Manfred sent in this photo of his layout to share:

I have a Marklin layout 4 feet by 8 feet. Most of it dates back to the 1950’s ,but I have engines from the 1930’s . They run on AC on a three rail system as I grew up with it.  I also have a large Lionel O collection – old and new. My oldest train is a Bowman live steam from 1902. It runs perfectly on a straight track. This winter was a perfect winter to operate the trains and I find it a fun hobby.

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If you would like to have a photo of your layout published, then please write a short article telling readers about your layout. Use the form at http://www.model-train-layouts.net/Submit-An-Article.html

Hopper cars are cargo trains, which are used to transport materials like coal, ore and crops. Hopper cars are distinguished from other freight trains because they are automated. An opening at the bottom allows them to load and unload cargo easily. The opening trap door is angled and uses gravitational force to deposit goods. No extra mechanisms are required for the purpose.

Hopper cars are classified into two broad categories; open car and closed car. Open cars are used when the weather does not have an adverse effect on consignments such as coal. Closed cars are used when goods need protection from rain and water such as sugar.

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A classification yard can be a hive of activity with trains arriving, departing, getting sorted throughout the day (and night). Depending on the yard type, size, and location; the arrival and departure schedule might include trains hauling bulk cargo, intermodal containers, refrigerated cargo, liquids, machinery, chemicals, fuels, vehicles, and/or plenty of general freight. Some consignments are easy to spot such as vehicles, but other cargo’s are less obvious without a closer look inside the wagons and cars.

Interesting Facts

Freight trains servicing an agricultural region could be transporting anything from soybeans, corn, wheat, fertilizers, chemicals, animal feed to even a new tractor or two. As an example; in 2012, the largest US railroads transported 1.4 million cars laden with grain. That was a staggering 4.9 % of the total cars hauled. Freight railroads in the US transport more corn than any other grain, although shipments of wheat are not far behind, followed by cargos of soybeans, and smaller cargos of oats, barley, rice, sorghum, rye, and other grains.

Other trains could be hauling processed or prepared foods such as canned produce, distiller grains, flour, soybean oil, frozen foods, or even corn syrup. In all, 2012 saw 2.1 million carloads of grains and grain food products hauled on major railroads in the US (7.5% of all carloads).

Much of the grain originated in South and North Dakota, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Most was destined for Washington, California, and Texas. The USA is a huge exporter of grain along with other countries including Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

The economics and practices of rail freight companies vary by region and country.

As export and domestic local markets have evolved, most railroads have improved their efficiency with shuttle trains and by changing the length of haulage. Since 1994, grain transportation has seen a change from smaller shipment sizes to larger “shuttle size” shipments of seventy five or more rail cars. This has lowered the costs and increased the number of local destinations that could unload shuttle size shipments. Altering the length of each haul has made the industry more competitive with road trucking companies.

Rail yard buildings available from modelbuildings.org/low-relief-buildings-F.html

Fortunately there is still a place for rail transport in this modern world, and when operated efficiently railroads can compete effectively for the haulage of bulk cargoes over long distance.

Types of Rail Cars Use to Haul Freight

I’ve already mentioned some of the freight types carried by rail transport, but what about the various types of cars likely to be spotted in a rail yard.

Boxcars (also known as goods vans) will be one of the most common car in rail yards as they typically transport palleted or crated freight of varying sorts. In earlier days they were a common way to transport livestock, but ventilation was considered a problem. Boxcars have side doors for easy access by a forklift; some have end doors and even have adjustable bulkheads. They vary in size and features. Refrigerated boxcars feature temperature controls for perishable freight including vegetables, fresh fruit, frozen foods and more.

Covered hoppers freight shipments of loose dry bulk products. The hoppers can be loaded at the top and on arrival at the destination the product is then discharged at the bottom. Open top hoppers freight heavy bulk commodities that won’t be damaged by exposure to the weather.

Flatcars generally transport cargoes that are not easily damaged by wind, rain, or snow. They vary in length, and tonnage capacity, and are common in rail yards. Gondolas ship bulky commodities such as aggregates, scrap metal, lumber and logs.

Tank cars often don’t belong to the railroad that is transporting them. They are usually owned by the company that manufactures or distributes the products stored inside them. Some tank cars are pressurized and others are not. They typically transport liquid or gases.

Coil Cars transport steel plate, coiled steel, or even high grade ores. Center beams are used to move bundled building supplies and typically feature a center partition where the products are secured in position.

