I got the kato Critter. So i am doing the climax. Have the chassis done. Working on the water tank and the boiler have the pc board done. That lets me run on dcc. Wires fed up through the boiler and the wheel sets turn free. I cheated on the motor mounts and wiring. I ran wires direct to the motor and removed the brass contacts. When i did the cutting on the water tank it is done to make the motor stay in place. It works so far.I need to get another dcc chip. I lost the one i had so i will get another one for it. Got a shot of what is done so far. later,Dan
I got the sides scraped down and painted. I painted The trucks, Painted the water tank and engine. Made wood covering for the front windows. I need that to hide the dcc chipset. Unable to go much father till i get the chipset for it. I am getting a DZ126T for it. Should be small enough for it. Had to edit this. the picture leaves a washed out picture. The roof is a light tan color The sides are grey and the frame, Boiler, water tank and trucks are black. All in a flat paint.I am wondering if i should bang it up some to make it more realistic or not. Anyway there it is for now, Dan
One of the things all of us do is "i wish i had done...." I am having the same issue. There are a few places that need to be changed. I got my other half to give me the rest of the dinette room so i can have more room. One main area is the logging camps. The second area is the town. The third is the trestle in the front of the layout. I plan to add another sheet of foam so i can fix that. I will end up with a 78 inch length board. The 3 foot will stay the same. There will be a few changes in the engine service area as well. Will show both old and new. Nothing in stone yet but a fair draft.
We've all backed up and tried again. I believe many of the better model railroads do a lot of evolving. Gaining more space is a great excuse for making changes.
Yes, Was nice of Deb to give me that. It may be spring before i start that part. I need to keep the funds for the shays. I have two on pre-order. I have some of the track i need and will need about 5 more turnouts. even with this layout i needed more trees. Will need more for sure with the new layout. Have plenty of the rest of the scenery. I like wish she had done this 2 years ago! Better late than not at all. Dan
Yes, budget wisely. I'm thinking I better get out and harvest my goldenrod trees soon speaking of trees... Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Thats one the really important things about a logging camp area is you need lots and lots of trees!! I have some up to 6 inches. I need a bunch of the 6-8 inchers. I can also use more of the 4-6 inchers. I can get things together before i start cutting. I am going to make the cut at the river. I will have to also cut down the back of the sawmill where the tram is and down to where the track goes behind the sawmill. the rest of the cut is around the log moat and back to the river If i can do that i can get the room that is needed to get the town on that side of the track. Just a plan right now. I also was thinking about maybe if i can make the logging track longer so i can use less of a grade too. Don't know yet how to work it out. A foot will be added to the base around the towns future area. The other 6 inches will be on the mountain. But i will have the plan done before i do any cutting. I got till April or even longer if needed to start the new plan. I guess that is it for now. I am waiting for the chipset and headlights to come in the mail. Maybe next week. Dan
I got my dcc chipset in Yesterday. Now if Wathers would get the lights here. I did maybe something that may bite me somewhere down teh road. I took all the wires off the little card that holds the little pieces of copper in place for power. When i started to solder the wires on the copper clad was coming off. So i took all the copper clads off. I soldered the wires to the little contacts themselves. With that done. I used a piece of small tape to make sure that there was no contact between the case of the motor and the small contacts. I also soldered the wires for the motor to the motor contacts. I still need the lights before i can close the top down. I checked the little critter on the track and it tested out perfect. So i know the connections and chip is good. Oh, before i forget, Rangust, After doing a bit of tweaking on the settings it has super slow speeds. I think you had a bad dcc ship in yours. I used a Digitrax dz126t chip in it. Am happy with that. I am surprised that TCS didn't try a different chip with yours!
From my own personal file of "Lessons Learned"...use Kapton tape under a shell. Regular electrical tape will get slimey from any heat under there...and slip and slide all over...shorts are bound to happen...and did !!!
I can't remember where i got it at but it may have been Fifer Hobby. If memory serves i got the dcc chipset and the tape there.
I thought that is where i got it too! The lights came in today! Man they are small!! Could put around 100 of them in my hand! Have the one for the front done and the chipset in place. As soon as the back light is in, i will be able to finish it. Shots below, Dan
Thanks. I will take a look. My other option was mono price and they have it in bulk 1000 foot rolls. A little too much material for what I need. What is the best size for HO locos? 1/4" or 1/2"? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
