Ask MRVP: Episode 4

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Ask MRVP: Episode 4

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Great series. Since we lost Railroad Colors, What is a good substitution for Boxcar Red in an aerosol?

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Loved the pun at the end!

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Good job, guys. But when you photographed the “curved” culvert it looked like a high lock or canal inside it. But when you photographed it from the other angle and put your hand under it I could see it was much higher above the water. Puzzling. Then, at the end, on your blooper section, I saw that I was originally seeing the ROOF of a building in the foreground which I initially mistook for a lock or canal. The camera was out of position, preventing us from seeing the waterway on the inside of the curve. Oh well! Next time!

By the way, what happened, or didn’t happen, to the Webcam? It’s been a whole lot of nothing. Are you guys on location and not in the office?

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Another great episode turned out by MRVP…
I’m interested in knowing about the table David was using for the turnout segment. Is it the same table Cody used during the detailing of Chuck’s locomotives in Rehab My Railroad. The table “looks” like a nice size for trackside work and “looks” portable, but is it really? And what is the work surface covered with? Just curious because the table turns up quite often in MR videos. Thanks y’all!

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Hello Michael,

The cart is a standard black AV cart we’ve used around the MR shop for years. For filming purposes, we built a wood top that fits over it to make a portable workbench. The top is covered it with a grey heavy card stock insert. When the insert gets messed up, it is easily replaced.

The cart travels with us when needed, so yes, it is the same cart we’ve used at Chucks, on the MR&T, and at other locations around the building. I’m thinking about making something similar for home when I build my next layout - it is really handy!

Thanks for watching!

David

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Nice episode (as always). David’s comments about the switch machines brought up something I could use help with; setting up Tortoise machines and wiring for a Walthers/Shinohara double cross over. I am still “electrically impaired” but I want to wire the cross over so that each route opens with one button (i.e. one switch throws both turnouts to line the crossover for a particular direction). Maybe you could address this in a future video proiject?

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Hi! Where do you keep all of the project layouts and what eventually happens to them?

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David,
What is your next home project? Does Cody have a home layout? I don’t remember seeing it on any of the annual visits you guys do

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Hello,

First off terrific show!
Love it!

I do have one question.

Since i am freelancing a my railroad i was wondering who you would recommend for custom decals.

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David,
Thanks for all of the great info in all of your different MR Video plus programs.
I would like your help with a question.
I noticed (much to my delight) that in the segment about the tortoise switch motors, the ones that were installed had the adapters on the bottom so that the wiring could be attached with screws instead of soldering them to the board. I have been looking for years and could not find these adapters. None of the members of our club layout were familiar with them either. So we have been soldering our wires to the circuit boards for years.
I have several more tortoise machines to install on my home layout and would love to know where I can get these adapters and what they are called.
Please help save me from soldering any more of these.
thanks
Steve

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Great segment David. I’m curious though, how many times did you shoot the two “catching” scenes, one in the hallway and one with the sanding sponge? Those add some action to the scenes and call attention to the support cast, nice touch.

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Thanks for the reply David. One more thing about the cart; could you provide some dimensions? Building something like it are my thots exactly!

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Rick Izard from Illinois

I am using Peco turnouts on my layout, Do I have to remove the spring if I use the Tortoise switch machine?

Thank you so much!

Keep up the good work!

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David,
Can you please give a quick demonstration on how to wire a Peco Insulfrog Turnout for DCC without a switch motor.

Thanks.
Brendan
Cairns, Australia.

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First I want to say David, the new ask MRVP is a hit, with that I do have a question, after you pour water into your pond after a while the water will get dusk on the surface, what is the best way to clean the surface without damage to the water surface, (ie soapy water or alcohol)?

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I got my connectors at Litchfield Station (http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=400001&cat=255&page=1). They work well for under $3. I’m sure they are available elsewhere for a similar cost.

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Dave: When you’re prying the tabs and metal plates off Peco turnouts, Please keep your fingers off the sharp side of the X-Acto blade! Or have a bunch of band-aids handy.

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I really enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them. I am currently working on an N scale layout using DCC and wondered if their was any way to wire a turnout (I use tortoise motors) so that an operator could throw a mechanical switch similar to the way I’ve seen you wire them and also be able to use DCC command control to throw them (for instance in a route or just from afar just in case it is the wrong way.

One more request - how about showing how to make a control panel. Not sure how much it would be needed in pure DCC where computer control might work but I’d sure like ideas! This question does go loosely with the previous one.

Don’t lose your humor. Make it fun and not so boring you want to nap :slight_smile:

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Dear David,
Regarding Ask MRVP, episode 3…when you throw your green wig into the trash…Don’t!! Is there a way you can add some highlights to it, and instead, install it onto a layout as a forest of trees? That’s what it looked like to me, in the trash! Maybe a less intensive way of getting trees than the puffball method?
What do you think?
Thanks for these videos!