Too many sound-equipped locomotives in one place, like those shown here on the MR&T, can spell trouble for a DCC layout. Paul Dolkos takes you through the steps he used to set up power districts on his HO model railroad. Imagine you’ve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
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The initial goal of a new model railroader flush with locomotives, track, and rolling stock is to operate two trains on his layout at the same time, each with independent speed and direction control. This milepost can be reached with cab-control wiring. With two direct- current power packs, single-pole double-throw toggle switches, and hardware-store wire, […]
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Before the trackwork can be added to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout, David Popp first makes a few modifications to the turnouts. In this video, he guides you through trimming the ties, preparing the connection points, soldering new wires, cutting the rails, and testing the modifications – steps that are intended to make […]
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Before the trackwork can be added to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout, David Popp first makes a few modifications to the turnouts. In this video, he guides you through trimming the ties, preparing the connection points, soldering new wires, cutting the rails, and testing the modifications – steps that are intended to make […]
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Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader magazine’s Dana Kawala addresses basic DCC programming modes. Dana first talks through Operations mode programming on the main, as well as Service mode programming. As with every episode in this helpful DCC Programming series, Dana shows you the essential steps, while the […]
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Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader magazine’s Dana Kawala addresses basic DCC programming modes. Dana first talks through Operations mode programming on the main, as well as Service mode programming. As with every episode in this helpful DCC Programming series, Dana shows you the essential steps, while […]
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Spring Mills Depot HO scale covered hopper Spring Mills Depot has released an interesting three-bay, 100-ton covered hopper that’s offered in 22 paint schemes. Of particular note, the model comes in numerous variations that have specific detailing to match the prototype paint schemes. Each of the cars is also offered in a variety of correct […]
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Modified radio control servo motors operate the remote control turnouts on Jim Lomison’s HO layout. Turnout motors always seemed a bit pricey to me until I learned about servos from a friend who’s a radio control (RC) enthusiast. He uses servos in his aircraft, and they sell for less than $10 each. The “servo” name […]
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Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Dana shows just how easy is it to add realism to a DCC-equipped locomotive simply by programming a momentum effect. In this demonstration, you’ll see how the momentum function eliminates those sudden starts and stops that occur when operating a locomotive straight out […]
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Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Dana shows just how easy is it to add realism to a DCC-equipped locomotive simply by programming a momentum effect. In this demonstration, you’ll see how the momentum function eliminates those sudden starts and stops that occur when operating a locomotive straight […]
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Here’s a short demonstration showing how a DCC decoder with a Keep-Alive capacitor can help short wheel base locomotives get through complicated track work that they sometimes stall on. In this example, a TCS KAM4 decoder is installed in a Athearn SW1000 switcher. Operation of the switcher before and after installation is shown for comparison. […]
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Here’s a short demonstration showing how a DCC decoder with a Keep-Alive capacitor can help short wheel base locomotives get through complicated track work that they sometimes stall on. In this example, a TCS KAM4 decoder is installed in a Athearn SW1000 switcher. Operation of the switcher before and after installation is shown for comparison. […]
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