Cecil has a question for readers:

“I have a lot of track but no locomotive and no cars. 23.456 ft of track. I go to e bay a try to get things but get out bid. What do I do to get what I want? I don’t want to sell any of my track. I want to make a big layout. What to do?”

We recently ran a reader poll asking “Do you know how to add a comment (or answer) to a posting on this blog?”

We were staggered with the results. Despite our techies insisting the method for posting comments was easy to use, a massive 63% of readers disagreed and said they didn’t know how to post a comment on the blog. Shock! Horror! We had no idea there was such a problem.

The New Easy Way To Post Comments

To fix things we now include two links directly UNDER EACH POSTING where readers can post a comment or ask other readers a question. The links appear under EVERY posting so they are easy to find. Obviously to keep the quality of posting high (and to avoid unwanted spam comments), all comment need to be reviewed and approved by the blog moderator. This is a quick process and most comments will be live within a few minutes or few hours.

So, there is no excuse for not having your say and getting involved in the discussions on this model train blog. It is now really easy to have your say and share your ideas.

The results of our recent reader poll are in. There were 431 responses to the question: How would you describe your overall level of experience in the hobby?

42% = Average skills (180 Votes)
21% = Reasonably experienced (92 Votes)
18% = Limited skills (76 Votes)
15% = Beginner level (63 Votes)
4% =Very experienced (20 Votes)

Models trains are much older than most people think, with a history dating back to almost two centuries! The first model train, Birmingham Dribbler, was built in 1840s and used a real steam engine to run. These early models were fascinating except for the downside that they were running without any rails!

Some people outside the hobby get confused between model railways and miniature railways.  Although the principle is the same, they are completely different in that the latter can actually carry real humans and are powered by powerful engines. So if you get asked the difference, then that is the simple answer.

Some in the hobby would say the most important requirement for a smooth running model railroad is to invest in good locomotives. Yes, good quality locomotives are essential if you want to operate your layout with the minimum of stoppages. However, there are several other key elements including: well laid track with correct gradients, adequate power for the number and length of trains, and a workable and interesting track plan. This list could go on and on, because when everything is done well it reduces the risk of problems occurring. Just one thing (e.g. a poorly aligned track) can minimize the effects of the elements that are operating efficiently. There’s an old saying, “you’re only as good as your weakest link!” It’s true!

It goes without saying that scenery is also important. If the scenery looks artificial it can spoil the entire layout. Buy or make realistic model railroad scenery to preserve the originality and add miniature figurines, and appropriate automobiles etc to make it look even better!

For excellent ongoing tips and ideas join the Online Model Train Club – it’s proving very popular and is improving every month.

How to start collecting model trains and build a fascinating collection? Unlike, many hobbies, model train collecting should be done with planning. Random shopping for great deals may help you to get some excellent models but this is not a good idea to build a great collection.

To build a great collection, you need to focus on a theme and start collecting popular models based on it so that your collection will look complete. Model train collecting can be an expensive hobby, so it is not recommended to collect without a focus as your collection will always feel incomplete.

Model train hobbyists in New Zealand follow a wide range of scale sizes and most websites make certain that locomotives, cars and tracks are available throughout the country. However, if you are looking for a track size that is regarded as standard, HO scale is a great option for you as it is widely popular.

There are model train clubs throughout both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Established clubs include: the North Shore Model Railway Club Inc, Tauranga Model Railway Club Inc, New Plymouth Model Railway Club Inc, Wairarapa Railway Modellers Inc, Hutt Valley Model Railway Club Inc, Nelson NZR Modellers, Christchurch Model Railway Club Inc, and the Otago Model Engineering Society Inc. If you’re a Kiwi (New Zealander) reading this blog posting and would like to add further information, then please add your comments to this posting.

The results of the latest poll are in and are published below:

Question: Are Family Members Supportive Of Your Interest In Model Trains?

• Yes they are very supportive (46%, 181 Votes)
• Most of the time they are (26%, 103 Votes)
• They tolerate it (20%, 80 Votes)
• The pets get more attention (8%, 29 Votes)

I guess that’s good news as around 72% of family members are supportive most or all of the time.

The Civil War is one of the most fascinating accounts of American history and you can bring all the excitement of our great ancestors through Civil War Model Trains. It goes without saying that this model train is an essential collector’s item and is a must have for a serious hobbyist. Make sure to read history books to understand the train models of the Civil War era so that you can order models that match the exact specifications. I you can you could choose a custom model train builder that builds Civil War Model Trains in limited numbers as it will help you to maintain the exclusivity of your collection.

Results of the latest poll are in. Visitors to the blog were asked, “What Aspects Of The Hobby Do You Enjoy Most?” Results were as follows:

• Making Scenery (116 Votes)
• Building Structures (105 Votes)
• Operation (96 Votes)
• Planning & Design (87 Votes)
• Wiring And Technical (67 Votes)
• Detailing & Weathering (46 Votes)
• Repairs & Maintenance (33 Votes)
• Historical Research (23 Votes)
• Making Friends (22 Votes)
• Sharing Ideas (22 Votes)
• Other (6 Votes)

The Chairman of this historical foundation has sent in this update for readers:

We are a 501c3 organization and have been in operation for 6 years, since the last update on the web site besides the 0-6-0 Steam Engine built in 1953 from England we have received an L and N Caboose two Jittneys a old antique flat car with wooden brake shoes and the dining car.

