Newbie

[Anonymous]

Finally able to get my log-in straightened out and get on board.[:)]

[sanman0516]

Welcome aboard Leonard
[#welcome] [#welcome]

[eZAK]

[#welcome][tup]

[cnw1995]

Welcome indeed. Tell us a bit about yourself or your layout or dreams of a layout if you'd like...

[Anonymous]

Doug
I have been around quite awhile--shifted from HO to 3-rail O-gauge in the early '80s although along with my HO layout I had been running old 3-rail Lionel SRR F-3s on carpet periodically in the 1970s.
I am retired(1992) and have a high, 5 track, twin shelf operation(13x28) in our mountain cotttage where I just run long trains round and round high above the floor on very broad curves(recently replaced 3 pw ZWs with 5 PoHos and Command Base for Cab 1 controlling).
I have an incomplete 13x23 benchwork layout here in our Condo with 2 mainlines and a elevated branch line. The yard tracks and wye are installed. But,only the El and one main are operational. Work stopped in May 2002 and again June 2003 for medical "upsets" but believe I can resume layout work in the Fall. My focus is on steam/early diesel for the Southern and N&W with some big Clinchfield steam. Anything newer than 1960 when N&W exited steam I consider too modern [:)]

[brianel027]

Welcome Leonard. Don't know if the term "newbie" really applies to you though, outside of just joining the train gang here. Sounds like you've got things pretty figured out since you have a pretty big layout and are operating in command. Most of our newbies are trying to figure out far more preliminary questions and topics.

That you've been out in the woods (so-to-speak) shows that there are far more more modelers out there than the train forums (any of them) accurately represent. In fact, by guys I know of: traditional non-digital control, non-protypical scale 027 operators outnumber more advanced modelers something like 15 to 1. I suspect that number isn't too far off from actual national reality. But I also suspect that one person could be spending as much moola on trains as the other 14 combined.

Well , again welcome. Sounds like you may be able to answer other folks questions as much as you may want to ask questions yourself!

[Anonymous]

Brian
You are correct----I am a "newbie" to the CTT Forum not to O-gauge. I am registered on the OGR Forum as "Dewey Trogdon".

My youngest son Leonard initially registered here from my computer(or attempted to) and used my E-mail adress. When I tried to register it rejected me. After being tied in knots trying to couple up I probably got the administrator tied up also.

Any way I finally logged on using "Leonard",my E-mail and his dog's name as my password. MY oldest son continues to say that allowing me on a computer is akin to handing a terroist a cocked,loaded weapon![8]

[cnw1995]

It's great you are here! As Brian mentioned, you're no newbie, I'm looking to your insights

[Anonymous]

Hi Leonard......U are the kind of 'newbie' i would like to be.....with an obvious knowledge of Electrics and ability to explain it ..you are a master.
PLEASE ADVISE ME....... I live in Durban , South Africa. I am retired and have bought both Lionel and K-Line trains (mainly passenger) to start a Layout.....both TMCC and non-TMCC ( more through ignorance than intention). I now have to decide on buying all Track and Electrics, asap; neither of which i understand !

I am intending setting up a Winery type layout and have purchased both K-Line Napa train (non-TMCC) and Lionel Napa Train(TMCC). My intention is to run looong trains as opposed to working a system. It will be a one man operation.
I would like to run at least 2 trains at once....possibly 3.
The Lionel Napa train requires minimum 0-54 and so was thinking to stay with that size in curves / turnouts and above.

For track would u suggest i go with MTH Realtrax or Lionel Fastrack?
Can u list for me all Lionel ELECTRONIC items by code number that you suggest i buy to get set up...that is Transformer / command / CAB ....i don't know where i am with this stuff' and get more confused as i read !!

I am seriously looking at the Lionel Fastrack Layout Design No 15 in their Fastrack designs as a layout plan, and could i assume ; use either Realtrax / Fastrack.

To confuse my world even more, SA is is on 220-240 Volts household Current.

Incidentally ..ALL my track and Electronics have to be purchased via internet from USA...there are NO Train Hobby stores of any consequence in SA.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Ced.

[Nick12DMC]

Hi Ced,
Your main problem is not the Voltage of your mains power supply
but the frequency. As I understand it you should be on 50Hz just like us in the
UK. The USA however is 60Hz.
We have known 50Hz compatibility problems with CW-80 (bell & whistle electronics), Trainsounds, some versions of TMCC boards and other
problems.
We have recently come up with a solution to this a reasonable cost.

