Brendan Buschi I got my first freight cars today - all 3. It was great seeing them going around being pulled by the locomotive. It was great seeing them navigate all the tracks and turnouts. I learned a few things. First - people have complained about the automatic couplers on MTH locomotives. I experienced what they described. It was being caused by a very slight bump in the track where it went over a seam. I fixed the seam and all's well - no more decoupling.
I got my first freight cars today - all 3. It was great seeing them going around being pulled by the locomotive. It was great seeing them navigate all the tracks and turnouts.
I learned a few things.
First - people have complained about the automatic couplers on MTH locomotives. I experienced what they described. It was being caused by a very slight bump in the track where it went over a seam. I fixed the seam and all's well - no more decoupling.
Rich
Alton Junction
rallison No, though by the third or fourth return I was asking them to exchange for a new one, as the repeat repairs and shipments had taken a toll on the engines' appearance. But if they'd just exchanged for new I would have had the same problems given that the issue at heart was the design of the proto-coupler on the one hand, and the over-amped power supply on the other.
No, though by the third or fourth return I was asking them to exchange for a new one, as the repeat repairs and shipments had taken a toll on the engines' appearance. But if they'd just exchanged for new I would have had the same problems given that the issue at heart was the design of the proto-coupler on the one hand, and the over-amped power supply on the other.
Brendan, it is not clear to me what you are considering as an equipment strategy on a go forth basis.
What equipment is damaged and in need of repair? Is the electronics component of the MTH locomotive at fault and in need of repair? Is the DCS controlled at fault and in need of repair?
You have now bought an NCE Power Cab. Do you intend to replace the DCS system with DCC, or will you revert to DCS once the damaged system is repaired? Which system will you keep and which system will you sell?
Hello All, I spoke with my dealer today. He is replacing my engine with the exact same one I originally bought. He is also giving me a great discount on the steam engine I want. He is also going to address all this with MTH.
Rick was dead on about the MTH protocouplers. They are certainly a source of problems. I think he is also dead on about the amperage on the DCS Commander. I think he is also dead on about MTH making great locomotives - minus the protocouplers. Thanks again Rick.
Hey Mel - that's great. Thanks again.
Hey Mel, Did you mean to put the extra sidings inside the tunnel? I would be terrified to have any part of my reversing loops not in view. While I've got you do you have any advice on putting a sheer rock face on the layout side of my tunnel?
Hey Rich, I assume that's where the loco in locomotive comes from.
Brendan Buschi Hey Mel, if I understand you right you are suggesting I extend the table on the far side. The side opposite where I have my little command station. I think you make an excellent suggestion. On the other hand, I have expanded the table several times and each time I swore to my wife it would be the last.
Hey Mel, if I understand you right you are suggesting I extend the table on the far side. The side opposite where I have my little command station. I think you make an excellent suggestion. On the other hand, I have expanded the table several times and each time I swore to my wife it would be the last.
Brendan Buschi I could have done the table as a large Saturn and had track running around the rings that surround it.
That would be neat!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good point Dave. I just realized I may hav blown my opportunity. I could have done the table as a large Saturn and had track running around the rings that surround it.
Brendan BuschiKeep in mind my tunnel could be Mars.
Brendan, unless Einstein was wrong, the clearances on Mars will be the same as on Earth
Regards
Very nice Mel.
Brendan Buschi Hey Mel, I am always amazed at what you guys have been doing. I never would have thought of what you recommended. I will have to look at it tomorrow, but I think I might go with a vertical rock face for the very reasons both you and Dave have mentioned. Thanks.
Hey Mel, I am always amazed at what you guys have been doing. I never would have thought of what you recommended. I will have to look at it tomorrow, but I think I might go with a vertical rock face for the very reasons both you and Dave have mentioned. Thanks.
Thanks Dave. Good advice. Keep in mind my tunnel could be Mars.
Brendan:
The tunnel looks pretty good. Certainly will be solid!
I can't remember if you are planning on doing any scenery, but one observation I would make is that the ends of the tunnel are very close to the loop tracks that run beside it. If you want to add some scenery to make the top of the tunnel look like a hill, there is very little room to slope the hill at the tunnel ends. There are other options besides a sloped hill, like a vertical rock face or a retaining wall of course, but you will need to make sure anything running on the loops will not hit the tunnel scenery.
I can't answer your question about which DCC steam engine to buy because I'm mostly into diesel. I do have a few steamers but they are mostly older Tyco and Mantua kits. They run fine on DCC but they require a fair bit of work to get them to that point. I don't suggest you go that route. I do have one Bachmann Spectrum steam locomotive and I am quite happy with it, although it has only done a few trips up and down the test track.
What I would suggest you do is start another thread asking specifically for locomotive recommendations. This thread has grown a bit long and you might be missing out on the advice of experienced steam modelers if they aren't following this thread closely.
Hey Rich, Thanks. I didn't understand that until now.
