Just make sure it's not a DCC starter....heeheehee. Like you I'ma frustrated with DCC. Installations aren't easy for me and I don't have a way to test my results while working at my work bench. Frustrating as hell. It can be done and I catch on slowly and may I suggest you 'll get the hang of it before I do. Have fun with it.
Yea...with the computer...the PR3...JMRI...and a short section of straight...its pretty easy to set everything here at the desk and then just take it out to the layout. My problem is the decoder installs...what a PITA !!! I really dont like "Magic Smoke"...to expensive... :-(
There is a fine line between "Hobby" and "Mental Illness" Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints. So George is this the point in time where the fine line between T.H.E. HOBBY and T.H.E. MENTAL ILLNESS begins? :uhoh: When Wendy saw the pictures of the new engines your wife gave you, she asked if it was, one for you and one for her? Or both for her, but you can play with them?
Oh no...past that point a long ime ago...lol Today it's a 'just not worth chewing through the restraints' thing. THE Wife bought the E5 for herself for her excursion train. Oh yea...she used the "it's cute' line...<shudder>. I did get to run it some today....you know...the "It needs to be broken in" line...lol The FVM ES44DC she bought for me. She doesnt run freight. Says its kinda 'boring' <say what !> She claims its because she loves me...I think it was a pity thing ROFLMAO !!
I don't think you have to worry, George. I mean, T.H.E. Wife bought her own E-5, is running it, and won't let you touch it, so she's hooked. She only bought you the BNSF beast as a diversion so you wouldn't complain. Your problem may be limiting her spending in the future.
George, I think that Hank is right, and you don't have to worry about T.H.E. Wife not buying more equipment. Since T.H.E. Wife is running her own trains, be it passenger, she is going to want her own rolling stock to go with that new loco. T.H.E.R.R will become a "cute" passenger line before you know it. Gary
Hi George, I too don't understand the "boring" comment from T.H.E. Wife. Andrew Lloyd Webber says it best in "Starlight Express""Freight is great. Freight is great. We carry weight 'cos we are freight. And freight is great. Freight is great. Freight is great. We never sulk. We hulk the bulk. 'Cos freight is great. We never make a fuss. We got the goods on us. We take the loads from off the roads And freight is great." Gary
Cute is good - it draws women and children into the hobby. Cute is why I have small steam locos and corresponding passenger cars. Sexy is why I run bullet trains and powerful / colorful / pretty is why I run unit trains of grain. "Chicks dig it."
LOL...thnxs guys. Truthfully....we have a blast. The freight vs passenger trains debate is all kidding between us. Freight is boring...passenger trains are for children !!! LMAO. The original layout plan was a single main with lots of passing sidings. Once she got the 'train bug' she told me I had to put her her own track in. So THERR is now a double main. She paid for her half of the track though It works out good though. When she aint out there running her passenger trains...I get 2 lines to run freight on We do enjoy the hobby together...but usually its just me out there. So it all works out ok....LOL. The short version of her and trains.... Her EX and her dad had an N scale layout back in the late 70's. She was told she and the kids where to get nowhere near it !! Flash forward to her and I. When I built my first HCD layout she was afraid to even come in the room !! Teaching her that trains are for everyone and that I was welcoming her involvement with open arms took time. But once she realized I wasnt going to rip her head off even if a train endo'd off the layout...things got sweet!! I enjoy our time out there together. A cup of coffee....music in the background...trains running around. And us discussing TOGETHER what still needs to be done and that what SHE says and wants counts too !!! IF the day ever comes when she tires of the trains...I am sure I will be able to handle playing with the trains by myself...again
Gary..... I read the quote...the wife got Andrew Lloyd Webber and "Starlight Express" right off the bat !! Now she is going in to play the CD because Starlight Express is stuck in her head...LOL
David... The turntable is working GREAT !! I have it indexed and track sorta laid out around it. I still have to wire the tracks...BUT...I can run locomotives onto the table and turn em around Maybe I will get out there and make a short video today...while my Jeep is in the shop...and post it
My favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber play. Had to purchase a second Starlight Express CD set since I wore (read scratched) out the first set from playing it all the time.
Oh, Nice! Thanks David. Now I'ma wondering what the difference is with a DCC versus a non-DCC turntable is? So George, are you still going to be able to use the old beat up Atlas one? Betting not! I have a Walther's turntable and plan on powering the motor in the table with a separate Analog DC transformer, and the track with the flip of a DPDT toggled switch from Analog DC to DCC. Wondering if that's going to work? Must go back and read directions. Enjoy!
The DCC vs non-DCC for the Walther's table is how to control the bridge movement. The newer (DCC) models will respond to DCC commands, while the older ones need the push button control panel (as mine). The track is powered however the rest of your track is, and yes, use a separate transformer or auxiliary line for powering the bridge and the controls and don't rely on the track power. The tricky part of wiring these is knowing where the "dead zones" are, which are where the power on the bridge track reverses itself as the bridge turns. The bridge "autoreverses", simply by exchanging left/right rails. If you draw a circle, with the tracks extending across it (as if all tracks can be run through), you can see that on one side of the circle, the "A" rail is on the clockwise side of the track, while it is on the counter-clockwise side on the opposite side. Now, as you turn through the circle (i.e., bridge rotating), you reach a point where the bridge has to flip, which it does. A quick inspection of the round contacts at the pivot underside of the bridge will show how this is done
The DPDT should work. There is a terminal bar unde the table. It has two terminals for the turntable power and 2 for track power. The track power can be either DC or DCC...so cant see why a DPDT before thast wont work The old atlas table.... I am planning to set it in an area of Lucky Penny Yard and use it as an abondoned table I know it has sentimental value to you Rick...if ya want it back I can do that too. I have NO plans to trash can it...I can assure you
