Hi all, first off, HAPPY EASTER!

I am still evaluating various dcc systems, and I am still leaning towards a Lenz system. I like the look and feel, and it's used by two modelrailroad groups in my area, so the advantage of owning it myself would be to be able to bring one of my own throttles to a meet.
However, my financial situation is not great at present, and I am therefore still looking around, and recently discovered that a NCE starter system (which easily expands to a bigger system in the future) set's me back in the region of £135,- (I'm in the UK as you can tell) , or about half that of a Lenz system. I also like the way it looks, and it appears to be programming quite easily (downloaded their manual) too.
So based on that, it is certainly something I seriously considering as an alternative.
Does anyone here own an NCE system, and would you care to share your experiences here?

Cheers!

Koos

I'm sitting here at my desk multi tasking I think they call it building a Central Valley single track 72' Plate Girder Bridge as well as looking at pictures of bridges on the net and posting here of course. So I've built several of these bridges two double track versions as well as one other single track one just like this one and of course they are all painted black. Then weathered with grimy black chalk rust what ever. So I'm thinking you know I'm getting board with black even though it may be the general color of choice for bridges. So I was wondering what alternate colors have you guys painted your bridges.

A big thanks to all of you who entered this challenge. Everyone did a fantastic job on their projects and several of you have done more than one. it appears that most everyone has either completed their project, or has substantially completed it, so I'm listing everyone who entered here so that you may choose which entries you think deserve to be #1. You may vote for as many of them that you wish. Vote for one, vote for a few, or if you can't make up your mind, vote for them all... just vote, we think that everyone deserves that much attention. The polls will close about the time I've finished my second cup of coffee on the morning of April 19th.

Note that all names are in alphabetical order, and you can click on them if you wish to review their entry thread.

Please, PM me if I screwed up and misspelled a name, have a wrong link or (heaven forbid), missed anyone that entered. My record along these lines aren't the best, :oops: although I do occasionally get it right.

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I wanted to see what kind of interest there is in another official Gauge trip. This year I'd like to suggest The East Broad Top R.R. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebtrr.com/">http://www.ebtrr.com/</a><!-- m -->
I have never been there so it will be a new experience for me too. Like last year I would like to go the 1st or 2nd weekend in June. Just respond here with any Ideas, likes or dislikes.
There's even a place to stay for those of you out of townees that may want to go. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ironrailbandb.com/">http://www.ironrailbandb.com/</a><!-- m -->

Like last time It's a trip that is open to all Gauge members and there families. We had a great time last year and hope for a good turnout this year.
Last year we got lucky and had good weather ( we didn't plan a rain date ). As it gets closer to June maybe we should think about that.

Quite some years ago my wife dabbled in ceramics. I came across a small box of supplies. They use an open mesh "sandpaper" that is fine enough to be grills, or walkways, but probably too heavy for a fence.

Another thing is the screen type lids for cooking to keep splatter in, they are pretty fine screening also and would have myriads of uses, fence, etc.

Question: I have some flashers that screw on bicycle tires. They run on tiny batteries. They only flash when they are jarred, then stay on for 5-8 seconds until they are jarred again. Other than the battery, they are really tiny unit. I wonder, is there some way that the jarring part can be blocked so it would work on a switch? I guess I could just tear into one, but if I screw up the flashing part first, I wouldn't be able to find out what makes the rest tick. Has anyone ever fooled with one of these?

Lynn

I haven't seen a rollby posted here in a long time - so here is the train I was running today.

Heading up the train is Gila and Southeastern #14, a 4-6-0. It is a Model Die Casting product with a modified tender from a Bachmann I-10 2-8-0.

   

Next is an Accurail outside braced boxcar, followed by a Life-Like reefer (from the 2010 bash challenge)

   

Next is a pair of MDC wood boxcars, from kits.

   

I swear I'm not converting but I needed to figure a way to make some finished sheet steel loads. After looking around the only thing that was easy enough to cut straight and work easy with was paper, I used .007 card stock that was collecting dust.

I cut the sheets 1.25" X 3.5"
Used 3 dabs of elmers glue, stacked them 12 sheets up
Then mixed 50/50 Silver and Dark Grey and covered the sheets
I took some electrical tape and straight edge cut some thin strips to use for the baling

It was quite easy and I'm satisfied with the results:

I have used a yellow tape about 1/32 inch +- for highway stripes. I no longer have the tape and don't know how to get more. I need to make yellow strip that curves and is really thin, maybe 1/64. this is actually for an airplane that is to be used on my layout. If I manage to get this project don and it looks OK I will post it.

Heres a chance for you N scalers running N&W steam.
I have 2 NIB mint condition N & W aux. tenders these are the Bachmann Spectrum units ,I bought these off Ebay thinking they were H.O ....YA'YA'YA'YA I know pay attention
Anyways would just like to recoup my loss not looking to make a profit... $23 ea +shipping
Have to say that I was really amazed at the detail on these beautys
If your interested let me know.