Search found 401 matches

by Mike_R
Sun Feb 03, 2013 2:40 pm
Forum: Track
Topic: Sticking it down!
Replies: 2
Views: 15700

Re: Sticking it down!

I always have the rails soldered to PC ties or brass screws at all baseboard joins. I prefer screws as they are a lot stronger, but harder to disguise. On my logging layout I bent Z shapes from nickel silver sheet, the rails were soldered to the top of the Z (only the width of the rail base) and the...
by Mike_R
Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:25 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Wheel resistors on Genesis cars
Replies: 5
Views: 10383

Re: Wheel resistors on Genesis cars

Talking of track detection, don't plan on using it straight after ballasting. Today I ballasted a short section of track, the diluted PVA caused a block occupied indication for several hours before it dried enough to increase the resistance. This has given me the idea on one of my blocks which doesn...
by Mike_R
Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:06 pm
Forum: Buildings and Scenery
Topic: Water, what to use?
Replies: 0
Views: 13321

Water, what to use?

I'm getting ever closer to filling a river on my layout with water. So far I have ceiling paint covered foam rocks in the river. I want a fast flowing river. I will glue some rounded rocks on the river bed. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/mikeruby_photos/NFS/NFS%20Lifting%20board/NFSlifting...
by Mike_R
Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:45 pm
Forum: Track
Topic: Sticking it down!
Replies: 2
Views: 15700

Sticking it down!

I've read about the different adhesives to stick track down with, none of which seem to be easily available here. Up until now I've spiked track down. Today I wanted to make a test bit of track for experimenting with staining my sand based ballast, what to stick it with? I always have a tube of no-n...
by Mike_R
Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:09 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Wheel resistors on Genesis cars
Replies: 5
Views: 10383

Re: Wheel resistors on Genesis cars

My home layout already has block detection, but no signals yet. Even so It helps the dispatcher, who is downstairs from the layout, to see where trains are. Plus it looks good as the track diagram lights up as trains pass through. That's a video I plan to do. We are planning to fit detection on the ...
by Mike_R
Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:27 pm
Forum: Operations
Topic: JMRI on Raspberry PI
Replies: 14
Views: 32540

Re: JMRI on Raspberry PI

"Locos can be reversed without taking it out of consist as has to be done with a Lenz throttle and consist functions can be assigned from a lead loco, still to test if this gives me brakes on the whole consist." Tried it, doesn't send function commands to all the consist, but the consist ...
by Mike_R
Fri Feb 01, 2013 5:57 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Wheel resistors on Genesis cars
Replies: 5
Views: 10383

Wheel resistors on Genesis cars

This could go under d.c. or DCC, as I'm using DCC it is here. I have been fitting resistors to all my stock for block detection, I found that only metal axles worked well. Not a problem on most stock as I could just fit Intermountain wheels in place of any plastic axles, reaming out Athearn one as t...
by Mike_R
Fri Feb 01, 2013 2:26 pm
Forum: Operations
Topic: JMRI on Raspberry PI
Replies: 14
Views: 32540

Re: JMRI on Raspberry PI

IIRC at Snake Bend we had problems logging a droid onto a Mac network. Could we test it at WU? Yes I'll have the laptop with me. Testing it with my iPod there was only a delay while I opened a panel, not like we had last time. Nice thing is if the turnouts are named, the names come up on the thrott...
by Mike_R
Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:31 pm
Forum: Operations
Topic: JMRI on Raspberry PI
Replies: 14
Views: 32540

Re: JMRI on Raspberry PI

I've now got my old Mac laptop working with Wi Throttle, and have my Mum's old Windows laptop that I plan to do the same with. The advantage of the Mac is it doesn't need a router to work. So another option is an old Power PC Mac. It only runs JMRI 2.14, but that is enough for Wi Throttle.
by Mike_R
Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:21 pm
Forum: Buildings and Scenery
Topic: Scratch building a warehouse
Replies: 17
Views: 44102

Re: Scratch building a warehouse

What about mounting two 4mm banana plugs in the building's base and then corresponding sockets in the baseboard. That would give location and power.
by Mike_R
Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:39 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: North Fork Springs
Replies: 32
Views: 72661

River rocks

Another use for foam rocks I've found is in the river. Rivers in the area I model often have large rocks washed down in the spring along their banks. I needed something to cover the smooth side of my river where it was cut through the ply top. I have a load of stones that were left over from sieving...
by Mike_R
Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:16 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Athearn Genesis Cabooses
Replies: 4
Views: 9334

Re: Athearn Genesis Cabooses

How do you ensure that it is only 15Ma? A bit of ohm's law is required, remember your physics? You take the supply voltage, say 12v, subtract the LED forward voltage drop, about 1.2v for red, green and yellow, 3.5v for white and blue. So for your red LED 12 - 1.2 = 10.8v. Now to get the required re...
by Mike_R
Thu Jan 10, 2013 9:21 pm
Forum: Layout Design
Topic: Interested in Layout Design?
Replies: 36
Views: 76518

Re: Interested in Layout Design?

I'm interested as well, but not a member of the SIG. I suspect we are better at smaller layouts, as we don't have the space. Having a place to put your design and get constructive comments would enable possible problems to be avoided. Members after ideas could post what they want and see if someone ...
by Mike_R
Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:21 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Athearn Genesis Cabooses
Replies: 4
Views: 9334

Re: Athearn Genesis Cabooses

One my cabooses has a Lenz function decoder fitted, it operates the end lights and interior lights. The other will when I get around to it.
I would run the LEDs at a far lower current, 20mA will be very bright! 10mA will probably be easily enough, I run headlights at 15mA or lower.
by Mike_R
Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:56 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: North Fork Springs
Replies: 32
Views: 72661

Re: North Fork Springs

I use black and brown washes. I used to paint with solid grey first, but found in photos that there is a lot of white in granite, so now the washes go straight onto the white ceiling paint. I noticed many rocks have brown in them as well so the black wash is followed by a lighter brown wash The blac...