G: Let's see your G gauge photos!

 I'm getting there! I'm trying to build a large consist. First, the engines wouldn't get along. So I adjusted the tach readers to get their speeds to match. Next, some wiring issues causes power loss and poor signal. Finally when I'm getting close, I'm snapping couplers! So next, off with any stock couplers and install all KD's. Soon I'll be ready.

In the 3rd photo how many engines?

"some wiring issues causes power loss"

Joe, how often do you provide a power tap (how many feet between)? That's a pretty large layout and it seems like you must have quite a few to run trains without power loss. 

Hmmm, looks like 12? Some are in the shed. I was showing off the MTH Dash 8s for another forum.

I divided the loops into quarters. So the runs are about 75'. They were good but the signal and power is dropping. I thing the joints degrade with weather and dirt entering. So I may remove everything, clean, and then make the blocks 50' roughly? I'll see how they do after some cleaning. I have to remove all the screws from the rails that bond them to the ties. It won't allow them to float in the hot summer sun. When the sun goes down, the rails shrink big time! I installed the special short pieces of track now that allow for this. Hopefully my joints will stop from falling apart and letting dirt in.

 This outdoor stuff has a steep learning curve for me. I just happen to go with multiple TIUs for the first time, and the software has bugs. Makes me want to fly radio planes and boats instead.

 Anybody in the future, will probably go with battery to save all this hastle. When I started batteries were expensive, heavy, and would only last a year.

Anybody in the future, will probably go with battery to save all this hastle. When I started batteries were expensive, heavy, and would only last a year.

Joe,  I was going to start a new topic until I saw this in my search.

I recently converted all my 3-rail steam to BPRC (Battery-Power, Remote-Control) using the RC system from Tony Walsham of RCS: http://www.rcs-rc.com/pages/home in Australia.  I'm using both NiMh and LiPo batteries, cost is usually less than $20/battery.  I also have a Bachmann G scale 4-6-0 and Tony offers a kit for the Annie.

I've been thinking about installing the kit in my Ten-Wheeler, but wanted to see if anyone here has used the RCS system.  I think it retains the original Bachmann sound system but they also offer the "My Locosounds" system.

I've been getting excellent run time on my O scale engines, the Williams brass N&W J weighs 14 pounds, with 4 passenger cars it goes up to 22 lbs!!!.  The Bachmann engine doesn't weigh nearly that much so I figure the RCS system and either type of 12v battery would/should work fine.

Oh, I'm currently using a laptop power supply and my old Aristo-Craft Train Engineer I bought last century for my HO layout.

Any thoughts?

Finally dug some of my locos out 

Bob, if you're still out there? I just saw this.

Only thing I could comment on is I like to run big trains and use smoke. I think that I'd need some big battery power and I hope they would last if I invested in battery.

 I think I may just try a pair of Aristo Dash 9s to start with battery. They struggle the most with dirt so battery should fix that.

 The economy for me with track power, comes when the number of engines gets up there. I'd have to have many Airwire boards, sound boards, the controller, and batteries.

Joe,

Being that you're running multiple engines on 1 train, I'm not sure if the system I'm using could handle them as easily as DCS or DCC.  I run at most 2 engines at one time and they're independent of one another, usually 1 mainline freight and 1 switcher.

These big trains sure are impressive though, your yard looks very well kept.  I don't know a plant from a weed and ending up pulling everything out that doesn't look right, plus I've got too many pine trees to deal with for a backyard layout.  It's all I can do to keep the indoor O layout going!

I just love this Santa Fe ALCo by Aristo Craft.

German BR 18 Cab#201

Here is a you tube video of this engine actually running a few years ago (completely restored).  Hope you can understand German.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmfXj8cYpI

Engine was converted to DCC with Zimo Sound by Train-LI and only has been test run by the installer.  It's a passenger engine which seems bigger to me than 1:32 scale of a couple of Euro freight engines that I have.  Is "Euro" the correct designation for engines form Germany?

Here's our MTH Virginian Triplex and an Aristo Southern Alco with a Santa Fe PA.

Joe, your backyard layout looks great and your using DCS.? How large is the track plan and what brand of track are you using ?  I also hear that MTH is coming out with a large scale Big Boy by the end of this year, rehashed from a few years ago. I want one if those large scale Big Boys!

It's a build as I go track plan. Originally it was a loop around two old trees that I removed. It had 10' curves and was maybe like 50' long. Now it goes around the entire yard and there's sidings and yards to be built.  The backyard is 65' wide x 100?

 The track is mainly Aristo with some brass and nickle as a test.

 It's all connected to my new shed building with Bridgewerks power and DCS control.

 I too ordered a BB with Ray M but I need to send him some money! I really need to stop buying trains!!!

Only thing I could comment on is I like to run big trains and use smoke. I think that I'd need some big battery power and I hope they would last if I invested in battery.

You know as well as I that Dennis Sirrine runs big trains via battery power

Big LiPo batteries are fairly reasonable. Say like a 22.2V 10,000mah only cost $109.99 shipped from the 'bay...and they only weigh like 5.5 lbs.

Theoretically one could take the new Airwire Convertr which is actually a mini DCC command center/ booster/ rf receiver and graft it onto a PS3 equipped loco. Disconnect the power pickups and hook up a battery pack and control it by either a Airwire throttle or NCE G Wire throttle.   

I wonder what Dennis Sirrine's yearly train budget is?

I bet I could give him a run this past year!!

Boy I don't know but he does sell other scales on the bay. I've often wondered what his basement has for layouts?

When I was in AZ, there were very few basements. Some builders came down from the NE sections of the country and offered them. The development near us sold a few and then the builder left.

 I would bet he doesn't have one. Of course if he had wanted one, then he does!

Interesting as I never thought about not having a basement in the desert.

I know in emails he's stated that his Christmas Open House outdoor layout tours have attracted 20,000 - 25,000 people or more annually. Just the logistics of drinks, porta-potties & security is quite time consuming!

Here are some shots of my outdoor garden railway, built when you could actualy get this stuff at a reasonable price or at all.  Track is 100% LGB, trains have been a mix of LGB and Aristo/REA.  Right now I run an Aristo Alco FA-1 in Canadian Pacific colors, converted to onboard battery power, pulling a couple of USA beer reefers and the 2 cars from my Lionel Gold Rush set.  I have the 0-6-0 from that set awaiting someone to turn the flange off the middle driver so she wont bind going around tight curves.  It has also been converted to onboard battery power. Indoors we have a loop overhead in our living room.  I do have the means to run track power on it when necessary as I do repair work for a couple hobby shops.  Cheers  Mike and Michele T

Like the LGB/Aster engines.  Are they still be being made?  I mean the electric versions?

Aster only made the one run of the Frank S.  LGB on thier own brought out a plastic electric version with motors in both the engine and tender a few years later.  Its been produced in a blue scheme as the Nicki+Frank S and in black/red as a DR engine.   Mike