Way back in the day, I completed a N&W CF caboose project (AMB model) that I had decided to put lighting in. Wouldn’t it be cool, I wondered in my outside voice, if I installed a function only DCC decoder so that I could control two individual lights in the caboose, turning them on as the brakeman or conductor boarded the caboose (in my imagination) and lit first one kerosene lamp, then wandered to the other end and lit the other? I certainly thought so!

(you can find the gory details of the complete build here:
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The end result looked something (well, exactly) like this:



There was one problem (and this is where the good Dr. “Lights? I don’t need lights – they just complicate things” Wayne starts snickering…). FLICKERING! Not every now and then; the “off” side of the flicker was mostly every “now”.

So when I started this,


I figured I’d address the issue. Being just knowledgeable enough about about electronics to cause myself problems, I decided the answer was CAPACITANCE. Something that would keep the lamps a-glowing across whatever issue was causing the flicker. Sound decoders use this to keep the sound alive if a current interruption is encountered. I figured the same idea would work for lights so I built this:



(BTW, I take no credit for the design. This exact circuit was designed by a gentleman on a yahoo DCC mailing list I’m on)

On board this mule is the TCS FL4 function decoder, with a 25 volt 470 microfarad capacitor, a 1/2 watt 100 ohm resistor and 1N4002 diode (the last two in parallel) between the striped negative lead and the blue common wire. The idea being that the capacitor would store a charge that could be dumped to the circuit when it went dead, with the diode controlling which way the current went, and the resistor slowing down the initial charge of the capacitor so that the system didn't see the sudden rush of current as a short. (this gives me a headache every time I think about it, so give me a few moments…). Ok, better. Importantly for later, the trucks were those from the caboose pictured above - I’m a tester – I needed at least one control.

With much anticipation, I put this sucker on the track and was elated to find that the flickering was… Wait… Still there? So I put ANOTHER capacitor in parallel with the first – the flicker was smoother, but the lights still flickered. Doh.

Time for the project to switch from a proof of concept /level of capacitance test for the new twins to trouble shooting a problem that wasn’t what I thought it was. Hmm.

More later!

Yeah, here's wishing you all a very Happy Easter. I hope you are able to spend the day with you family or other loved ones and that you have your fill of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans.

I finally set up a scene in which to Photograph the Mantua 2-6-6-2, as a 2-6-6-2T with tender, and some of the log cars.
Yes, the diorama is the O scale diorama, but it works well enough. First, the loco:    
Next, the reworked IHC Barnhart loader and a log flat, both flats are IHC, with the decks removed, and rails laid for the Barnhart:    
The next shot is a pair of the ERTL flats, converted to log flats:    
And Last, the Shinnecock Hills Lumber Company caboose:    

Hi guys , I got some items from a customer who wanted me to sell them for him.
Please take a look.
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/fifer_W0QQ...ZQQ_sopZ12
Mike

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This may seem a bit weird at first sight, but I will press on regardless and see what tarnspires.

I was given this Hornby Loco by my next door neighbor (who had only been there a few months and was relocating again), who said he had been carting this "thing" around with him for ever, and seeing as it would not go and he had not unpacked it for years, would I like to have it.

Here are a couple of small semi-scratchbuilt projects. The bulkhead car is an Atheran 40' flat car. I fabricated the bulkheads,painted and installed them.I'm not sure if I'm going to leave the car empty or not.
The fuel tanker began as having two of the same truck. I removed the bodies,cut the frames and extended one of them.The tanker was constructed from stuff I had in my scrap box. It still needs touching up and weathering.
Enjoy-Bob

I'm going to be adding a pair of helicies to my latest layout revision, and I'm trying to decide if I should go with a premade kit (like the one Ashlin Trains supplies) or if I should build my own.

14" radius with a 6" or 8" gain in elevation for one helix (depends on what the final measurements are once I'm done my planning... I'm thinking it will be an 8" change in elevation though)

And if this plan works the way I want it too (which I'm seriously reconsidering this part because of the complexity it will require) is a 20" helix with an off ramp @ "8 inches.

No need for the helix to be double tracked (in fact, I think I'd perfer if it wasn't!)


How hard is it to create one yourself?

I assume it would be as simple as buying a sheet of 4x8 thin plywood, then cutting it up into the strips you need then using four beams @ each 1/4 level attach the strips to each beam for the desired height... much like a 4x8 plywood cookie-cutter layout?

Because if thats the case, it should be fairly easy!

Especially if it's a 2" seperation between levels. The hardest part would be cutting it up no?

All of us are always on the lookout for N Scale vehicles.
On a visit to a friends layout I was admiring some of Mike Cannazzero's autos and upon asking him where he got them I was surprised when he told me they were micro machines by ERTL and were from a series run of Dick Tracy cars in several scales.
They have some Dick Tracy logos on them that are easily removed with the use of a pencil eraser. The Black and white police car has a star on the side that is a sticker and can be peeled off.
These can be still found on the E auction by putting in Dick Tracy Micro.
Here is a comparison to two Classic Metal works vehicles (the pickup and the Plymouth on the left).



This is what the package looks like and some info.
ERTL Disney Dick Tracy Micro Size Car Set No. 2672

The ERTL Company, Inc./The Walt Disney Co., 1990. Made in China.
Set of 4 micro size cars from the 1990 Disney movie starring Warren Beatty and Madonna. Each car measures approx. 1 inch long. Includes Tess’ Car, Tracy’s Car, Police Car and Itchy’s Car.


Mike

In 'Ronville', located somewhere in the CO Rocky Mountains, the narrow gauge Trim Creek & Western RR meets a standard gauge line (loosely based on the D&RGW). At the Western end of the railroad yard both lines disappear into a nearly vertical rock wall of the 'Mineral Ridge'. The SG line enters a helix leading down to a staging yard, while the TC&W starts the climb up towards the narrow gauge terminal, 'Trim Creek'.

My layout is divided by a roughly diagonal backdrop into two parts - a mountain section with the NG terminal and the flat Ronville section. Those two lines mentioned above leave the flat section in a corner of the layout. The situation is shown on the track plan below. And the photo shows the finished portals.

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