Automotive racks (Auto Racks) ship vehicles both imported and domestically produced. The vehicles are not always visible (depending on the auto rack design), but they ship anything from automobiles, to trucks, to tractors, to mini vans, and SUVs.

Although that’s not the complete list of cars you could potentially see moving or parked in a rail yard, it does include most of the main car types. I guess what I am leading to is; a rail yard can be a fascinating inclusion to any model railroad. There’s usually plenty of activity with trains arriving and departing. Little switcher engines hustle around shunting and sorting cars into a new consist ready for departure to the next destination.

Warehouse buildings available from http://www.modelbuildings.org/low-relief-buildings-F.html

To add realism to a rail yard scene you need to include some related industries or warehouses nearby. However this needs to be done without taking up a lot of track space, otherwise the yard becomes cramped. Including an engine shed, or if you have space a roundhouse or turntable, will add to the scene. One solution is to position a series of buildings behind a rail yard to represent storage warehouses, factories, or freight forwarding companies that are likely to be located near a rail yard. These can be made as low relief structures or as flats with just the frontages visible.

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Freight trains are used for the transportation of raw materials and goods. Through freights travel through many yards but stop and unload at their final destination. It acts as an ‘Express’ service. The crew however, can be changed at any point along the route. Coal, vehicle parts and steel are transported in this way.

Through freights are based on simple switching. The yard master decides the on-scheduled trains on a switch list. Carriages are made to wait in their own designated task yards. The crew yard has to assemble all cars in the departure track according to the schedule given by the station master.

As many of you will know my Online Model Train Club has been going from strength to strength over the past 3 years or so, and I do get asked how it compares with the Model Trains for Beginners Online Train Club operated by Dan Morgan. In fact, a lot of people confuse the two, and think they are one and the same. WRONG!

The truth is; we are competitors and I do not own or supply content to Dan’s club. I would never criticize it as, just like my own online club; it has been operating for several years and has a loyal following of enthusiasts. And, without being a member for at least a year or two, it would not be possible for me to pass any judgement.

In fairness I can only really comment on my own Online Model Train Club, because I know how much effort continues to be put into providing updated resources and content each and every month. It perhaps explains why we have so many members still with us since day one, many of whom have contributed their own ideas and advice for other members to share.

My online club is constantly improving with members getting access to more and more resources each month. The feedback I get is very encouraging which is a testament to how the club has developed and improved over time. This will continue, and I have some really exciting developments in the pipeline for members to access.

Although I would prefer it if you joined my online club… but even if you join my competitors club… you will be accessing the help you need whenever you need it, to progress in the wonderful hobby we all enjoy so much. After all, you never stop learning. I’ll give you the link to both so you can decide for yourself.

Find out here about My Online Model Train Club

Find out here about Dan’s Online Club

We all learn and develop our skills in different ways, and belonging to an online model train club gives instant 24/7 access to resources from anywhere in the world. I know my own club has been described by one member as “a giant resource library to tap into whenever I need help.” I believe in my heart it is an accurate description.

Best Wishes To All.

Robert

Stanley asks readers:

“I would like to know how to convert either a dummy loco or one with a defunct motor in order to run on dead track. I presume it would require off/on switch, wiring [of course] and maybe four AA batteries. Any help out there?”

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Ken G from sunny Queensland in Australia has kindly sent in this article to share:

After reading a recent blog posting and the article about John’s small layout that had too many trees etc I thought you might be interested in my T Gauge layout. T Gauge is 1:450 so its roughly half the size of Z and one third the size of N.

Although “T” stands for Three (3mm track) it could also stand for “Tiny”

Its called “Briefleigh” because it fits into a briefcase.

I work as a volunteer at the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich Qld and over the weekend  of 26^th and 27^th October we held the Queensland Model Railway Show at the museum.  After last year’s show I made a promise to myself that I would build a layout for this year’s show. It wasn’t really what I had originally intended but I built a T Gauge layout inside a briefcase and called it “Briefleigh”.

John’s story was a reminder of my thinking when I built the layout. I deliberately used trees and bushes sparingly so as not to dominate the scene and distract viewers from the overall appearance of the layout. I even used flocking quite sparingly. The base is made of extruded foam which was firstly painted with a flat brown acrylic. I then randomly air brushed the hills and areas outside of where the village was going to be with green and yellow/ochre. When the flocking was applied I left bare areas, again randomly, to depict a more earthy landscape.

