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I would suggest leaving your DC blocks in place. If you have trouble, it is easier to identify and isolate it if you have blocks. You can also install a DPDT switch to have either DC or DCC operation. I'm doing this to enjoy the sound functions of my galloping geese without losing the ability...

The wheels are very simple...you purchase them. The motor would be a Mashima from NWSL or similar. A wood only model would perform poorly, so weight would be needed...perhaps cast lead figures in the cab or brass parts. The techniques required to work in N-scale are almost completely...

You will probably find it to be a much better idea add the guard rails yourself than to buy bridge track and remove ties...if you REALLy want to add all those extra guard rails.

What certification will you be targeting? You have to achieve several. I'll go out on a limb and guess that N-scale is harder to achieve than other scales...you will find scratch building locomotives and cars much more difficult (although it is possible)...and super detailing them. The...

With young kids, there are two nice ways to go: Lionel or Large scale. Lionel wins in the theme department (Harry Potter, Thomas, & Polar Express), but I think Large scale wins in all other categories (for me). Either goes over well. Of course, my 3.5 month old loves his HO/OO Thomas set.

Check your facebook wall.

My computer doesn't like the link (it doesn't get along well with google videos). The industrial applications for On30 stuff is pretty awesome. I think a Hawaiian layout would be pretty cool. Over half of the real 30" gauge common carrier mileage in the US was on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.

Something which might make a huge difference... I had an AHM/Rivarossi hudson when I was a kid. It could only handle a 2 passenger car train, at best, up my 7% grades (an mountainous layout). The only locomotives which could pull all 6 of my Rivarossi cars up the grade was a pair of Mantua...

Don't forget B-man's warranty...as well as returning to your LHS (if it came from there)

I've heard both wonderful and not so great things about MTH trains. I personally don't consider them to be worth their price...the added features don't come close to making up for the added cost beyond Spectrum or Broadway Limited. I don't care for Athearn's new stuff as it is too specific...

I like the idea of adding a Lima builders plate! (having grown up near Lima!)

:agree1: All trouble spots on the old HO layout were eliminated by eliminating the snap switches. Many people like Shinohara (walthers), Peco, and Micro Engineering...but I don't think they are close to worth it for performance as I've always found Atlas Custom line to work flawlessly (and for...

You can also try super glue. Get the hobby shop variety which is gap filling and re-closeable. Have some finger nail polish ready if you are messy. Applying wood glue with a tooth pick or brush works as well.

How much equipment do you plan to store on the layout? How well detailed is your equipment? If you have 500 super detailed cars which you don't want to handle...having an oversized yard is a good thing. If you only have 10 cars, a large yard is kind of pointless. If you are modeling the...

Most of my On3 stuff is on or near my layout. Most of my HO rolling stock is boxed while most of my HO steam locomotives hang out in our china cabinet so that I can see them regularly.

I ruled out the Zephyr for me a while ago. If I want to run an analog locomotive, I switch to power from a conventional power pack as analog on DCC is bad news (it will ruin many fine, expensive motors). I didn't see any real advantage to the Zephyr...and I was most interested in the NCE...

I wanted to share an obscure video I found on youtube. It is an 1929 trip over the Colorado Midland/Midland Terminal. The CM was the first std gauge road to penetrate the Colorado Rockies. According to John Allen, it was the closest thing to a prototype the GD Line had. The MT was a std...

I've found that there are usually other issues that turnouts bring out: 1) flange depth 2) wheel gauge 3) vertical curves 4) I've never had luck with Atlas Snap Switches...never had problems with the Custom Line Still, if you don't enjoy switching, then switches are just an added hassle/cost...

I emailed Ray. His interests are far too close to mine not to! Thanks!

Thank you for the link. I'll check out his stuff, and I'll probably contact him when I'm doing similar things. Michael