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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. J

    Please explain Atlas Snap vs Custom line switches

    GREAT THREAD Wombat and Flyboy have shared some keen insights into the not so simple task of laying code 83 track. Agree wholeheartedly with Wombat on choosing one brand of track and using it exclusively. Here is a picture of the rail height mismatch Wombat referred to. Flyboy, Atlas has...
  2. J

    Problems with "The Central Midland" Atlas HO-29 layout w/Pics

    Looking through the pictures once again, I am reminded how much I grew to dislike this plan. Spaghetti is certainly the right word. However I learned a lot about what not to do and thnk the experience with the Central Midland was worth the year of my life. My railroad rather looks finished...
  3. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    Parts in stock says Athearn. Carey, thanks for your response. The new revised and 'improved' axles and gears do not seem to crack, they 'spinout'. Also, the new setup is an outside frame so the glue has no opportunity to foul the bearing surfaces. I've had 3 locos fail with the new...
  4. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    JWB, Genesis it is, sorry for the omission. As you can see above, I did find the pn, however a quick Google was not productive. Here is a link to the actual part number on the Athearn website, Talk about round about way to find it though...
  5. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    The old style wheels use Square collars on the shaft for conducting power, the new style use an outside the truck frame bearing retainers that pick up current off the pins on the hubs of the wheel themselves. http://www.athearn.com/ProdInfo/Files/Genesis_F_Series_Guide.pdf Joe Baldwin
  6. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    JWB, Thanks for your response. I have a set of those gears listed in my parts box, they are the old style gears. Then new style (F7) are very different looking, with a thinner gear profile and much smaller holes in the shaft. Writing this I wonder if they have a parts listing in the 'manual'...
  7. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    Thanks for your response, Andy. It may sound like electrical problems but they are pretty easy to sort out. The wheel/gear problems are more insidious. Like I said, the new failure mode for the gears is not to crack but slip or spin-out making no noise what ever. Joe
  8. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    I think you are correct. BTW, the new axle designs by BLI, Atlas and Athearn are much smaller axle shaft and the gears don't split or crack (None of mine have yet) like the old larger shaft gears did, but they do slip/spin-out. Therefore the failures have no audible symptoms. Age and use...
  9. J

    Diesel Drive Axle Gears

    The symptom - a Diesel Locomotive hesitates, stops, then jerks ahead, momentarily shorts, or in extreme cases will not move at all. On Athearn, Atlas, BLI perhaps all HO diesel locos I find they use a split Drive Axle with a gear in the middle to hold the two axle halves in gauge and transmit...
  10. J

    BLI Paragon vs Paragon2

    An old thread but a relevant topic. I have been analyzing the actual differences between the Paragon/QSI and Paragon2 decoders. QSI has Disconnect, Standby and Shutdown controlled by F6 & F9 in neutral (zero speed) Paragon2 has no such feature but does have a ShutDown and Startup toggled by...
  11. J

    HO Farm Equipment

    http://www.3000toys.com/catalog/products.aspx?type=farm_toys&scale=1/87 Walthers.com Joe
  12. J

    jmri and android tablet

    The Droid & apple phones & tablets and hardware make excellent throttles dependent upon either JMRI or a Lenz LIUSB (Ethernet version) as the server. It would require a complete port of JMRI to the Droid or Apple OS and the lack of a USB port on most if not all tablets and phones is a deal...
  13. J

    Basic DCC question from newbie

    Digitrax DCS-51 Zephyr would be my choice, comes 100% complete to power a small layout like yours. In response to your original question, Lenz, NCE & Digitrax full DCC systems all work with 16-18 volts AC or DC with at least 5 amps capability.
  14. J

    Mainline rework

    Michael, Looks really fine. Top grade. Joe
  15. J

    Mainline rework

    The scene is very nice, but, since you asked, Michael, the river, it is too bright, almost black or very dark blue/green would be my preference. Joe
  16. J

    Mainline rework

    I was in this train room about a year ago and the improvements are terrific! Backdrops and drop gate are major efforts. Thanks for sharing. Joe Daddy
  17. J

    An Layouts in Texas?

    I think the basement issue has more to do with frost depth which determines foundation costs. In Texas the depth is about a foot vs over 4 ft for Colorado for example. Bad soil is everywhere and building codes can deal I with it all. From what I've read it just builder economics. Joe
  18. J

    sound decoder

    Crandell, Thanks for the brave 'insight'. Not so sure I could counter your comments. I rather like the Paragon 2 steam sounds which IMHO are much richer than the Tsunami's which as you said, now seem dated. Long time since our paths crossed, hope you are well. Joe
  19. J

    bachmann f7

    It is a common technique I've seen Athearn decoders installed exactly the same way. I think it is a common decoder wiring technique not isolated to Bachmann. Joe
  20. J

    Building New Shelf Layout - Foam VS just plywood

    Foam is better insulation than plywood. Foam is flatter that plywood. Foam will not warp. Trees stick conveniently in foam. Nails are pretty useless on foam. Foam is best suited to flat terrains. 1/2" foam makes great profile boards for mountain shapes and using plaster/cardboard/red rosin...




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