I have one left hand turnout that had the raised frog, and Tim's instructions helped me get it fixed, all rolling stock moves smoothly through the turnout. Thanks Tim! :thumbs_up:
Welcome to Z at Trainboard, Steven! This is just one reason why we like it so much here. Lots of expert advice and experience, freely shared for the benefit of us all! So have you been in Z long? Give us an introduction! Show us pictures of your stuff!
Bryan, Thanks for the warm welcome! I started in Z in the mid 90s. I was in N scale at the time, and was employed by Atlas Model RR Co. While attending trade shows I found myself captivated by the little Z layout MTL had running in their booth. Eric and Connie of MTL helped me get started. Since then I've switched from N to HO but have always kept myself busy in Z as well. I had a couple of articles published in ZTrack back in the 90s when Adam was still publishing it. One article was custom painting an F-7 in Penn Central livery, another was hard wiring two F-7s together for improved electrical pickup. I currently do not have a permanent layout. I have been waiting for the MTL turnouts to become available to start a new layout. For now I have a test layout set up on a 2' x 4' board. Once I can get a few more turnouts I will get started on the new layout. I'll post some pics as I progress. I'm currently working on a CR GP35, adding some details and weathering, and should be able to post pics very soon! Oh, and I came here looking for an alternative to the Yahoo group. So far I like what I see! Steve W
180 Degree Difference Here! Welcome aboard Steve, You have come to the right place for helpful and informative Z info. The Yahoo Z_Scale group use to be the #1 place to go for the type of info that is posted in the "Z" Trainboard now! It is good to check out the Yahoo Z_Scale group from time to time as it has a larger member base and believe it or not, sometimes cool & unique things get posted there that don't make it to the "Z" Trainboard. Again, Welcome aboard! Look forward in seeing your Z! Hobo Tim
Hi Steve! Welcome to Trainboard! I have been converting all kind of locos to DCC lately, and my test track had MTL turnouts on them. Each and every loco that goes through them, hits something and bumps and bounces, then I gauge the wheels using the MTL [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] #988 00 032 Coupler Height Gauge. [/FONT][/FONT]The MTL tool has wheel gauge slots on it, and when the flanges are centered in those slots, the loco is in perfect gauge to run through MTL turnouts smooth. I just use 2 small blade jewelers screwdrivers, and it's done! I have found the Marklin Mikado's, Pacific's, 0-6-0's, and 4-6-0's all out of gauge, Every AZL loco is out of gauge, and even some of my MTL GP35's, and F7's were out of gauge. No loco is assumed to be in gauge to start. Once gauged your locos will run through Peter Wright, MTL, and Marklin turnouts just fine! No filing required!
Steve, Welcome to trainboard. If I'm not mistaken, you had a web-site devoted to Z a few years back which was one of my first internet sources for Z info. If I am mistaken, oops. But, if not, I think that is where I learned of PennZee hoppers, and decided to stay in Z scale. Back to turnouts. Just in case anyone has lost track of this, there are two seperate and distinct issues regarding the MT turnouts. One is the wheel guage issue, and the second is the raised frog issue. The first is simply differences in standards (or lack of) between MT, AZL, and Marklin. The second is a quality control issue where adhesive was built up under the frog keeping it from seating properly. I just wanted to be sure everyone was aware of this so that people were not dismantling turnouts that didn't need it. Dan S.
Thanks for all the replies and info. Robert, I appreciate the tips, I've been admiring your work for a while now! Dan, I did have a Z web site a number of years ago, keep saying I'm going to resurrect and update it, will let you know when I get to it.
Welcome to trainboard Steve. I'll second what Tim said, the yahoo group is ok, but this place is more user friendly with the ability to insert photo's and it is also "user freindly" There seems to be a lot more friendly people here.
Welcome to TrainBoard Steve. Where are you located in NJ? I lived in Sommerville and Neshanic for about 5 years and then moved back to Virginia. I spent a couple of years riding NJTransit in to Newark and Manhattan. I vaguely rember riding right by Atlas on the Raritan Valley Line. I hadn't yet discovered Z scale when I was living in NJ. Randy
Thanks again for the welcomes! Randy, I live just outside of Hackettstown NJ, not far from the Delaware Water Gap/Pocono area. Funny you mention VA, we just vacationed there, checked out the views and fall foliage on Skyline Drive, stayed near Winchester. We're just started talking about moving out of NJ and VA is on the list!
Hi Steve: I spent four great years at Blair Academy in Blairs Town NJ, just outside of Hacketstown and the Deleware water Gap area. Graduated in 1989.... I live in Utah now... Wlcome to trainboard.. Tony B...
What's even more funny, Steve, is that I will be up in NE PA on the other side of the Water Gap for Thanksgiving. My In-Laws live in Wayne Co. north of Honesdale. If you decide to move to Virginia, let us know. THere's a bunch of us Zed heads around the Washington, DC area (but I doubt you would be moving to that part of the state since it's probably more expensive than New Jersey even). We're about an hour or so east of Winchester. Actually, some of the guys in my local railfan group belong to the HO club there (it's in the old depot). If you want to talk with any of them, I'd be happy to put you in touch. I guess we should eventually consider adding threads to welcome new members instead of piggybacking on existing threads. How do folks feel about that? Randy
Ah, I've spent a lot of time in Blairstown, I used to be a flight instructor and my last job was at Blairstown Airport. Still a great little town, hasn't changed much. Thanks for the welcome!
Sounds like a good idea Randy! But at any rate, the coincidences continue...tomorrow (Wed) I will be driving to Cochecton NY, and I go through Honesdale to get there. If you look on a map of the area I take Rt 191 north from Honesdale, then go east on 371 to Cochecton. I usually get up that way once every two to three weeks. I assumed that the DC area around VA would be pricey! We'd be looking at more rural areas, that's for sure. Will let you know when we get serious about moving! Thanks again to all...
Hah, Cochecton is where the mother-in-law sends me to run to the store. They're in Equinunk (mailing address) right off of 191 about halfway between Honesdale and the NY line. randy PS - I got to ride the Stourbridge Line last time I was up there for a visit. ;-) I love BL-2's.
The last time I rode the Stourbridge line the BL2 was down so a NYS&W GP18 filled in. I was disappointed, the BL2 was quite an ugly beast but yet has some strange sort of appeal...
