Year: 2011
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Lionel TMCC Engines interfere with MTH DCS signal quality
My Lionel TMCC engines kill my MTH DCS signal quality when they are running. It has been known for some time that the constant voltage lighting boards in the TMCC engines create interference with the DCS signal, and it is suggested to install a 22 uH 5.5-amp choke in-line on the hot lead from the…
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MTH Premier Montana Rail Link SD45 Low Hood Diesel
I saw a review of this and had to have it. It is typical MTH Premier quality…smooth running at 2 scale mph, good puller…but diesel sounds are incredible! It has 8 rpm sound levels with the beefy speaker and loud volume that brings some awesome realism to the pike. I also picked up a couple…
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20-amp dedicated circuit for model railroad installed
I thought for a few days on how I was going to hook my surface mount boxes and conduit to the round lally column (post) in my basement. Tap the pole and screw to it? Shoot nails into it? JB Weld? Nothing sounded right. Then it hit me! A large hose clamp for a dryer…
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MTH DCS Remote – Limited LCD Contrast with Rev. L
The handheld remote control (in the late 2010/early 2011 shipments of DCS Systems with Rev. L TIU) has limited contrast. The fix involves moving the resistor from pin 7 to pin 6 on the leg of IC U161. After moving the resistor to the correct position the LCD now appears to have its normal range…
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I love flatcars with loads
Picked up a couple new pieces of rolling stock and an MTH corner building. Rolling stock is all Lionel O-Scale except for the MTH Premier flat with engine load. The detail on the tiedowns with the chains and springs is awesome. The building has a blinking simulated neon sign in the window.
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A couple eBay finds this week
Picked up (3) MTH Premier Conrail 8000-gallon tank cars and a couple Lionel tractor trailers on eBay this week for a bargain. Condition was excellent for all. The MTH freight transfer warehouse is new. I need to find the right home for it but it looks pretty cool.
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Wiring cleanup for new MTH DCS System
After recently incorporating the MTH DCS remote system into my layout, I decided it was time to clean up the wiring too. I mounted the (2) 135-watt Lionel PowerHouses in parallel giving me about 15 amps in to the DCS TIU. I was told the fuses in the TIU can handle that, so hopefully nothing…
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Atlas Switch Tower
I worked on my switch tower area tonight. A while back I did a table top installation of a Tortoise switch machine because there was benchwork framing right underneath my turnout throwbar. Initially I searched for a building to put over the switch machine, but the building would have been too close to the track.…
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Playing around with the new MTH Premier Union Pacific AC4400cw Diesel 20-20012-1
Playing around with the cab/crew talk/tower sounds, doppler horn, smoke, ditch lights, and smooth operation on the new loco