These signs will get visitors to your layout talking. If you want to add a bit of fun to your train room, then you can download one or any of these signs with the compliments of modelbuildings.org.

Download and share any of these train room signs for free: http://www.modelbuildings.org/free-train-signs.html

A great little scene from a model train show in New Zealand held in Whanganui.

More scenery suggestions.

Alan sent in this short video of his impressive South Wales layout. It looks excellent. Perhaps he can add some more details using the comments link below this posting.

I’m sure others in the hobby would like to see a photo of your model railroad. To add a photo simply use the comments link below this posting, then add a few words about your layout, then click the BROWSE button under your words to upload a photo from your computer. It is really easy, so give it go, as I know others would like to see what you’ve done.

This photo was sent in by Rick.

Joey asks readers:

“Could you please advise what are the best train show or conventions in the US? I’m looking to attend a trade show this year but really would like the best one available and the largest one since I am a newcomer?”

David asks readers: “Well, it’s that time of year when modellers turn to the Christmas tree, and the north American tradition of running a train under it. Over the years I have purchased a number of G scale train sets running on plastic rails. Two of the four sets that I got got dirt cheap from my local Target/Kmart are radio controlled, but effectively on/off, forward and reverse with no speed control function.

Does anyone know a cheap and nasty retrofit so that I can control the speed of these battery operated locos and maybe, one day, turn them into a “proper” railway?”

Our first Christmas poll asked: Will your layout have a Christmas feature this year?

Results were as follows:

• No, my layout doesn’t suit a Christmas theme (51%)
• Unfortunately I don’t have a layout yet (27%)
• Yes, I’ll add a hint of Christmas to the layout (15%)
• Yes, my layout will have several Christmas features (8%)

Blog reader Richard W sent in this photo of his layout to share. He doesn’t give any details, so maybe he could add some in the comments under this post.

This type of incident is all too frequent, but fortunately this scene is a model and not a real rail bridge crash. Just as well, because who knows what that brown tank could be storing. Misjudging the height of a rail bridge underpass can be dangerous, disruptive, and costly… but some bridges seem to get hit time and time again despite clear signage.

The scene was filmed last year at the Great Edmonton Model Train Show in Alberta, Canada.

The results of the last poll confirmed what most of us probably suspected:

The Question was – Do you prefer operating freight or passenger trains?

Freight (65%)
Passenger (20%)
I don’t have a layout yet (15%)

Although passenger cars can add greatly to a layout, they are more limited than freight trains in that they usually run the same route with the same cars. Freight trains pull into yards where a lot of switching happens, their loads change, they visit industries, ports, etc – so provide lots of operational possibilities and variations.

We’ve listened to the readers who requested a function allowing them to post, not just a comment, but also a diagram or photo when answering a question. Good news! We have resolved the “techie stuff” on how to make it happen, so now this service is available.

To try it out, simply watch this video, because all is explained in simple terms.

IMPORTANT: All comments and photos are forwared to the Blog Moderator for approval prior to publication. This is to prevent spammers from trying to spoil things, and to maintain the highest standard of content. For these reasons, confusing or badly worded questions (and answers) are not published.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: This blog is a FREE service for the model railroading community. Please support our sponsors, because without their help this blog would not exist. Thank you.

Don is about to take a giant leap and asks readers:

“I am thinking about switching from O gauge trains to N gauge because of lack of space. Which brand of trains do you recommend as I know nothing about N gauge trains. By the way train video looks great.”

The latest poll asked: What scenery theme do prefer to model?

• Results were as follows:
• Countryside – 28%
• Mountain Range – 21%
• Industrial – 18%
• Urban – 14%
• Woodland – 10%
• Rolling Hills – 5%
• Waterways – 3%
• Desert – 2%

Total Voters: 392

This quick video shows how easy it is to travel by high speed bullet trains in China. Although the bullet trains don’t travel as fast as aircraft, they have other advantages: You get to see the countryside; they are more comfortable than planes (loads more leg room); there’s no waiting at a luggage carousel (your bags travel with you); check-in time is less (up to 15 minutes before train departs), and the bullet trains are ALWAYS bang on time!

This short video is interesting to watch (and share with friends).

The video was shot in Guangzhou, Southern China. The APM train has no driver and runs to the 600 meter tall Canton Tower where you can ride a 6 meter per second elevator and climb aboard one of the glass bubble trams that rotate on rails around the OUTSIDE of tower. There is also an observation deck and glass bottom floor if you want to further test your nerves.

You are welcome to share this on Facebook, Google +, or by email with friends. I hope you found it interesting.

In some countries a “below ground” commuter train system is called the subway, or the underground, but in China the system is commonly referred to as the Metro. And (as you’ll see in this short video), Metro lines are expanding in big cities across China. It makes sense really, because apart from being environmentally friendly, underground trains reduce road congestion, and reduce the reliance on cars, motorbikes, and buses. They are also incredibility efficient at moving large volumes of people quickly.

As an example; in Beijing an average of 9.3 million people use the Metro daily. In Shanghai around 8 million use the Metro daily… and those numbers are increasing as more lines get added. Beijing already has 18 lines (319 stations), Shanghai has 14 lines and 337 stations… and expanding.

In cities across China (like Wuhan, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dilian, Chengdu, Ningbo and Xiamen to name a few), construction is underway to build new metro lines underground.

In China the stations and trains are spotlessly clean and well maintained (no graffiti or litter anywhere). Most commuters are busy on their mobiles and just want to get from A to B.

Blog reader Ken counts the day Hurricane Ivan destroyed his much of his model railroad.

A Bit of background – Back in September 2004 Hurricane Ivan caused widespread devastation in the United States and Caribbean. Ivan reached Category 5 strength in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the tenth biggest Atlantic hurricane on record (Ivan was the size of Texas). Accompanying the weather system were 120 tornadoes. After reaching full strength, Ivan moved north-northwest striking Florida as an intense Category 3 storm. The hurricane caused an around US$18 billion (in 2004 money) of damage in the United States.

Let’s hear from Ken –

Here are some pictures of my layout taken the day before Ivan struck. An 80′ pine tree fell diagonally across the roof, crushing one wall and displacing the entire wall off the foundation. The building was deemed unrepairable. I’d at least taken all the rolling stock and locomotives off and put them in storage, so they were saved. I’ve salvaged some of the track and turnouts, but most were too damaged to use again.

Ken goes on to say –

Not saying I can’t learn something new, but I’ve been model railroading for 45 of my 64 years. I enjoyed your Tips book, and like getting the emails/links. I’m a member of two model railroad clubs, one for 21 years. I was a member of a third that gradually disbanded as the members died off. I’m not expecting to kick off any time soon, but who knows? My closest model railroading friends are even older than I am. One started his first model railroad layout when he was the age I am now, and he’s nearly 78 now.

We need young people in our hobby! We need a way to make the leap from “Thomas the Tank Engine” to actual scale model railroading. And we need females in the hobby!

How many ladies of any age do you know that are active, dedicated model railroaders? It’s 99.9% a male hobby, and it shouldn’t be. My daughter loved creating HO scale trees and shrubs, and helping me landscape the layout.

I lost that layout (and the entire 20 x 16 building) to hurricane Ivan in 2004. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ivan ) We were on the east side of the storm when it made landfall along the Mississippi/Alabama Gulf Coast.

Since then I’ve been helping my friends work on their layouts. One is a 12 x 16 N scale two-level layout, and the other (belonging to the 78 YO) is a 30 x 35 two-level HO scale masterpiece. Learning DCC technology has been a real experience after 40 years of DC block control layouts.