This short film presents the a brief history of model railroading through the years.

I’m sure you’ll find the old “newsreel style” BBC voice entertaining! The footage is courtesy of the US film Archives.

Enjoy!

This 2 minute video from Dan Izzo is very interesting to watch. Well done Dan.

In a few days the folk at www.modelbuildings.org will be releasing a new series of 6 Wild West scale buildings to download. I’ve seen the Sheriff’s Office and General Store assembled and the detailing is exceptional. The clever twist is that they will be supplying extra signage so that various buildings can be easily altered. So the signage on the General Store could be changed to read “Boot & Shoe Repairs”, or possibly “Draper.” So with a little extra effort and no extra cost, the Wild West Town could become a 1930’s country town. Clever!

Also, in a few weeks they hope to be ready to release a series of model mining buildings to download. I’ll let you know when they’re available.

Thanks for all the amazing feedback from those who downloaded the 16 free wall posters I gave you a few weeks back. I’m glad you enjoyed them!

This week I have another fun A4 wall poster you can download and share for free. It is totally free – there are no catches – you don’t need to enter a name and email address or anything like that. You can even email it to friends or post it on your Facebook or Google Plus page if you have one. It is just a bit of fun, so I hope you enjoy it. You can download load it here for free as a PDF file.

If you missed the other 16 FREE railroad posters you can download them free here.

Download 16 Train Room Signs ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE!

At the bottom of the same page is a link to a couple of free railroading infographics and a model train cartoon. These may be of interest to any of you who have websites, as they can be published for free.

These signs are all courtesy of the folk at modelbuildings.org, so please support them if you can.

People in developed countries certainly enjoy the benefits of generally fast and efficient train travel, but in some countries the trains are very crowded and the infrastructure is older and slower. This quick video shows some interesting scenes and comparisons. Feel free to share it with your friends.

The 16 FREE A4 signs I mentioned on the blog last week proved very popular. It sounds like a lot of people have printed them out and put them on a wall near their layout. Others have shared them with friends, so that’s good news!

This week I have a couple more FREE signs for you. They can be printed out, or published on your Facebook Page or website, or emailed to friends. The first one features a drawing of ‘The Dedicated Model Railroader.’ I don’t know whether you can relate to this guy or not. Click here to get the FREE model railroader wall sign.

The second poster is what’s technically called an ‘infographic.’ This is because it is a graphic that includes information. It too is FREE to download and print for the wall, or it can be posted on Facebook, or published on a webpage. The infographic show some interesting railroad facts that will be a talking point for visitors to your layout. Click here to get the FREE infographic.

And finally, a model railroading cartoon that can be printed for your noticeboard, posted on Facebook or on a website (if you have one). Again, it’s intended to be a little bit of fun. You are welcome to share it with friends. Click here to see the cartoon.

See below for the 16 FREE signs I gave you last week.

Here’s a bit of fun! Our friends at modelbuildings.org now have 16 novelty signs for your workshop or train room wall. You just download them (there is no charge) and print them out. You can pin or stick them to a wall or perhaps laminate them, or even throw a photo frame around a couple.

Although they are copyrighted, you are allowed to share them providing you don’t alter them in any way or try to sell them. These 16 model railroader signs are FREE for you to download here.

BE WARNED: These signs will create a lot of interest and discussion. Your family and friends might not agree with everything they read on these signs, but they’re just meant to be a bit of fun. I don’t think anyone will get upset, but you might take a bit of a ribbing, especially if you remotely resemble the fellow on the left.

Remember to share the link with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, by Email, and Google + etc. The free signs are quickly and easily downloaded in PDF format. ENJOY!!!

This old piece of footage from 1938 shows how a steam train was built in the workshops at Crewe Engine Works in England just prior to the outbreak of WW2.

