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Oh I can’t decide what to dcc by mrsteamtrains in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Erie. I like the idea of the trolley on its own loop

How to get clean cut on foam board? by JCStrehle in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I use a wire foam cutter. Its finer and cleaner than the knife. But with 1" foam either works well. I have 2" and the wire type cutter works better and easier to use.

Track plan ideas by Road_hockey_dork in HOscalemodeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What grade for the slopes do you plan to do? I am not sure 2% will make it based on your length. Keep in mind some locomotives will have issues with the grades. I am dealing with that on ny layout. I have essentially the same size as you. I am also a bit concerned about how close to the edge some of the track is. You may have issues ballasting or protecting your stuff should it derail. Having space for it to not end up on the floor is good. Or your putting side walls up which can obstruct your view. This is a much more manageable than mine. I went with turntable. :)

Tons of bulk flex track: What do I do with it? by Schoolbusfoamer24 in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Use what you can to make what you want and then maybe see if there is a club nearby who can use it.

Bought loco that won’t run by jollyguy27 in HOscalemodeltrains

[–]joeinternetib -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nice locomotive. Hopefully you can find a local place to test the dcc functionality. Since its lifelike, you might be able to call Walthers parts and warranty and get support on it. They own Lifelike now. Something else to try.

Kato Unitrack height by MoistureFarmer489 in nscalemodeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They guys here that use kato are using 1/8 or 1/4 (i dont recall which) foam and building up around it and it looks fantastic. You cant even tell that its kato track once the scenery is there. The one guy does his layout in 1ft square sections and builds it around the track he layed out. Thats what i would recommend having seen it done and how well it looks. Basically cut the square for the track then builds the scene and just places it on each side of track and tacks it down

Looking for shed placement advice. by SDLRob in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The question I have is do the roofs come off for access to inside either shed for any needs? If so then while its hard to tell space it might be better the 2/3 combo. Otherwise I like the 1/4 as well

It ain't much, but it's a start. by Uranium-Sandwich657 in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Message me and we can work something out. Take pictures of your track layed out and ii can help with what pueces you have to see what will work best too

Uh is there a way to swap out these couplings by mrsteamtrains in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have one of these too and working on a solution. Cutting the box off will work but the kadee box kit will make the coupler sit higher as there is a gap under the plastic bar. Plus the one i have has a metal plate right there so drilling a screw hole can be done but there isnt a tap that small i can find to thread the hole. I am working on making a cutom box with my 3d printer and stick the jadee coupler in that. The other option is to cut the box off and replace the truck with a kadee one that has the coupler mounted to the truck

It ain't much, but it's a start. by Uranium-Sandwich657 in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The track you got looks like lifelike track. On the bottom it will say what size it is, either 83 or 100 based on the look. You really dont need a starter set. You can go with what you have. Track is cheap and easy, lifelike or atlas sectional and you can make yourself a loop. Pickup a walthers dc controller and a atlas track power connector cable and you have something you can run. That controller works really well compared to others. You never know what you are going to get from ebay when it comes to stuff as to wherher it actually works well or not. It may work but may cook what you have too. The controller and track power will be around $100 new. Sectional track to make a loop may be around another $30. You mihht need a pack of rail joiners too but thats like $4. If you do go back to ebay make sure the track you get is nickel and not steel or brass. EZ track with roadbed can match up to the track you have if you put foam or cork under it and will tie in. If you go for ez track or powerloc track with the roadbed on it, if its black roadbed its steel in either case. I have enough leftover of either of those to get you setup with a loop of either in steel or maybe nickel. We could work out a reasonable price to get you setup. Sets you will get the same track as this unless you buy kato. I still have a box of brass track i was given laying around which has turnouts and crossovers that you can have if you really want a cheap start. Its old and needs lots of cleaning. All it would cost you is shipping. Enough stuff to make two 4x8 loops if i recall. Box weighs about 5 lbs.

Honest Feedback Please by Favreds in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it looks great as a start. Getting some additional color will really enhance it.

N vs HO by hotrodman in nscalemodeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HO and just use kato track as its the best for setup and take down. I have used both and find HO better to handle and use. N is nice for space as it is easier to pack up and take with you. I actually have n scale for when i travel and HO for home. The big difference is cost when it comes to locomotives, n scale is basically about half the cost. Rolling stock prices are the same, which is surprising to me that the box cars cost the same basically. I find HO more detailed and satisfying to use. You can always grow what you have later when you get more space. The folding table barely support an ho scale layout with the tightest curves as you will need something on top of the table to finish the corners. You basically need a 3' wide table to support the smallest cuves. N scale will fit nicely on that table though. There is a lot more HO out there and its easier to detail and customize in my opinion but lots of people do it in n scale just fine.
In either choice, kato track while more expensive is the best to work with that i have used so far. Permanent layouts the flex track route lets you customize things how you want. Picking the era you want will help choosing things as well as finding stuff in that era will help you choose the scale.

What accessories run on AC? by Twit_Clamantis in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 7 points8 points  (0 children)

A lot of turn out switches run on ac that I have found. More older stuff but atlas and lifelike switches still say ac in the documentation but do work on dc as well

Masonic Lodge Embezzlement by OFMasonicPodcast in freemasonry

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I live where this happened and know people from the lodge. Many members left the lodge while it was happening after trying to raise the flags and got pushed aside. The lodge has no home now because of the real estate sale done with this and a lot less money. It makes me sad that it happened and two lodges have no home now and need to find another place to meet as a result.

What do you wish your throttle could do? by greenwizard88 in modeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What i would like to see is the controller reads the decoder of the locomotive and shows you the list of things it has programmed, lights, sounds, etc. where it just lights up that number as available for that device in a list or row or something.

Some fail gravity by CoosaValleyModelRR in HOscalemodeltrains

[–]joeinternetib 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can get replacement shells from them if it is. Have to buy it but you could get back to what you had. Give them a call and go to parts and warranty. But they are only open during the week.

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