| |
I'd like to add a trains section to the FAQ at
http://www.lugnet.com/~330/FAQ/ but I need your help. What Q&A would you
like every new LUGNET member to read before posting to this group? What
questions do you personally have, that you know are answered in the group
somewhere, if you could only find them? What questions are asked a thousand
times by visitors at a LTC show?
I'll take any feedback I can get, but I'm especially grateful for pointers
to threads that contain interesting questions and answers. I've reviewed the
first 1500 posts to .trains, but that still leaves 7000 more that I haven't
looked at. Just think of all the time you can save if, instead of typing a
detailed answer, you say "Check out the FAQ!"
In the list that follows, the number following '?' is the post that contains
the question, and the numbers following '!' are posts that contain answers.
(Use http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=x where x is the number to view the
post yourself.) In a few cases, there are also some (still working) URLs
that I thought answered the question well. Feel free to point me to more
complete answers (or questions).
[Caveat: I'm not saying that these are good questions or answers, or should
be included in the FAQ. All FAQ entries should be of general interest, with
clear questions and factual answers. I'll probably do a lot of editing on
any entry to try to get the gist of the Q & A.]
- Lego makes trains? Where can I get them?
- What are points ?43 !53 !599 http://my.voyager.net/lar/gloss.html
- How do I make remote-controlled switching rails? !86
- How do I convert my train to DCC? ?120, !4558
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/train_depot/tddcc.htm
- How do I convert my train to use an RCX? 2442 !301
- What's the deal with 6 wide versus 8 wide? !1113 !1114
- Where can I get a Metroliner?
- Are 4.5V, 9V and 12V trains compatible [compatible-60] ?1004, !1005, !114
!406 !961 !1005 !1026
- Is there a LEGO train club in my area?
- What are my choices for building a train car base plate?
- What scale are LEGO trains?326 !26 !327 !350
- resources that gives some details in the US train industry, in terms of
modern railroading and operations ?8486 !8488
- how do I make a four car monorail train?76 !79 !97
- How can I build a water tower?75 !78 !84
- Can I run more than one track with one regulator?200 !203 !277
- Can I run different trains on the crossover?224 !226
- What's a rack railway? 256 !257
- Train site? 1048 !1049 !1051
- What are good train reference guides for creating engines and stock?
(or) What's a good source of prototype pictures? !308 !323
- How do I make a 2-man handcar?382 !385 !390
- Why is the 4551 called a crocodile? !518 !532
- Spare tires for 4.5V or 12V engines? !525
- What can I do with two ovals of track?585 !586 !588
- Can I have two controllers on one line? 660 !662 !!744
- Custom stickers? 708 !709 !716
- How much voltage/current do 9V trains use? !777 !783
- Will the current 9V trains soon become obsolete?947 !951
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/train_depot/current.htm
- US couplers vs. buffers? !1063 !1074
- Good height for an overpass ?1076 !1077 !1078
(or) How steep an incline can a train climb?
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/train_depot/inclines.htm
- What's a good size for a train table? 1408 !1410 !1414 !1420
- Why build up the table top by 20 bricks? 1418 !1419
Thanks
Cary
|
|
| |
In lugnet.trains, Cary Clark writes:
> I'd like to add a trains section to the FAQ at
> http://www.lugnet.com/~330/FAQ/ but I need your help. What Q&A would you
> like every new LUGNET member to read before posting to this group?
Todd, could a link to this upcoming section of Cary's FAQ also be listed on
the front page of the Train Newsgroup?
> What
> questions do you personally have, that you know are answered in the group
> somewhere, if you could only find them? What questions are asked a thousand
> times by visitors at a LTC show?
>
> I'll take any feedback I can get, but I'm especially grateful for pointers
> to threads that contain interesting questions and answers. I've reviewed the
> first 1500 posts to .trains, but that still leaves 7000 more that I haven't
> looked at. Just think of all the time you can save if, instead of typing a
> detailed answer, you say "Check out the FAQ!"
<snip>
Cary, I would be particularly interested in any posts that define *Train
Terms*. An example would be 4-4-0 locomotive vs 2-4-2 locomotive. It has
taken a trip to the library and a book with good pictures to help me sort
this out. There are tons of terms about which I haven't a clue, much less
the subtle distinction between others. It is necessary to be able to phrase
a question correctly to get the information one is seeking in the answer.
Having the correct terms helps in both formulating the question and
understanding the answer.
> Thanks
>
> Cary
I will look forward to the addition of the Train section. Thanks for all
your work!
sheree
|
|
| |
sheree rosenkrantz wrote in message ...
> Cary, I would be particularly interested in any posts that define *Train
> Terms*. An example would be 4-4-0 locomotive vs 2-4-2 locomotive. It has
> taken a trip to the library and a book with good pictures to help me sort
> this out. There are tons of terms about which I haven't a clue, much less
> the subtle distinction between others. It is necessary to be able to • phrase
> a question correctly to get the information one is seeking in the answer.
> Having the correct terms helps in both formulating the question and
> understanding the answer.
This is a good idea, but how about a link to the must-already-exist
railroader FAQ's on this kind of subject. Why re-invent the wheel!
Here we go:
http://www.trainweb.org/railwaytechnical/st-clasif.htm
This page gives the wheel arrangement names in different areas (UK/US,
Europe, etc) and the US nicknames for them. There's also a steam locomotive
glossary: http://www.trainweb.org/railwaytechnical/st-glos.html
The home page for the site (Railway Technical Web Pages) is here
http://www.trainweb.org/railwaytechnical/index.html there's all kinds of
other interesting stuff.
