Hackaday observes the connection between model railroading and hackerspaces. We knew that already, didn’t we?
Decoder Management for Dummies
I pop the shell off one of Dana’s Atlas SD-60Ms, remove the decoder, and clean the brush contacts, but the motor still doesn’t respond. “They ran great the last time I had ’em out,” he had told me, “but I can’t get ’em to move now. Can you take a look?”
If you’ve been into DCC for a while, you can probably guess where this is headed, but don’t shout out your answer just yet. Instead, let’s take this opportunity to explore JMRI—Java Model Railroad Interface. (more…)
The Anniversary cars are in!
Heading to the Batavia, New York train show tomorrow? My clubmates and I will have our brand-new 30th Anniversary N scale box cars (shown here with the optional user-installed roofwalk), just in from Micro-Trains. As usual, we’ll have a T-Trak layout running, too.
See you there!
I love modular railroading. I hate it, too.
This week I’m recuperating from the Syracuse Train Fair, which is the biggest show in our end of New York State. Our club always participates in a large, modular N scale layout. For the past four years, we’ve built T-Trak layouts with two other clubs. The intensity of this event serves to reminds me of everything I love, and hate, about modular railroading.
Introducing Susquehannock Industrial Park (a work in progress)
I’ve been working on Susquehannock Industrial Park for over six years now, not counting a few additional years spent sketching designs, and a few decades idly thinking about the project. Hey, you can’t rush these things.
It’s show season!
Ahh, train show season is upon us! I’ll be at the Syracuse Train Fair this weekend, helping out with the T-Trak layout. Hope to see you there!
Introducing Chuck’s New Throttle (a work in progress)
Let’s move on to something different: electronics. I’ve always tinkered in the electronics end of the hobby, but those efforts have intensified over the last few years, thanks to Arduino. This little device is helping me realize ideas I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time. At the moment, it’s helping me realize Chuck’s idea.
Delivery Day
George’s N scale railroad still isn’t finished, but the clock was running out on my borrowed workbench, so I had to deliver what I had. George indicated that he was quite happy to accept delivery, so long as he could run trains on it.
Furniture Railroads 