TLDR Version: I am at the point where I need to consider which DCC system I am going to use and in what configuration...primarily so I can make sure electrical outlets are in the right places around my basement walls. I believe I will end up with a command station plus three boosters...although I would dearly love to use the command station plus two boosters to keep a little money in my wallet.

So the short story question is: What experiences do you good people have with longer lengths of power bus wires?

This is something my two DCC reference books really don't go into. I understand that the main concern is the number of locomotives that will be powered at a given time. But I also know that, when you are working on a basement size layout, you don't always get full amperage down at the end of the line.

Many thanks ahead of time.

Edit: I do not expect to have large numbers of locomotives active and running. And if I break the layout up into at least three power districts, I would only expect maybe 3 or 4 locomotives to be active in any given power district at a time...if that many.

Hi, I have a Starter Set that is a few years old. I would like to get back into trains. If I buy an second starter set now, can I connect all the tracks and also place the new trains on my old starter sets tracks? In my first starter sets I have 2 Locomotives and a red digital? mouse? controller. Sorry if the question is dumb but I dont want to waiste money. Thanks!

I’ve seen Hornby reccomend if doing their full trackmatt layout to use two sets of power lines, one for the inner and one for the outer loop but both lines going to the same controller and I was wondering could you do this with two separate controllers to run the two in a pseudo dcc mode akin to what they do with their bigger controller?

I’ve recently stumbled across something online about brass track being better, not only that but I’ve found some used for a more cheaper price than the nickel track. Is brass better as people say? What do you guys have to say about it?

I have a bunch of older Lionel trains and some tracks that I put up on eBay. Haven't gotten more than one view on most stuff. I don't want to keep them but I also feel like it's such a waste to throw them out. Are there any small train museums that you know of that would like a donation or do you have any other ideas on who I could gift them to? TYIA

First off, I'm a lurker. I admit to having zero practical model train knowledge or experience.

Second, sorry for the "fandom" title. Hopefully I can explain away the cringe.

I've always liked locomotives from an engineering perspective; and the modern connectivity of model trains (DCC, signalling, automated operation, block detection, etc) is very seductive for many of the same reasons. I've never had a set myself probably for many of the reasons most don't: size and cost. I've repeatedly flirted with the hobby over my lifetime, and now that I'm financially secure, I'm closer than I've ever been. However, when researching clubs and options, it seems like the track laying / control system side of things is undervalued.

As an example, I looked at local clubs and all of them require proof of scenics / diorama experience and have zero desire or plans to do any control work. I can understand this as that is somewhat foundational, and once you have working track it's not something you rush to tear up.

So my question, or conversation topic, is: how many of you are like me, or how many of you see the trackwork as a necessary prerequisite for the scenery / aesthetics? Or is there another portion of the hobby that drives you.

I'd love to find a way to work on the control side and let others handle everything else. I don't really even care about the trains too deeply, i.e. prototypical consists, or weathering. I can absolutely appreciate the skill and art, but painting models has always felt tedious to me. I've even been considering diving into the OpenDCC / DCC-EX world from the development side.

Anyway, this is mostly a conversation starter to see if there are areas of the hobby that might fit my interests better, or ways to scratch those itches.

New model trains & currently looking at “Athearn HO Dash 9-44CW Sound-Ready UP #9808 ATH78056 HO Locomotives” but the question is about model trained in general or the locomotives all controlled separately or can they be linked together somehow in order to control them from one remote?

Finds at a local trainshow in vienna

Bottom left: H0 ÖBB 5147 Bottom right: HOe ÖBB 5090 Left: Vienna Tramway and Bus stop signs Right: LGB Stainz wagon Bottom Back: LGB Zillertalbahn wagon Bottom Top: LGB Repair Train Loco

Hair on a Walters Gp15 Axle

Hello all,

I would like to know how everyone here approaches layout planning and track planning? Would it be wise to take cardstock cutouts of the scale track lengths and mimic the trackplan in the space to get a feel of the scale? I would like to start this process by defining how much layout space I have and making my layout fit those dimensions. Below is what Im trying to accomplish.

