What do you get when you listen to the guys on this forum?

[trainnut57]

Okay, if anyone is still monitoring this topic-here's a question not covered (at least thatn I could find). What would cause a car to derail in one direction but run on track forever in the opposite direction? I have checked trucks for proper movement, wheels for proper gauge, track for proper gauge and connections, (no pieces sitting on top of the connectors) and a certain degree of bank (very slight). But when my units travel west to east on my layout, one or more car(s) will jump the rail-and not always at the same spot. If i just relocate the locomotive from front to back and run in the opposite direction, east to west, it'll run all day without jumping.
Suggestions?

[oldyardgoat]

After 35 years in this hobby, and 58 years of having a thing about trains (got bit by the bug when I was five--big steam did it), I find I can give back a smidgen of what I have learned along the way. Hey! Does that mean I am no longer a beginner?
This facination with trains kept me out of trouble when I was a teen in the late 1950s, and this wonderful hobby has given my recent retirement terrific purpose!
And several weeks ago, I gave my first clinic at a convention, walked into the waiting room of the station where I hung around as a kid (Denver Union Station) and climbed aboard a train pulled by a big steam locomotive like the one's that passed by my uncle's house when I was a tyke. And I have a wife who supports my interest.
Despite my poor communication skills, you guys are the greatest bunch fellas in the world. I'm the luckiest man alive!!
ardenastationmaster

[Anonymous]

How am I supposed to remember everything I learnt, that's what the forum is for ay??? Thank's
everyone[^][:)][:P][;)]

[Berk-fan284]

Good product info, case in point my Atlas powerpack's speed control went to full speed permanently so I needed a replacement. There was a post asking about powerpack recommendations a while back, checked it out (again) went shopping at the LHS bought a much better Pack for the same price as the defective one. Thank YOU EVERYBODY!! for some straight answers and recommendations.

[JohnT14808]

For ta462 and richhotrain, yes, having a siding or the engine house tracks powered with individual toggles is a good idea. I can't afford decoders right now, so my DC Hudson sits on a siding just off the main line with the power off. Helps the wear and tear on the DC circuitry.
At OMRS, we also have a three bay engine house coming off a triple "Y" switch and the tracks byond the "Y" going to the engine house ALL have their own power toggles. I think it's a great idea and it's fun because who ever is working in the area of the layout has the control panel right there at the engine house and you don't have to get the dipatcher involved with bringing your engine out onto the yard. In fact, the entire Half Moon Yard area of the layout is controlled right at the yard, so the dispatcher only gets involved when an assembled train is ready to come out onto the main lines.

[Anonymous]

I have learned how to maintain my track and engines better, have met via personal emails some great guys, and have learned how to laugh just a little bit louder with the great sense of humor you guys have and the fatastic blend of ages all working together. Also learning how to photograph with my new camera has been a wonderful treat.

[Anonymous]

Oh, yes! The forum is current and up to date. I am returning to the hobby after 25 years. Having the latest and greatest methods is fabulous.

[selector]

Just a quick response, jxtrrx, so we don't get too far into the weeds on this topic, but with DCC, you can turn off the lights any time if you are concerned about their longevity. Same for sound, so you can park locos and they will do zip until you address them.

For a mix of DC and DCC motors, it sure does matter, so the idea has merit.

[jxtrrx]

QUOTE: I agree with all of the ideas learned by jxtrrx but one surprised me.

Install switches to “de-power” some sections even with DCC so that parked locos are not always sitting on hot track.

Is that really necessary?

When I first saw the tip about powering down yard/ staging areas I replied with the same question... Is that really necessary? The answer was, "No not necessary, but desirable". It assures that parked locos are truly inaccessible and most importantly saves on light bulbs. If your track is left powered for long periods with DCC, of course the lights can stay on even when the loco is stopped. The added benefit I've found is that it provides a good place to park non-DCC locos that I occassioanally run on address zero. You really don't want them parked on hot track. As I recall there was also some mention of the current being drawn by locomotives sitting in a yard -- especially those running sound.

[dngnrr]

After fifteen years or "railroading" in the garage, I got to dismantle and move. This winter I will be starting on a new, larger, layout in the new basement and am excited. I have been reading this for the last 2 or 3 months and have gotten some very good ideas and tips that I will be using on the new one.

Everytime I come in here there is a topic of interest that seems to have been opend just for me. Keep these ideas, tips and "how I did it" coming. They are all very useful. .

[ARTHILL]

I get details on how to do things. I like those who give a lot of detail on technique.

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jxtrrx

I’ve been absorbing all the suggestions on this forum for many months now. As a new guy in the hobby, my layout ran OK, but always intermittent derailments. That becomes annoying – downright tedious after a while. I began to notice the following list of recurring tips on the forum to be just the opposite of what I had been doing:

• No S-curves (At least one car length of straight between opposing curves) -- Especially watch for these coming out of turnouts.

• #4 and #6 turnouts are more reliable than “Snap” switches.

• No “cheating” with sectional track to force it to fit. Use flex-track to line things up the way you want.

• Work slowly and carefully. You’ll be running trains soon enough.

• Plan! (I now use XtrkCAD before I start laying track.)

• Install switches to “de-power” some sections even with DCC so that parked locos are not always sitting on hot track.

• Solder the joiners on flex-track while the track is lying straight… then curve it to fit after the solder cools… no kinks.

• Remove the ties where joiners will go on flex track. They slide back under the rails easily enough after it’s laid.

