Tools, tips and tricks

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Getting Real: Building and rebuilding

Detailing parts on the cheap

Tue, 2013-11-26 13:51 — Mycroft

So, I needed some simulated grid type material for some tiny stairways.

Went to the local hardware store yesterday and asked to see their screen. It looked good so I asked to buy "about an inch's worth" off the roll. The store owner cut off a hunk about 1 inch by the width of the roll and said to take it. 3 stairs x 4 stairways per caboose x 5 cabooses x free = free......

Good materials don't always have to cost a mint.

3 comments

Tip: Using plaster to make dirt (and rocks) where you can control the exact color

Tue, 2013-11-26 07:51 — rickwade

Tyco engines re- motor worth it?

Sun, 2013-11-24 09:04 — hammerb52

I have two old Tyco diesel locomotives A GP-20 and a Alco Super 630. I would like to add DCC and sound to these engines but hear that the old TYCO motors draw too much current and will burn out the decoder. Has anyone experience with adding DCC and Sound to these engines? Has anyone swapped out the old motors for new ones?

Thanks in advance,

Thom

Everyone, Thank you for your responses, this was my first post to this forum and I appreciate the responses. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Thanksgiving got in the way.

FastTacks Bullfrog

Fri, 2013-11-22 11:02 — marzbarz

I'm leaning towards using the bulfrogs and need some advice. First of all they power the frog and are not sticking out the side of the track like caboose manual turnout controls. The only issue I have is my layout consists of 2' foam on framing. The bottom of the layout is foam, not sure how I would mount these. Anyone have some good pictures or instructions on how to do this?

7 comments

Budget Rail Bender

Tue, 2013-11-19 06:59 — matich176

This is my low cost Rail Bender, built for about $20.

Rail Bender made from a Jaxa wrench

Surplus Motors

Tue, 2013-11-19 06:22 — Bernd

I'm always on the look out for surplus items that are mechanical and related to model railroading. Two such items are gears and motors. They can be used for animation and so forth.

Variation on Electrical Wipers for Athearn 200ton Railroad Crane

Thu, 2013-11-14 05:02 — siouxlake

I am building my second Athearn 200 Ton Railroad Crane (from a kit bought at a swap meet) and decided to install some lights on the crane, a la Dr. Greg's wonderful build article last year (the Athearn motorized crane). I reviewed his images and description of how he created the electrical pick-up wipers for his model and found that I could do the same in a slightly different manner.