challenger3980 wrote: Geared Steam wrote: Speaking of ballast, I was wondering if if I can run my Big Boy (HO) in 15" radius curves using WS fine ballast, I have a friend who uses medium size ballast but sometime his decoder burns out for no reason at all, also would it look silly to have an Acela double heading with my Big Boy in the 1980's thru San Diego? Hi Geared Steam, I realise that you are joking about running an HO Big Boy around 15" radius curves, but guess what, There is one that WILL DO IT. The first release of the Trix BB, without sound according to the owner's manual will handle I believe it was a 14 3/16" radius, never tried it, but the manual said it could do it, have to look goofy as all get out though. The later Trix BB with sound, the manual said 18" radius though, I don't know why the difference they appear to be mechanically identical, just the sound system installed in the later version. Doug
Geared Steam wrote: Speaking of ballast, I was wondering if if I can run my Big Boy (HO) in 15" radius curves using WS fine ballast, I have a friend who uses medium size ballast but sometime his decoder burns out for no reason at all, also would it look silly to have an Acela double heading with my Big Boy in the 1980's thru San Diego?
Speaking of ballast, I was wondering if if I can run my Big Boy (HO) in 15" radius curves using WS fine ballast, I have a friend who uses medium size ballast but sometime his decoder burns out for no reason at all, also would it look silly to have an Acela double heading with my Big Boy in the 1980's thru San Diego?
Hi Geared Steam,
I realise that you are joking about running an HO Big Boy around 15" radius curves, but guess what, There is one that WILL DO IT. The first release of the Trix BB, without sound according to the owner's manual will handle I believe it was a 14 3/16" radius, never tried it, but the manual said it could do it, have to look goofy as all get out though. The later Trix BB with sound, the manual said 18" radius though, I don't know why the difference they appear to be mechanically identical, just the sound system installed in the later version.
Doug
14 3/16" ! I bet that does look funny. Because of circumstances ( room ) I won't be able to have a Big Boy on my present layout. Maybe someday, thanks for the info Doug.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I built the handheld bug-zapper version of the GrasMaster in about 20 minutes last weekend.
$3 bug zapper plus $2 mid-size strainer. Add 2 d-cell batts, remove a resistor, jumper another, and viola!
Load it with static grass, and you're ready to go.
Warning: Do NOT experiment with aerosol adhesives with this system. I did so without thinking, and the static spark caused a small fire. No damage, but I felt pretty dumb.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
snagletooth wrote: While were on the subject(?), is it difficult to change out a standard grass mat for astro turf, I really want the tall prairie grass look. I found some on E-Bay for $500 a Sq. Ft., shipped in an empty Lionel box, is that a deal...anyone?
While were on the subject(?), is it difficult to change out a standard grass mat for astro turf, I really want the tall prairie grass look. I found some on E-Bay for $500 a Sq. Ft., shipped in an empty Lionel box, is that a deal...anyone?
Don't you know by now that eBay sucks?!
Is there any special ballast that will let me run HOn3 and On30 at the same time? Also, will the coupler heights match up? And will I need to change the size of my tunnel portals? I scratchbuilt about 20 portals that are in the way of 1" wide and 1 1/2" tall. Also, will Woodland Scenics water cause any problems with my E-Z Command?!? What about their trees?!
-Jake (Yes, I'm done...lol) S.
loathar wrote: Make sure that AstroTurf wasn't made with the Chinese lead based paint...Anybody ever try using saw dust for grass???(I might be on to something here...)
Make sure that AstroTurf wasn't made with the Chinese lead based paint...
Anybody ever try using saw dust for grass???(I might be on to something here...)
Saw dust for grass? Might be worth a try, but I think the smoke might be too harsh. What kind of trees do you think will get you baked the best?
There is an easy way to tell if your grass matt or AstroTurf doesn't have lead in it. When it is rolled out and lays down flat after 8 - 10hrs. most likely it contains lead. BTW, anybody Know what the NMRA specs for the weight of ballast, AstroTurf and grass matts? I didn't get that info when I requested it from them. I think it is because they don't recognize me as a 10th. degree master modeler yet. Jerks!
A little off topic, but have you noticed now that some of the model rr cars painted in China with lead free paint are 0.25oz. or more lighter? It may be the reason your New loco doesn't pull as hard too.
My magic solution. I paint my cork roadbed gray and I leave my foam roadbed unadorned.
I won't make you rich that way, but imagine the free time I have.
Thanks.
If that is an EMPTY LIONEL box it comes shipped in, SAVE that box! It will be worth $$$ to some Lionel collector. You could sell IT on e-bay and get your $500 sq/ft back easily!
Astro turf! now why didn't I think of that? That will solve all my problems and it isn't pink or blue!!!!(It does come in other colors???)
Is there a good source for foam rubber? I think it will go great with my new ballast!!! Can I get that on E-bay too? I think I can grind it up with a blender. It comes in a green color, but maybe I can add paint to make ground cover!!! Can I get it at Wally world? Has anyone tried this? I can save lots of $$$!!!
