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AMERICAN "0" SCALE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Low-cost consignment sales. Purchase and sell quality “0” Scale brass and custom model trains. VISA, MasterCard & Lay-a-ways Accepted. Call for Terms. WE BUY BRASS TRAINS ✰ Estate and collection liquidations ✰ Locating services ✰ Purchases of your new, used & unwanted equipment ✰ Consignment sales ✰ Layout dismantling services ✰ Auction services ✰ Collections Purchased ✰ Cash Paid for new & used trains Call days or early evenings... Bill Davis Email bdavis148@aol.com Phone/Fax (262) 560-1619 American “0” Scale Professional Services PO Box 575 Waukesha, Wl 53187-0575 32 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’06
Narrow Minded Bobber Gibbs For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be able to hear the appropriate locomotive and railroad sounds when I operated my trains, whether steam, Diesel, gas or electric. In 1950, my first American Flyer 4-6-2 Pacific had an internal sound piston that made an acceptable chuffing sound, so I placed the whistling billboard just before the grade crossing near the station and I can still remember those exciting sound effects. When I turned to HO, and then to O Scale, I played cassettes of recorded railroad yard sounds through speakers under my layouts, but that was not quite what I hoped for. I wanted sound to be heard from the locomotives, and for the models to sound like their big brothers. I wanted all the whistles and horns to be slightly different so that each locomotive took on its own character. After PFM introduced their control and sound systems, I purchased two complete sets. I was pleased with the sounds that emanated from my On3 locomotives, but I was pretty much limited to operating one locomotive per block unless I was double-heading two similar units. Even my old Magoffin sound system provided acceptable sound effects, but it also had similar limitations and it eventually went out of production. I tried several other steam and Diesel sound generators and found them unsatisfactory, and not compatible with each other. With my layouts, I always build in lots of operations that can involve and entertain several operators. I derive the most satisfaction from the light-hearted banter that is part of any operating session. When Digital Command Control was introduced, it seemed to be just what I wanted. Each operator could control the movements and sounds of his own locomotive as he walked along with his train. Only a few years ago, it was predicted that DCC and sound generators could be combined and made small enough to install a single decoder and speaker into the tiniest of power units. I was delighted when the NMRA and the manufacturers worked together to develop industry standards. Now, it seems that there are so many different DCC and sound systems to choose from that one hardly knows where to start or when is the best time to jump in. Well, the time was determined for me when a prominent discounter began selling the excellent BLI On30 C16 with DCC and sound for under $120. I bought two of them and stumbled into the new world of DCC without even owning a control system. Now, a few months later, I have to think that my timing was just right. Upon investigating, I learned that the Bachmann E-Z Command Digital Command Control System is a decent entry-level package that can get you into DCC with minimum expense. Lately, it has been available on Ebay for around $60. When the Walk-Around Companion and Connector Panel became available, I bought one to allow two operators to control up to nine DCC-equipped locomotives and one analog (DC) unit. Additional Companions can be added as necessary. Bachmann has included DCC in all three of their latest On30 models, including the tiny Davenport diesel, the Rail Truck and the 2-8-0 Consolidation (See my review in this issue.) They have not introduced sound yet, but their DCC models are configured so that they can be operated on DC or DCC with no modifications. Moreover, the new Consolidation can often be bought on Ebay for under $130, the Rail Truck for around $80 and the Davenport for around $40. Most On3 modelers quickly learned that the Rail Truck can be re-gauged to On3 by simply sliding the wheels out on the axles. I believe that there are currently more On30 modelers than all the other O Scales combined, including traditional standard-gauge, P48, On3 and On2. Bachmann Trains has earned its place at the front of the On30 parade by producing high quality and low priced narrow-gauge products for thousands of new O Scalers. At this time, I can report that having three narrowgauge locomotives with DCC and sound, and nine more with DCC only, has added to my pleasure immensely and I am a happy operator. I expect that most manufacturers will offer all of their new locomotives with DCC and sound in the near future. Soon, when the Bachmann fiveamp booster becomes available, it will be time to start installing DCC and sound in some of my standard-gauge locomotives. I might want a better or more expensive DCC system in the future, but for now I’m satisfied with what I have. With one-amp decoders now available for around $10, it might be time for you to start thinking seriously about moving your railroad into the Digital Age. Happy trains to you from Bobber u July/Aug ’06 - O Scale Trains • 33
Page 1: O Trains Scale July/Aug 2006 u Issu
Page 4 and 5: A Working Water Scoop Harry Hieke,
Page 6 and 7: and a piezo lighter allowing for on
Page 8 and 9: E-Z Command ® DCC System Item No.
Page 10 and 11: 10 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug
Page 12 and 13: M ullet River odel Works 118 Huson
Page 14 and 15: le the four sides into a finished c
Page 16 and 17: would have used common barn paint.
Page 18 and 19: Figure 2: END WALLS CONSTRUCTION 6
Page 20 and 21: Figure 5: STAIR CASE 3 5 ⁄32 1
Page 22 and 23: Sumpter Valley Depot 135 NW Greeley
Page 24 and 25: 9 of the foreground ones you’d li
Page 26 and 27: The Art of Finescale Michael Cougil
Page 28 and 29: 2K6 O Scale Trains 3rd Annual Digit
Page 30 and 31: Round and Round If I may, I’d lik
Page 34 and 35: After spending several issues of OS
Page 38 and 39: Traction Action Roger C. Parker Mod
Page 40 and 41: Building Lauther’s Perfect Pickle
Page 42 and 43: Building the Exterior Vinegar Tanks
Page 48 and 49: “Prairie Skyscrapers, Midwest Sen
Page 50 and 51: Modern Accountability The biggest p
Page 52 and 53: k
Page 54 and 55: Product News & Reviews REVIEW: C&O
Page 56 and 57: Product News & Reviews REVIEW: Bald
Page 58 and 59: Snap-on Hi-Rail to Scale Coupler Ad
Page 60 and 61: The Creation of a Cam-Liner John Fr
Page 62 and 63: Photo 4: Close up inside the nose o
Page 64 and 65: MODELERS SHELF Tom Kabele sent thes
Page 66 and 67: Nos. 16001-18500 O SCALE/PROTO 48
Page 68: Buy-Sell-Trade Events Buy-Sell-Trad
Page 71 and 72: ATLASOSCALE - Box Cars! Hoppers! AV

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