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!
Kit Bashing Kids Toys with Kato
Steve contributed this idea:
“Given all the home time I wanted to share what I’ve done with a Mattel and Fisher Price Thomas trains , I’ve disassembled them , and cut open the frames and installed Kato 4 wheel drives into them so they can run on N scale track. I’ve also done the same with the minis and put Rokuhan drives in for Z scale makes for one of a kind trains that can’t be brought in the store and a good way to get little kids interested in model railroading.”
Joe Shares Photos of His San Juan Creek 12ft x 8ft Layout
Joe Graffi has kindly sent in some photos of his layout to share, and writes:
“I model in HO and these are some recent shots of the 12’x8’ layout. The time is late steam, prior to 1950 in the area of N.W. New Mexico & S.W. CO. Most of the landscaping is from photos I took along the Cumbres & Toltec. The town is San Juan Creek and is supported by: San Juan Lumber Co. and San Juan Coal, as well as Talones Packing Co. (cattle) and Ochs Oil Distribution). The local railroad is “San Juan & Central”. The “Santa Fe” passes through and has a station at Grants N.M.”
The bottom left photo shows a 0-6-0 with a consist of empty flats just past the planning mill. Joe makes all of his own decals.
South Hills Model Railroad Club Modular HO Layout – Scott Township – Pittsburgh
Richard shares this info – “Our model railroad club (South Hills Model Railroad Club) in Pittsburgh does 4 events a year displaying our modular layout. This scene is from onboard a train at the March 2019 show.”
Charles Shares A Photo of His 8ft x 4ft Loop
“Hi all; I have been reading this Blog for a couple of years and have used several of the comments and suggestions towards my work. I have a 4’X8′ HO loop with a couple of turnouts. I also do Pizza Box N scale and T-Track. It’s not much but between the clubs I belong to and sites like this I have to say I’ve made a real Mess!” Charles Treft
Shane Shares Photo From The Great Electric Train Show
Shane from Buckinghamshire in the UK writes:
“Hi Robert, a great suggestion from you to send in photos and ideas to share at a time when we all need perking up. Here’s a photo I took at The Great Electric Train Show. It’s a scene I really liked and hope it heartens fellow modellers from around the world.”
Inspire Others With A Photo Of Your Layout, or Share a Clever Tip On This Blog
Most of the world is stuck indoors, but we in the model railroading community share a wonderful common interest in the world’s greatest indoor hobby. I have friends that usually fill in their days gardening, or playing golf or tennis, and apart from perhaps watching TV or reading a book, have no indoor hobbies to keep them busy. They are doing it particularly tough, as are those who have been personally touched by the sad loss of a love one or friend.
Although it would be great to instantly return to life as normal, at the moment we all just need to hunker down and make the best of a bad situation. I know model railroading could be seen by many as a form of escapism, but we all need to stay strong, healthy and sane as we stay safe whilst hoping and praying for the return of better times. Keep busy and hopefully the days will pass by quicker and with a little less boredom and worry.
Helping others is also a great way to stay in touch and keep positive. That’s why I would welcome any articles, tips, layout photos you can share on this community blog. Send in your suggestions and tips by using one of the many ‘Ask a Question’ links on this page. If you have a photo to share (only one per person please), let us know in the same way and we will let you know how to email it to us for publication. Share a photo and a few words about your favorite locomotive, or a piece of scenery you are working on or completed, or a building you are constructing. I’m sure others would like to see what you are up to.
141 R1288 Lima Tender Stockist?
David L wants to locate a stockist for an HO steam train model 141 R1288 Lima tender. He asks: “Can somebody can help me to find it? Thanks a lot.”
Walthers ML SD70 Engine Issues
HO enthusiast Matt sent in this question:
“I have a Walthers ML SD70 that runs almost perfect around my track. Just purchased 2 Scale Trains and 2 Athearn SD40-2’s. All 4 stutter or just don’t go at all. I made a small round test track that I could get them all to work after a few min with help nudging them along and would run fine. put them on my long track even with 2 power points in the middle and nothing again. “
Add your comment under this post.
