would go with Atlas flex track and Peco turnouts (code 100) for the following reasons: I had a layout in the past with Atlas turnouts and after all of the "fixes" you need to do to them I was still very unhappy. I discovered the Peco line of turnouts just before...

Two other thoughts: use Westinghouse twists to join two ends, not the blasted 3M connectors (sorry 3M). It has been my experience that the 3M connectors don't hold all that well and de-bugging a circuit is tough with them. Also. please remember that the size of the wire denotes the...

Cat5 and the new Cat5e (better shielding) are the standard wiring for office (and some home) computer networks. The wire is very easy to work with and relatively cheap-hint get to know a computer network installer. The "scraps" they throw out because they are too short are great for modeling...

the output voltage is usually cast into the body of the wall wart. Been using various ones for years as they surely beat the price of 110 to 12v step down xfmrs. Pete