The new Atlas Trainman Gensets (NRE 3GS21B-DE) with Dynamic breaks arrived an hour ago.


A direct compare with the "old one"


The new handrails are finer but Atlas is not trying to do the most fine handrails of the world. But they are still quite robust. I had absolutely no problem handling the engines while installing the DCC decoders.
Detail compared with the "old one"






The DCC decoder installation is different. The 8-pin connector is at the front of the PCB and the "old" location under the weight in the rear is to far away to be reached with standard supplied wires (of the Zimo MX630R decoder). The front has no space and the shell will not close if the decoder is simply put on top of the drive/PCB unit. Close to the motor is a large gray block/capacitor used for RFI suppression. The decoder fits well on top of the PCB if that capacitor is removed (cut off).
Note, please understand your local RFI regulations and possible penalties before removing the capacitor!



An open problem is the changed shape of the platforms and the handrails at the end in tight curves. The platforms touch, the handrails jam and one engine derails if the rear engine is pushing. On the photo is Kadee #156 installed on both engines. The shape of the old Genset ends did not cause this problem.

Prototype of a quick fix

is good enough in the curve. Looks the same but the pushing power is at the rod and not the handrails.

and a black painted brass wire with two loops solves the problem for the next time. Anyhow be carefully if you intend to run a pair of the new Gensets if you have tight curves on your layout!


How does it run? Like an Atlas locomotive usually run

I have a bunch of analog stuff, thousands of feet of 8MM film and a whole bunch of personal VCR tapes that I've decided it's about time to digitize them and get them on DVD disks. I have an A/V to USB converter for the VCR tapes, and I have a way of copying the 8MM film as well. My problem is that the software that came with the converter is absolutely impossible to work with. The printed manual was obviously written by a programmer who assumes we know as much about the program as they do. I've been able to capture a tape into an .mpg file and I can run it with Windows media viewer, but I've yet to convert it to a DVD since the software creates the file, but won't let me use it to burn a DVD, and otherwise crashes when I use their native file. The program that came with the converter is "Honestech VHS to DVD". I have also downloaded "MoviePlus, starter edition" since I'm familiar with some other of Serif's software, and, I also have "Windows Movie Maker" on this XP machine. MoviePlus did create some .wmv files which I can also read with the Windows media viewer but have not yet tried to burn a disk using one.

My question is, do any of you put your videos on a DVD disk, and if so, what software do you use? I've got far too much time working with the Honestech and will switch to one of these others if need be, but if you are using some other software that is more intuitive and easier to use, I'm willing to give that a try.

The big plus with the three programs that I already have, is that I've paid for the one, and the other two are free... A definite plus.

One other frustrating thing is that one would think that a company that makes video capture software would have a video on how to use it.

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I last logged in here. Currently, I'm working on a N scale layout. A blog post was made by me on this mentioned layout. If you'd like to see it, please visit http://www.bestmodelrailroadshop.com/201...-progress/.

Have fun!

Hi,

I've got a True Line CN 8 hatches reefer. These reefer were painted the wrong colour (grey instead of aluminium) and so TLT provided a second shell correctly painted. Since the shell is rather nice and prototypical, I feel it would be a good idea to repaint it correctly and build a new underframe. The grey they used is similar to the maple leaf scheme from the 50s. My idea would be to remove the lettering, kept the gray and apply new correct decals.

Have anyone of you ever tried removing lettering from a TLT car? I was thinking about using solvaset and see what can be done but would like some feedback before messing up the shell. The worst that main happen is a complete repaint...

Matt

I accidentally forgot to turn off the flash when taking a pic recently so I took it again. The difference between them is striking. Just thought I'd offer this experience for anyone who uses their flash and isn't completely satisfied with their pictures.

Flash...


No flash...

I'd like to use a Bluford Shops transfer caboose and turn into a CSX shoving platform.

This one in particular...

I'm going to use Microscale decals MC-4075 CSX Bay Window Cabooses. I'm not very familiar modeling anything CSX, what acrylic paints would I use to match those of the prototype? I just picked up a CSX GP-15 so I thought they would go together nicely.

I am looking for information how BN served the lumber district along W. Cermak Rd in the 1980s and 1990s. I can not find any information or photos of BN engines in that area.

The area must have been served earlier by CBQ because CIHR painted one of their engines in a CBQ look alike paint scheme as a tribute to the history of that line. BNSF continued to serve it after 2010 and probable since BNSF creation until CIHR toke over in 2000. Anyhow no information could be found what happened in the timeframe between CBQ and BNSF. I have an interest in that time starting in 1980.

WPMA-17 is a Monday to Saturday job that signs on at 1100, here it leaves Mannheim Yard.
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After arriving at Peter Lumber it picks up two empties and sets out two lumber flats
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Bruce

Looks like two of us started a new WPF, maybe the moderator can place mine in the one already started.

Bob Chaparro posted the link to this video on his Yahoo site, "Model Railroads Of Southern California."
This is HO scale!

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meJ3CcnuEPk&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meJ3Ccnu ... e=youtu.be</a><!-- m -->

The model railroad is built by a club that uses a building at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio California.

I haven't been here in a while, but when I saw this video I thought of you guys and had to share. I glanced through the site a bit, but didn't see it posted.

Enjoy!