Others
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!
2-8-8-4 HO Steam Engine
Rob B asks:
“I have an HO 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone steam engine since about 1950. It is basically a brass engine with a wood boiler. I would like to know the origin and manufacture. Thanks.”
Running Model Trains After Hurricane Ida Flood
Gary was impacted by Hurricane Ida and asks:
“We had IDA dump 10” in our basement. None of my O scale train equipment was damaged. My question is, the track. I had kept a 50-55 degree humidity. It has come down to good numbers. I’m worried about the track surface. What should I do and/or use.”
Adhesives and Glues
Kent asks:
“I found an old kit with paints and 1,1,1-trichloroethane glue and paintbrush cleaner. It is in “Bachmann bros. painting fluid and glue”. Is there a replacement for this?”
Post your answer below.
Identify The Engine in Murder on the Orient Express Movie
Andrew posts:
“I heard there were some USA built steam engines operating in France after WW2, which made me curious as to the type of loco used in the 2017 movie version of Murder on the Orient Express. It looks unusual. Does anyone know more what type it is?”
POLL RESULTS – Is the market for new brass products really dead?
Thank you to everyone who voted in our recent poll which asked: Is the market for new brass products really dead?
You had your say and the results are in. 49% said Not sure, 32% NO, and 19% YES.
Cheap Rolling Stock
Usually, the advice from experienced model railroaders is to buy quality over quantity, but as James points out that is not always the case:
“Now if you are going to buy cheap, buy real cheap and use them for show. I buy real cheap Cars and use them on the layout in a number of ways. Old flat cars can be used for bridges, etc.”
Thanks for the quick tip James.
What Scale For New Model Train Layout?
Andy sent in this question:
“I’m in the very early stages of planning a layout which won’t be started for at least 12 months. The absolute max area will 12 x 5 feet. Probably a bit smaller than that. Based on the logging and mining operations on Vancouver Island pre 1950s, I will include, a logging camp, a coal mine, and a small port. I was thinking of using N scale but there aren’t as many detailed accessories as available in HO. Any suggestions, please? Thanks.”
Impressive Water Scene
Grant sent in this photo to share. It features an ariel view of a water scene on a layout displayed at The National Train Show in Salt Lake City, USA, in 2019. The illusion of different water depths adds to the realism.
If you have a photo to share or a question to ask, send details to the Blog Moderator by using one of the many ASK A QUESTION links on this Blog. If you have a photo or drawing for publication the Blog Moderator will contact you advising how to email it.
Police Office and Prisoner Cells on South African Trains
Regular contributor Peter Field from South Africa shared these interesting photos and story:
My layout is currently covered due to the transformer speed controller packing up and non-available here in Natal but have sourced two in Cape Town which is being sent up to me.
In 2010 with the World tournament soccer in South Africa, the police commissioned the railways to build I am told about 12 of these mobile charge offices that would be attached to certain passenger trains to convey people and fans between games in RSA. As they were expecting the hooligans to arrive from Europe and England. However, they put these charge offices on quite a few passenger trains operating then.
The charge office comprised of a charge office, counseling room, toilet, shower, and two to three-compartment for 5 to 6 officers who would be on duty for the duration of the journey, and yes 4 small lock-up cells at the rear of the coach with small fanlight windows. After the games, they were stored and recently brought to control crowds in the trains from Corona Virus with distancing, etc.
I have seen them on container trains as well as they are used to guard the containers on route to and from Durban harbor that were being broken into and items stolen.
Here is a picture of a charge office and some interior shots of the office.
My Kiwi (New Zealand) Diesel is doing well here amongst the South African Railways locos on my layout, as it is a lease and lend loco to the SAR fleet. Cheers for now and good running!
If you have a story or layout picture you would like to share, please make contact with the Blog Moderator by using the ASK A QUESTION link below.
Track Attached to Plywood or Cork?
Clint writes:
“Before attaching my track directly to ply should I lay down cork first? What should I use – track tacks/nails, or glue what type?”
Add your comments below. And, remember you can have your question published too. See the ASK A QUESTION link below.
