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!
Lionel O Identification
Tim was to get his late father’s Lionel set operational again and would like help or suggestions from readers:
“How do you identify model numbers in Lionel? My father had a Lionel “O” set-up, but he passed away 9 years ago and I am really new at this. I have the set(s) now and want to clean them up and repair where needed. I can not find serial numbers, but there are cab numbers (ie. 681, 8142, 8609, 8040, 1666, etc.), plus 3 without cab numbers. I would appreciate any help from others using Lionel. Thanks for any help.”
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Dangerous Chemicals On Steam Locos?
“I am an Italian railfan and I need some information. I have read on a label applied on the back of the box of my LifeLike’s Heritage series steam locos that it contains chemicals dangerous to health. If this is so what elements are they? Paints, metal, plastic or oils? Are they dangerous to eat, smell it or what? Does anyone know? I have little children at home and need this information. Thanks a lot.”
Scratch Built Engines
Duane has an N scale layout and would like to hear from anyone who has sratch built engines:
“I am building a Z scale layout and would like to know how I can build a powered locomotive from scratch. Are there any parts available to do so?”
Post your feedback by clicking on the green comments link below.
How To Get The Most From Your RR Layout
Here are 7 quick tips to help you get the best from your layout:
- Aim to have a heavy locomotive with adequate power available.
- If you want to run really long trains then it is best to have clean track that is level or with only gentle curves.
- Keep your trains well maintained.
- The wheels on the locomotive should be kept clean, traction tires clean, bearings lubricated (including side rod linkage on steam).
- Have the locomotive motor checked regularly.
- Rolling stock should have clean wheels and lubricated bearings.
- Couplers should move freely to maintain alignment.
For more model train tips go to http://www.model-train-help.com
Thank You To Model Train Enthusiasts Across The World
Every week I get hundreds of emails and unfortunately I can’t reply to them all. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words of encouragement. It is so good to know that so many people are benefiting from the tips and ideas in my Model Train Help ebook. It sounds like some of you are constructing some amazing layouts.
I’m really pleased to hear the ebook is ‘hitting the mark’ regardless of readers individual preferences for particular brands, scales, or operating systems. I must admit I was conscious of this when writing the ebook, so I tried to make it suitable for everyone rather than limit it just one scale or system. Here are snippets from some recent emails:
“Hi Robert. I just can’t express how much I’m getting out of your book. The part in the book on electrically joining two baseboards saved me from making a big mistake, so I’m really glad I bought it. It’s a really great product and I’d recommend it to anybody who wants to avoid making mistakes.”
S Taylor, UK
“Thanks to Model Train Help, I’ve learnt the correct way to take off decals without damaging the paintwork on my trains.”
B Moore, USA
“Over the decades, I’ve bought many books and railway plans. This is, hands down, the best and the most comphrensive resource of them all.”
P Evans, NSW, Australia
“I got your train book as a birthday present for my husband 🙂 He is always talking about it. He enjoys it sooooo much!!!”
Julie B, UK
“We have not many train supplies here. I like reading your book and build a railway with friends. It help me very much.”
V Sharma, India
“I downloaded the e-book and the additional material without any problems. Not bad for a 79 year old dinosaur. The section on making trees showed me some things that I wasn’t doing presently. Easy to read and I like the big print.”
T Edwards, CA, USA
“I have not had the chance to thank you Mr Anderson for all the help you have given me. Your book has been by far the best money I’ve ever spent on my layout”
R Tremblay, Quebec, Canada
“All I can say is AWESOME, I feel like an expert after reading your model train book.”
R Patel Wolverhampton, UK
Car Trolley Train For Hawthorn Village Scene
Art is trying to locate a trolly/train to complement a Hawthorn Village scene – HO or smaller. Here is his question:
Am looking for 1 (or more ) car trolley. H/O track ends at 15″, for a U turn. Hawthorne Ceramic Holiday villages appear to be HO scale or slightly smaller. My layout is on a credenza 14″ wide so it needs to negotiate a 14″ U-Turn at the end if a credenza. . could extend with a ply wood base but prefer not to do so. Any suggestions from your readers will be appreciated.
To help Art simply click on the green comments link to add you feedback on this posting.
Atlas, Marklin, Fleischman, Bachmann, Accurail, Aristo-Craft, Athearn, K-LINE, Lionel, Roco – What Is Your Pick Of Train Manufacturers?
Matt wants to hear from others in the hobby regarding their manufacturer preferences, opinions and stockist suggestions for buying train supplies:
“I used to have a HO set in Germany, but have not used it since I moved to Canada 20 years ago. Now with having a 6 year old son and a rather large basement I am absolutely looking forward getting into it again. I brought my set with me and I plan to set it up agin here as part of the ‘new’ big set, with the old one being the Europe section and the new being the Noth America section.
