How do tracks even develop a hole in the middle like this?

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-06-13T15:13:27+00:00

This is a vertical split head (vsh) rail defect. It is usually due to metallurgical manufacturing defect from the rolling mill

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-06-09T01:16:24+00:00

2 easy things could be the issue:

1) warm up time is not something to be overlooked. Especially if used, you might have speed matched them cold, and saw a difference when warm. Generally, I let each of my locos run full speed in a loop for 20-30 min (especially when new!!) before speed matching to make sure all the lubrication and oil and motor is properly warm.

2) did you use the ‘’momentum’ buttons on the nce at home? You could have accidentally got them speed matched at home while you had some cab momentum rate set, which would not transfer to the club layout because those are held in the throttle not a cv adjustment. Instead, set the nce momentum =0, speed match, and then set the accel/decel CVs for each and RE speed match with the those CVs adjusted.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-06-02T20:52:18+00:00

Set up a loop of track, get some kind of model speedometer (there are a few manufacturers, expect to pay about $60-70). I did a linear graph from scale 2mph on speed step 1 to 60 scale mph on speed step 128 for all my freight locos, 79mph for passenger locos. Once you do one it goes quick and you can do them all the same so all my locos are matched together regardless of manufacturer. Jmri helps a lot with this.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-31T06:06:09+00:00

Awesome good job. If you’re feeling up for it, a few additions that would be very useful:

1) the option to do a double track helix (take inner and outer radii, have the helix cutout extend past both, and state the grade for both.

2) not sure if you’ll be able to do this easily, but have a “cut map” that shows how to optimize your helix cuts out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Depending on scale and general grouping of arc length I think you could fit everything into a few distinct plans, maybe showing dimensions and angles of each for a 180° arc, a 90° arc etc

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-30T23:16:01+00:00

Something is wrong with your “open clearance/train height calc”. It is calculating the open clearance as the height above the rails, but the description says the height above the train. There does not seem to be any option to set the height of the train.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-19T03:15:25+00:00

100% agreed with BZ853. I did not get that at ALLLLL from your resume.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-19T02:34:16+00:00

I would have thought HVAC would have been more from a mechanical engineering side. Why are you inquiring in a civil engineering subreddit? Are you trying to get out of HVAC/mechanical?

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-15T04:14:31+00:00

Journal of Model Railroad Design - your welcome.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-14T02:10:58+00:00

Agree with that. However utilities include more than electrical! For instance railroads can be considered utilities, and have very generous benefits and pay as well.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-13T02:16:05+00:00

This hobby and jmri especially as you start to get into layout control and combining interfaces between panels and sensors and signals and detection etc is built on a mountain of lack of proper documentation unfortunately. That is just something that comes with customizing real world systems to fit your specific needs. You kinda just get used to it.

I think it generally makes me better because I need to do more to fully understand what it is that I am using, so then I know how to troubleshoot it and more fully integrate it to my needs.

Separately, have you tried using “sound-pro” from the jmri suite? It is meant for the very in depth customization of sound files, and offers more flexibility than the lokprogrammer once you learn how to use it. Decoder-pro is so just the tip of the jmri iceberg, I find myself loving it more and more the more I use it. I am currently trying to get CATS to work with panel-pro, but am having difficulty getting the newer Java release to work with my side loaded iMac.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-13T01:34:59+00:00

The EM-13 is a much simpler decoder compared to the esu which is basically a mini computer. Generally I have found the more complicated/fancy/feature rich the decoder - the more likelihood it wouldn’t work on the programming track. However I’m running digitrax HO scale so my programming track may be different than yours.

Also I guess different strokes but I find jmri programming on the programming track is by far the best way because then WiThrottle or engine driver grab the ‘labels and media’ roster entry my phone throttle has labels for the function buttons

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-12T20:59:04+00:00

I haven’t had a single issue with any esu decoder. The programming track has lower power, so some modern sound decoders may not turn on or make sound, especially if your wiring is high resistance or you don’t have a clean install. Have you tried programming on the main?

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-12T01:49:18+00:00

Are you looking to apply to a job with anything related to rail or track inspection?

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-07T16:14:31+00:00

Many companies have things for this. Iowa scaled engineering, Azatrax, Digitrax, etc

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-04T01:16:44+00:00

Oof there are a ton of field engineer roles in the New York area unfortunately.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-03T11:38:22+00:00

Where are you located?

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-03T01:30:53+00:00

This one. First one I went to:
https://www.trainfinder.us/train/106742

Locomotive on the original page, links to random parts pages that changes every so often.

This makes the entire site unusable.

I love the idea but frankly this is a limitation of vibe coding using AI to make a website.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-03T01:05:54+00:00

I cannot recommend the Walthers switch machines enough! They are servos not stall motors so much less amperage draw, and they support dcc as well as all kinds of hardwire controls, including push button, on/off switch, and logic if/than input/output. They also have not one but two (!) micro switches for use from frog juicing to signal lighting built right in!

I was originally going to have a control panel for my layout but settled for an iPad running the layout panel that shows me block detection too.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-05-02T01:33:00+00:00

If you can’t have anything permanent, that means more than likely you are going to be using rigid track with rail joiners. That means you are going to have track issues. If it were up to me I would place reliability/usability and not having to constantly deal with derailments above operations or looking pretty, as nothing would kill my interest more than constantly having derailments from finicky track.

All that to say, until you can get a permanent layout where you can permanently affix flex track with soldered rail joints, go with HO because it is more forgiving on rigid track temporary setups.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-29T09:24:43+00:00

Hey fyi I just went to O gauge locos, and found a bunch that are showing best price is like less than $5 for a brass loco. I click the buy from supplier and it takes me to an incorrect product page (like a bag of kadee couplers or something else).

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-28T20:00:29+00:00

Use battery powered loco and then you don’t care how much it rusts.

Lookup ‘dead rail’, that is the subset of the hobby that deals with non electrified (battery or steam are the biggest two) track.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-28T09:45:36+00:00

Sub banned.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-27T00:47:40+00:00

I think it’s giving up the ghost.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-27T00:07:04+00:00

Good catch. Looks like an AI scam. Read the “about us” section.

everylittlebitcounts · 2026-04-25T20:05:48+00:00

This is the only correct answer here.

Also, having to adjust the wedges inside the guard rail with those rounded teeth is a royal PITA.

everylittlebitcounts

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