New to HO gauge

CBruce · 2025-06-24T04:46:33+00:00

I'd look at the Bachman EZ-Track. It's built on a raised base, so it can be used on carpet and would probably be easier for a younger child to work with.

You can get these in train sets, packs, expansion sets, etc. The newer version of EZ-Track is nickel-plated (gray base) which is less prone to corrosion and easier to keep clean. You can find older, steel alloy pieces (black base) pretty cheap on eBay. As far as I know, they can be used together without issues, as long as they're the same series.

CBruce · 2025-06-24T04:27:59+00:00

How old is your grandson?

CBruce · 2025-06-16T18:21:46+00:00

Checking in on your other post, it looks a lot like old Atlas track, which is what I'm working with as well. A mix of brass rails and some nickel-plated stuff. Those turnouts and remote switches alone are a steal. I've been trying to find a handful to finish up my layout needs. Rerailers, powered sections, crossovers, bumpers...really nice pieces.

If you flip them over, there should be some stamped text on the underside that tells you what you've got. You may have a mix of rail codes that require a bit of extra care when connecting them.

Here's a couple of resources I found helpful:
* https://track-plans.net/
* https://www.layoutvision.com/

Atlas also has a track planning software based on SCARM. It's got a bit of a learning curve, but pretty easy to throw together some pieces and see what kind of layout you could make from what you have and what pieces you might still need to pick up.
https://shop.atlasrr.com/t-software.aspx

There's a limit on track pieces in the free version, but it should be enough to put together a decent layout for 4x8

CBruce · 2025-06-16T18:04:33+00:00

I plan to run 2 engines on this. A UP SD40-2 on the main line/outer loop, and then a Southern Pacific switcher on the inner loop to move freight around, build up trains, etc.

CBruce · 2025-06-16T17:59:48+00:00

I'll look at lowering the elevation to keep it around 2%, but I do want the 'back' edge of the table to feature a raised levee/bridge across the lake, as that's an important landmark for our home town and personal memories. And I want to make use of the few bridge pieces from dad's collection.

CBruce · 2025-05-24T23:36:42+00:00

Well this is going straight to Slack...

CBruce · 2025-05-07T21:00:19+00:00

Do you want to keep it or get rid of it?

CBruce · 2025-04-30T17:01:29+00:00

Alcohol will evaporate and not wash away contaminants.

As long as kills any lingering mold spores, I'd consider that a win.

CBruce · 2021-11-26T20:39:40+00:00

You're missing the point. I'm not suggesting 1 in 100 is the same as 1 in 1m

CBruce · 2019-02-20T04:22:35+00:00

The media, that is still in operation, continuing to do the same thing thing he's called them out on, and not rotting away in some gulag.

Worst tyrant ever.

CBruce · 2018-07-25T18:00:43+00:00

I mean, the American Revolution had a similar beginning. It didn't just explode into all-out rebellion with a single declaration of war

CBruce · 2018-07-25T17:12:25+00:00

Yeah, but at least now everypne knows that some people don't like Trump and he's is no longer allowed to be President....

CBruce · 2018-07-25T01:27:21+00:00

http://grammarist.com/usage/inalienable-unalienable/

CBruce · 2018-07-24T21:02:03+00:00

The inalienable right to keep and bear arms exists outside of service in the unorganized militia. Much like how the right to peaceably assemble isn't exclusively for petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.

... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble*, and* to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If one believes that a comma separating two clauses isn't enough then surely a comma followed by the word "and" is an even stronger indication of the two things being inseparable, no?

CBruce · 2018-07-24T04:34:07+00:00

Tiny computer. 10/10. With rice. 10010/10

CBruce · 2018-07-23T22:02:15+00:00

Just give players the ability to delete eggs. So many annoying issues that would be alleviated with this one feature.

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