I have a model railroad that is full of "nots". Not big, not finished, not sophisticated, and not hated by my wife! I was thinking today that I need to express some of my thoughts and feelings about this wonderful hobby that I love!
I am not an expert, so feel free to agree disagree, or ignore!
I built the table, using a laser level I got as a present. (ok, perhaps a little anal)....but my trains run very smoothly! The table is very sturdy, and built like you would build a roof on a house...only level. I did the electrical work and have numerous jumpers as I was going to go digital.....decided not to do that as I enjoy "driving" (running) my trains! I do have numerous blocks, however.
I don't have a firm theme....sort of. Many people have a time theme or an area theme.....I buy what I like, which is mostly Florida stuff.....(Florida East Coast, Seaboard, ACL) however I like the big engines so I have UP, and Southern Pacific, and I have some of the new MTH European trains (fantastic detail) I have some LIRR stuff as I used to live there. I have some "odd ball" stuff too, just because. I have MTH, Atlas, Weaver, Williams and I have a lot of older Lionel, as I grew up with Lionel
I love the latest technology. The MTH 3.0 is amazing....however, I find that I like the 2.0 better with BCR installed! (eventually all my engines will have BCR rather than batteries).... I run conventional. but I recognize that 3.0 does offer more for digital operation and opens up more features....I get it.
I recently changed the traction tires on my MTH Proto 1 cab forward, part number 20-3025-1. (What an awkward looking engine this is (I love it!) This engine hadn't run since it came out in 1998 when I purchased it.....I bought it cause I liked it, but had nowhere to run it then! In any event I changed the tires, as I found that on most of my engines from that era the tires come off after running them a short time. (I guess I could have run this without the tires; the engine is so heavy it will pull more cars than I will ever run! With the help of this forum (thank you, thank you, thank you!) the job was not that difficult!. It took a good deal of soaking in MegaSteam smoke fluid for the smoke to work, but now it works very well (for the era). I had forgotten how nice these old engines were, and now I know why I bought this engine.....funky!
I have numerous Proto 1 engines, Proto 2 engines and a few Proto 3 engines. They are like "children"...all with different personalities. All needing attention at some time.
The track system I use is Atlas. I really like the Atlas track appearance. It is quiet and the trains run well on them, but there are caveats. The switches need significant modifications to operate without issues. Yes, it can be done, but patience and perseverance and persistence prevails! Even some of the tracks other than switches need modifications (ie: the center rail coating is too thick in places and causes poor conductivity). Oh yes, the number 53 switch activation buttons....don't get me started on that issue......and the availability of parts issue....
I have also found that some of the MTH thumb tack couplers don't respond well to the Atlas un-coupler magnets. So, I found a modification for that! (It is posted here on the forum.
My trains provide me with many hours of amusement and entertainment. My family and friends enjoy seeing them operating, perhaps almost as much as I do.
Model railroading develops many skills. ie: Woodworking, electrical understanding, scenery construction, imagination, patience, friendship. It is truly a hobby for all ages, and all ages can and do benefit!
Like I said: I am no expert, but just expressing some of my experiences and findings.
