Hello from Clearwater, FL, USA

miniboB said:
Welcome Brian I'm from North Carolina. Really good group and very helpful with ideas. Don't do like me and be to ambitious start simple and add on. Also make curves as broad as space allows. Keep in mind the LGB sets are very forgiving on track. If you find yourself into american prototypes your track must be much less forgiving. My railway is up high and on the ground thanks to the foothill I live on the side of. There are advantages to both. Ground railway forces one to be agile. A good thing. Watching and operating at eye level is very satisfing. Much like train watching for real. By the way I'm fortunite in that my railway goes into the basement. Not so easy in FL. Take your time and enjoy.
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Are there pictures or video of your railway?
 
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There we go more "adult" looking layout.
 
HI Brian, Welcome - Don't be afraid of track power/DCC. There are a lot of us that are using track power without any problems. The secret is replacing the rail joiners with rail clamps and sufficient power feeds.
 
phils2um said:
HI Brian, Welcome - Don't be afraid of track power/DCC. There are a lot of us that are using track power without any problems. The secret is replacing the rail joiners with rail clamps and sufficient power feeds.
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Thanks! Planned on rail clamps and feeders every 10-15 linear feet... give or take. I do like hearing everyones input on recommended power options. I'm still starting DC, and leaning heavily toward DCC, deciding on what system, but I have lots of time to figure that out.
 
Hi Brian and welcome. Northwest Florida here - near Destin, but shortly moving to the North Georgia Mountains.

I started DC and then moved to DCC. All ground level. Got fed up with the issues of operating track power in a humid, damp and sandy environment. Yes, used track clamps exclusively, and did everything that is recommended to maintain track power. Nothing worked for long. Switch motors gummed up with sand, and it all became a nightmare. Thing is FL is not the UK, nor is it anywhere else in the US! It’s humid, wet and has hurricanes. I also suffered from lightning frying any track electronics (even when disconnected).

Moved to battery power and kept the DCC, by using AirWire. That solved virtually all of my issues and running became a joy again.
Now moving half way up a mountain in Georgia and will rebuild a simpler railway, probably elevated. I like ground level but despite being fit as a proverbial at 70, tempus fugit on the joints!

Have fun and take the advice by the knowledgeable here seriously. They know of what they speak. BUT do remember that every location is different from the point of view of weather, climate and geology.
 
Martino said:
Hi Brian and welcome. Northwest Florida here - near Destin, but shortly moving to the North Georgia Mountains.

I started DC and then moved to DCC. All ground level. Got fed up with the issues of operating track power in a humid, damp and sandy environment. Yes, used track clamps exclusively, and did everything that is recommended to maintain track power. Nothing worked for long. Switch motors gummed up with sand, and it all became a nightmare. Thing is FL is not the UK, nor is it anywhere else in the US! It’s humid, wet and has hurricanes. I also suffered from lightning frying any track electronics (even when disconnected).

Moved to battery power and kept the DCC, by using AirWire. That solved virtually all of my issues and running became a joy again.
Now moving half way up a mountain in Georgia and will rebuild a simpler railway, probably elevated. I like ground level but despite being fit as a proverbial at 70, tempus fugit on the joints!

Have fun and take the advice by the knowledgeable here seriously. They know of what they speak. BUT do remember that every location is different from the point of view of weather, climate and geology.
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Thanks! I really appreciate the input from a fellow Floridian. I'll look into Airwire.
 
I meant the guy from North Carolina. But I do like your newer version. I like the double track together look. And at 52 don't worry about what a 74 year old has to say about aging. I am 62 and can still cycle 40 miles straight.
 
Anything new with your g rail Brian? Mine has an autumn look mow. No frost yet ....I have my autumn flowers out and lots of colourful leaves. Maybe make an autumn g scale video next year. The next video I want to make is f unit pushing a home made snow plow and pushing snow off the tracks.
 
Slow progress right now aquiring track. I want to use USA Trains G gauge track but they are currently out of stock on almost all of thier straight track... 60" won't be in stock until.......April!?!?!. Dreading the thought of having to use 12" pieces...also out of stock until next month. I did purchase a full circle of thier 10' diameter curved track and I have a few feet of LGB 12" straight track, so it will soon begin with a simple oval until more track comes into stock. Side note still getting into the upper 80's F. here, so very hot out still. Hopefully the heat will break soon. Also aquired an Aristocraft PA-1 & PB-1 (SF war bonnet scheme)from an auction site for a great price, see photo. Please excuse my crazy cat, everything working except 1 coupler broken on rear of B unit. Easy fix.

Thanks for asking!!!
 

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Sorry double posted for some reason
 
Ya great to hear from you Brian. So you got it off of eBay? I got my f unit and one box car from there. I was kind of hoping for a direct Tampa hit with the hurricane. I have an ex gf there. Ha ha.
 
TTaannggss said:
Ya great to hear from you Brian. So you got it off of eBay? I got my f unit and one box car from there. I was kind of hoping for a direct Tampa hit with the hurricane. I have an ex gf there. Ha ha.
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Hey no hurricanes here buddy... they suck!!!
 
My f unit is an aristrocraft as well. I have yet to get my smoker working so try and not have it on with no smoke fluid as a suggestion. So your a and b units are both powered? If so you should be able to run a long train if you like.
 
TTaannggss said:
My f unit is an aristrocraft as well. I have yet to get my smoker working so try and not have it on with no smoke fluid as a suggestion. So your a and b units are both powered? If so you should be able to run a long train if you like.
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Yes both are powered, both smokers are working as well. Did you open your smoker up and check the wick? I understand that's the most common failure on these smokers.
 
Brian Boyer said:
Slow progress right now aquiring track. I want to use USA Trains G gauge track but they are currently out of stock on almost all of thier straight track... 60" won't be in stock until.......April!?!?!. Dreading the thought of having to use 12" pieces...also out of stock until next month. I did purchase a full circle of thier 10' diameter curved track and I have a few feet of LGB 12" straight track, so it will soon begin with a simple oval until more track comes into stock. Side note still getting into the upper 80's F. here, so very hot out still. Hopefully the heat will break soon. Also aquired an Aristocraft PA-1 & PB-1 (SF war bonnet scheme)from an auction site for a great price, see photo. Please excuse my crazy cat, everything working except 1 coupler broken on rear of B unit. Easy fix.

Thanks for asking!!!
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I am with you on USA track. Most of what I have I bought from e-bay. You can save a good bit. Just don't bid against me. hi hi. used LGB is good for straight sections.
 
Brian Boyer said:
Yes both are powered, both smokers are working as well. Did you open your smoker up and check the wick? I understand that's the most common failure on these smokers.
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I just took a quick look at it. It has a plastic tube in the engine that is crumpled up. I never noticed a wick. I have an enclosed box.
 
TTaannggss said:
I just took a quick look at it. It has a plastic tube in the engine that is crumpled up. I never noticed a wick. I have an enclosed box.
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On mine the top of the smoker comes off. Then I have access to wick and element. Next time I run the engine, I'll take some pics for you.
 
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