Problem With Mantua 4-6-0 Locomotive Running Sluggishly
Dean sent in this question in the hope someone can assist:
“I have an HO scale Mantua 4-6-0 Rogers type steam locomotive and am having difficulties trying to figure out why it’s causing problems. It runs sluggish and almost stops at times. I did some troubleshooting by giving it an oil and cleaned the wheels but it hasn’t resolved the issue. I’m wondering if it could somehow relate to the binding? I admit it hasn’t been run much recently. I’m certain it’s not a track or power pack problem because I’ve operated larger engines on the same setup with any problems. It is sure to something that’s fixable, but what? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated. Thanking you.”
Send in your own question for publication using one of the ASK A QUESTION links on this blog.
Add a comment in answer to Deans post by using the COMMENTS link under his post.
Missing Couplings
Mark will hopefully attach a photo in the comments section of his post where he asks:
“ I purchased two HO 4-6-0 hornby steam trains with tenders but having just looked closely I don’t see how I can connect them as there appears to be something missing, am I correct? Will need to attach photos when I can.
See marks photo when he posts it in the comments section under his post.
Will a 1/76 Tank Fit a 1/87 Flat Car?
Miles sent in this question:
“I spotted a Sherman tank I really like for an HO scale flat car load. My dilemma is; the tank is not HO or 1/87 but is more like 1/76 scale. Will this still work on my HO scale flat car?
Submit your own question using one of the many ASK A QUESTION links on this page, or add a comment to help out Miles with his question.
Beginner Needs Help With HO Tyco 897 Train Set Transformer
Brian needs advice on his Tyco train set:
“I have just inherited a small HO Train set from a family friend. Just wondering where to go to get info on hooking up transformer and testing engines to see if they work?”
Digital Control on Garden Tramway
Bill T sent in this pic to share:
“Always enjoy your blog and information. I am in Scotland, so here a picture of my Garden tramway. I use Z21 to digitally and control it on my iPads and iPhone. When visitors come we can all run trams. There are 14 trams to choose from for the system all digitised. The overhead is not electrified but the pantographs correctly run on it to make it authentic tramway practice. Share on your site if you wish.”
Recording Data and Inventory of Trains and Accessories
Robin asked:
“I did a few excel spreadsheets when I was employed and thought I should start a record of my growing collection of locos, cars, coupler types etc. I then started to think of all the other things I could record like where I purchased the item, price and date, manufacturer, model number, prototype length in feet, maintenance history, wheels configuration… there’s probably no limit if I wanted to go crazy. My question is this – should I use a spread sheet which I could backup on a cloud or portable hard drive, or should I purchase software that will do the job, if so what software? Also, what data should I record and how should I organize it into groups? A lot to ask I know, but I value feedback from anyone who has already made these decisions on where to start and where to finish. Thanks in advance.”
Add or view comments below.
Unsure of Train Scale and Model
Umbra asks readers:
“So my grandpa passed away a few years ago and one of the many items I received from his collection was a model train. It had 3 pieces of track, 1 Santa Fe locomotive, 1 Santa Fe Shipping car and 1 Union Pacific Coal car both cars being an almost brownish red. Up until now I’d been using them as display pieces but I’ve gotten more into model trains and would like to get them running. Only problem is I don’t know the scale or name of the train. He’d probably own it for years before I got it so there’s no box or instructions for me to check. At first I thought it was a Santa Fe F7 Warbonnet but the fans atop the train are bunched up at the rear of the train and not alligned in the middle, I’m almost 100% sure it’s O scale but I could be wrong. If someone could help me figure out what the train’s called it would help me a lot.”
Add your comment.
Transformer Cord Residue
Kim has this question for readers:
“When I unpacked my O gauge Pennsylvania Flyer Train Set for under my Christmas tree this year, I noticed on my transformer cord that there is some kind of white paper like sticky substance, here and there on the cord. Is it safe to use? I have been trying to peel it off with my fingernail and wondered how, where and why this has happened. I am very careful with my set and I don’t remember this on the cord when I boxed it up last year. Thank you.”
Vaping Liquid as Engine Smoke?
Tom asks:
“My question is, can vaping liquid be used in smoking engines without doing any damage?”
1947 Vintage Lionel Train
Chris asks:
“We believe our Lionel train is a 1947 vintage train set. Our power source works. The lights come on the locomotive and the caboose. The train went around twice and then stopped. We can tell the engine is engaged and makes somewhat of a growling sound, but it won’t go forward or backward. We have checked the tracks and they are intact. Any suggestions?”
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