Has anybody learned THIS secret??? I plan to use *REAL* dirt on MY layout!!! It should look great with my new ballast, too. NOw if I can find a good close supplier who is cheap.....
And, has ANYBODY found a GOOD souce where I can buy *DCC READY* *boxcars* and *hoppers* and *flat cars*? These freight cars MUST be DCC compatible as I only want to run DCC with my new ballast now!!!!
Thanks in advance for all your help, I'm a nubee and don't know a loco from a stock car!!!
-G
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
DeadheadGreg wrote:by the way, I haven't figured out how to insulate my brass track with styrofoam yet. Should I stop using the beaded stuff????
Good question. Loather brought it up too. What kind of insulation should I use? I was thinking of the blue foam board but I know how to get the Pink Panther fiberglass much cheaper. Can cotton candy be used because it looks the same? What R value is best? Bob Vila said to use the stuff that will cost you more up front because it will pay off in the long run, but I can't remember what he was talking about. I was planning on using a router with a three eighths carbide bit to cut the gaps, is that going to be big enough? Oh, I forgot to say that all my track is glued down with contact cement. Will it be OK if some of the ties are on top in some places? I think that covers all my questions?
P.S. I thought of a new and time saving way to paint my rail. I will use a 9" roller (I only can get the textured kind at my local Hue Jazz Home Improvement & Hardware store). Has anybody else thought of this yet?
loathar wrote: NSlover92 wrote:LMFAO, I love it, great thread, hey while I am here What do you guys think about Bachmann? MikeBest thing since Tyco!
NSlover92 wrote:LMFAO, I love it, great thread, hey while I am here What do you guys think about Bachmann? Mike
Best thing since Tyco!
loathar wrote: galaxy wrote: jkroft wrote:As long as my ballast is DCC compatible I'm happy!If it IS indeed DCC compatible, will the ballast work with my Bachmann EZ Command DCC system???How many tracks of ballast can I run at the same time with a typical DCC system???And is this new ballast sound equiped? ;-P-G That brings up a good point! Do I need to install blocks of insulated ballast if I'm just running DC?? Are ballast jumpers necessary?
galaxy wrote: jkroft wrote:As long as my ballast is DCC compatible I'm happy!If it IS indeed DCC compatible, will the ballast work with my Bachmann EZ Command DCC system???How many tracks of ballast can I run at the same time with a typical DCC system???And is this new ballast sound equiped? ;-P-G
jkroft wrote:As long as my ballast is DCC compatible I'm happy!
If it IS indeed DCC compatible, will the ballast work with my Bachmann EZ Command DCC system???
How many tracks of ballast can I run at the same time with a typical DCC system???
And is this new ballast sound equiped?
;-P
That brings up a good point! Do I need to install blocks of insulated ballast if I'm just running DC?? Are ballast jumpers necessary?
Geared Steam wrote: Speaking of ballast, I was wondering if if I can run my Big Boy (HO) in 15" radius curves using WS fine ballast, I have a friend who uses medium size ballast but sometime his decoder burns out for no reason at all, also would it look silly to have an Acela double heading with my Big Boy in the 1980's thru San Diego?Man I feel better now, thanks for this "vent thread". ;)
Man I feel better now, thanks for this "vent thread". ;)
The answer to all the above is a resounding YES!! (except that the Acela looks better double-headed with a Yellowstone or an Allegheney). However, do try and attach your WS fine ballast to the track with something. Testor's non-toxic plastic cement works well--the stuff that smells like a wild-flower patch. Or if you can't find that, Shellac will do very nicely.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
In 3-Rail O-Gauge I have 3 Big Boys, a Cab-Forward and 2 Challengers that will all run 15 1/2" radius (O-31 curves) I don't normally run them on that sharp of curve, and there are things hanging out in space that ought not be, but they WILL run those curves all day long without complaint.
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
markpierce wrote: vsmith wrote: .More informative than your statement is the fact that virtually half the people in the world have less than average intelligence.Mark
vsmith wrote: .
.
More informative than your statement is the fact that virtually half the people in the world have less than average intelligence.
Mark
You know...I've always wondered that. I hope you got your I.Q. data from the smart half
You are quite repetitive without providing any useful information.
Blue Flamer wrote: Ballast? What's ballast??? Is it that brown corky stuff that I put my track on? By the by. Which side up do you put that corky stuff? Also, while I have your attention here, I split those strips down the middle like someone mentioned and stuck them down with flour and water paste. But when I put my track down, the ties hang over both sides and one side is angled and the othe side is squared off. Did I do something wrong??? Blue Flamer.
Ballast? What's ballast??? Is it that brown corky stuff that I put my track on?
By the by. Which side up do you put that corky stuff? Also, while I have your attention here, I split those strips down the middle like someone mentioned and stuck them down with flour and water paste. But when I put my track down, the ties hang over both sides and one side is angled and the othe side is squared off. Did I do something wrong???
Blue Flamer.
lol........ thats awesome.
but seriously tho, yesterday I wanted to convert the brass turnouts and sectional track on my new 48'x92' basement layout to DCC but when I point my remote at it, it doesn't move. Do I need to insulate my frog? Or can I just use styrofoam?