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!
Locomotive Service Sheets
Brian asks:
“Where can I get the service sheets for a Deltic D9002 and for an Airfix class 31 please? I have been on the Hornby site but I don’t know the numbers. Please if anyone can help?”
Southern New England Model Railroad Club
Jason shared this photo from the Southern New England Model Railroad Club display. The man seems very relaxed with the diesel loco passing by.
Using LED Loco Headlights
Ron posted this suggestion:
“Just to let everyone else know I used LED lights to upgrade diesel engine headlights. They are brilliantly bright white on my diesel engines. If you haven’t tried LED’s I recommend you give them a go. They even light up details on my structures and scenery when the room lights are switched off or dimmed. Just so you know they’re miles better than regular lights, and heaps more realistic. Well that’s my opinion anyway.”
Derby Model Railway Exhibition Photos
Ray sent in these interesting photos from the Derby Model Railway Exhibition.
Add a comment below.
Isolating Heisler Drive Line
John has thus question:
“I have an HO brass Heisler and need to isolate the drive line. It consists of a square brass tube and a square rod smaller than the inside of the tube. I can’t seem to find anything to allow the slide and keep it insulated. Any suggestions please?”
Chassis for Shell
John has this question:
“I have just purchased a nicely detailed new (old stock) HO Athearn GP7 GP9 shell. I would like to pair it with a powered dual flywheel chassis. Does anyone have advice on a brand and model that will work? I have not received it yet so I don’t know the dimensions. Thanks.”
1/72 Models on HO Train Track
Bob is hoping someone can help:
“I’m considering getting one of those really big 1/72 German WWII military railway gun models for the HO layout and putting it on some kind of track.
I’m thinking for a static display I could probably get by with just a few feet of track. I believe I could make the track to suit the model’s trucks using code 100 rail on plastic HO tie strips. Of course I would prefer to be able to pull the models like any other piece of rolling stock.
The only way I can see to set up the models to be pulled by a loco would be to use HO track and either modify the model’s trucks or replace them. I doubt if the model’s wheels and axles would be suitable for actually moving the model. The prospect of scratch building four or eight 5-axle or 6-axle trucks is a bit daunting.
Has anyone set up one or more of those big guns on a layout, or tried to do it? Thanks for sharing your experience.”
Locomotives and Tracks
“Hi everyone, I am Karthik from India, I’m new to this hobby of rail road models, my question is that, there are a large number of manufacturers in model railroads. Is it possible that an N Scale KATO or MICRO TRAINS made locomotives and rolling stock can run on ATLAS or BACHMANN made N scale tracks or a Flexitrack?”
Running Multiple Trains
Joel wants to learn more about the hobby and asks this question of more experienced model railroaders:
“Watching some vids I think I see multi trains on the sam mie line, but one is stopped while another is in motion. Is this possible or should I be using better ventilation as I paint? Thanks.”
It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced railroader or an absolute beginner, don’t be embarrassed to post a question no matter how simple or complex it might be. The best way to learn and progress in the hobby is to ask plenty of questions. Most model railroaders are more than happy to share their experience and particuarly encourage newcomers to the hobby. We all began with abdolutely no knowledge, so send in your questions if you need help with anything regardless of how simple or unusual your question might be. There are probably plenty of others reading this blog who will want to know the answers too.
Wheel Gauge Adjustment
Benj sent in this question:
“I want to alter the wheel gauge on my O-Scale 2-track truck. The wheels are actually too close together. Do any of your blog people know what to do?”
Add your comments by using the COMMENTS link under this posting.
Athearn Engine Wheels
David asks:
“Can anyone tell me how to the size HO loco wheels with a digital caliper?”
Shipley Model Railway Society Trains in Operation
Thanks to Jason for sending in these photos of trains on the Shipley Model Railway Society layout in the UK. The Society was founded in 1978 and has around 40 members who come from towns across Yorkshire including: Ilkley, Keighley, Otley, Guiseley, Harrogate, Horsforth, Bradford and Brighouse.
Layouts in the clubrooms are 4mm and 7mm (EM and OO gauges). The Society operates trains from Great Britain in the 1920’s through to the present day. It has an assortment of European, Canadian, and American rolling stock.
Replacement of Athearn Wheels or Trucks
David asks:
“I have an F-7 b unit by Athearn. It has a bent wheel. Does anyone know where to purchase replacement for the blue box?”
Improvements to Basic Layout
Lucky is just getting started in the hobby and seeks advice from others who have progressed to a more advanced level. Here is his question:
“I am new to modern age of model trains. I set up a basic set for grand kids. It is very “Mickey mouse”, so I would like to move up to reasonably priced set with latest features. Maybe still retaining the style of loco and cars young children would enjoy, but with an improved power supply. The Lionel booklet suggests an 80 watt transformer cw80. I assume I will need connection to track? Any help would be appreciated.”
Which Track Type or Brand is Best?
Reg S posted this question to the Blog Moderator by using one of the ASK A QUESTION links on this Blog:
“After buying a Bachmann train set for one of my grandkids I decided to have a go myself and construct a simple layout in HO scale. After looking around online I see there are multiple choices. Although the E-Z Track type looks easy and foolproof,…maybe what I need… ha ha… it doesn’t look so real or flexible enough if I want to make changes later??? Also, I read that Bachmann is not all it’s cracked up to be??? I know it is priced cheap so maybe you get what you pay for???
I would like to hear from the old hands at this on what is the best type or brand of track for me considering my layout will be fairly basic. Thank you to everyone.”
If you would like to comment on this question from Reg, or provide an answer, all you do is add your comment under this post. All comments go to the Blog Moderator and, unless they contain spam or don’t make sense, will be published usually within a few minutes depending on the time of the day.
Adding Hidden Pulling Power To A Train
Ghan Train Australia
Purna asks readers the following:
“Can I make my HO scale train more powerful by adding more locos which are “hidden” in the skin of carriages? Will it be effective? And can all such locos be synchronized well (without derailing etc.) Is DCC good for that? My real objective is to make a GHAN train with two visible locos (even though the rest of the powering locos are hidden) with a number of carriages about 50 in my model layout… Have any of you tried doing this? Will the power of the train drop if the track is too steep or with lot of bends”
The Ghan’s 2,979km (1850 mile) journey takes 48 hours and has been operating from the through central Australia since 1878. The train runs from the far south up through the middle of Australia to the far north. The Ghan was originally called the Afghan Express. The Ghan name is from 19th century Afghan camel drivers who ventured to Australia to help to explore the country’s remote largely arid interior.
Truck and Coupler Replacement on Passenger Cars
Robert M models N scale and asks:
“I am just starting out in model railroading and would like to change the trucks on my passenger cars to 6 wheel trucks with knuckle couplings. I am not sure what would work best and would appreciate any advice and suggestions. I have little knowledge in terms so it would have to be rather straight forward. Thanks.”
Problems With Class 42 Warship Diesel Mainline Make
Edward seeks help from fellow OO gauge enthusiasts:
“Hi everyone, I’m having problems with my Class 42 Warship Diesel loco. When it goes round my inside layout with r605 curves and single curves of same radius, the bogies jump of the track. Does anyone else had this problem? I’ve checked wheels for correct flange width. I checked the track, and all looks okay. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks. Edward”
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