Model Trains
Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Trackwork Underway For Club’s Latest Layout
Barry from Soar Valley Model Railway Club kindly sent in this update of progress on their new layout:
This photo show progress of the new “00” modern image Monkton Howland layout at the Soar Valley Model Railway Club at LEICESTER in the UK. The layout will be capable of running either analogue or DCC.
The base boards are all 6ft x3ft modules made up with 3 x 1 frame work and 12mm ply surface.
With 2 x 1 frame work legs. For ease of transportation to Exhibitions.
Trackwork is PECO 100 modern sleeper, So that members proprietary stock can be run. The layout is on two levels and is ballasted with material obtained from Wales.
Mixed with a PVA solution and meticulously infilled between sleepers and shaped chamfered shoulders, rails cleaned off immediately, Rail sides are painted to represent rust.
Point work is done dry and tamped then carefully syringed with PVA solution. And point the work operated immediately to make sure they work properly. The point motors are PECO. Wiring is connected via multi-pin connectors between each board. Scenery is constructed with Polyfiller mix and flock also we use worn normal foam back carpet for undulating landscapes, painted and flocked. Trees made from twisted wire painted and flocked, all buildings bridges and viaducts will be a mixture of proprietry manf. And hand scribed thick card. Water is represented using liquid polyurethane.
The Soar Valley Model Railway Club will have an Exhibition on 6th. & 7th. April 2013 at MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL, LINK Rd. ANSTEY, LEICESTER. LE7 7, UK.
HO Scale Muskoka Central Railway
ONR GP9 Dropping a reefer at the cold storage company.
SD40 heading out of town
Steve sent in these photos to share:
I model the Muskoka region of Ontario Canada. It is a Proto-Freelance railway set in the early 80’s. It contains both CN and Ontario Northland power and rolling stock. There is currently two continuous loops, plus sidings on one level. The plan is set to expand to two larger loops but with the ability to have point to point operations, including a helix to a shelf which extends around the room. Special emphasis has been placed on weathering and detailed scenery.
Using photos for backdrops. The road becomes a photo just past the white truck.
Overlooking the town of South River
New Videos Show How Club Operates
Watch the 3 New Video Tours of the Club
It is January 2013 and this is the beginning of the third year for the Online Model Train Club. Many members have belonged since it got started, and they will have seen numerous improvements over that time. New content and resources are being added each month, which explains why the club is becoming increasingly popular.
The three new videos show a look inside the online club (as seen by members).
>> Video #1 is a member tour of Level #1
>> Video #2 is a Level 2 member tour
>> Video #3 is a member tour of Level #3
Some club members are very experienced in the hobby and happily share ideas with other club members through postings inside the club.
As one member put it, “I like to help others where I can, and this is a great way of doing it.”
Click here to watch the Train Club Tours.
What is the most challenging part of building a Model Railroad Layout?
The results are in from the last poll where 227 people voted. The question was “What is the most challenging part of building a Model Railroad Layout?” Answers were as follows:
Planning (36%)
Track Wiring (26%)
Scenery (19%)
Maintenance & Repairs (6%)
Benchwork (6%)
Other (5%)
Building Structures (2%)
Track Maintenance
A reader by the name of Sil sent in this question:
“What is the best thing you can do to the track to keep it resident so that the trains run smoother? I use a light sand paper and my friend say’s rubbing alcohol is good also. Is this True? ”
Add your thoughts below.
Christmas Trees and Trains Go Together!
Regular contributor John kindly sent in this short article to share:
Not many things express the season like a train around the Christmas Tree. Whether your set-up is elaborate or a single train going around and around, everything seems to go better when both are incorporated into a festive scene. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, and the Tree looks even nicer with a train going around it.
The pictured scene is a 4-foot Christmas Tree, an inexpensive HO Bachmann set with track and an engine with three cars, and Cobblestone Corners winter/holiday figures. The 3-1/2 x 4-foot table covered with white shelf-wrap (to simulate snow) finishes and holds the scene, and overall costs about $100 dollars. One word of caution – do not put tree-wrap or fake snow paper too close to the track or train, as the material acts as a magnet and gets itself wrapped around the wheels, causing all kinds of havoc.
Many of us have fond memories as a youngster of seeing a train around the Tree, and a lot of those children are today’s modeler’s with tremendous layouts. But even if you’re not an active modeler, a train around the Tree adds much to the enjoyment for children or adults alike.