JMRI Digitrax LNWI LocoNet WiFi Interface
Brian asks:
“My HO layout is DCC running a Digitrax DCS52 Command Station and a Digitrax LNWI LocoNet WiFi Interface. What device connects a laptop PC running JMRI to your layout? “
The Little Engine That Could – I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can.
In the spirit of Watty Piper, author of “The Little Engine That Could”, Ron submitted this question:
“I have a charming little engine that I’m sure I can hear puffing out ‘I think I can, I know I can’. I get the feeling it wants to grow into a DCC engine, and I would like that too! My little switcher is an 040 by Model Power. It was cheap to buy (no offense little engine), so I am uncertain if it can ever become DCC? Can someone say yes or explain how I am to break the bad news to my little engine if it can’t ever become DCC? Please help!!!”
HOn3 Comparison With HO
Rick asks:
“Can HO rolling stock trucks be switched out to N scale trucks to accommodate HOn3 style modeling on narrow gauge track? Does a HOn3 engine look proportional with HO rolling stock? If HO rolling stock trucks can be switched to accommodate HOn3 for narrow gauge track would the rolling stock be too long for the smaller radius turns? Is there a special size truck that can be used for this application?”
You can add your comments below.
3 Engineers and 3 Accountants…. Clever Thinking!
We don’t usually post jokes, but because it’s Christmas how about this one sent in by Ryan:
Three accountants and three engineers were traveling by train to the same conference. On arrival at the station, each of the three accountants bought a ticket. With some bewilderment the accountants noticed the three engineers purchased only a single ticket. “How can three passengers travel on a single ticket?” asked one of the accountants. “Observe and you’ll see,” replied one of the engineers.
All six boarded the train. The three accountants took their seats, however, the three engineers crammed together inside a small restroom and locked the door behind them. Not long after the train had departed, the conductor started collecting tickets. The accountants watched as he knocked on the restroom door saying, “Ticket, please.” The door edged open a fraction and a single-arm poked out with a ticket in hand. The train conductor took it and moved on.
After witnessing this, the three accountants agreed it was a cunning trick. So, on their return trip from the conference, the accountants decided to pull the same ruse and save some money… accountants are generally considered to be astute (even frugal) when it comes to money. Arriving at the station, they purchased just one ticket for their return trip. To their amazement, none of the three engineers bought a ticket. “How do you expect to travel without a ticket?” said one of the puzzled accountants. “Observe and you’ll see,” replied an engineer.
After boarding the train, the three accountants made for the restroom and crammed inside. The three engineers squeezed into another restroom nearby. The train soon departed, and it wasn’t long before one of the engineers left their restroom and walked across to the other restroom where the three accountants were hiding. The engineer knocked on the door and said in an authoritative voice, “Ticket, please.”
Gift Cards Proving Popular
If you want to drop a hint to a family member on what they can get you for Christmas, then a Model Buildings Gift Card is a good option. They can nominate the value, and you can select which plans you want to download. Easy!
https://www.modelbuildings.org/gift-certificate
Train Club Near Minneapolis
It is great to get new people involved in the hobby. John posted this question:
“I am new to the hobby. What I would like is a club that meets somewhere near Minneapolis where I live and has layouts to work on and show off. Is there such a clubhouse near Minneapolis?”
Non-Specific Locomotive Bodies
Barry asks:
“A question from Victoria in Australia. I am returning to the hobby after far too many years and have started to acquire some HO locos and rolling stock before I get started on a layout. I have an SD40 loco all decked out in the BHPBilliton livery so am wondering if there are any non-specific bodies available for this model? BHPBilliton was the company that ran ore trains in Western Australia so not really appropriate for my planned Victorian-based layout. Appreciate any suggestions.”
FREE Scale Converter Sizing Tool For Converting Real and Scale Model Sizes
The online calculator is totally free to use and is perfect for converting from model railroad scales to the full real-world size of structures and trains.
Access the free scale model conversion calculator from the Railroad Resources link in the top Navigation Bar at https://www.modelbuildings.org
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
