It doesn’t matter how long a model train enthusiast has been involved in the hobby, most come up against questions that need answers. Trouble is; those answers are not always easy to find. Searching the internet, although helpful, can prove to be a big time-waster, because many model train websites consist just of useless links to other sites.

Sheer frustration is what motivated me to write my Model Train Help ebook, as like so many other model train enthusiasts, I found finding answers slow and tedious. I thought to myself, if I’m experiencing these frustrations, then so must lots of fellow enthusiats. So, I decided to rectify the problem by answering, in simple easy-to-understand English, many of the question facing model train enthusiasts, both experienced and beginner.

I then set about asking model train enthusiasts what their most pressing questions were. Here are some of the questions they came up with – all of which are answered in the ebook:

If I install a larger motor in my locomotive will I be able to pull more cars?

What’s wrong when a part of the track will not work? How do I go about fixing it?

Should I replace my horn-hook couplers with knuckle couplers?

What is rust-busting, a talgo truck, “head-end” traffic, a green wave for freight trains?

What is meant by “code”, as in code 40 track? Is a locomotive change-over the same as shunting?

Which rails should I use – brass, steel or nickel-silver?

How do I make plastic buildings look real?

Why do some buildings look translucent?

Should electric feed wires be included every couple of feet or should I solder rail joiners?

What is a bridge rectifier and what does it do?

When I buy a track switch, what is meant by ‘No. 4 turnout’ or ‘No. 8 turnout’?

Running techniques for a locomotive on a reversing loop. What about stopping the loco on the loop and throwing the switch?

What is a decoder and can I run an analog locomotive on a DCC system without a decoder?

Can I just put a decoder in my old analog engines?

Are ‘O-gauge’ and ‘O-scale’ the same thing?

Is there a right and wrong way to cut track?

If I have limited space what should I leave out from my layout?

What is a classification yard and how does it work? What are the yard options?

Should I have a run-around track and dedicated lead track?

What’s a Capacitor Discharge Unit and a Solenoid Motor and what do they do?

What’s the difference between DC and DCC?

What do I need to start or convert my analog layout to a DCC system?

What’s the difference between service mode and operations mode?

Can I control turnouts with DCC?

What’s a booster? Will the ampere rating of a booster and power supply limit how many locos I can run at the same time?

What causes a train to short out on a turnout?

That’s just a small sample of what is included in the book. So, if you need answers to these or other model train questions then have a look at my website for the Model Train Help ebook.

Happy Railroading!