Quartering Steam Loco Drivers
Robert Morey sent in this contribution to share:
You need one sheet of thin plastic a bit longer than your main driver wheelbase.
1. Draw a line and mark out the positions of the driving wheel axles.
2. Draw lines through each axle position perpendicular to the first line.
3. Drill holes the same diameter as the driving wheel axles.
4. Cut along the first line so that you have two pieces of plastic with semicircular holes.
5. Slip each piece of plastic between the wheels and frame on opposite sides to each other so that the driving axles fit into the slots on each piece of plastic.
Align the crank pin positions on one side of the loco with the edge of the plastic that has the slots. The crankpins on the other side of the loco should line up with the lines drawn perpendicular to the cut edge through the slots if they are correctly quartered.
My Hornby Dublo Train Set – Christmas 1938
John sent in these wonderful memories of Christmas 1938.
I was eight and my brother Tim was five at Xmas 1938. We had begged my Dad (and Santa Claus!) for a train set for Xmas, so when we opened our Stockings early on Xmas Morning we were excited to find a box containing a Hornby Dublo train! We were saddened to discover, however, that there were no rails! When we complained to Dad he said that we couldn’t expect everything at once and we would have to be patient.
After breakfast when the excitement had diminished somewhat, there was a sudden scream from my brother who, on entering the sitting room, had found a table with a whole train layout set upon it! Now over 80, I shall NEVER forget the excitement of that moment!
The war years meant that we were unable to build up our layout as quickly as we would have liked but Tim and I became train crazy and fervent trainspotters. Living in Market Harborough (Leics.) we were in a good position to enjoy the hobby and now and again we would travel (by train of course!) to pick up “namers” on the west coast line at Rugby!
In 1951 my parents emigrated to Cape Town and I subsequently married there and had three sons. My Dad had shipped the trains to our new home and in due course built up a really complex layout of Hornby Dublo stock. Following his retirement he spent many hours working on his trains and more specifically showing my boys how to operate them.
My home in Cape Town was not far from my parents and consequently we visited them quite frequently. It became a little embarrassing as on arrival the boys would say “Hello Grandpa, can we go up and play with the trains please?” And they were gone, until they were dragged down to say hello to Granny!
Sadly, the years passed, my sons grew up and of course my folks passed on and my brother and I disposed of the Hornby trains.
I often wished we hadn’t but neither my brother nor I had the space to accommodate them. So all we are left with is the wonderful memory of Xmas 1938……and this little story will tell you that to this day, I still have a fascination for British Steam trains, AND their model counterparts!
What Are Your Best Railroading Memories?
We all like to get a little nostalgic from time to time, so why not right now?
Send in your best railroading memories and over the next few days we’ll publish the best one’s on the blog for everyone to read.
Complete the form at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/memories.html to submit your railroading memories for publication on the blog.
The Factors that Determine the Operational Capacity of a Railroad
Smooth operation is critical for the efficiency and profitability of real railroads. Applying these techniques can also make the hobby of model railroading even more enjoyable.
Article supplied courtesy of the online Model Train Club.
Whether you are operating your model railroad just casually for fun, or whether you are trying to replicate actual operations of a real railroad, there are various factors to consider. After all, there is no point in just having trains backed-up with nowhere to go. A real railroad would come to a standstill (and soon go broke) without properly managed train operations. Even on a model railroad, complete disorder and confusion and quickly develop without properly organized train movements. Factors to take into account include:
Line Capacity:
- – the number of tracks available
- – the geography, gradients (mountains), number of bridges, tunnels etc.
- – the mix of trains (passenger, freight etc) – schedules, type of service
- – the number and the horsepower of loco’s – train length and weight
- – the type and the spacing of the control system
- – the number, the spacing, and the length of sidings
- – the operating and maintenance plans – type of signals, spacing etc.
Yard Capacity:
- – the space available – total acreage (or square footage on a model layout)
- – the number of tracks
- – container storage slots
Equipment Capacity:
- – locomotives
- – cars
- – containers/trailers
Crew Capacity:
- – yard crews
- – maintenance crews
- – crew rosters
Although most railroads would like to operate at 100% capacity (to maximize profits), it is not usually feasible or economic to do so. A target of 70% to 80% is usually more realistic. In fact; industry practices generally require standards to ensure fluidity of operations and to avoid major operational issues at track choke-points.
