Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Don Fiehmann

"East Meets West": San Jose S Scale Convention

This article covers the author's visit to the 4th annual NASG convention in San Jose, California, organized by the East & West S Gauge Model Railroad Club. The author, an HO-scale modeler, was invited to do a clinic presentation, hence his attendance at the convention. (Note that according to the NASG web site, it was actually the sixth NASG convention)

Calculating Scale Speed

Formulas and text describe how to calculate scale speed. A programmable calculator's code is shown that will make calculating the scale speed easy.

Demystifying Command Control Part 18

How addressing works, broadcast address, primary address, extended addresses, consist address, addressing ideas, accessory decoders.

Demystifying Command Control Part 19

DCC-ready connectors, new interfaces, wireless cabs.

Demystifying Command Control Part 20

Accessory decoders.

Demystifying Command Control Part 21

Another look at CV's and their functions. What is a CV? Anatomy of a CV. NMRA Recommended Practices. How a decoder deciphers CV's. Changing CV settings. Service mode programming. OPS mode programming. Methods of change. Different functions, same CV.

Demystifying Command Control Part 22

In this installment the author covers operating a layout equipped with DCC. It covers walk-around benefits, smaller local control panels, indicating turnout positions in dwarf signals, and how to deal with people who are die-hard DC buffs.

Demystifying Command Control Part 24

This is the last installment of this series. The article contains a glossary of DCC terminology, and a listing of DCC manufacturers, of DCC suppliers, and of DCC services.

Demystifying Command Control Part XI

This article covers the nasty topic of finding and fixing problems with both d.c. and DCC layouts. Handy flowcharts are provided to help hunt down problems.

Demystifying Command Control Part XII

This installment covers sound decoders and how to install them, including how to make a speaker box for a tender.

Installing a Working Three-position Semaphore

Using Tomar Industries Upper Quadrant semaphores and Tortoise, the author describes how he installed them and had them working, using simple electronics, to detect train presence.

Model Railroad Maintenance of Way Part 1

This article covers using the NMRA standards gauge to check your rolling stock's wheels, verifying the correct coupler height, measuring the cars' weight, and lubricating if necessary. Coupler trip pin adjustment is discussed, and a portable test track is described.

Model Railroad Maintenance of Way Part II

This installment talks about how to keep roadbed and track in good shape. It covers creating removable section of scenery to access turnout machines, creating track cleaner cars using the John Allen method, creating a magnet car for pickup metal parts, and creating your own rerailer.

SWAC/2 Part 1

This article covers the design and construction of walk-around throttles. The design centers around the fact that only two or three wires are needed to connect to the layout, which means standard headphone plugs and wires can be used. Article includes the schematic, construction photos, printed circuit board layout, and parts list.

Using Decoder Pro

This article does a good job reviewing how the Decoder Pro software application works. It lacks details about how to hook the computer up to your DCC programming track. The application is free.