• Use plenty of power feeders to assure even power distribution and smooth running.

• Use latex caulk to apply roadbed.

• If you wind up with a problem section of track, after a few attempts at repair, it’s often best to just rip it out and relay the whole section.

So I did all that. Ripped out a large area of my layout and redid it using those suggestions. What happened?

Zero derailments.
Even with long trains.
Even at full throttle.
Even with my most temperamental cars.
Backwards.

I’m so proud.[:D]

Thanks everyone, for so freely sharing your knowledge.

All you said and more.
I get encouragement when I feel defeated
I'm taken by the hand and led step by step through the more complicated things.
I'm praised for doing something that they, the experienced ones, do blindfolded.
I've learned there must be 10 ways to do the same job and in their own way all 10 will work. You just need to find the one you like.
I've learned to TRY and keep the fun in it. Walk away for a whle when it gets to be too much like work.
Jarrell

[Eriediamond]

If you are like me and wear trifocal glasses, ya get a sore neck! [(-D][(-D] Seriously, I've been in this hobby since the forties and mostly fit the "lone wolf" title and I honestly know I get more info and ideas from the people here then I give. Glad you posted this, it opens the door for me to thank all the guys and gals for not only sharing their knowledge but also for the cyber friendship here on this forum. That's as mushy as I'm going to get. Thanx Ken

[richhotrain]

I agree with all of the ideas learned by jxtrrx but one surprised me.

Install switches to “de-power” some sections even with DCC so that parked locos are not always sitting on hot track.

Is that really necessary? I have not done that in the roundhouse, sidings and staging areas.

Any comments on this particular point?

[loathar]

I've learned more in the last 3 months here than I have on my own in the last 30 years.(and not only about trains)

[CP5415]

Depends on who is commenting on stuff.

With some people I get knowledge & wisdom.

With others, I get the hipwaders out [:D]

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I agree with all that has been said so far. What I have gained the most here is reading questions and comments about things that I never thought of myself and that turned out to be useful in my particular modeling efforts. Thanks everyone!!

[MisterBeasley]

A number of years ago, when the Internet was young, people were talking about the "virtual communities" that would spring up on-line. Well, this is exactly what they meant. Our "global village" is probably no more than the size of a good-sized town, certainly not large enough to be called a city, but we have engineers and lawyers, Army and Navy, young and old, Sox and Yankees, Brits and Kiwis, and for some reason that Lake Wobegon demographic where intelligence is "above average, every single one."

Over the last few months, I've gone from a questioner to an answerer. My LHS is very helpful, but when it comes to questions on foam, track laying and benchwork, this forum is my school and my Bible. Now, I find I can sometimes answer someone else's queries about the things I've learned myself only weeks before. I guess this is part of what they mean by "The World's Greatest Hobby."

[Anonymous]

Hmm. I suppose I am trying to keep up with the Jones here LOL

Good work! Glad you can enjoy the forums!

[Anonymous]

The knowledge here is immeasurable. I'm hooked.

[selector]

What I get is intelligence (both kinds), respect, good will, experience, correction, guidance, thought-provoking questions, knowledge, history, and friendhsip. If we could just develop a pill that had all of that, or a powder to add to the drinking water, what a powerful civilization we would be.

I am very grateful for this forum; it is free to join, has reasonable rules, and binds us together in a common goal; the pursuit of the world's greatest hobby.

Thanks for the thread, jxtrrx.

[Anonymous]

I get the itch to head back down to the basement to work more on the layout.

I'm in the track laying stage, but more precisely the turnout laying stage. I'm laying my turnouts right now in the yard, main-to-local crossover area, as well as the local-to-A/D track area. I'll have quite a few in a fairly short area. Having to cut down most of them to fit tight enough. After that I've got 13 more tortoise machines to install, and 8 hand throws. I hope to be able to run my first train by Thanksgiving!

Mark in Utah

[DigitalGriffin]

What do I get from reading this forum?

a) More mini projects added on my list
b) A little less green in my wallet
c) a little more green with envy looking and Fundy nothern, and Aggro's weathers skills

[davekelly]

I've learned a bunch of things over the last year that would have taken a lifetime to learn the "on the job."

[howmus]

Absolutely!

Even those of us who have been around the hobby for many years (over 30 in my case) still learn something new almost daily here at the forum. Glad your new section is running so fine, jxtrrx!

[tstage]

...a slimmer wallet! [(-D]

(Not always. But since I'm new to this hobby, I don't always have all the supplies I need to do what I need to do.)

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

That is what it is all about!!!!!!!!

Jim

Oh yes, I agree. [;)]

We have a number (hundreds) of people in the forum who are very knowledgable. When they post (speak) I read (listen). I could never afford to buy all the books that would handle all of the problems written about in this forum, yet here the advice is free. We have a great group here. God bless them all.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Great place eh!!

I couldn't possibly list everything I've learnt (learning) I love it here[swg]

Ken.

I could not have said it better! [;)]

[Anonymous]

There are no "dumb" questions, someone who has not gained the experience to "do it right" can lead to avoiding mistakes, and teach all of us something we haven't learned yet. In addition "teaching" helps each of us the steps and skills that we need to do the task correctly further refining our skills. There may be art to modeling but there is not much mystery that a good "teacher" can not walk us through.
Just saying thank you to all who have helped me with enjoying the hobby and hoping that I may contribute something to the enjoyment of modeling for others.
Will