As most know the trick to the under switch machines is foam double stick tape to hold it until its drilled. They don't go bad very often.
Hi William: Thanks for that link! It's been 1998 since I've had a functioning layout. (If you don't count an experimental 3-rail Hi Rail layout attempt.) Even my current incomplete S scale layout has languished for years for the want of decent switches. So, all of this DCC stuff is quite new to me. ALL: FWIW... Just ordered a Peco #6 w/Electrofrog and a Peco #6 w/Insulfrog for evaluation. Can't find Altas Custom Line or Super Track #6's in code 83 at the retail level... guess I'll have to wait and find a single switch on eBay.
You will love DCC. It's like going from black and white TV to color with Hi Def. You're in for a treat.
A fairly recent convert to DCC- I picked up an NCE PowerCab set (it was on sale, so I snapped it up), and it's the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to running trains. Much less wiring, no block switches needed, and forget cab control. As far as code 83 turnouts, I AM finding individual turnouts offered on eBay from Atlas, ME and Peco. Just a matter of hitting the price (which, since track is in short supply, will be IMO crazy-high in price, and paid for willingly. Gotta love eBay....).
Jim and Bob: I have had an NCE R/C Pro for a few years. I have used it to test run/play with my DCC/Sound equipped S scale on some of my track. DCC definitely has a TON of potential to pump up the F factor. (Fun Factor.) ALL: Atlas track update. Received a reply from Atlas regarding my enquiry as to "when??" on the track shortage. According to the rep that replied, they had to change track making factories in China, hence the long outage of Atlas track products. Said rep also supplied a link with anticipated delivery dates. Looks encouraging: http://www.atlasrr.com/containershipping-track.htm I still only need ONE Atlas code 83 #6 Custom Line or Super Track switch for evaluation. Anybody got an extra you'll part with?
LATE BREAKING NEWS: SLSF #214 has arrived on the property. A surprise visit by a big brown truck did the honors. Runs nice and smooth and LOOKS GREAT. Me likes. Oh KE-ith! KEITH!!! Gotta' question for you: Do prefer engines shipped for DCC/Sound installation sans details installed? How difficult to disassemble for some paint touchups/minor details once the DCC/Sound is in place? Thank 'ya, thank 'ya, thank 'ya vury much.
Andre: This site is regarded as the "Bible" of wiring for DCC. Below is the link to the section on turnouts. It will adquentely answer all of your questions and more. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm
Ship without details. Depending on locomotive type dis-assembly of body from frame is usually not affected by sound decoder installation.
Andre: Concerning turnouts except for 2 Walther"s #7 curved turnouts, a couple of Atlas Custom Line #5 wye's, and a couple of Atlas Custom Line #4's, I exclusively use Atlas #6 Super Switches. The packaging on these is identifiable as it is silver vs. the red and black on the Custom Line ones. They are only available in #6 left & right. They were recommended to me by Rick McClellan and I believe that is still what he predominately uses. They cost a couple of dollars more that their Custom Line counterparts but are much more realistic looking. Also they are much cheaper than Walther's ones. They do need their frogs powered for reliable DCC sound operation.
Thanks for the helpful input, Bob! It is indeed appreciated. LATE BREAKING NEWS: The first "Transfer" power was purchased tonight: New in box Stewart S-12, DCC/Tsunami equipped, Chicago Great Western #40.
One of the local modelers here in KC, Don Ball shared this pricing sheet from his friend, Chris Coscia of The DCC Shop for Peco track and turnouts.
Scale or semi-scale wheels, will pick the point on the Peco frogs once in a while, had this happen several times. A friend recommended a remedy by adding a .015 shim to the guard rails to keep the flanges well away from the frog point. I just used a piece of .060X.015 Styrene and glued it in place and painted with Neolube (micro-mark), every Peco switch on the MRR got the treatment, have not had a single issue since. Regards,
Hi Keith and Tom: Thanks for the follow-ups. I now have some of each headed my way for an evaluation: Atlas code 83 Super Track #6, Peko code 83 Electrofrog #6, and a Peko code 83 Insulfrog #6. All should be here by the middle of next week, then I can test first hand and see what my impressions are. In the meantime, the track planning has begun. Already have designed a small hidden stage w/hold tracks in the closet that also contains a good sized engine holding area. This will help keep more cars on the rails and not being swapped in/out from boxes and shelves. Further, I figure since there will be an "operator" that is building/delivering the "Transfer trains" freight, I figure I might as well plan on putting some scenery in there and give the "Transfer guy" the chance to build the trains using engines and switch moves in an acceptable scene instead of hand-swapping cars/power onto tracks sitting on bare Homasote. I also have a "Version 1" of my 12th St. Yard penciled-in. There are 6 yard tracks with a combined capacity of about 69 (40') cars, a tail track for access to/from the two track engine service area, a caboose spur, a double mainline and a switchback industrial spur serving flats along the back drop that also contains a run-around. The gains I'm seeing by going back to HO in this small room are proving to be amazing. I'm going from having something barely acceptable in scope with S scale, to a very nice layout in HO. I'm very satisfied with my return to HO.