Brendan Buschi Thanks Cuyama. I don't think I have the stomach at the moment to deliberately short out the track. I've been scrupulously avoinding doing anything to cause a short anywhere. Besides, if I'm doing it, there is always a loco on the tracks. Truth be told I'm afraid of the tracks at this moment. Thankfully I had an old DC locomotive to test on the layout after my locomotive ceased. It worked. I know the tracks are solid and working. I even tested every inch of them with my multimeter. The voltage is constant everywhere. Deliberately shorting the tracks is something I could only do if I was assured that if everything exploded I would explode along with it. Then it would be left to others to clean up the mess. I guess I could do this if I put an independent circuit breaker between the power source and the track. I could handle that tripping. Any recommendations for a stand alone circuit breaker to use?
Thanks Cuyama. I don't think I have the stomach at the moment to deliberately short out the track. I've been scrupulously avoinding doing anything to cause a short anywhere.
Besides, if I'm doing it, there is always a loco on the tracks. Truth be told I'm afraid of the tracks at this moment. Thankfully I had an old DC locomotive to test on the layout after my locomotive ceased. It worked. I know the tracks are solid and working. I even tested every inch of them with my multimeter. The voltage is constant everywhere.
Deliberately shorting the tracks is something I could only do if I was assured that if everything exploded I would explode along with it. Then it would be left to others to clean up the mess.
I guess I could do this if I put an independent circuit breaker between the power source and the track. I could handle that tripping. Any recommendations for a stand alone circuit breaker to use?
The thing to understand is that you are not testing the circuit breaker capability of the booster, per se. What you are actually doing is testing the capacity of the feeder wires to cause a short which the booster's circuit breaker protection will sense.
In other words, if the wiring is sufficient to produce a high amp short, the quarter test will cause the booster to shut down the layout. If the quarter test fails to produce a short that causes the booster to shut down the layout, the wiring is inadequate and needs to be remedied.
For that reason, the best advice is to perform the quarter test throughout the layout, perhaps every 3 feet or so. Only in that way will you be certain that your wiring is adequate to protect your layout and your locos.
Hope that helps.
A good night's sleep makes a world of difference. I am relaxed today and have begun work on the tunnel. I can't go past where I am because I have to wait for my granddaughter.
I've included a shot from the rear and one from the front. The wood is doweled into the top of the layout and can just be lifted off. You can see that the rear will be completely open. I have to work with Ever to design the top and sides. I got 2 tunnel portals for it. The portals aren't attached yet.
I plan on having the top slope up from the front and just sit over an open back. I hope I've said that in a way that is readily understandable. Evnetually I will post a picture of the finished tunnel.
I believe Rick has given me the best perspective on how to deal with the DCS issue. If I get the diesel back fixed and it works with DCC as it's supposed to, I'll be fine with that. I will not be fine with it taking months. I think I will also get an MTH Steam engine as I originally planned. It will be new and I can take it back the next day for a refund if it doesn't work, but I think it will.
Rick has mentioned the DCS Commander and its power supply as being a problem. I think he is accurate. My new controller should be here this week and I intend to install additional circuit protection on the layout before I put another train on it. I will also automate the reverse loop switching in the process.
If this all goes as I hope I will have spent extra money on the DCS Commander. I guess I could try to sell it, but I would not feel comfortable doing that unless I told this whole story to any prospective buyer and I'm not sure that will result in a sale. I intend to stay with DCC and if I have problems I will fix them. There are a ton of resources out there for DCC and none for DCS HO. I ordered 3 books last night and will have a lot of info at my finger tips in DCC. Plus, I know there are lots of people here to ask questions of.
I did a lot of research on the MTH HO locomotives today and could find nothing negative in regard to running them on DCC. I will qualify that by saying that I will only do that because I plan additional circuit breaker protection.
I believe I will have to cut one more manhole into my table top to have ready access to all of the track. This is not a problem.
The first thing I will do with the new DCC controller is short out the track in several places with no trains on the track. I don't think what happened with my locomotive was the result of a short. it may just have a marginal component on it's circuit board. Who knows? The other possibility is Kokopelli. Never underestimate Kokopelli.
My next door neighbor is 94. He has been ill and during this last month I have had to go over and pick him up off the floor several times. They have finally gotten some meaningful services and today the ambulance was there at least 3 times. When I think about that I realize my troubles are minor.
When I am done with this layout (ha), if the only extra expense I will have incurred is the cost of the DCS Commander, I will consider myself lucky.
Tunnel comments and advice will be most appreciated.
Thanks Ulrich. I love them dearly. The little doggie is Zachary. He watches over the yard with Zoey - another little black and white doggie who was too busy at the time to get in the picture. Do you have a program like Big Brothers where you are? It's basically for kids who need some adult mentoring in their lives.
Hey Dan, I am very good about reeading all the manuals. Good advice. Thanks
Looks like a good team to me!
I wish I had grandchildren ...