If you aquire a 12v DC to 110V 60Hz AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and a
220/240V AC to 12v DC power supply. A 25 amp 12v DC supply will run a
300 watt inverter.
This gives you the ability to run up to 300 watts of USA equipment at 60Hz.
We have been able to pick these two items up for under £200.

This will start you off on the right foot. Otherwise you may soon be fed up with
electronics playing up or buy a expensive loco that won't work correctly on a
50Hz supply.

Regards
Nick

[darianj]

[#welcome]...I don't know about the newbie part. You definitely have more experience than I.[:)]

[Train Memories]

WELCOME, Leonard ! Welcome to the train family here.
darianj, What is that grey engine? what is the wheel arrangement??
Reuben

[ChiefEagles]

Leonard, how did this get resirected? Hope all is well in Greensboro. You haven't posted in a while. Welcome to all those who just posted.

[Anonymous]

Hi Chief
Been battling a lung infection that my Pulmonary MD thinks I picked up while in the Hospital for pneumonia last June. Antibiotics and steriods get me straightened out for awhile but it reoccurs after about a month. New drugs seem to have rassled it down--time will tell.
Anyway I don't know how this thread came up?
I haven't been doing much railroading aside from replacing the 3 pw ZWs on my high shelf layout at our mountain cottage in Banner Elk. Installed five 180 PoHos/TMCC system and a couple of TPCs for conventional running on two of the five tracks [13x28 tracks].
I hope your respiratory problem is better--didn't sound too good last week with you having to travel the skies to Yankee Country.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nick12DMC

Hi Ced,
Your main problem is not the Voltage of your mains power supply
but the frequency. As I understand it you should be on 50Hz just like us in the
UK. The USA however is 60Hz.
We have known 50Hz compatibility problems with CW-80 (bell & whistle electronics), Trainsounds, some versions of TMCC boards and other
problems.
We have recently come up with a solution to this a reasonable cost.

If you aquire a 12v DC to 110V 60Hz AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and a
220/240V AC to 12v DC power supply. A 25 amp 12v DC supply will run a
300 watt inverter.
This gives you the ability to run up to 300 watts of USA equipment at 60Hz.
We have been able to pick these two items up for under £200.

This will start you off on the right foot. Otherwise you may soon be fed up with
electronics playing up or buy a expensive loco that won't work correctly on a
50Hz supply.

Regards
Nick

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nick12DMC

Hi Ced,
Your main problem is not the Voltage of your mains power supply
but the frequency. As I understand it you should be on 50Hz just like us in the
UK. The USA however is 60Hz.
We have known 50Hz compatibility problems with CW-80 (bell & whistle electronics), Trainsounds, some versions of TMCC boards and other
problems.
We have recently come up with a solution to this a reasonable cost.

If you aquire a 12v DC to 110V 60Hz AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and a
220/240V AC to 12v DC power supply. A 25 amp 12v DC supply will run a
300 watt inverter.
This gives you the ability to run up to 300 watts of USA equipment at 60Hz.
We have been able to pick these two items up for under £200.

This will start you off on the right foot. Otherwise you may soon be fed up with
electronics playing up or buy a expensive loco that won't work correctly on a
50Hz supply.

Regards
Nick

Hi Nick,
Thanks so very much for you input Nick............ I really do appreciate it and will take note of what you have advised.
I believe that UK and SA do suffer a similar problem in relation to USA electronic gadgets, and that makes matters difficult.( let alone them driving on the opposite side of ther road to both of us!!.) ..but hey....we have to admit THEIR trains are FANTASTIC.
Regards,
Ced.

[Nick12DMC]

Hi Ced,
Here's where I got my 12 volt power supply and pure sine inverter.

http://www.amperordirect.co.uk/products/300W-12v_Power_Supply.asp


http://www.invertersrus.com/inv300ps.html

If you have any trouble about delivery outside the US with Inverters R Us
mention my name.

My son and I totally love Lionel, in fact we have traded in our Hornby 00 for
a load of Fastrack for our planed layout.

The US may drive on the other side but in the UK I get the best of both worlds by driving my US spec 81' DeLorean or my everday Alfa 166. You can't buy a new Alfa in the States. [:(]

Best Regards
Nick Hannaford