I just ordered the KATO Amtrak SC-44 & Amtrak Pacific Surfliner set, 2 sets of KATO 11-212 interior lighting kits-version 3 and 7 Zimo MX605FL DCC function decoders (FR11). Way back when...I installed lighting kits in a passenger set and I hate it because I didn't like them sitting on the track (on a spur) with no way to turn out the lights! I have quite a few passenger sets that allow all passengers to sleep 24/7 and no reading is allowed....because of no interior lights. Hopefully my experiment with these items works out...although its not a cheap fix...but what is in this hobby! I will post some photos when I get the set, install a sound decoder in the loco and install light kits and decoders in the passenger cars. Brian
Brian-I have had some success with installing and programming the decoders in Kato coaches to respond to a 3-digit address. I don’t do anything different than I would with programming an address for a locomotive. Now I haven’t done it in their superliners, only in their Pullman and Nippon-Sharyo bi-levels. But I believe it’s the same set up. Usually, I just program all the coaches to the same three digit address so I can turn their lights on and off at the same time. The only drawback is that if you do it that way you have to keep the same coaches in the same consist. But you can program them individually. The bilevel cab coaches are a bit tricky-if I recall correctly I usually had to install & program the decoder for the light board, then remove it, install and program the one for the ditch/tail lights, then reinstall the one for the light board again. I’ve got about 40 Metra coaches-this usually works, although sometimes you get a finicky decoder. When that happens, it gets a 003 address and goes into a consist with other stubborn decoders. Hope that helps! Or-Sorry if I’m telling you something you already know! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I greatly appreciate knowing your experiences. It will help me with the install and not having to do do-overs...
A couple of things here. First, I just purchased two Kato SD40-2's and two Kato SD70M's. The SD40-2's, like my first purchase are N&W and are PNP. They have different cab numbers (6111 & 6118) from my first purchase (1642 & 1652). Spookshow lists a manufacture date of 2000 for the PNP moldels. Are these a rerun or just old stock? For the SD70M's, Spookshow lists their manufacture date as 2017. Are these also a rerun? What I can't understand is that with all the talk of inflation I paid about the same amount for these as I did for my original purchase of four Kato SD40-2's twenty years ago. Yet in the same period prices for rolling stock have almost tripled. So, what gives?
So a trip to Walmart for some modeling supplies brought me a new mixing bowl for the plaster, some new paint and black foam core. I got some watercolor paper to use for the roads too, just in case the foam core doesn’t work well enough. Black foam core is perfect for roads as it’s already asphalt colored, you just need to wash it out a little. Apple barrel paints, a 12 pack for $10. That’s less than a dollar per and they are just a little over right now. Yes that’s the official Link Light Rail rulebook, I need it for my job.
Dear Massey, The way I use the black foamboard to create the asfalt type of roads and surfaces, I take off one of the carton layers, using a breakoff knife. Slicing along the paper and leaving the foam as much as possible in one piece, the paper, covered with that thin foam still on it, gives a great texture for asfalt roads (and roofing). The remainder of the foam (with the other carton half still on it) makes a great base for gondola / hopper coal loads etc. Just my 2 cts...
I will give that a try. I usually use water color paper to give the texture and paint it to be asphalt or concrete.
Where you get the JTT trees and rocks? I bought some of the same trees yesterday. I might get the rocks at some point. Click
Well, never order locomotives and trains shortly after your wife passes. I ended up with two sets for Kato Amtrak Pacific Coast train sets. One with DCC and full lighting and the other DC. Well at least I covered the bases.....
Well if you ever find yourself near me during show season, come find the T-Trak layout and you can run either one any time!
Speaking of purchasing things... Anyone have ideas about where larger plastic sheets of HO scale bricks can be purchased? I need to scratch build a late 19th century brick building, will be be around 11-12" cubed, and having trouble finding adequate sheets for that. So far the best option appears to be getting a mish-mash of Design Preservation brick walls, but they're not that large and adding them up looks to be expensive.
Had a couple of things show up today. A pack of HOn30 trucks and an 8 pack of plaster cloth to finish up the scenery on the railroad.
Yes, I will be in the 4H building running the T-Trak layout or at the PNP Trains booth helping Paula and Paul with the store.
Gots me a Trump car today. I don’t need to post a pic as there is one a few posts above this one. If anyone wants on there are 7 left at www.pnptrains.com Paula says they have been selling pretty quick. They also have the Pacific Surfliners from Kato… I so needs me one of them!
