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General Discussion / MP switch motors from mtb, which one?
« Last post by carpediem4570 on Today at 03:29:21 AM »
Good Morning Folks:

Ya know, the more I look into this railroading stuff, the deeper I keep digging this hole.  Now it’s switches for my turnouts.

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I’m just getting to building a layout.  The turnouts I’m using are atlas snap switches, #850 and #851.

Instead of using the snap switches, I’ve discovered mtb switches.  The latest derivation seems to be mp-4.  However, mtb’s website shows an map-8 switch, specifically for snap type switches.  And then there are the dp switches which are for dcc operations.  Ugh.

Is there someone out there who can shed some light on these mp switches and which ones would be best to use?

Kind regards,
Max
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General Discussion / PWR-56 for powering AM-1 and AR modules?
« Last post by carpediem4570 on January 16, 2026, 10:21:20 PM »
Good Evening Folks:

I’m finally getting to building a 4’x8’ layout in HO.  I will have about a dozen turnouts, a wye and a reverse loop.  I have two auto reverse, (ar-1), modules and two accessory, (am-1b), modules.

I will need to buy at least one more module for the turnouts.  It will probably be a TC-1.

Of course, all these modules will need power.  I am using the PWR-56 to power the track.

Instead of buying a PWR-56 for each module, can I hook up my existing PWR-56 to a busbar or barrier terminal strip or some such device and connect all the modules and the track to the busbar/barrier terminal strip?  Or are there other power options.  Yes, I am trying to save money.  Since retiring and becoming a senior pensioner on a fixed income, my disposable income has nearly evaporated, lol. 

Although I have 16 engines, at most I will run three at a time on this 4’x8’ layout.  All but two of my engines are steam locomotives, if that makes a difference.

Your help and patience is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Max

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General Discussion / Re: Converting atlas switch’s/turnouts for use with railpro?
« Last post by faithie999 on January 16, 2026, 05:10:49 PM »
What the railpro modules want to see is 15v dc on the rails.  you can supply that from your DCC system (I think!) but also with a railpro power supply, or as many of us have done, with a good quality 15v dc power supply.  I use a MeanWell 15v power supply, and I wired in a railpro circuit breaker.  the meanwell power supply does the job just fine, at a much lower cost than the railpro power supply.

Ken
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General Discussion / Re: Converting atlas switch’s/turnouts for use with railpro?
« Last post by carpediem4570 on January 16, 2026, 03:19:58 PM »
Espeelark, thank you for your input.

I’m still trying to get my head wrapped around these new control systems.  It’s a far cry different from the stuff I played with as a child 55 years ago. 

And thank you for pointing out railpro is not dcc.  I understood however, if one wired the layout in dcc, as opposed to dc, it would be safe to run my railpro converted engines.

Kind regards,
Max
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General Discussion / Re: Converting atlas switch’s/turnouts for use with railpro?
« Last post by Espeelark on January 16, 2026, 01:37:00 PM »
Howdy Max!

Congrats on getting started on building a layout! Once you see those RailPro engines kicking cars around you won't be sorry you put the effort in!

W/regard to your Atlas turnouts, there isn't anything unique to RailPro that would be an issue with using them.
The issue you may have is if the frogs in those turnouts is powered or unpowered. I am not familiar with Atlas turnouts and don't know if they are "DCC friendly". Even though RailPro isn't a DCC system, the frogs can still be an issue. Depending on your locos and and how many wheels pick up power, they could stall out as they cross over the frog. It is best if you have powered frogs, or, "DCC friendly" turnouts.
From pictures of those turnouts on the web, the frogs appear to be plastic/unpowered.
This forum isn't the best place for a question about Atlas turnouts. You would probably be better off asking about them over in the Model Railroad Hobbyist (MRH) Forum, or some other general model railroading forum.

To your other question, sure, you can use a straight DC power pack to run the switches using the included toggle switch.

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General Discussion / Converting atlas switch’s/turnouts for use with railpro?
« Last post by carpediem4570 on January 15, 2026, 09:17:47 PM »
Good Evening One-And-All:

I have finally made room so I can start building a small layout.   Have been collecting track and switch’s for the last 30 years.

Although my switch’s are old, they are like new condition.  The switch’s are the Atlas #850, left hand and #851, right hand, code 100, remote snap switch’s.

Do I need to do anything to these switch’s to be able to use them with my railpro converted steam and diesel locomotives?  Can I run the rail pro system but continue using dc power packs to run the switch’s using the included toggle switch?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Max

 
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General Discussion / Not quite there but a notice of big sale coming up..
« Last post by darryl.trains on January 15, 2026, 05:29:21 PM »
I have been checking my roster of engines as I have to thin the lot. They are On30 but here is the gaff as I have to unload a lot of RailPro items that are brand new in original packages or boxes that were going to be installed in those engines..  Also I am going to list other RP items that are dups.  Here are some of the items, LM-3S , PBM-2 all new. So much more but I'll see if there is any interest here before heading to eBay where I'll have to add a bit to cover their fees. You can contact me at nodisasemble@yahoo.com  . My cell number if you want for a chat,  9zero7 twotwo7 one7five4.   I'm in Yuma so try between 9am-9pm mst.
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General Discussion / Re: LMS-21
« Last post by snowdog on January 14, 2026, 08:54:53 PM »
 :) I've installed two. Much simpler than I expected!!!
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: Multiple HC-2b's & Linked Units
« Last post by Espeelark on January 12, 2026, 08:06:20 PM »
Hey there LVRR1856!
I am just as surprised as Ian that your 2 units didn't operate as a linked pair when uncoupled. I purposely uncoupled my 2 units and spaced them about 2' apart (to see how closely speed matched they were) and they ran just fine.

I sent my question to Ring, and here is their response:
It appears that the linked status of the two units does NOT translate across, and to, any other HC's. Is this true?
False.
If you leave the locos powered, you can grab any HC and it will pickup the current loco link even if it was linked by a different HC. 
If you turn off the locos power and turn off the HC then it will link based on last HC link in that particular HC.
If you are not likely to remember what HCs have what locos in a link then you should unlink locos before powering down.
If you get confused on what HCs and what locos have links, then you can power off all locos, and press the clear active loco list on all HCs (full reset) and all locos will link the first time.

Another way of saying that is, A) as long as the power to the track remains on (after having newly linked units together), other HCs will be able to “see” them as linked.
B) if I shut the layout down WITHOUT unlinking them, then only the HC that originally linked them will be able to operate them as a linked pair/consist when you restore the power to the units.
Sounds like employing the "clear active loco list" after an Op Session on all HCs' might be a best practice!
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RailPro Specific Help & Discussion / Re: Multiple HC-2b's & Linked Units
« Last post by CPRail on January 12, 2026, 12:01:40 PM »
Surprised to hear you needed to couple up the units to get them to link. I've successfully run a consist with 2 locos up front, and 2 buried about 25 cars back. Ran for about 2 hours, no issues, up and down the grade. Everything MU'd as one consist.
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