When building a model railroad layout it is well worth putting in place systems to safely store the model trains and any spare gear you might need in the future. It is also a good idea to have systems in place to organize your parts and tools so that you can easily find and access anything when needed. Being tidy and organized will remove the frustration if you can’t find the parts and accessories when needed. It could also save you hours of time when everything is well organized and at your fingertips.

Tips For Looking After Your Valuable Trains

When trains and track are not on display they need to be kept safe to avoid dust or damage. This will help keep them in good condition and help retain their value.

1. Try to keep trains stored in the original boxes if you still have them

Keep them away from direct sunlight or fluorescent lights in a dry area. Those little silica gel sachets can be stored inside the boxing to help keep out moisture and humidity. The metal parts are less likely to rust and the boxes shouldn’t become musty. Store them so the trains don’t roll around inside rub against something.

2. Wrapping trains safely

Be careful when wrapping trains in newspaper as the ink could smudge over time. Bubble wrap gives good protection, but if wrapped too tightly, the bubbles can leave circular markings. Also, be aware that plastic and tape can tear off decals when too tightly up against tinplate or plastic items.

I know this sounds fussy, but also be careful if wrapping valuable trains in old clothing. Even though the clothing may be clean, it could have residual detergents, chemicals, or clothes dye, which could “over time” remove color or detailing. You might need to put the clothing through 2 or 3 hot wash cycles using your washing machine to remove all the residual chemicals.

Alkaline (acid-free) tissue paper is usually suitable for wrapping metal and plastic items. Use 2 or 3 sheets wrapping the item first in one sheet, then in a second, and possibly again in a third sheet. It is a good idea to stick a little label on the outside so that you know what you wrapped. The silica gel sachets will help control the humidity. Also make sure all items are dry before storing. Remember too, that polyethylene bags can trap in moisture. A dehumidifier can be money well spent.

3. Wrap items according to the need.

For example, I would wrap flatcar loads separately. Rubber tires can get out of shape if squashed for a long time in storage. The rubber can also react with the chemicals in plastic over time. If you do separate the loads from the cars, keep the separate wrapped packages stored together so that each load goes with the right car.

Avoid using rubber bands as they break down and stick to surfaces over time. If feasible, store car loads upside down as this will remove weight from the tires. Mounting other loads using blocks of dry wood is an option if it keeps the load off the car surface. You can also use this method when displaying trains on a shelf.

4. Beware of sharp edges.

When storing expensive trains be careful to avoid potential scratches from exposed staples, nails, screws, or anything else they could come in contact with.

5. Try to keep the humidity to around 50 – 60 percent.

If you have an Indoor Humidity Monitor you can measure the daily humidity of where your trains get stored. You won’t want the humidity too high or too low (paint and decals can crack, plastic can warp). A temperate of between 55F (13C) to 72 (22C) is the best range.

Safe Organized Storage

There are numerous options for parts storage ranging from compartmentalized cupboards, drawers and boxes either plastic or wooden. Have divisions in the containers or drawers makes it easier to find things and keeps everything neatly separated.

Here are a some storage options from the most expensive to cheapest.

A. Storage Cabinet System B. Storage Tower C. Oak Chest with Dividers D. Tool Box with dividers E. Storage Cart with 6 Drawers F. Storage Case Rack G. Compartment Divided Box

The results of our latest reader poll are (in my opinion) somewhat surprising with 56% not really interested in applying prototypical operations on their layout. I thought that figure would have been lower, so it seems I was wrong in my assumption.

429 readers voted in our recent poll which asked “Do you enjoy prototypical operations on your model railroad? (with switchlists, waybills, regulations, timetables etc.)”

Results are as follows:

–> NO – that’s not really me (56%, 242 Votes)
–> YES – sometimes I do (15%, 63 Votes)
–> YES – definitely (10%, 45 Votes)
–> YES – most of the time (7%, 28 Votes)
–> I haven’t got a layout yet (12%, 51 Votes)

Add your comment.

