First of all, today was the first day that I could haul an entire train of Walthers heavyweights without a single derailment until I choose to end the session. This is a victory since I’ve been reworking my layout a LOT recently to make it perfect like I been inspired by this forum that it is possible.
Second, the NMRA gauge is a tool that is worth it’s weight in gold. At first today I was experimenting with my CZ cars, four of them, one kept leaping of the track just about every few feet. Sure enough, I had missed one out of gauge pair of wheels. Before I came up with the idea of checking it considered tearing up the whole layout and letting it go. But this little tool helped a lot. There is still one spot where they derail. It is the first spot I had problems with when I first completed the layout but no other locomotive or engine have any problems with it. But I will tear that piece up and relay it just like I have all the other problem spots. Perfection is the key.
I think that this have learnt me a lot about patience, when fixing parts of the layout up I have replaced small parts at a time and taking my time to do it. There have been no “that’s good enough” statements this time. There is no good enough, there are only perfect or nothing at all.
I must say that I’m extremely pleased now, today have been a real turning point since it is the first time that things stayed on track, a great feeling. I’m also very pleased about choosing #8 turnouts, they look great and I never have any derailments on the turnouts, except of course when I screw up and have not set it right.
I also, for the first time realized what you are talking about when you talk about pulling power.I have never had any problems with that before, but today, my bachmann 2-8-0 just slipped when it tried to pull four CZ cars up a 2% grade. That was great and I came to enjoy the hobby even more(and my Y6b)
Aaaawwww…c’mon Magnus, yer makin’ us blush here…[:I]
I know how you feel, though, 'cuz I’ve been there. I had ripped out defective sections and been glad a day later when it was all back to being painted up and weathered. Once you detect the fault, watching trains run through it and hoping today’ll be a good day just doesn’t cut it. You have to stop and get at the fix, and then move on.
You know you were the one who influenced me to get the Y6b, you and Sue and Larry. So, come Christmas, when I get it addressed and running, I’ll think of Magnus in Sweden and drink a toast to you…and Sue and Larry. [:D]
Magnus, boy I know the feeling. When folks here tell you to get something some times you really don’t know why. Last year I was ready to give up but finaly figured out a few things.
I can now run around 40 hours + with out any big problems. Normaly the problems happen when I add a car or engine. There is a lot to learn and the guage was a great step. It fixed 70% of my problems. I have came a long way but still a long way to go.
Funny thing, the two people I thought the most of when i wrote that. Crandell, your support have been very meaningful and I have truly appreciated your support and helpful hand along the way. I’ll toast you on Christmas too. I hope that you will be happy with the Y6b, it truly is an amazing engine.
Cuda Ken, you have been an inspiration because of your honest way that you have described your problems. So many people only report their successes and do not talk about there problems. I thought alot about your posts as I was labouring away in my garage to fix the lasts kinks. Yesterday after a few more hours of work I got my Big boy to pull my California Zephyrs lap after lap without an incident after fixing the last remaining two spots that where then causing problems.
So my hat goes of to you gentlemen, I have learnt alot from you all. And Crandell your personnel offerings and help have touched me deeply, just so you know.