Search results

Using alligator clips or another type of hat sinks will help keep ties from melting. but won't prevent them outright. You also need a soldering iron powerful enough to get the rail hot real quick like and then you're done. In my experience, to little heat leads to melted ties. Using rosin core...

I'm looking at buying the new Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0. I'm running on DC with no plans to go to DCC and little knowledge of DCC. From what I've read the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 is DCC. Will it run ok on DC? Thanks, Doc

It means to provide some means of draining the excess heat from the rail away before it melts the ties. Typically this is best accomplished by providing a large mass of metal that can easily absorb the heat. SOme people use wet rags. See the alligator clips in my pic from the thread I...

To "tin" something is to apply a thin coat of solder to it prior to soldering it to something. Kinda like putting contact cement on the pieces first and then sticking them together. Doc

I covered my entire benchwork with 2" white foam from Home Depot (The blue/pink stuff is almost impossible to find in my neck of the wods.) Since I also plan on using foam to build mountains, I went around to some industrial parks and furniture showrooms and did a little bit of foam recycling. A...

Check out this thread. http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=10754&highlight=solder Like Ron, I solder a 20 or 22 gauge feeder wire to the underside of a rail joiner. You can also buy them ready made but at $2.00 each I make my own. Drill a hole through your roadbed and benchwork for...

Thanks for the info Fred. Doc

I've got a little Christmas money burning a hole in my poccket and am looking to expand the BAD Wester steamer roster. I'm looking for suggestions for a mid-level loco for DC. I'm experiencing the inability of my Bachman 440 to climb a 4% grade with more than one car in tow. I'm more into the...

Here's 2 month old Reuben James, right after he "helped" our house painter. Doc

Welcome to the Gauge. You're never to young or old to play with trains. Doc

COngratulations on th elatest addiiton to your fleet!. e made the same mistake, er I mean opened our hearts to a lab mix puppy about four months ago. Don't worry, he's finally house broken (well most of the time) and hardly ever chews on the furniture anymore. On the plus side, he has taken...

I used white lates caulk, although I didn't entirely remove the track to do so. First I laid out the track on the cork roadbed exactly where I wanted it and pinned it down. I then lifted small sections one at a time about 1/2" high by raising the pins and applied a thin dab of caulk to the cork...

My wife said I needed a hobby. A buddy was building a layout and gave me an old steamer as an incentive. Doc

I use cheap latex caulk, spread very thin with a spakle knife and then temporary T pins to hold the track down until it sets. Doc

A buddy of mine built the Super Pretzel and I considered it really hard as well. Its a really cool layout. I finally built a modified version. Russ is right about the big "L". Even so, the reach across is a problem to think about. I built my entire layout on wheels so I can pull it out from...

I originally planned on have a double gallows, but have instead opted for the old standby, a hanging tree, after watching The Good, The Bad and the Ugly for about the 100th time. Doc

Let us know how they turn out. I tried and actually did a fair job for the portion of the incline that was over 1/2" thick. The problem is trying to cut foam thinner than that. I was making 4% grades which equates to going from nothing to 1/2" over 12" in length. For a 1% grade it means going...

Lookin' good Will! Doc

After re-reading my post, I want to apologize for my reply and throwing a damper on this thread. Christmas is a season for peace and happiness and most of all, hope. May each of you get what you wish for. Doc

You can buy saguaro type in two sizes, although even the smaller might be too big for N scale. I also have a magazine how-to article on making Joshua Trees. If I can find it I'll scan it for you. Doc