Recent content by BigJakeJ1s

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


  1. B

    Getting Back into Railroading after 30 or so years

    I have a couple of N scale locos in which I installed Zimo non-sound, drop-in decoders, and they have excellent motor control. They were reasonably priced. Decoder Pro had the decoder definitions, so no German fluency was required, but the decoder manual is available online in English. -- Andy
  2. B

    Bonding with Grandson

    Looks like the perfect application for Kato Unitrack (N or HO scale.) -- Andy
  3. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    They sound like good candidates for Kato's UniTram tracks (double tracked, no less.) -- Andy
  4. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    Note there is an 8.3% difference between 9" and 9-3/4" (Kato) radius. Sometimes that's enough to make a difference. Also, transitioning directly from tangent sharp curves is even harder. Easements (real, or approximated with intermediate-radius sections) can make the difference between...
  5. B

    Apple Ridge Rail Service

    Wow, beautiful work and fabulous lighting! And all in Unitrack; well done! --Andy
  6. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    Ditto. -- Andy
  7. B

    Designing My First Layout

    A run-around track would let you add and service an otherwise facing-point siding or two, for a little more operating interest/difficulty/strategy, without necessarily going "full timesaver."
  8. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    I have run plenty of modern 6-axle diesel locomotives on 9.75R Unitrack curves with no problems. They don't look too good doing it, but they make it all the way around, over and over. The OP wants a small layout to use (presumably quickly) while he completes his real layout. Perfect application...
  9. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    When it comes to reliability, Kato Unitrack is practically bullet-proof, with excellent rail joiners, supported by the attached roadbed (another advantage in ease of use.) You may not like the roadbed color, tie spacing, or the rail height (code 80), but it is excellent track operationally, and...
  10. B

    Another Minumum Radius question. N scale

    Most modern N scale locomotives these days will run on 9.75" radius curves just fine. The Big boy might need 11R. They may not look great, especially if viewed from above, but from lower angles (closer to eye-level) they look much better. -- Andy
  11. B

    A) Freight you like vs freight you don’t like… B) Road names you like vs roads you don’t like…

    Generally, whatever I want or catches my fancy. Diesel, no steam. Intermodal, most any freight but coal. ATSF/BNSF, CP/CPKC. --Andy
  12. B

    Atlas N Scale S2 - Decoder?

    If you have no intention of using the transponding, then the brand of decoder won't really matter. But if you think you might later, it would be a good idea to go with Digitrax decoders. Any brand decoder will run the loco & lights, sounds (if a sound decoder), etc. -- Andy
  13. B

    Atlas N Scale S2 - Decoder?

    Which DCC system do you use? The basic decoder capabilities to run the loco, lights, sounds, etc. will work with any DCC system, but other capabilities, such as transponding may depend on what DCC system you have, and whether your decoder has the same method/protocol. -- Andy
See more




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top