Recent content by J.Albert

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  1. J.Albert

    German train set

    That's a Marklin AC train set and track. The sliders you see on the bottom of the engine trucks pick up power from the center "3rd rail" (which is not "a rail", but is instead those little pins you see on the center of the ties). You CAN'T use this with a "normal" HO DC power pack (which...
  2. J.Albert

    KATO track plan advice

    What scale? HO or N ?
  3. J.Albert

    Vintage Cars

    How are the current couplers mounted? A pic or two...?
  4. J.Albert

    Ballasting you layout...thoughts?

    If you don't mind Kato Unitrack, it comes already-ballasted. The joints between track sections become -almost- invisible...
  5. J.Albert

    I think my DCS100 might be dying…

    Have you considered something else? Such as the DCC EX "CSB1" ??
  6. J.Albert

    First decoder install ever... Intimidating.

    Soundtraxx BLU-PNP8 decoder might work in a Proto BL2: It does fit right into Proto1000 RS3, RS11 and Proto2000 GP30, SD7/9. Looks like it requires a space for installation about 75mm long (measure to be sure). Depends on how much of a "cutout" is "on top" where the old light board is. I use...
  7. J.Albert

    First decoder install ever... Intimidating.

    What you see in the pics is the Proto2000 8-pin wiring harness "on top", with what looks to me to be a (not "factory installed") dcc decoder "underneath". Have you tried running it on dcc? If it IS a decoder (certainly looks far more complicated than a factory installed light board would...
  8. J.Albert

    China's Mag-lev Train 800 KPH in 5.3 seconds

    Will passengers have to be buckled into the seats when it starts up? I never considered "mag lev" to be "real" RAILroad equipment anyway. No wheels on the rails...
  9. J.Albert

    Probably not as many lone model railroads out there; but if there are some

    I run the layout from a Samsung 9.2" tablet. No cables to plug in, just hold it and walk around if you want...
  10. J.Albert

    DC or DCC dilemma, please help!

    For me, the ability to run multiple engines using dcc is far more important than having crossing signals or wayside RR signals. And something you didn't ask about... If you decide to go dcc, check out this system...
  11. J.Albert

    Complete newcomer impulse buy

    You may find that "impulse buys" are often not good decisions...
  12. J.Albert

    Train shows and the value of HO DC locomotives

    "Are my first bought DC locos that I paid 40 or 50 bucks for eventually going to turn into 10 dollar "get rid of it" sales?" Probably... yes. Depends on WHAT you bought. Locos like Proto2000 and Proto1000, Atlas Classics, etc. -- will hold their value. They're well-detailed, and are good...
  13. J.Albert

    NCE decoder reading

    Here's what I'd try, if I wanted to search to find out WHICH NCE decoder you might have. First, take the shell off, and take a CLEAR and WELL-LIGHTED pic or two of the existing decoder. Make sure it's relatively close-up so you can compare it to pics of other decoders. Then, try this page at...
  14. J.Albert

    Could somebody post a video of how to install couplers on my tender?

    If you're gonna model in HO scale, there are some things (like mounting couplers) that you're just gonna have to figure out for yourself...
  15. J.Albert

    What the heck is this?

    The telephoto lens used for that video compresses everything, perspective-wise.
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