The buildings, bridge supports and tunnel portals are all made from card. The larger industrial looking building is a model of enough of the museum for viewers at the show to recognise it as such. The whole museum would have almost filled the briefcase. The little layout generated an enormous amount of interest and comment, especially the eagle magically flying above the river, which unfortunately proves to be very difficult to photograph.

Robert adds – If you would like to submit an article for publication, please follow the “Submit Your Article” Link in the right hand column.

Pete is hoping other model railroaders can give him some suggestions:

“In an effort to be as prototypical as possible, I am searching for a resource that depicts what engines and rolling stock were used during various eras?”

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Fletcher has a question for others in the hobby:

“A few years ago at a train show in Michigan City, IN I saw a Bachmann train set for sale that I am in search of for myself. It was the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac passenger train named the GEORGE WASHINGTON and included a 4-8-4 steam engine, ten heavyweight passenger cars, track and power pack. Is this set still available? I have checked on eBay and on the Bachmann website and have had no luck. Can anyone be of assistance in locating this train set?”

Darren sent in this info to share:

A switcher or shunter is a train engine used for assembling/disassembling cars, and moving them around for short distances. It is used in staging yards and on branch lines. The vehicle is low powered but produces high torque. Switchers are classified as diesel, electric, steam and three-power.

Diesel: Diesel switchers operate in both directions, and have a high cab to increase visibility.

Electric: Electric switchers are powered by rail or internal batteries.

Steam: Steam switchers are operated on coal burners. They were elevated to increase visibility. Today almost all designs have been replaced by the diesel and electric types.

Three-Power: These switches are obsolete today. They were powered by diesel, internal batteries, and even the railway line.

This N scale eight wheel drive Bachmann GE 44 Ton Switcher switcher engine with a precision motor is DCC-equipped for direction, speed and lighting and has a dual mode NMRA compliant decoder.

The locomotive features LED headlights. The switcher operates well on 9-inch (or greater) radius curves.

Photo courtesy http://www.model-train-layouts.net

John sent in this piece of advice to share:

In keeping with Robert Anderson’s Tip about power supplies, it’s time to examine the power that comes with train sets. The power packs that come with most model train sets are not the greatest, and should be considered along with buying locomotives or cars by themselves or in sets. The word “sets” does not include the way some manufacturers include three or more cars with different numbers in a single package, which are usually very good products.

Train sets are relatively inexpensive and are great for putting around a Christmas Tree, or for someone who is just starting out in The World’s Greatest Hobby. For the oval or circle of track that is usually provided, the Power Pack should work accordingly, but expanding the track into a regular railroad may provide difficulties. You get basically what you pay for, and the loco or pack is not up to expectations for making a large layout, but should give you years of good running around a Tree as packaged and put away carefully until next year. A word of caution though – spend a little more and get Nickel Silver track rather than steel track. It works and looks better under “normal” conditions.

As someone who loves running model trains the old way with a Power Pack, I’ve had great results with MRC. Even the less-expensive MRC packs (about $25-$30) work more than adequately for N, but for larger scales it is suggested to go to a more expensive pack with higher readings and more bennies attached to it.

Steven sent in this photo of his layout to share. Hopefully he might provide some more details by adding a comment to this posting.

If  you would like to have a photo of your layout published or provide a short article about your layout for publication, please use the “Want To Help” link in the right hand column on this blog.

Switch Tamper

Maintenance of Way (MOW) Equipment is used for laying out the tracks, and for cleaning the area around and under the tracks. There are many categories of railroad equipment including Ballast Cleaning, Rail Grinding and Handling. A few common types are given below.

Ballast Regulator – gives tracks the desired shape.

Clearance Car – ensures that trains do not run into obstacles on the way.

Dynamometer Car – analyzes engine’s performance factors such as speed and power.

Jordan Spreader – removes snow from the railroads, must be operated by the train engine.

Tamper – sets rails along a track, capable of aligning, lifting and tamping rails.

Ed has a question for readers:

“Can anyone tell me where I might be able to find a Norfolk Southern Engine with the decal of horses on the engine.”

James asks:

“I am looking for an N Scale 44Tonner but can only find those made by Bachmann and I haven’t read any positive reviews about them. Has any other manufacturer made an N Scale 44Tonner?”

Comment below.

A reader asks:

“I am trying to find a Virginian Railway EL-2B electric locomotive in HO scale or O scale to buy. I’m having no luck at all finding one.”

Hans has a question for others in the hobby:

” I would like to know where I can get G scale tracks and locos and rolling stock in South Africa, I am looking for stock that is very detailed like the mMarklins etc.”