Various factors can influence efficiency and the practicality of running a line at full capacity including:
- – Maintenance – railway lines need maintenance from time to time which can delay schedules
- – Traffic volumes will vary throughout the day
- – Weather can cause disruptions, damage, as well as cause unexpected and compounding delays across a railroad
To try and increase the operational capacity above an effective level can be problematic. It could be achieved by deferring maintenance, but this could affect future capacity if there is a signal breakdown or derailment that could have been prevented with regular maintenance. It could reduce the railroad’s ability to react to a situation and/or increase the recovery time following a delay or stoppage. This could affect reliability, customer satisfaction, and potentially impact the profitability and reputation of the railroad.
Efficient train operation therefore needs to (among other things) :
- – Identify timetable/schedule conflicts or potential delays
- – Manage time-distance and time-space between trains
- – Manage train priorities, schedules, train size and type, power, direction, connections, drop-offs and pick-ups
- – Identify potential slots where new services could be added
- – Strategically plan and schedule track and signal maintenance (apply/remove speed restrictions)
- – Manage resources – personal (crews), and trains (trip times, locomotive miles etc)
These are the kinds of day to day challenges facing a normal real-sized railroad, so why not apply similar conditions to your model railroad layout? Replicating real life conditions can add considerable operational interest to a layout and make the hobby so much more enjoyable!
Article supplied courtesy of the online Model Train Club.
Dull Colors For Distance
The further away you stand from an object in the real life, the duller (or grayer) and less clear it appears. The viewing distance for models doesn’t usually vary much with their scale, so the smaller the scale, the duller the colors need to be. You can achieve this scale effect by mixing colors (full-strength) with varying amounts of light gray, white, or gray-blue.
Keep a note of any special paint mixes you make up. This is really helpful if you think you might need the exact same color again. You can do this by spraying or painting the color onto a scrap of white card and recording the details alongside.
There are more scenery ideas in the members area of the online Model Train Club.
Bachmann Diesels
Donn asks readers:
“I have 4 Bachmann diesels, all with on board dcc, and I want to add sound. Is there a printed how to manual or something to show step by step instructions? I am new to this. Thanks”
Comment below.
Getting Started In Model Trains
Those new to this wonderful hobby of model trains often get disheartened because things seem too difficult and everyone in the hobby (except them), already seems to understand the technical jargon. For a beginner to model trains it can seem like having to learn a foreign language, so many simply lose interest and give up in the early stages.
Unfortunately this is a shame and is not good for the hobby in general going forward. After all, the more people involved in the hobby, the more likely manufacturers will be to bring out new product ranges at competitive prices. If fewer new people join the hobby, then product ranges will diminish over time and prices will increase.So, it is really in everyone’s best interest to help and encourage beginners to get started. That is precisely what I try to do with this free model train blog. It is even better when experienced model railroaders chip in with answers to questions and submit useful articles for publication.
There are more helpful ideas to build your model train layout without making mistakes at the online Model Train Club.
MTH Model Trains
Herb wants to hear from others in the hobby:
“I’ve begun to upgrade to sound on my engines. My 1st was a MTH SD70ACe which I ran for about 15 minutes and the main board shorted out. After about 4 months and several hundred bucks I’m now running it. I bought a twin to it and ran it for about 2 months and it developed a short. I’ve sent it to MTH for repairs. I pre-ordered a MTH SD35 back in April and MTH still hasn’t delivered it to the seller. What’s up with MTH? I’ve always heard they are the state of the art? Any opinions?”
HO Engine Monkey Motion
Roger asks:
“I have an HO gauge English (name of Company) 0-4-0 Yardbird Switcher engine similar to those used on the Pennsylvania R.R. I purchased it in the 1950’s. I need a monkey motion for the driver setup. This was sold separately when the model was produced. If anyone knows where I can get one I would appreciated the information.”
Comment below.
GP5 Loco and Tender by Graham Fisher
Marks asks readers:
“I have what I think is a GP5 loco and tender by Graham Fisher. I am in serious need of a lot of parts. The motor is in good order and all parts move. There is no body on either the loco or tender. Does anyone know where I can access detailed pics?”
Adding Details to Your Model Train
There are many small details that can be added to model railroads to improve the design. The following ones are ideas for any layout for it to depict a real railroad system.
- Decorate your locomotive with graffiti.
- Using Sobo glue for windows makes them look real.
- Make handrails for F units out of brass wire.
- Spray the windshield with a dull coat to render it the frosted look.
- Weathering is essential for all trains.
- Use rubber from old tires to make wheels.
- Add lights and sound effects.
- Give carriages a dusty and old look.
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