R. T. POTEET wrote: mls1621 wrote: I recently purchased a decoder equipped Atlas SD-24 to replace the old GP-7 consisted with my brass turbine.The problem is the new "scale speed" motors Atlas is putting in the new motive power. It's impossible to speed match a new Atlas locomotive with power from other manufacturers. The Lenz decoder doesn't seem to like being programmed on my DigiTrax system either. Addressing the locomotive isn't a problem, but changing CV's is another story. They seem to accept the new values, but going back to recheck finds them back at original settings.Has anyone else attempted to speed match the new Atlas locos with others, I'd be interested in seeing your experiences.I'm tempted to get a DigTrax decoder for my SD-24, but I don't think it would help. I'm afraid I'm doomed to running this loco as a single. Really? Believe me I am definitely going to pay attention to any answers you get on this one!!!
mls1621 wrote: I recently purchased a decoder equipped Atlas SD-24 to replace the old GP-7 consisted with my brass turbine.The problem is the new "scale speed" motors Atlas is putting in the new motive power. It's impossible to speed match a new Atlas locomotive with power from other manufacturers. The Lenz decoder doesn't seem to like being programmed on my DigiTrax system either. Addressing the locomotive isn't a problem, but changing CV's is another story. They seem to accept the new values, but going back to recheck finds them back at original settings.Has anyone else attempted to speed match the new Atlas locos with others, I'd be interested in seeing your experiences.I'm tempted to get a DigTrax decoder for my SD-24, but I don't think it would help. I'm afraid I'm doomed to running this loco as a single.
I recently purchased a decoder equipped Atlas SD-24 to replace the old GP-7 consisted with my brass turbine.
The problem is the new "scale speed" motors Atlas is putting in the new motive power. It's impossible to speed match a new Atlas locomotive with power from other manufacturers.
The Lenz decoder doesn't seem to like being programmed on my DigiTrax system either. Addressing the locomotive isn't a problem, but changing CV's is another story. They seem to accept the new values, but going back to recheck finds them back at original settings.
Has anyone else attempted to speed match the new Atlas locos with others, I'd be interested in seeing your experiences.
I'm tempted to get a DigTrax decoder for my SD-24, but I don't think it would help. I'm afraid I'm doomed to running this loco as a single.
I even changed from 128 step speed control to 28 step, so I wouldn't have to twist the throttle knob so much. I have an H15-44, but it's just used for switching and is never consisted.
The SD-24 is a gorgeous locomotive, great detail, but it'll be used for power on a local or a turn. It's a shame, it looked awesome with the turbine.
I received a response today, from a member of the Yahoo DDC group. He mentioned that "some" Lenz decoders don't support CV6. In my limited experience, here and at my neighbor's layout, none support it that I've seen.
He stated that, I'll need to use the speed table, CV67-CV94 to speed match this locomotive with my turbine.
I'll report back to the assembled masses on my progress or frustration.
It's official. My SD-24 cannot be speed matched to my turbine.
I spoke with David at DigiTrax this morning and followed his reccommendations with no positive results. I asked if one of their decoders would help, but he assured me that the scale speed motor was the problem.
I emailed Atlas to see if another motor was avaiable, that would fit the chassis. Amazingly, they responded the same day, but again, no positive outcome.
My beautiful SD24 will run alone on my layout, unless I buy another era correct locomotive from Atlas to double head with it.
Mike,
Sorry you cannot do what you wanted with the turbine and SD-24. However, the upside is that now you can justify buying another SD-24 (or more) and pull more freight. Besides, with UP there is no such thing as "too much power", is there? Good luck! Rob
Very true Cederstrand no such thing as too much power on the UP.......jus look at the Big Boys, Challengers, DD35's, DD40AX's All those turbines (sorry i forgot their true names) and five or six EMD, GE lashups that they do. 6 x 4000 hp = 24000 hp for a mile long train!
Mike, for your Lenz/Digitrax problem.......You might have to find a Digitrax Decoder that can replace the Lenz decoder in your SD24.
Army National Guard E3MOS 91BI have multiple scales nowZ, N, HO, O, and G.