My question for the blog readers is -I would like to have their advice on what brand (for engines and tracks) to go with, as I live in a small town in BC and have no access to a store to compare and get advice. Also, can anyone recommend a store where I can buy all my supplies including buildings, landscape items, vehicles, trains etc. My first choise in Germany would be Marklin, with Fleischman being second, but here I have no clue what is available and what is good or not.Also, can different manufacturers be compatible among each other? Thanks to everyone who helps in advance.”
To add some feedback click on the green comment link below.
4008 and 4242 Locos Used In Australia By Pacific National
Colin has a question for Australian model railroaders about 4008 and 4242 locos used by Pacific National:
Your readers may not be able to answer my question about local railroad locos and rolling stock under Queensland Railways logos here in Australia, but here goes anyhow. I would like to find the big locos being used by Pacific National for freight services here in Australia at the moment, 4008, 4242 etc, even if I have to paint the decals myself. Does anyone have any ideas where I could buy these locos and rolling stock that are used on our local rail network? Everyone seems a little vague about where I may purchase these items here, there are very few around. I would like to build up a local railway yard and surrounds if it’s possible. Thank you in advance to anyone who answers.”
Also, to you Robert, I would like to thank you for your useful information on model layouts. The scenes I have seen are very good, I’d like to incorporate where possible.”
Suggestions from Australian readers can be posted using the green comments link below.
Hornby Trains Down Under
Brian from ‘down-under’ in New South Wales, Australia wants to hear from readers with suggestions on the Hornby train he is looking at purchasing:
“I am looking to build a layout incorporating NSW trains & have seen ho models available in Hobbyco Sydney.I was also looking at a hornby set(virgin train in oo) with a digital transformer.Would a ho model loco & carriages run on this set.”
To help Brian with his Hornby Trains question, simply click on the green comments link below and add your feedback to the blog.
Reader Needs Help With Marklin Locomotives
Del would like to hear from anyone with experience operating Marklin locomotives:
“I bought some Marklin trains about 15 yrs ago and due to a number of moves am finally ready to get serious about doing a layout. The problem is that in the meantime the technology has changed to where all the Marklin locomotives have now gone digital, something I know little about.
If it were North Americal trains I was dealing with, there are any number of resources I could tap to gain the knowledge I need. I am located in Saskatchewan Canada and even with a population of 1M people, we have no Marklin dealer in Saskatchewan.
I have been trying to locate the names of some Marklin members to tap their knowledge re Digital etc but have not been able to find any. The nearest dealer is about 300 miles away.
When I know the layout of the tracks etc , I will concentrate on the scenery etc. If any of your readers can help me I would be very happy to hear from them.”
Suggestions from readers can be posted using the green comments link below.
Model Train Videos Prove Popular
Thank you for the excellent feedback on my series of model train videos – I’m glad people are enjoying them.
If you haven’t already had a look at the free sample video you can access it here http://www.model-train-help.com/sample-video.html
Here is some info on a couple of videos in the 42 model train video series:
Video #17. Electrics Explained
In this video clip, James explains the control panel he built to control various points on his layout including the signals. He shows you how he has motorized all the turnouts on the main tracks and why he’s left all the other turnouts, such as the interchange, as manual throw turnouts. James has used different methods to attach the turnouts depending on their location on the layout and shows how he has mounted the DCC system under his baseboard.
After a quick tour James explains how to measure the track voltage and how to reduce the voltage to prevent decoders from overheating or failing. He then shows you step-by-step how to build a ‘diode matrix’ set.
Video #23. Making Scenery Foliage
Florist foam is an inexpensive, versatile material to use when making foliage and groundcover for your model railroad layout. Watch how to go about it step-by-step. Then, see a demonstration of applying ‘dried moss’ as foliage. It is so easy when you know how!
The model train video series is available at http://www.model-train-help.com/member-only-videos.html
Starting Off In The Hobby
John is a beginner to model railroading and would certainly benefit from the Model Train Help ebook. Here is his question:
“I have been wanting to start my HO layout for some time now. I have constructed an L shape 8×8 table, purchased track etc. Could someone please guide me through the steps of construction through finish?”
LGB Locomotive 2070
Leah wants guidance from readers on the vale of a locomotive (I presume he wants to sell it on eBay):
“I have an LGB locomotive labeled on the bottom 2070 and on the box 2070 D. I cannot find a value and want to trade it. Does anyone know what it is worth please?
Suggestions from readers can be posted using the green comments link below.
Recommended HO Steam Engines?
Larry wants to hear from model railroaders who operate HO steam engines:
“What are the best made DCC HO steam engine on the market as far as being trouble free?”
To comment click on the green comments link below.
Scratch Built Locos Made Using Pen Refills
Subhash from Bombay in India scratch builds his own trains and is doing this before he constructs his model railroad layout.
