Wow! Amazing layout. Can't wait to see more. 💯 P.S. I recently upgraded all of my rolling stock with Intermountain metal wheels and most of them with body mounted MTL couplers. I also added weight to cars that were well below NMRA weight recommendations, bringing them up to proper weight. It's made a huge difference. Out of over 440 wheels I did not get a single bad one, and every car I've checked so far has been in perfect gauge. They roll smoother and replacing the lighter plastic wheels slightly lowers the COG, allowing me to run longer trains. I literally have to try to get a derailment, even when pushing 20+ cars. I bought some Athearn metal wheels a year or so ago and one of the wheels fell apart just installing it into the truck, and 2 more were out of gauge. Maybe it was just a bad run from the factory, or perhaps they got smashed in shipping or handling (I bought them new from a local hobby shop, so I have no idea).
I have a mixture of 50 / 50. I was thinking of staying with plastic so I can just toss them out and replace with new ones when they get dirty but like the look and sound of metal obviously. Tony, are you going to plastic?
Solid update, Not sure, but after having some minor issue in my helix... I will be adding the rule only 4 axle units, but it gives me a reason to run 3 and 4 consist trains sets. Helix is mostly used for running a display with the trains looping etc. around the layout.
Great update and overview of the layout. I hope your Op Session goes well. ~Tony
Great update, all helix's have trouble. Never been a fan of those. Layout looks great
Love the organization and clean look. Awesome staging yards.
Wow! Amazing layout. Can't wait to see more. 💯 P.S. I recently upgraded all of my rolling stock with Intermountain metal wheels and most of them with body mounted MTL couplers. I also added weight to cars that were well below NMRA weight recommendations, bringing them up to proper weight. It's made a huge difference. Out of over 440 wheels I did not get a single bad one, and every car I've checked so far has been in perfect gauge. They roll smoother and replacing the lighter plastic wheels slightly lowers the COG, allowing me to run longer trains. I literally have to try to get a derailment, even when pushing 20+ cars. I bought some Athearn metal wheels a year or so ago and one of the wheels fell apart just installing it into the truck, and 2 more were out of gauge. Maybe it was just a bad run from the factory, or perhaps they got smashed in shipping or handling (I bought them new from a local hobby shop, so I have no idea).
I have a mixture of 50 / 50. I was thinking of staying with plastic so I can just toss them out and replace with new ones when they get dirty but like the look and sound of metal obviously. Tony, are you going to plastic?
Solid update, Not sure, but after having some minor issue in my helix... I will be adding the rule only 4 axle units, but it gives me a reason to run 3 and 4 consist trains sets. Helix is mostly used for running a display with the trains looping etc. around the layout.
I wish I could operate this layout!! So amazing
Thanks. If you are ever in El Paso hit me up for a tour