Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 10 – Q&A and DCC

Foxcote Manor no. 7822 steam engine

Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 10 – Q&A and DCC

Foxcote Manor no. 7822 steam engine

Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]

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Quick Look: BlueRail Trains App upgrade

MRRPR0917_bluerailscreenshotimage

Price: Free Manufacturer BlueRail Trains 2540½ Foothill Dr. Vista, CA 92084-6578 www.bluerailtrains.com Comments: For modelers who use BlueRail Trains or Bachmann E-Z App Bluetooth train control, a recent upgrade adds consisting and speed matching functionality. BlueRail Trains introduced its Bluetooth control system a couple of years ago. A touch screen on a smartphone, tablet, or […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 15 – Building the panel

Ban Lake holding a piece of paper next to a layout

For part two of this mini-series, MRVP’s Ben Lake moves forward with the staging yard turnout control installation on our Canadian Canyons N scale project layout. Now that the switch motors are installed, wired, and programmed, Ben shows how to make a stylized, fascia-mounted control panel to house the associated pushbuttons and LED indicators. […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 15 – Building the panel

Ban Lake holding a piece of paper next to a layout

For part two of this mini-series, MRVP’s Ben Lake moves forward with the staging yard turnout control installation on our Canadian Canyons N scale project layout. Now that the switch motors are installed, wired, and programmed, Ben shows how to make a stylized, fascia-mounted control panel to house the associated pushbuttons and LED indicators. […]

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Train Control Systems WowSound decoder

throttle

Kevin Strong TCS WowSound 5-amp DCC decoder Train Control Systems 845 Blooming Glen Road Blooming Glen PA 18911 Website: www.tcsdcc.com Price: $199.95 Five-amp capacity DCC motor/sound decoder; available for steam and diesel. Size: 3″ x 17/16″ x 9/16″ Pros: Good motor control; high-quality sound reproduction; many sound options programmed onto the decoder; prototypical braking; “Audio […]

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Visaton speakers

speakers

Kevin Strong 8-ohm Visaton speakers Available from: Train-Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $14.95 – $24.95 Website: www.trainli.com Moderately priced speakers for use with locomotive sound systems; size: 2″ to 3.3″ diameter Pros: Great sound reproduction even without enclosure Cons: None Anyone who has worked with sound systems knows that speakers need a […]

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