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    Get what you pay for?

    I have a slightly larger (6.5' x 10') layout with a Digitrax Zephyr and I'm really pleased with it. I don't remember what I paid but it was less than $200. Since I can't really operate one side of the layout while standing on the other, I'll be getting a small handheld throttle soon. What I...
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    The English River & Eastern Railway

    Finally construction has started on the ER&ER, a fictional shortline in northern Ontario connecting to the CPR and serving industries near English River and nearby. My preliminary trackplan was posted in this thread: http://www.the-gauge.com/showpost.php?p=247580&postcount=9 The layout is...
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    plaster cloth and hydrocal not sticking to blue foam

    Before going through the effort of painting it all, you might want to just give it a quick going over with some rough sandpaper. Don't apply much pressure, just lightly go over it to break the sheen and make it slightly rougher. A wire brush would also work but sandpaper is probably easier...
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    Feight train with multiple powered engines

    I don't think it matters that the engines run at slightly different speeds. Think of a big, strong man struggling to pull a heavy sled. Then imagine that his young boy grabs the rope and pulls on it to help him. Even though there is a great difference in the amount of power they are...
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    The "Y"

    Hmmm -- very interesting idea. Since I wouldn't actually want to spoil the illusion by using the same scene twice, I see two options for going with one turntable: 1) At either A or C, have the engine disappear "offstage", turn on the table, and come back. 2) Have the turntable visible at...
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    Can you buy this?

    I have seen pictures of those in the prototype -- I think in Track Planning for Realistic Operation - but I have never seen anything like it commercially made. I think it's called a gauntlet, though, so knowing the name might help you look for one. But I wouldn't be surprised if you'd have to...
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    The "Y"

    No, actually, I've only got most of the benchwork built. I'm going to then put down two layers of blue foam for a base, and then start playing with the track to finalize the plan before I glue down the roadbed and track. So if I'm going to make any changes, this is the time to do it. Thanks...
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    The "Y"

    Okay, I forgot to give dimensions. Each square = 12" The red lines are the edge of the benchwork; the blue lines are double-sided backdrops. All the turnouts are #6 except at the interchange, which are #4s. Minimum curve radius is 24", but I'm thinking of changing that to 22" with easements...
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    The "Y"

    Okay, jr switch, here's my layout. It's a freelanced Canadian shortline, starting at an interchange yard (marked A) and going around counter-clockwise through the turn at B and goint to C, then back again. Along the way, it delivers cars from the interchange and picks up empties or deliveries to...
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    The "Y"

    They have the advantage of taking less space than a loop, and the disadvantage of using three turnouts (with the associated switching and wiring) instead of just one. Also, it's easier to turn a whole train on a loop, wyes are usually only good for engines or very short trains. The other end...
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    A Saw Pit Store

    Who makes that old stake pickup truck on the left side of the last photo? Is it a kit? I'm always looking for vehicles that would fit on a late 1930's layout.
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    Soundtraxx LC sound decoders

    I have an LC-100 sound decoder in an IHC Hudson with FOUR 3/4" speakers in the tender (two facing up through the coal load, two facing down through the floor). It sounds great, although I had to fiddle with the CV's to make adjustments. And it can be LOUD, although I don't usually keep the...
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    Crossing Problem

    For the crossing, I would also check the height of your couplers, especially the clearance of the pin that curves down from it (assuming you are using a knuckle-type coupler). On my first layout, I had a lot of problems with the coupler pins catching on my crossing until I learned how to fix 'em.
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    Industry ideas

    Wow, that's a coincidence. I'm planning ( but haven't started building yet) a 6.5'x10' HO layout which will be a fictional shortline that interchanges with the CPR in the Thunder Bay (Ontario) area. I have five or six sidings to account four, plus the interchange and a team track. I'll be...
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    Walthers turntable

    I have one and have not been too happy with it. I'm gathering the strength of will right now to pull it out of my module (HO) again and see what I can do to make it work better, but I'm not too hopeful.
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    Passenger Operations?

    There was an extensive article on passenger operations in Model Railroader sometime last year. If you did an article search on their website you could probably find out which issue it was in.
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    What do you have

    Ha! No, my 18-month old son thought it would be fun to climb on the furniture, reach over and play with the little people and vehicles. :cry: So sometime soon I have to go make some repairs. And move the couch further away from the layout!:D
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    What do you have

    I haven't started building my new 6.5' x 10' layout yet, but here are some pictures of my three modules - a total of 2.5' x 12'. Service facility on one end; passenger station at the other end; then along the length from the station end.
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    Type of glue on wood kits

    I've had success with wood kits using CA (superglue), but using the extra-thick kind that you can get at hobby shops. The regular stuff is too thin and will both run and soak into the wood too quickly. The thick stuff is almost like a gel and if you use a small speck it will hold tight without...
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    Critique my 6.5' x 10' trackplan

    Thanks for the comments so far! The small yard is for spotting the interchanging cars - the small curved section of track in the lower left corner is just 'dummy' track to represent the other road's mainline. I think the two 45" sidings will be plenty of room to hold the cars I will need -...
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