This photo kindly supplied by Fred was taken in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Fred says, “It the Market -Frankford Subway Elevated line of the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) aka The Blue Line. This line’s track Gauge is 5 ft 2 1/4 Inc Gauge. Its aka is Keystone Gauge. The line is not far from where I used to live back in the day when parts of this line was captured in the Movie “Rocky” Sylvester (The Italian Stallion) Stallone.”

Add your comments.

Fred sent in these photos to share and says:

“I have been a rail enthusiast or train spotter as you guys call us since my draft bait days or as you refer to it as National service in my travels I served in Vietnam and Germany I now reside in The Orlando Florida area I used to live in Philadelphia PA. If you ever visit Philly Bring a lot of memory cards or plenty of film or both I have been doing 35 mm photography since my active duty days Color Slides for the most part a lot of my been there and done that’s are Boston Atlanta Ga, & Savannah Ga. Plant City Florida Steamtown USA in Scranton PA. Black River & Western IN Ringoes N.J. Atlantic City N.J and San Diego  I really want to share some of my back in the day stuff I hope you guys like these These are at Frankford Junction in Philly I used to live a 10 minute drive 20 minute walk from his location I hope you guys like these.”

Add your comment.

If you have never heard the term “infographic” it basically refers to information that is presented as a graphic. Infographics are an easy and interesting way to learn new things.

Here is an example of an fascinating infographic about the changes in Model Railroading through the years. It shows the trends and how the hobby is developing. It makes for interesting reading and is well worth sharing with friends.

Click here to view the infographic full size.

Also, if you have a website, facebook page, or blog you can publish the full size infographic provided it is not altered in any way. Details are on the webpage when you click the link above.

Enjoy!

Gerry asks readers for help:

“Where does an absolute beginner start when wanting to layout/build an oo gauge railway for his grandson, on either a 6×4 solid base or a 8×4 folding base? Should I go DC or DCC? Where can I get a good shunting type layout?”

Add your comment.

You can submit a model railroading question for possible publication on this blog which has thousands of regular readers.

All questions need to be approved by the Blog Moderator and only the best questions get published. Please thoroughly check your question for accuracy and spelling before submitting it for possible approval.

Submit Your Question Here

There are no guarantees you question will be answered, but most experienced model railroaders are keen to help others and well thought out questions usually get a good response.

If you are an experienced model railroader and would like to help others by writing an article for publication on this blog please use the following link. We have thousands of readers and I’m sure your experience will be appreciated.

Submit Your Article For Publication

The yardmaster’s job in a model railroad is to organize the cars according to the destinations to which they are headed. Once that is done, the yardmaster then has to come up with the order in which the trains have to be sent out. Once that is done, the trains are lined on the departing track. The yardmaster then has to wait for clearance from the dispatcher. Following the clearance from the dispatcher, the train heads towards its destination. Since a regular 24 hour session is compressed to usually a maximum of 4 hours for an operating session, the trains must be on schedule.

346 people voted in our recent poll which asked: Did you make any new years resolutions, or set goals for the coming year relating to model railroading?

The results were as follows:

–> YES – I decided to finish a project I started (16%, 56 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to start a new project (9%, 32 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to fix a problem that has been annoying me (7%, 24 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to increase my general knowledge of the hobby (6%, 22 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to expand my layout (6%, 21 Votes)
–> Yes – I decided to increase my understanding of DCC (6%, 20 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to buy new trains, structures, or accessories (5%, 18 Votes)
–> YES – I decided to clean my layout (4%, 13 Votes)
–> No – I made no specific resolutions relating to the hobby (32%, 109 Votes)
–> Unfortunately I don’t have a layout yet (9%, 31 Votes)

Our recent poll asked “Did you get any trains or model railroading accessories for Christmas?”

The 394 participants said:

–> YES – I got what I was hoping for (31%, 124 Votes)
–> Yes – But not what I was expecting (6%, 20 Votes)
–> No – Unfortunately I missed out (52%, 206 Votes)
–> No – I haven’t got a layout yet (11%, 44 Votes)

Add your comment.