David wants help from others in the hobby and asks –

“I am having problems with the decoder in my hornby pondolino. I use Digtrax contols. Does anyone know what the problem is, or what I might be doing wrong?”

Roger is hoping an experienced model railroader can provide some guidance and asks:

“Hello I would like to start a model train layout someday but I can’t decide what type of layout to do. Should I do an old steam engine theme or a new diesel type? I am from North Central Pennsylvania, a small town called Johnsonburg, which has a long history of railroading. What should I do to make the choice?”

Roger, perhaps start by reading the Model Train Help ebook, as it sounds like you would benefit hugely from the information. You could also start reading info on the internet, and in books, magazines to see what takes your interest. I’m sure others will want to comment. If you search this blog I think you will find feedback on similar questions. There is no right or wrong answer, however there are several factors to consider. Keep reading and researching.

Toby asks readers:

“I’m trying to upkeep my pfm trains/and sound system.I know PFM is NO longer around. I have parts to do one or two more engines, but I need instructions for wiring /assembly etc on these parts, maybe a small clue would help?”

Randy is trying to locate some train parts and is wondering where to source them and asks:

“Where can I locate a set of drivers for my Samhongsa CN e10 mogul. The current drivers are not on center. They are cast zinc and have broken at a the screw hole of a link connector. The wheels are scaled to 63″ diameter. The current set comes with bushings to permit a spring movement.”

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Marc is hoping some LGB model railroader will help him out with this question:

“We have a LGB starter set with no instructions and we do not know how to set up the electrical wires. How/where to the clips attach to the track? How to connect the red/blue wires to the box? We are obviously novices. Thanks for any help.”

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Thad asks readers for help:

“My train set has been packed for 2yrs. I just started it as my hobby but I move around a lot. Will my tracks need cleaning? If so how do I do that and with what. I put track up and sparks come from underneath the locomotive while it is running. Thanks for any help.”

Thad, the Model Train Help Ebook has lots of useful ideas on track cleaning.

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Mike has a question for readers:

“I have an old computer and I want to use it to run my layout? Where do you find info on this? I need to know how involved it is, is it worth the hassle? What is the price – will it cost a fortune? I am not good with computers, there has to be some hard wiring involved, and where can you find the software?”

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Walter is hoping for some help from someone who might know how to fix his model train problem:

“Sometimes, it seems for no reason, my MTH Engines fail to respond to the remote control. Even though the engines (or engine) is on the track, the remote says ‘engine not on track’. This happens when the engines were running correctly and powered down and you come back a week later and this condition exist. I play with wires, the engines, and check the track until it finally responds…but I don’t know what the problem is. This has happened enough times, that I have become very frustrated with the DCS system. I have both Lionel and MTH engines and love the MTH engines more than the Lionel which makes this condition all the more frustrating?”

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Taf is new to the hobby and asks you for help:

“I have just started to build my first model rail track, but I am short on space. I have a 6×4 space to play with. I would like to have 4 trains running continiously with one long track. The only way I can see it being done is on a two tier system. Can anyone think of a way to go about achieving this? I would also like to have sidings for several carriages, and hopefully a station. Is that possible. Can anyone think of, or come up with, a plan so that it would look authentic? Any help with this would be great.”

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Paul want thoughts and opinions from readers and asks:

“I am presently contemplating beginning work on an HO model train layout. I am interested in two steam locomotives. The first loco is an 1880’s wood burning 4-4-0, similar to the one that pulled the first train into Vancouver in 1886 (#374). The other loco is the Royal Hudson 4-6-2. I also want to keep all my rolling stock within these vintages. I have limited space, so all I may ever do is settle for a static display…but I can always dream. I have contemplated a portable set up. Any help would be appreciated from anyone. Thanks.”

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Geoff asks readers for advice on selecting an era to model and about mixing steam and diesel on the same layout. I’m sure some you experienced model railroaders will have some thoughts on the matter to guide Geoff:

“I am new to this hobby and cannot make up my mind as to which era I’d like, my leaning is more toward the steam era but I also like the diesel and electric. Would it look wrong if I were to combine all or should I run them separately at different times? Also if I had The Flying Scotsman, The Golden Arrow and The Mallard together would they be OK running side by side? I hope that you understand what I am trying to say. Please could your readers give me any advice relating to the eras of the trains?”

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Edwyn has a question for readers that has been discussed before on this blog.

“My clear understanding is that Bachmann, for example is HO scale and gauge. ie: HO =. 1/87 Hornby, on the other hand is OO scale and HO gauge. OO = 1/72. What is the relevance of the number of sellers who now list their HO and/or OO scale models (not buildings} as HO/OO. I bristle when I see Bachmann, Athearn and Atlas listed as HO/OO, or Hornby listed as HO. I’ve even had a local retailer get quite abusive and tell me that there’s no difference!”

Robert comments:

A lot of people involved in the hobby of model railroading refer to HO as being the equivalent of OO. It is true that the two scales are similar and a close comparison, however they are NOT exactly the same. OO is more commonly used in the UK and HO in other parts of the world including the USA.

The 2 scales are different, although the closest comparison. HO being 1:87.1 and OO being 1:76.

It can be a bit of a trap when advertisers list their locos and rolling stock as HO/OO. There can be a really noticeable difference in size between 2 items in the 2 scales.

One keen enthusiast emailed to say “I got caught in the early stage of modelling and bought a couple of carriages which were listed as HO/OO when in fact they were OO and much larger than my HO counterparts. I do believe the 2 scales should be treated quite separately and not grouped as one.”

Richard commented earlier:

“Whilst true scale OO gauge is 18.83mm most ready to run is actually 16.5 mm, the same as normal HO. I have run many HO locos on my UK OO track without and real issues. Most of my track is code 100 and the HO wheels seem to be happy with this as I would expect.”

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Dave has a question for those readers in the UK and asks:

“Hi Could any one tell me the reason British steam locos didn’t have headlamps as well as the two lamps on the buffers.”

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If you haven’t already spotted it, there is a new poll for readers to participate in. These polls are always popular, and you will find the latest one in the right hand column.

David has a question he should probably ask the manufacturers of Lionel:

“Is Lionel really going to make the American Flyer S scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy available before the decade is over or at all?”

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Lou has a question for O Gauge model railroaders and asks:

“Does anyone know if on a track with switch tracks, can I run two trains, with two separate transformers? I am a new to model trains.”

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Here is a short question from Steven:

“What is way or best program to computerize my h o train.”

It is a shame Steven didn’t give us some more details about his layout and what he is trying to achieve. However, readers with experience in the area might want to offer some advice.

Use the green comments link below.