RE: Transition from 0% to 3% grade Use short pieces of sectional track that are a little longer than the wheel base of your longest engine.  The more gradual the transition the better.   If your engine has a metal (brass) pilot you will have a short if the transition is too sharp and the pilot touches the track. I have...... 20 May 2012 07:58 AM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Precision Scale Tank car (1/2 scale)? Matt: I don't think that the 1:24 scale of the tank cars should be a problem.  All of  my the narrow gauge freight cars of LGB, USA, and Delton (advertised as 1:24) are very close to the same length.  All of these cars are a lot closer to 1:24 than 1:22.5 (assuming the cars are 3...... 17 May 2012 06:27 PM Rolling Stock (0)

RE: Duck on a Train Trains started because we, as a nation, had to move people, products, and food from one area to another.  This video illustrates why trains became useful. Thanks, Chuck... 17 May 2012 05:29 PM Public Forum (0)

RE: Aristo Wide Radius Switch Springs I have gotten rid of all my manual switch throw boxes (LGB and Aristocraft).  They kept filling up with mud and insects and stopped working properly.  Jim Stapleton (AKA Dr. Rivet) has a neat solution. It involves a piece of brass rod (about 0.05" or 0.112mm diameter), two spikes and ...... 16 May 2012 09:39 AM Track, Trestles, Bridges and Roadbed (0)

RE: Total Newbie Question Please help The only problem with the Bachmann track for indoors is that the curved track comes in only one radius 2 feet.  There are many other radii available in brass track.  Since you are planning a 9x5 foot layout you should be fine.  You just won't be able to expand to larger curves. C...... 16 May 2012 09:04 AM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Total Newbie Question Please help The Bachmann site has steel switches.  So they should be available. Bachmann switches  Chuck... 16 May 2012 07:56 AM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Total Newbie Question Please help Your Bachmann track will work indoors.  If you try to use it outside it will rust very quickly (if your track is the steel tubular kind).  Bachmann is coming out with a brass track, but I don't know if it is in sets yet.  If by chance you have their new brass track you should be good ...... 16 May 2012 06:57 AM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Off to a rocky (re)start? ALL OF US!!! Chuck... 15 May 2012 05:54 PM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Off to a rocky (re)start? Ken: Just remember it is your railroad.  If you like it that is all that matters.  What others think is only their opinion based upon their experience and thoughts.  Some days, I run 1:20.3 trains and some days I run 1:29.  If neither of those appeal to me I'll run some of m...... 15 May 2012 04:50 PM Beginner's Forum (0)

RE: Off to a rocky (re)start? Ken: From my experience, I think that the LGB mogul with look OK pulling a 1:20.3 coach.  I do not think that the reverse looks OK.  That is a 1:20.3 engine pulling a 1:22.5 LGB coach.  Here are a couple of pictures from a book that I have on Minnesota Logging Railroads.  Th...... 15 May 2012 03:10 PM Beginner's Forum (0)