Recent content by R. MARTIN

  1. R

    Turnout motor melt down

    It's been years but once upon a time I used Atlas products when modeling in N-scale. At that time the problem of melting switch motors was in the electrical switch and not in the coil itself. The switch looks like it's in the right position but the contacts are still touching inside causing a...
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    Prepairing to begin again

    LoudMusic, Keep me posted on your progress.
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    Prepairing to begin again

    The tabletop can drop all the way to the floor if you want. Nothing says that the scenery can't sit on extremly short legs(just enough room for adjustable feet). The tracks height to the floor stays uniform but the illusion effect can be quite dramatic.
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    foamer

    I can live with that.
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    Turning radius???

    I think I would not go tighter than 22". Even at 22" the overhang on the longer cars is way past what any full scale railroad would sanction. You are looking at a 48" turn around. 44" for the track and about 2" at each quadrant point for clearance. Don't forget those 2" for the clearance.
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    Prepairing to begin again

    I think you're right about the scale - it pretty much sets the mood of the whole endevour. I'd never really looked at a narrow gauge before, other than thinking that guys who model narrow gauge are generally a little bit kooky I think my reason for avoiding it is lack of availability, but maybe...
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    Prepairing to begin again

    I agree with Pete. HOn3 deserves some serious consideration. The equipment might be more expensive but the quality is so much better. Scale is a really something you need to do some soul serching over. Long drags of cars and lots of track with little switching is good for N-scale. If you...
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    Foam board instead of plywoow?

    Eddie, Didn't you say in another thread that you are modeling in "O" scale? I know that some of those O-scale loco's are pretty heavy. The new Blackstone white metal O-scale loco's weigh in at over 6lbs. alone. Is there a weight limit to blue foam? Would such added weight require extra support?
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    First attempt - need guidance

    You could always consider L-girder construction method. That way you can have a more 3-D effect when planning your scenery.
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    First attempt - need guidance

    Eddie, I think that before you rush in you should research model railroading. This is a very big hobby that can be entered and enjoyed at a lot of levels. Much of what is out in the marketplace I refer to as simple "electric training". At this level there is very little consideration to the...
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    New road needed please

    Let me tell you Mike, Everyone who has been into model railroading for any length of time has tried new ideas only to find them not quite up to task. The important thing is that you simply get to try again. I firmly believe that model railroading is The Perfect Hobby. It allows us to...
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    N vs. HO

    For building a model railroad empire "N" can't be beat but alas, it will be an empire of plastic ready-to-run structures and rolling stock. If you want to build fine craftsman kits, if not now perhaps in the future you need to consider "HO". So much to consider before you start.
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    Track question

    Wow! You guys don't pull any punches when it comes to sectional track vs flex track. I do agree that flex track is better considering the reduction in the number of rail joints, thus the reduced chances of kinks/binding when coming around a curve. Also, I've noticed a tendency in the atlas...
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    HOn3

    Thanks Pete! I'll try that search.
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    HOn3

    Thanks Fred! I will look into that sight. I tend to be a bit of a rivet counter myself now days. (I've actually started putting brake rods on all my cars).
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