Nscaler711,
I've come to the same conclusion. I was trying again this morning, with all my DigiTrax books laid open, to make it go faster.
What I found is that the Lenz decoder in this locomotive won't support the speed tables. I reset CV29 from 38, 28/128 speed steps w/o speed tables, to 54, 28/128 speed steps w/speed tables. It saved the setting and displayed the "good" response, but when going back to verify the setting, it had reverted back to 38.
I'm going to look into a DigiTrax decoder for this locomotive, maybe then I can run it with my brass turbine.
Mike you are not far from I. I live in Columbia Mo. Also I happen to model the UP. Unfortunantly I model Modern UP Equipment (i.e. SD70M's and GE whatevers, such long names for their equipment)
the SD24's are beautiful models! ive seen a few in the LHS i would get one if i wasnt on a budget right now (personally I may model 1990-2007+ but looking at those locos i forget about my era!)
Hey all,
Need to pick the brain of the experts. I am still in the planning stages of jumping back into the hobby. I have a fair amount of old HO gear, but no space to put use it, so I am opting to go the N scale route. That being said, what is the minimum radius that a 6-axled loco can safelyt handle without derailing?
By first 'layout' will be a small diorama since I have not the room to get anything bigger than a portable 24" x 24" right now, AND i would like to practice on something small. That being said, I am probably going to be limited to 11" curves. Now I plan on getting a decent GP-40, but I was wondering about a 6 axled beastie...?
Dave Loman
My site: The Rusty Spike
"It's a penny for your thoughts, but you have to put your 2 cents in.... hey, someone's making a penny!"
claymore1977 wrote: Hey all,Need to pick the brain of the experts. I am still in the planning stages of jumping back into the hobby. I have a fair amount of old HO gear, but no space to put use it, so I am opting to go the N scale route. That being said, what is the minimum radius that a 6-axled loco can safelyt handle without derailing?By first 'layout' will be a small diorama since I have not the room to get anything bigger than a portable 24" x 24" right now, AND i would like to practice on something small. That being said, I am probably going to be limited to 11" curves. Now I plan on getting a decent GP-40, but I was wondering about a 6 axled beastie...?
Fwiw, I'd stick to the four-axle locos if you're looking at 11" curves. They'll look/run much better.
Six-axlers will run on them, but it's the cars they're hauling that may do the derailing, due to maxing out the loco's coupler sideways movemnt.
Thanks for the info guys!
Anyone else here have an account at nscale.net? Is that place even worth a look?
I have an account at Nscale.Net. It's a decent site that dosen't get a lot of traffic. It also dosen't have the flametrowers like Atlas or some other forums. It has an international mix, with some members Down Under.
IMHO most websites are worth a "look". You mau not want to go back very often. Some sites like Bachmann you can visit once a week to see what's new there.
Heres what Got Done on the Layout this past weekend...
Track lighting installed, and some mountain scenery started!
Im on Nscale.net its a nifty lil site...jk nah the people there are nice and very helpful...jus like here but atleast its a Forum and not a thread.
Canadian Sheild those are Beautiful Mountains! what part of Canada are you modeling? BTW those pics are cool too.
claymore1977 wrote: Thanks for the info guys! Anyone else here have an account at nscale.net? Is that place even worth a look?
I too have an account there. It's a good site. Completely different, more laidback atmosphere, which is a nice change of pace at times.
Nscaler711, I model The Canadian Shield! (Northern Ontario) Kenora ONT to Winnipeg MB to be exact. Here is an update as the night went on...
I got a new Loco!
its a PCM EMD E7 Southern Pacific Unit #6001.....
it doesnt have sound......yet ;)
Pictures of my two Fav locomotives
My Kato SD70M Union Pacific
My New PCM E7 Southern Pacific
BUMP, BUMPITY BUMP.
From the 9th. to the 15th. without The "N" Crowd is to long. This should get it to the forefront.
Blue Flamer.
IT LIVES!!!!!!!
Finally, after 10 months of construction, the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Co. is back in business!
It's not much, but one lone loco was seen passing through the staging yard and out to the interchange and back all under it's own power just this afternoon. Little else happened today, but that was a monumentous occasion. A local photographer caught this low quality video of the event.
