The recent articles in MRH about signals and signal circuits have a lot of useful information.  I would like to describe some circuits that I have used on my home layout and also on the Crossroads Club layout in Vandalia OH.  Also, some homemade signals that are not super detailed but will work and are good for a limited retirement budget.  The are three parts needed for the system (1) detection , (2) signal lamp driver circuits and (3) signals themselves.  All of the circuits are from the model magazines or from the internet.  There are no computers or mini compute

I have Stewart F3 with pickup problems.  The unit has a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder and the connections are good. The engine loses power in random  locations, so I believe the either the wiper pickups or the wires connecting the pickups need to be replaced.  My question is this: How do you disassemble the trucks ?  The side frames need to be removed but it seems they do not simply pry off. 

I was given a Quantum sound decoder because it would not respond to the 4 digit address.  I installed it in an Atlas FP7 and it worked fine for some time using address 905, the loco number.  Then it stopped responding.  I use te reset code to reset to factory specs and it responded to 0003 as expected.  I reset the number to 905 and it did not work (Sound on, Headlight on, but not controlled by F0 and the loco would not run, no functions working.)  Reset to 003 and all worked.  Reset to 906, and now everything worked as expected, as has continued to work so far

I received a Cricut Expression model for free.  I have the machine and the power supply, but no instructions or other information.  All the blogs use the other cutter and I would like to know if this one can cut out  structures and signs etc. and if so, what I need to make it workable.  Also, are the instructions sheets available? All I saw on the Cricut web site was a download  "Cricut Craft Room"   I would appreciate any help  Thanks.

Bill