Two years and about two thousand dollars later the trains can actually move six feet. It's been a fun and informative ride. I've researched a large number of items on this forum and google. (haven't posted much but read about what others were doing and adapted it to cover my situation.) Here's an example of my crazyness. Most people that I've talked to use a card connector or solder the wires directly to the tortoise switch machine. Tried the card connector route because I like removeable connections. Bumped one and knocked it off. A little upsetting to me so upon researching connectors, I found a molex connector that works well. I've done things like this throughout the project however it looks like the distance the trains will move could double or triple in the near future. So to all of you on this forum who have helped either directly or indirectly on my project, many thanks.
Dave
Welcome to the forums.
Took you a little time (and money) to get your trains rolling, but you've made it. Congratulations. Now that you've got them moving hopefully expansion will get them moving further soon.
Went to one fellows house. Huge yard on one side of his rather damp basement, plywood centeral, no scenery, no buildings, but swithces by the dozen. All he seemed to have was long passenger train sets, seemingly every one that had ever been released. He had to keep them up on the main floor, but took them down to run back and forth through the yard. They performed very well despite the conditions. He had a lot of $ layed out, but he was happy with what he had for now, though hoped for a continuous running loop in the future. Happy is the key word.
I, too, have learned a lot by reading the forums and other material. Do have the capability to roll on a small table and have hopes for bigger before too long. Reading is a good way to learn (so they tell us) and if yu have read and modified, don't be afraid to share. There are plenty of us out here looking for better/other ways of doing things.
Have fun,
Welcome.
That is why the forum is there, to help us all out. Even the seasoned "veterans" often have a question that nags them so they ask for advice or opinions from others.
Take what you can use, and sift out what doesn't apply and the forum will serve you well. I have learned a lot from the guys around here, and created some ideas of my own. Nothing like a place to go for readily available information. Or to ask a specific question you can't find addressed elsewhere.
While you mentioned the "thousands dollars" mark, one should look at the hours of enjoyment a hobby provides rather than the outlay. It can be hard when one tallies up {or the other half does it for you and nags you about it} to see what you have spent to get to where you are currently, especially when you'd like to be further down the road. Set a budget and stick to it if need be. SOmetimes the hobby budget for me is $0.00 per month. But i can still get enjoyment by putting together a kit, detailing a building or something to enjoy the hobby. I am facing taking my small layout down so I have the space to store stuff which is badly needed {the space not necessarily the stuff}.
So enjoy what you can as you can while you can!
-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.