George's Technical Tips Page

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This page links to a collection of technical tips pages that I have written based on several years of Large Scale Railroading experience. I usually only write about topics where I have direct experience so all possible topics are not covered.

This whole web site was started as an exercise in html. It has since taken on a life of its own. I keep doing this because there seems little point in learning something without sharing it with someone else. The Internet allows me to share with people that I've never met and are not likely to ever meet. Maybe it'll even be here after I'm gone.

Others have taken the time to write up their experiences too. This information is scattered on personal and commercial web sites all across the web so I have taken in on myself to list the places that I've found where more, and perhaps better, technical information can be found. I'll add to it as I stumble across more useful stuff.

Nobody pays me to write this stuff so I am free to write what I think as long as I stay within libel and slander laws. I do try to be completely fair in my judgements of the equipment discussed. If I see something that I think is worth noting, be it positive or negative, I'll bring it out. There seems to be little point in exposing a product feature* without also suggesting a remedy for that feature.

* For reference, I have a personal definition of a feature (as opposed to a bug) which is best described in terms of software. A bug is an unexpected behavior. A feature is an unexpected behavior that is documented.

I do have a personal preference for Bachmann, Aristo and USA Trains products (primarily based on cost vs value trades), so you'll see more information on their products than those by other manufacturers. If a particular product isn't covered here, it is because I have not purchased it or the manufacturer hasn't sent me a sample.

After reading a few of my pages, you'll note that I manage to find something wrong with just about everything that I describe, no matter who makes it. Some readers feel that the problems are a lack of quality with some or other manufacturer doing better than another. Maybe I should expect more, but after seeing a good sampling of products, I haven't found one yet that doesn't need some kind of work right out of the box. I'm resigned to it by now. Besides, tweaking things is one of the things that I do best. So assuming that everything is going to need some kind of work, I evaluate how good something is AFTER it gets fixed.

I hope that you find the information that is here to be useful. If somebody actually makes any of the changes that I suggest, I'd like to hear about it. I'd also like to hear if the descriptions were not clear or complete. Drop me an Email or post a note on my Guestbook.

Notice to Newsletter Editors. If you would like to run any of these tips in your print media newsletters for nonprofit clubs, go ahead. However, I request that you retain my copyright and notice of authorship and mail me a hard copy of that issue. Please Email for my US Mail address.

Notice to ALL web site authors and operators. You may link to any or all pages in this site, but you MAY NOT copy any content from any page.

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© 1997-2009 George Schreyer
Created Sep 18, 1997
Last Updated June 6, 2009