I have three questions regarding model trains. DCC, Track, Coupler conversion.?

I have just recently gotten back into model trains. I guess I have some leisure time on my hands working here in China and have set up a layout which is a work in progress. My first question is regarding track and how to determine size that a curve will take up. I know from the track I have which is standard but I need a tighter curve and wonder how to accomplish this. I have read there is flexible track but I am in China and do not know where to obtain it. I also think if I had the shorter curve track that might solve my problem. My second question is regarding the new style trains and the mentioning of DCC which I know about but have not concerned myself with getting into. The question is: Will a DCC train work on a standard transformer run track? I assume it will but not sure. My third question is: I have some older trains with the old style couplers in HO gauge. Is there a conversion to the new style? Thanks for you help. Any other help is welcome. Ted My trains are HO Scale. I have an outside track which is a standard curve. I wish to run a track inside that with a tighter curve. I know they make shorter curve track and I suppose this will enable me to do this. I just don't know the distance from one side of the curve to the other. Going to a hobby shop is not possible since there are none here in China that I have found. I just want to know the distance from the beginning of one side of the curve across to the other side of the curve. I can get the track but am building the layout and want to make sure I make the upper portion big enough to accept the curve. The DCC is digital control and I do not have that. I want to buy an engine that says it is DCC ready and want to run it with a conventional transformer. Is there a compatibility problem doing that? Later I can do the DCC but for now just want to run the trains the old fashioned way. How about coupler conversion to the new style. Wnat to convert to new style.

Public Comments

1. the size of the train set should be on the box it came in . that will give you the size of the lay out . from there you can use less of the track which should give you a shorter curve .you could also use a size whitch will put a turn in it the less track you use the shorter your curve will be . you can obtain the track on eBay or at a hobby shop. as for the DC that is the us transformer the older trains should run on the same track as long as it is ho scale
2. Howdy Ted! Answer #1: If you are going to use flex track, you measure from the center line of the track to position it on the layout from a calculated or decided radius. Depending on how much room you have and/or how long your longest passenger cars are, you need to determine the radius before you start. Once you decide on size, Templates for doing this are available on websites, you can purchase model railroad CAD software to help you, and/or the National Model Railroad Association's website is a great place to get detailed instructions on this subject. Their website is www.nmra.org Answer #2: The new engines and coaches from most companies that produce plastic trains are yes, DCC ready or DCC equipped. DCC Ready means that the motor is wired in a way that easily accepts a plug in DCC decoder (computer chip). You must purchase and install this chip before you can run it on a DCC layout. So any DCC-ready engine you can run on a normal DC analog layout (using a normal 15 volt DC output transformer). DCC equipped engines are able to run right out of the box on DCC layouts. Most of these DCC equipped engines (I say most, but not ALL) can run right out of the box on Standard Analog (DC powered, like you want to use) layouts , too. I hope you are not confused! Just remember that DCC Ready = "Analog layouts friendly" While DCC-equipped means "Analog layout friendly, maybe...check with the manufacturer to be sure!" And DC/Analog means "the good old days" of railroading, basically, its the normal old-fashioned method. Answer #3: Depending on the company and date of manufacture of your rolling stock, you may be able to get coupler conversions done. I am assuming you have "horn hook" type couplers and want the new Kadee-compatible style couplers. If its Athearn blue-box or similar, it can be done. If its Tyco or Model Power, I am not so sure. Note on the above answers: if you need more information about the products you own or the ones I have mentioned, you can type in Google or Yahoo's search for the manufacturer you need and then take a look at their websites. These websites usually have a product database, where you can look up a certain model---and the best part---you can DOWNLOAD the instructions and parts diagrams! Then, you can call or write the company and order the parts you need to make that old rolling stock work like new!