The California Wild Fire and Growth Exhibit

sams Nov 11, 2019

  1. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    @tehachapifan Im sorry to hear that. These little suckers can be pricey and for one to bomb out on you like that is frustrating to say the least. I'm just not sure if its better to replace motor or exchange. Do they make different motors that are "Turbo Charged" ?!?! That would be something to try
     
  2. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    Can it be repaired ? Possibly , but it would be VERY hard to do . It's just easier to get a new motor .....Mike
     
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  3. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    I Looked into it and I actually still qualify for a full refund. Unfortunately though they are out of stock until next month of the same unit !

    @Mike C What is the best type of motor in your opinion ?

    I have 2 other locos that I wanted to convert to dcc. Might as well upgrade it all lol.
     
  4. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    I'd check with Atlas for a new motor . They are usually pretty easy to swap out ......Mike
     
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  5. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    Well... Wiring is fun !! I've spent the last few days planning and figuring how I am going to run wire. Literally every joint under the table is soldered together. How have some of you wired up ?
     
  6. tehachapifan

    tehachapifan TrainBoard Member

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    I've had temporary rat's nest wiring under my layout for over 25 years. Not proud.:(
     
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  7. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    I’m sorry to hear that @tehachapifan !! I’m trying my best to avoid that but if you have a lot of lighting or track I’m afraid it’s unavoidable lol. I’m sure I’ll have a somewhat organized rats nest when it’s done hahaha. :ROFLMAO:

    Another question to the forum. When do y’all do ballasting ?

    before or after scenery ?

    So far I’ve planned out what to do first in my head but wanted to get some insight from some pros !!!

    Cheers!
     
  8. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    2 weeks of wiring compelted.... 80% actually haha



    solder is the best weapon anyone could use putting a layout together !

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    These atlas remote switches require some wire if you want them all at your command center !

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    Like My hair hahaha !!!


    Ar-1

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    It only clicks once which is what ive read is ok but the click is really loud ? Any other tips on adjusting this bad boy ?
     
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  9. NtheBasement

    NtheBasement TrainBoard Member

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    Your wiring looks a lot like mine but yours is neater.

    As far as when to ballast, its easier to mask the track when there is no ballast. Here are the steps I do in order, ymmv:
    Track work solid and tested and perfected.
    Trackwork painted. I use rattle can spray paint.
    Bridges and abutments added. Tunnel portals added.
    Trackwork tested for clearance issues at the tunnels and bridges.
    Basic landforms foamed in and foam carved.
    Buildings built and building foundations in place. I like to make my buildings removable as they'll get in the way later.
    Rock and subsoil: foam covered with Sculptamold or plaster and rock outcrops finished and colored. Add talus etc.
    Track work tested again, as there can be clearance issues from the rock work.
    Ballast the track.
    Track work tested again, as ballasting can muck with the turnouts.
    Add the botany from the bottom up - soil and forest floor, then grass, then trees.
     
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  10. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Great list of steps. Saved it, printed it out and will hang it in the train room. Thanks,

    Sumner
     
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  11. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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  12. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    Extremely great ! I really couldn’t find anything on the so called “order of operations” for a model railroad. I’m sure you could find it in a book somewhere though. Great tips @NtheBasement !! I might even try to paint some of the ballast which I’ve seen some videos on. Making grease spills and dirty areas of track which gives it a great look.
     
  13. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    New look at an almost full functioning layout ! I may need some more pulling power !!

    Anyone know how to get to the other function pages with a Digitrax zephyr dcs50 ?? I think I've asked this before and someone said I needed either a booster or another DCC system. Which, as I'm Learning, seems to be a decent option.


     
  14. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Wow! You got the Zephyr cranked to full power! You need to slow that baby down. :)

    I'm not sure exactly what you are asking. Adding a booster will not give you access to the higher Functions (beyond F8). The Zephyr has those higher functions but accessing them is impossible without a throttle that can, like a DT402 or DT500.
     
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  15. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree !!! Looks like that freight train is going 140 mph !!

    Remember that freight trains in the US arent allowed to go that fast at all !!

    Most mainline track, especially that owned by major railroads is Class 4 track
    Class 4 track....Freight 60 mph (97 km/h) Passenger 80 mph (129 km/h)

    Here is a link to a model train speed calculator.
    http://www.stonysmith.com/railroad/speedcalc.asp

    The easiest way to time your train >>>> Mark out 12 inches on a straight length of your layout track. ======[============]===========
    Use a timer of your choice. Time the front of the locomotive from one mark to the next. If you can time it exactly you can set top speeed on your throttle to 60mph. I use 2 seconds per 12 inches. Thats 54.55 scale mph for my freight trains. Close enough for me JS.(y):whistle:
     
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  16. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    @MK I know, I know. It is just so thrilling when these little things are hauling @ss lol. My theory is if it runs at top speed with no isses then I did a good job. I plan on slowing it down when I'm showing it of course. I do really want the realism for this layout. @mtntrainman I had no clue until I just read this post. Thats pretty sweet. You can really dial in the speed for a scale model by doing that. I had no idea they get so specific. Makes me appreciate the hobby that much more. The last part of your post I think I've seen done. There was a guy on youtube showing people how to MU locomotives together and it was very similar to what you are describing. I can't wait until this thing get some scenery on it Woo Woo !!!

    As far as the extended functions. Sadly I'm going to have to deal with what I have now and going back later once I have some mula haha !! What I have though is working great! Thanks for the advice and comments. ! Cheers
     
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  17. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    You want fast? Get a Kato Shinkansen set. :D
     
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  18. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    I just checked these out ... They would disappear on my layout ! I would be running the train and the second I turn around it would be flying into the wall !! I would have to create some type of net to catch them. haha I like these on those long straight runs just zooming by. Really nice to watch.
     
  19. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    Hey Train affiliates !! lol I have been running some trains let me tell you !! One exciting thing is chasing one train with the other hahaha Esepcially "under the influence" Which makes it more daunting. I've got the track work and switches all figured out for the bottom portion of the track which is exciting. When it comes to the top ... well you can say I ran into a few things. After watching the train go around a few times I noticed that there was not really any way to turn it around upon its completion of the loop. I was baffled that my plan was sub par in this department and it made me a bit frustrated. I ran some ideas out on paper and came to a conclusion of what I will do. I have to add in some more turnouts.

    Another thing I have to add (I think) is another reversing loop. Now currently I have one AR-1 (digitrax) and its on the lower level. I'm wondering how I can add to that ?? I have attached some photos of my layout, excluding the center portion since its all straight track going across, and if you look at the right hand side you will see the current reverse loop and where I think I should land the other Reverse loop.

    Since I've never really dabbled with AR-1's before I wanted to know if you can use 1 AR-1 for multiple (in my case 2) reversing loops. Also I've been told you have to have the train shorter than your loop or it will short ? I've actually been running a caboose with steel wheels at the end and it hasn't given me any problems.

    I've also ran two trains on the reversing loop and 1 on it and 1 off of it and haven't had any issues.


    This is a combined view and below will be a split view.

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    Cheers in advance in you can advised on this. Thanks guys you better be looking forward to the narley bridge I'm scratch building out of balsa wood !! Woo Woo !! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
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  20. sams

    sams TrainBoard Member

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    Balsa Wood is fun !

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    Woooo wOOOOOO !!!
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2020

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