Background I am starting work on my 4th layout for a 25' by 18' space, it will be an around the room layout that I am heavily considering doing multdeck tiers to maximize on space and operations. I would like to have a continuous loop layout with 2 main lines that branch into terminal yards at each end, the theme will be Kansas City to Denver. I'd like to model some towns with dedicated industry spurs along the way, passing lines and other interesting scenes.

Ill

I know I already posted something today but I decided I’d do a double post today cause why not?

So this is based on a post I made in another channel but I’ve been doing a lot of research and have since then made some changes to my hit list of locos I’m hoping to acquire while I’m back in the states in November through December. There’s a good lot of locos I want to get but I have a small list of locos I want to have before leaving back to the Philippines. Many of these I’m getting second hand and are being sold at a good price I may not be able to find anywhere else for a long time. Here are some.

#1. Broadway limited NYC Hudson (was gonna get a bachmann one but found broadway limiteds to be better in quality)

#2. Hornby merchant navy (was on the old list I made however I managed to find one second hand I hope to buy before it’s too late)

#3. Proto 2000 Berkshire (Was gonna go with a bachmann one but found the P2K version to be way better)

#4. Proto 2000 N&W 2-8-8-2 (After watching a review I was impressed and even found one not only in good condition but for a shockingly good price)

#5. Athearn Genesis MT-4 (Found one on eBay in great operational condition for a great price months ago and still hasn’t sold yet)

#6. Athearn Genesis FEF-2 (specifically one I Found one with dcc and sound for a good price,)

#7. Broadway limited GG1 (Was originally gonna go with a bachmann one however having been impressed by BLI’s quality I’m going with their version)

What about you guys? Any locomotives that are on your “hit list”

So in addition to building a layout when I get home I also want to service my small fleet of locos I already have which haven’t ran in a few years and sat in storage. The only locos I had that ran well before they went into storage was a bachmann FA1 (which was the last locomotive I bought) and an old bachmann 0-6-0 which had never been serviced yet when last used was the oldest working steam locomotive I have. I have a small switcher diesel and I think a GP30 (I’m not sure of the make) but the GP is the oldest diesel I have and was once my best runners but then stopped preforming well, same happened with the switcher but I suspect this is from a lack of maintenance during my days when I knew little to nothing about models. I want to service these four models but what I’d like to know is what oil and lubricant do you recommend? Also any tips you could all give? I go home in less than two weeks so I will keep you all updated and even send picks of my current fleet. Thank you guys God bless

Afternoon All,

I apologize for this misdirection but I am not here for train related things but it seems you all may be the best folks for the info I need.

I was wondering if anyone here could help with a means of making a steam/smoke generator that can push a constant stream or rather when a button is pushed to fire the steam and or smoke. I am trying to replicate onto a power wheels the "smoke" that El Toro Loco does here but it needs to be smaller to fit into a power wheels for my kid and well, many of you have that down pat.

any info or what to search for would be super appreciated.

CR SD40-2 #6351 creeps by TG tower on the Snowshoe branch in 1978 bound for a local limestone quarry. The nearby PRR position lights symbols of better times come and gone, forever lighting the night sky for the standard railroad of the world.

Hello Just rejoining the model train community after a 30 year layoff and am appalled at the state of model paint. Everything is acrylic that doesn’t cover, or watered down enamel. The acrylics are great for airbrushing, but if you need to brush something I feel there aren’t any good choices out there. Any decent brands for brush work? Thanks!

Hi Guys, I’m looking to build an N-Gauge layout but I’m limited on space and the layout has to be a loop not end to end, I have an Empty IKEA Malm drawer I would like to use, happy to use the tightest curves possible, would this fit in the drawer, I’ll put the dimensions below. Not planning on anything massive so a single track would be ok for me, only really have little experience with HO Scale so I’m new to N. If anyone knows the answer to this it would be much appreciated

Width - 72cm Depth - 43cm