Kevin
|
|
| |
Add things such as Co'-Co' to the list.... or maybe a list to such
explanations.
Looking forward to it.
Sonnich¨
sheree rosenkrantz <srosez@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:G56AoD.4L9@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.trains, Cary Clark writes:
> > I'd like to add a trains section to the FAQ at
> > http://www.lugnet.com/~330/FAQ/ but I need your help. What Q&A would you
> > like every new LUGNET member to read before posting to this group?
>
> Todd, could a link to this upcoming section of Cary's FAQ also be listed • on
> the front page of the Train Newsgroup?
>
> > What
> > questions do you personally have, that you know are answered in the group
> > somewhere, if you could only find them? What questions are asked a • thousand
> > times by visitors at a LTC show?
> >
> > I'll take any feedback I can get, but I'm especially grateful for • pointers
> > to threads that contain interesting questions and answers. I've reviewed • the
> > first 1500 posts to .trains, but that still leaves 7000 more that I • haven't
> > looked at. Just think of all the time you can save if, instead of typing • a
> > detailed answer, you say "Check out the FAQ!"
>
> <snip>
>
> Cary, I would be particularly interested in any posts that define *Train
> Terms*. An example would be 4-4-0 locomotive vs 2-4-2 locomotive. It has
> taken a trip to the library and a book with good pictures to help me sort
> this out. There are tons of terms about which I haven't a clue, much less
> the subtle distinction between others. It is necessary to be able to • phrase
> a question correctly to get the information one is seeking in the answer.
> Having the correct terms helps in both formulating the question and
> understanding the answer.
>
> > Thanks
> >
> > Cary
>
> I will look forward to the addition of the Train section. Thanks for all
> your work!
>
> sheree
|
|
| |
In lugnet.trains, Cary Clark writes:
> I'd like to add a trains section to the FAQ at
> http://www.lugnet.com/~330/FAQ/ but I need your help. What Q&A would you
> like every new LUGNET member to read before posting to this group? What
> questions do you personally have, that you know are answered in the group
> somewhere, if you could only find them? What questions are asked a thousand
> times by visitors at a LTC show?
Hi Cary,
Thanks for the effort to create a Trains FAQ! The list of questions you have
posted is very complete, there was no question I could think of that wasn't
already listed here.
I have added some notes to a few questions:
> - Lego makes trains? Where can I get them?
In most European countries, LEGO trains have always been easily available in
toy stores.
> - What are points ?43 !53 !599 http://my.voyager.net/lar/gloss.html
Maybe there is more 'jargon' that needs explaination? Larry's glossary
covers more than just 'points' so maybe it's a good idea to change the
question itself to 'Where can I find an overview of train terminology?'
> - How do I make remote-controlled switching rails? !86
There was a thread about this quite recently:
http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=8451
> - What's the deal with 6 wide versus 8 wide? !1113 !1114
Heh a very good one ;-) pops up regulary, but do note that this is a LUGNET
debate and not a TLC debate. Currently TLC builds their trains 6 wide, some
people like to build more realistic looking trains and choose to build 8 wide.
Occasionally there is a 'debate' (note: all in good fun!) about who builds
the best trains for example- 6widers making fun of 8widers because they
can't build within the 6 limit, 8widers making fun of 6widers because 6wide
looks toyish.
There are many threads that debate the pros and cons of each format, but in
the end everyone has decide for themselves to build in a format what they
like the most.
(note that I try to give an objective explaination to the 6 vs 8 debates,
don't start a debate about this answer unless the FAQ benefits from it!)
> - Where can I get a Metroliner?
I don't know if this is really a Train FAQ question. I mean the question
could also be "Where can I get a 7740?" or any desirable set for that
matter. The question does appear regulary however.
I think for most themes have a very desirable set (Guarded Inn?) so maybe
it's a good idea to have a general question "Where can I find discontinued
sets?" and point to that question in each themed FAQ?
An answer could be:
check at Brickbay, Ebay, straight sales or check lugnet.b-s-t newsgroups/links.
> - What are my choices for building a train car base plate?
Currently either buy a complete baseplate via S@H or build one of your own:
1) use 2x2 turntables to attach wheelsets to the base
2) use a 2x2 tile with technic pin <part:2460> and technic plates to create
a base
3) use a standard bogieplate <part:4092> and base out of technic plates.
When building a big locomotive, the trucks have to be constructed in such
way that it is still able to negotiate corners. The building instructions in
book 7777 on pages 40 and 41 have a good example how to do this.
http://www.brickshelf.com/scans/7000/7777/7777-40.html
http://www.brickshelf.com/scans/7000/7777/7777-41.html
> - How can I build a water tower?75 !78 !84
See also !8386 for pictures of a watertower using the 1x3 + 1x1 cylinder
round building style.
> - Will the current 9V trains soon become obsolete?947 !951
Note that the question 947 contains an error: 12V trains were available for
more than 12 years: ~1969 to 1989/90 so at least 20 years.
This might be confusing since it appears in a FAQ and is not part of the
question some might assume this is true.
There are also rumours that LEGO will expand the train line in the future
with 9V signals. I don't know if a FAQ is the place to discuss the future of
a theme since the only thing we can do is guessing.
If you do include this question in the FAQ, a nice post to mention here is
Ben's april fools' joke:
http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=5208 the joke
http://news.lugnet.com/trains/?n=5366 the confession :-)
to illustrate that it's really just guessing and rumours what the future of
trains will be...
> - US couplers vs. buffers? !1063 !1074
Maybe it's good to mention that the buffers TLC use are based on European
style trains?
I hope you can use info like this. I'm looking forward to see the results!
-Frank
|
|
|