Plans are now underway to test all track and to fine tune it before the next stage of construction begins; more track and electrical work!
Hi Philip,
I really enjoyed watching the video. Very nice, smooth trackwork, and great benchwork, too. I kept on thinking about how much work have gone into that. For some reason, I really enjoyed watching that steam engine chugging along. Looking forward to the future updates.
Phillip.
to you. That looks like it is going to be a lot of fun when you get it to the point of being reasonably scenicked and with some industry to start swiching. One thing that I would be worried about is that in the Video, there a a few places where that lovely engine seems to be running REALLY CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE GREAT ABYSS. Your track work appears to be really well done, but you know Murphy's Law. (I hope that I haven't put the whammy on you here).
Again, congratulations on getting trains running.
Blue Flamer wrote: One thing that I would be worried about is that in the Video, there a a few places where that lovely engine seems to be running REALLY CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE GREAT ABYSS. Your track work appears to be really well done, but you know Murphy's Law. (I hope that I haven't put the whammy on you here).
One thing that I would be worried about is that in the Video, there a a few places where that lovely engine seems to be running REALLY CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE GREAT ABYSS. Your track work appears to be really well done, but you know Murphy's Law. (I hope that I haven't put the whammy on you here).
Thanks, and yes, there are plans to fix that. I just wanted to see them run for now.
Thanks for all the kind words everyone.
I probably should have let you all in on the "Grand Master Plan". This plan was almost a year in the making and it's slowly beginning to take shape now.The RR is in N scale and it's based in 1920-30's coastal and intercoastal Maine. It's a fictional road called the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Company. It's based on the real life Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR (for more info see here: http://alstom.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=gsd&action=display&thread=1175564169&page=1 ). It's a double decked plan with staging under the bottom deck. The staging and the lower sceniced level share the same benchwork. The upper deck has it's own benchwork. Towns are staggered so one town is not on top of another. This makes it so that people can switch any town with tripping over somebody else.Train control is a Digitrax Super Chief radio equipped setup with a DT400R and a UT4R for throttles. I'll probably get more as funds allow.The door to the room is in the upper right. The upper left contains a 20 and 22 inch radius double track helix. The helix rises to a bit higher then the top level so that the run down to the port on the far end of the upper level is a downhill run. The lower level contains an interchange with a class 1 RR that serves as the connection to the outside world. The outside world is represented by the staging tracks that contain all of the class 1 trains. The only time an ARR&Nav Co. train is out of sight is when it's in the helix.But enough of me talking. Here's the staging area. I may add some holding tracks to it.http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-1R1Keeper-1.jpgThis part of the plan shows the lower sceniced level along with the interchange.http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-2Keeper-1.jpgThis is the upper deck. It has the port scene with a car ferry and scales, and the largest town on the layout, the small seaport of Autumns Ridge.http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-3Keeper.jpg
That's the tour of the future Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Company. If you see any areas for improvement, I'd love to hear it as much of the layout is not done yet and changes can still be made.
pcarrell wrote: Blue Flamer wrote: One thing that I would be worried about is that in the Video, there a a few places where that lovely engine seems to be running REALLY CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE GREAT ABYSS. Your track work appears to be really well done, but you know Murphy's Law. (I hope that I haven't put the whammy on you here).Thanks, and yes, there are plans to fix that. I just wanted to see them run for now.
I'm really glad to hear that, although in my own mind, I had no doubts that you had already rectified those areas during your planning process. Your help in assisting others in their planning is always well thought out.
Good luck and smooth tracks down the road.
Z Scalers have fun with Hallmark Ornaments!
Some of this year's Hallmark ornaments have been released. New this year is a Freedom Train with a PA, a HW sleeper & observation. It appears to be just a tad under Zscale! With a little work, you can change the wheels to MTL. I don't know if MTL trucks/couplers would be an easier fit. The ornaments have very fine details.
Hallmark also released a slightly smaller Miniature gold painted PRR B6 steamer. It will make an excellent Nscale flatcar load or park display. For $12.50, hard to beat.