Here is what Subhash has to say:
I have made Mumbai suburban EMU trains. I have a set of 6 cars but I will run only 3 cars. I would like them to run to & fro like real trains. When I build my layout there will be up & down tracks. I plan to have a train come to a terminus and then run on the other track. I want to run around 3-4 EMUs at a time.
My problem is my loco is not functioning properly and I am hoping a reader might have some suggestions to fix the problem. As I said I have made the locos, carriages and wagons myself.
The loco has brass wheels and aluminium track. I have also done my own gear assembly. The trains runs on 12 V supply but not on 6 V. There are lots of jerky movements (the movement is not smooth). Can anyone help me please?
As a matter of interest, I use pen refills in construction. The wire is coiled on a small screw driver to make springs etc. I am even making even the track.
Robert comments: There really are some clever people and hopefully Subhash will send in some photos showing how he scratch builds his locos. If you have some suggestions or ideas to help Subhash please click on the green comments link below and add your message.
U.S. Military Railroad Color Scheme
Palmer has an interest in the Civil War and Model Railroads and would like to hear from like-minded people:
“I am both an HO scale model railroader and a Civil War re-enactor. I plan to include a tv re-enactor scene from the siege of Petersburg. This scene will include U.S. Military Railroad box cars as well as cannon armed cars. I have black and white photos of that time period, what I need is an idea of the color scheme used by the U.S.M.RR. for the box cars and troop carrying cars. Can one of your readers who shares my interest in Civil War history please help me?”
Comment using the comments link.
Small UK Model Railway Club With Different Scale Layouts
Club member Mike has submitted this info for publication:
The A19 Model Railway Club is a small RR club in Sunderland UK. The club have layouts in N (under costruction), OO, ON2 HO and G.Members of the A19 Model Railway Club meet Monday and Thursday evenings 7-9pm, Sunderland UK.
What Christmas Train Sets Are In Santa’s Sack This Year?
Christmas decorations, the turkey and model trains – they all seem to go together.
Christmas is the time when many of us think about setting up a Christmas scene on our model railroad layout, or running a train around the Christmas Tree. It is also a time when Children and adults alike, get introduced to the hobby of model railroading. It is usually the result of being given a Christmas Train Set.
So what could be in Santa’s sack this year? Have a look through the stores and search the Internet and you’ll find a good range of Christmas Train Sets to choose from in N, HO, O, On30 and G Scale including:
N Scale Christmas Train Sets
- Bachmann – White Christmas E-Z Set N ScaleMicro-Trains – North Pole Village set 12 Piece Set N Scale
HO Scale Christmas Train Sets
- Bachmann – Grinch’s Whoville Special Set HO
- Bachmann – Yuletide Special Set HO Scale
- Bachmann – Shrek’s Holiday Special HO Scale
- Life-Like – Nostalgic Heartland Express Train Set – HO
- Model Power – All Metal Holiday Spirit Trainset – HO
- Bachmann – HO Thomas Holiday Special Train Set
- Life-Like – Holiday Rails Trainset HO – w/ knuckle couplers
- Model Power – HO Christmas Train Set w/EZ Track
- Mickey Mouse And Friends Christmas HO Electric Train Collection
O Scale Christmas Train Sets
- Lionel – Polar Express Train Set – O Scale
- Lionel – North Pole Central Passenger Expansion Pack O Scale
- Lionel – North Pole Central Freight Expansion Pack O Scale
- MTH Electric Trains – 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler R-T-R Christmas Train Set w/Proto-Sound
- MTH Electric Trains – Trolley R-T-R Train Set Christmas O Scale
- Lionel – North Pole Central Christmas Train O Scale
G Scale Christmas Train Sets
- Bachmann – Night Before Christmas Train Set G Scale
- New Bright – Holiday Express G Scale Set
- Bachmann – North Pole Special Set G Scale
- Aristo-Craft – 0-4-0 Christmas Passenger Set R/C G Scale
- Lionel – Holiday Tradition Express G Scale Set
- Bachmann – Wonderland Flyer Set G Scale
- Lionel – The Polar Express G-Gauge Battery Operated Train Set
- New Bright – Sleigh Bell Holiday Express G Scale Christmas Train Set
- Aristo-Craft – 0-4-0 Freight Starter Set R/C – Christmas G Set
On30 Christmas Train Sets
- Bachmann – Jingle Bell Express On30 (Jingle Bell Express set includes a 2-6-0 steam locomotive with operating headlight, coal tender, box car, tank car, gondola, bobber caboose, 56″ x 38″ oval of nickel silver E-Z Track with 12 pieces of curved track, 3 pieces of straight track, and 1 plug-in terminal rerailer, E-Z Track couplers on all cars, Spectrum power pack, and VHS format video with assembly instructions.)
- Bachmann – Northern Lights Limited On30
- Rudolph’s Christmas Town Express Electric Train (Individual train cars are On30 scale and run on HO train track)
- The Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Electric Train Collection (On30 scaleruns on HO train track)
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