Steam locos
AUX2 pad on Loksound Select Micro?
Happy New Year everyone!
I have a used Loksound Select Micro I received in trade from a friend with no documentation (photo below). I'm trying to wire ditch lights, but the layout of the solder pads doesn't match what I see in the Micro diagram on page 11 of the Select users manual.
Looking at the 5 solder pads along the edges near the end where the wires are attached in the photo below (3 on the left, 2 on the right), would someone please tell me which pad is AUX2 (commonly mapped to F6) on this decoder?
Question - Help and advice needed
Hello All
Merry Christmas! Need to ask of ppl who have driven trains in the steam era when both a bell and whistle were used and available. Apart from OLC (Open Level Crossings) and signed Bell & Whistle posts.
When else was the BELL required?
I ask as I often see movies and real prototype videos where the bell is sounded when moving along a car (bitumen) road to reach a siding, near railway employees working on mains and in some areas of yard work.
Bachmann 484 Northern Smoke Unit is Leaking
My boys were recently given a Bachmann 484 Northern train set from their Great-Grandfather. This kit looks to be from the late 70's early 80's. The boys are fascinated with trains and are excited to have their own steam engine that smokes! Unfortunately, when adding the smoke oil it leaks all over the wheel trucks and the track. I've tried taking the shell off but can't seem to find the second screw. Anyone know how to pop the shell off to investigate? Any suggestions on the leaking oil?
Steam locomotive equipment question
I thought I knew what most of the equipment that hangs off a steam locomotive was, but this has me confused:
Anyone know what these devices are?
Thanks in anticipation
Rob Clark
Proto 2000 Heritage 2-8-8-2 shell/boiler removal?
I've got a P2k 2-8-8-2 that fried a decoder. I suspect it's because the motor went wonky - I replaced the decoder and it does everything but move. A little Googling seems to indicate that the brushes go bad, and it's a simple fix.
Except...
A little more Googling shows that I need to take the screw out from under the smokestack to get the boiler off so I can get to the brushes. But there's no screw there on mine. (Mine is Item # 23333) If it came with a parts sheet or instructions, they are long gone.
Athearn moving to Loksound and LEDs!
I just noticed in the latest Athearn announcements, http://www.athearn.com/Articles/Hobbywire.aspx , that the new Genesis UP FEFs will feature Loksound decoders and LED lighting. I believe this is a first for Athearn, and I presume it's indicative of their future direction for all models. Made my day! Great decision on both counts Athearn!
Cheap and easy way to test LEDs?
Out of a batch of 60+ supposedly "warm white" LEDs, I've now found two that were actually much more cool white - noticeably so. I'd like to now test the remainder I have on hand so I can send back all the bad apples to the Ebay vendor who supplied them at one time for replacement. Can anyone suggest an easy, hopefully cheap way to test LEDs? I have a micrometer - can that be used? And if so, at what setting?
Restoring a Mantua 4-6-2 locomotive
I don't have a functioning layout so, at the moment, all my pleasure comes from buying junkers and getting them back into respectable operating condition.
My current project started out with the purchase of a Mantua 4-6-2 from an acquaintance on a Facebook group of which I am a member.
This is what I started with. At the time I took the picture I had already completed work on the tender.
Some photos ( I hope)
Photos of my 4-8-4-4-8-4 Garret NSWGR 
Hope this photo of my 4-8-4-4-8-4 reaches MRH
MRC Sound Decoder Athearn Genesis Challenger
I know, I know, there are lots of MRC haterz out there. But free is free. A friend gave me an MRC steam sound decoder out of an Athearn Genesis Challenger. Someone else gave it to him but he has nothing to put it in. I have a lead on an old Rivarossi Big Boy, so I thought it might work for that, but I ran into a snag: I hooked it up to a test station, but the sound doesn't seem to work.
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