Here we go and install a decoder in new in the box 20-year-old Bachmann Spectrum SD-45. This one had to be hard wired in and Leds where added.

So, I needed to replace a 20yr old decoder MRC because it was no longer supported, and I use a Decoder Buddy and a Digitrax decoder.

Well Hello!
Hey guys, I have a YouTube channel and I upload videos about twice a week too. I've been doing this for a little over a year, so there's a lot of content to catch up on. I'll post links to my previous builds below, and I'll start with the new build that's coming up.
Feel free to ask me any questions about why or how I did something, or if you have a trick that works for you on doing it.

HO Hotraks module build
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNYyj...gkF_KXx3QD

Long Island Ntraks module build.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNYyj...BWc0vWZMy5-

I have searched the now useless google for help with MTH terminology to no avail.

I just got an SD70ACe in HO scale and it is DCC/sound equipped with their system. It runs and works well but programming is a little bit different. 

I am trying to set the ACC and DCC rate  to zero as I do all my locomotives.  Can anyone tell me what PWM mode is on these machines? I think it has something to do with the motor control but I don't like to guess. 

Charlie

This is the beginning of my new layout. Warehouse Row is being designed to, loosely, represent lower downtown Denver in the late 50s, early 60s. I say generically because this is the test layout to try different techniques. This will be the lead in to the Wynkoop Street layout which will be a much more accurate representation of the area. That space, however, is not available yet, so Warehouse Row will be the start.

My approach for this is to build a model of the layout which allows me to tweak things before actually building it full size. This is where things started:

This is the track plan that I started with. Its based on a Jack Trollope plan called Ness Street Yard. The "box" above the track plan is my initial attempt to represent the benchwork. My intention was just to draw directly on this, but the PVC sheet I used was a bit soft and difficult to draw on and then correct mistakes.
   

This shows some of the small buildings I built up from PVC sheet and doors/windows etc glued on. These came from the DPM template package and reduced to the proper size (or close enough at this point). These are only representations at this point to get an idea of heights and spacing.
   

And since it is a model of a model railroad then it also needs locomotives and freight cars to run on it.
   

I've decided to add a second layout to my to-do list even though the first one is still very much in progress however,  I need a break from big power, conspicuity stripes and graffiti. 

The Kensington Subdivision is set on Prince Edward island in eastern Canada in the 77-85 era when CN actually served Canada from coast to coast. Traffic traveled to and from the island by car ferry. The section I am modelling is from Traveler's Rest to Summerside. Power will be MLW RSC-14's (There were 38 on CN from 1977 - 1996 and used on light rail trackage. They have A1A trucks to distribute the weight of the loco over poor track. They started out as  standard Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) B-B RS-18's) Caboose (vans) and transfer vans will be used.

I attached a working draft of the track plan. I'll update it as changes take place. 

   
   

   

I was recently given this to paint:

   

   

I discussed the paint job with the owner. He wants the car painted like Canadian National's 1954- 1962 scheme.

   

I have both the paint and the decals for the project but I've never painted a brass car before. From the looks of it it has a clear coat from the factory since there is no sign of tarnish or oxidization. I suppose I can just paint directly over the current finish, possible scuffing it slightly to give the paint a bit of 'tooth'?

Let's take a ride on the Kiski Junction Railroad.     
Charlie

Vote for your favorites. Click on any entry to view that person's Challenge.
Vote for as many as you like!!

Hi everyone, I've been slowly working at building this kit from Scale Structures called "Dorothy's House" kit #1125.
I bought this kit decades ago, but finally got around to building it.
What inspired me to finally build this kit, is my 3 year old grandchild Brynnlee.
So I'm calling it Brynnlee's House. I wanted her to have it as a future keepsake of what her grandfather spent so much his spare time doing(building models).
I also decided to detail the inside of this Victorian looking house with period details.
My kit did not include the interior details, so I had to buy those as an extra to add to this house.
I wanted to make one wall removable so that you could see most of the details that will be added to the interior.
I remember in the early 70's as a kid in grade school seeing SS Ltd. new line of Fezziwig's Furniture adds in the model railway magazines.
I thought those details were amazing to my young 10 year old eyes, and thought it would be so cool to one day when I was older build something using them.
Well that day has finally come!
This kit comes with a lot of cast metal details on it's own, never mind the extra interior details that I'm adding.
It also requires you to model the interior details like wallpaper window & door trim before you build the entire exterior.
I also plan to add interior lighting to this stately home, so that adds another thing I have to think about while building this kit.
Anyways here are some photos showing some of the progress that I have made so far.
You can see what this house will eventually look like in the B&W photo shown on the instructions.

   


The kit includes some printed on paper brick sheeting, which I switched out for some styrene brickwalls which are then glued onto cardstock wall panels.

   

Here's a couple of pics showing more interior walls added and more interior details.

   

The second floor and remaining exterior walls will be added once I have all of the first floor details in place.

   

I will run the magnet wires for the lighting between the cardstock floor and the wooden scribed floor that I will be laying on to of the cardstock floor.
The wires will run over to the far exterior wall out through a hole and down the hollow cast chimney on that wall.

   

Most of the details on the first floor are now done, I'm just starting to now install the lighting for the first floor.

   

   

   

The second floor will show a bathroom & bedroom above where the kitchen & dining room are.
The exterior wall on the side where these rooms are located will be the wall that is removable.
I will update you as I progress, thanks for having a look and for your interest in this project.

Greg