We have secured the Old Train Depot for the Museum and we are now working to restore the 0-6-0 Steam Engine and put most of the parts back on because it was to heavy to move by truck we then will sand blast and paint it, there were only four built two have been scrapped and one is still in England so we have been told.

The Museum has Display Cases which are full of antique items but we also have train layouts for the young and old, Lagrange is one of 3 towns in the USA that has at least 25 trains a day going down the center of main street.

The poll results are in. A total of 395 model railroaders responded to the question “When Do Your Work On Your Layout?”

• All Year Round (54%, 214 Votes)
• Mainly In Cooler Months (26%, 103 Votes)
• I Don’t Have A Layout Yet (16%, 64 Votes)
• Mainly In Warmer Months (4%, 14 Votes)

Peter Field from Pietermarizburg South Africa has sent in this article to share:

In later years model trains became my media for creating a small South African village and country side scenery that I so enjoy in my spare time and as we grow older we need to make time to relax and spend time with our hobby.

In the past few years I’ve built a number of layouts 4 to be exact some very basic whilst others have been quite complex in design, however the basic point was to operate model trains.

I had now started my new layout (back in the garage)  number 5, on a board that was used for the 2007 Model Railway conference in Westville which has also been used for the Bisley Miniature Live Steamers hobby fairs over the last two years, which has been modified somewhat from the original board which is now mounted on a steel frame table.

My present board was started  as a demonstration board of 1.80m x 1.20m the idea was to show people that you could operates HO on a small board and still enjoy what was on the board, however there were plans afoot to add another board to this also being 1.80m x1.20m in the near future which will give me a straight run of 3.6m on each side and the other side will represent a Karoo scene with on or two farms and a very small village a three to four houses and a shop and a garage.

At present my new board houses a replica  of Hilton Station built by Eric Tucker and a factory some houses a Wimpy and Service station, working farm with a combine harvester and animals on the farm with a windmill and a real country atmosphere, a church scene and two shops, the layout has a tunnel, some cuttings two signals still to be connected and a spur that runs to the factory and the engine sheds and a staging line.

All houses are lighted as well as the streets etc.

As the board is wired as such I can operate one train on small we call it board A in a loop formation whilst on board B we can shunt or make up another train whilst the train on Board A is running it’s section.

When I am ready I close all the points and the train can now go from board  A to board B in one big loop as long as the pints are all closed on board A. Then again when it’s finished it run I can close off board B and open the points on board A and revert back to two operations on separate boards.

Once again it’s fun to spend time operating the layout, seeing it change every so often and make improvements. As when is necessary.

As previously mentioned there is always some thing to do be it track maintenance, fixing this or that improving or changing a building sorting out wiring beneath the board etc.

And so 2011 dawned and it was time to add another board to the layout which was duly completed which now gives me an additional a total length of +- 16 meters to operate trains.

I still operate trains most Saturdays which I find very relaxing and gives me time to recapture those memories of the past and of my child hood riding behind those “giant steeds” of the past.

Well in November 2011 I had to go to Cape Town on leave and collected my Class 25 Condenser and returning home put it on the board and after running well suddenly ground to a halt on the one corner the reason being the radius of the corner was only +- 24 “ and as the size of the locomotive dictated that a minimum  of +- 32” was needed and after considering this it was decided to alter the boards yet again by adding on 1.2 meters to cater for the wide radius of the wheels.

This meant rebuilding sections of the board and changing scenery which was duly done and the Class 25 Condenser can now negotiate the corners quite easy and lovely to watch going through the corners.

The board is now completed with a game reserve with elephants, giraffe, rhino, and hippos and other animals imagine going through the game reserve by rail and seeing these animals.

With that came a game lodge and two small farms and thus the layout was completed in six months time.

Now I can run a Class 25 Condenser or Class 34 diesel through my board be it a passenger train, container train, fuel train or a coal train.

It still looks spectacular going around the board with what ever train is running.

If you are a regular visitor to this popular blog, you will have noticed some gradual changes over the past few weeks. You will have noticed the exciting NEW LOOK, and as from today we have made it easier for you to comment on postings. You no longer need to register with Google.

To add a comment, you simply click on the BLUE title of the posting and you’ll be directed to a page where you can add your comments. Most comments are approved within minutes (or hours) and get published on the blog.

Remember, this blog is for you, so get involved and comment on individual postings.

Neil has a question for readers:

“I am looking for an accurate representation of the B60b baggage car in the Lindbergh Special to substitute for the model in Lionel’s se. It isn’t even a Pennsylvania Railroad type and is as long as their P70 coach.”

Add your answer below.

Graham sent in an update on his layout:

“Hi guys. I’m a fifty two year old returner to the hobby after a twenty five year or so gap. Anyway I have built my new dream layout on two levels at 12 ft x 12 ft with a central operator island.I have four tracks in a radial pattern. On the top level one side has a dock area ,scenery includes a diorama with various shipping. The opposite side will be mining, as this will be an industrial plan, there will be very little housing or countryside.

I will have a turntable on the top level and the same on the bottom directly underneath. The top one will be set amongst the sheds, behind the through station and the bottom one be for turning locos to the shed area. The top tier has a cutout section or well to allow the top tier to join the bottom level via a sloping curve.

At the moment I am running the track from the top to the bottom. My next task is to overcome the double flap in the corner. This consists of two dropping flaps to allow access to my boiler for maintenance. This means getting track level and boards to align, good fun. I have just finished wiring two bus wires on both levels, wiring in turnouts. Next task turnout motors after teaching myself soldering.”

Comment below.