Recent content by Voice2

When I had the same issue with a couple of my Atlas diesels - I found that the wheels were out of gauge (too narrow, and ever so slightly off). When I adjusted them using an NMRA guage - the issue went away! I too thought it was the flanges until someone here suggested checking to see if my...

MARS (Haven't read all 2334 posts - hope it wasn't used before)

I'm on my 3rd layout. For the first (HO), I followed a track plan from a book - and I looked for months before I chose the one I did. For this one and the last one (N), I designed them on the compter first. I'm one of those who needs a plan to keep motivated. I buy the trains I need to...

announce1Great pictures of a great layout!! I've just begun my 3'rd layout (1st in 'N'), and these kinds of pictures push me to keep going and get to the level that you and some others here are at. If mine looks 1/2 as good as yours someday I'll be very pleased.

I have only 4 locos (2 Atlas and 2 Kato because of the reputation each manufacturer has here). Do you folks prefer to get factory installed decoders, or put your own choice of decoder in (and why)? My 2 Atlas's have factory decoders in them, and I will be dropping my own into my Kato P42's...

Pat - you are correct. I will add those later, as I will be using Tortoises to control the 17 turnouts in my track plan. My fear was that I would need one right where one of the joists is, so I put them in flat as you can see. After I have installed the motors I'll do as you suggest. Also -...

Thanks guys! No weathering, painted track or ballasting yet - but I started playing around with my camera. It's amazing how much detail you can get out of this scale! Gotta get some dirt, dust, rust and gravel on this thing!!

The Trackplan and more details can be seen at my website. Just click the link in my signature to get there. This is great to be able to combine my modeling and computer hobbies like this. This layout is my third, first in N scale.

The mainline roadbed and track is done! The tunnel portal to the right will be where a mountain will start and cover most of the curve on this end of the table. The cork laying down the center of the table is roughly where I will have a view block. The scenes on either side of the view...

Shot of leg and top connection from the inside. Top top is connected to the frame in only 4 places with easily removed bolts and wing nuts. This makes it very easy to move when I need to. It's amazing how rock solid the whole thing is when connected, yet very light!

The joists are 1x3's.

The legs are "L" girders made from 1x2's and 1x3's. The cross braces are 1x2's.

Here is the completed 4'x8' bench with two 2" thick 2'x8' foam boards glued to the top. The cross braces are 1x2's. The color is 'Hazel Woods' (#460F-7), a Behr paint color purchased at Home Depot.

Well - I finally got up the nerve to actually show what I've been up to! This progress thread is not as awesome as Herc Driver's or as God-like as SD90's, but how is that possible for a newbie like me right now anyway? :thumb: Anyway - you all always say you like pictures - so here goes...

Haven't done it myself, but I've read where cheap linoleum has been used. It can be painted and of course it will bend around your corners. Maybe spakle in the seams......