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Model Railroaders Need Help
This model railroader blog is for you to use and share ideas with others in the hobby.
Here are three questions submitted by fellow model railroaders who would like some help.
If you are able to give some suggestions or advice, simply click on the green comments tag below. I’m sure they will appreciate your thoughts.
Model Railroader Question 1:
“I have a question. I’ve just constructed a 6 x 10 foot wood table setup. Will be running American flyer s gauge. Plywood top with Homasote over plywood.
Anyway, I want to prepare the homasote with a coat of paint. Any idea on the color? What type. I’m not really into realism. Just want a basic set up and will establish scenery as I go along. (with many of your suggestions).
One idea is to use an earthen color and add green later for grass. Or just paint green. I’m kind of reluctant to paint green to prevent pool table look.
For now I just want to start laying track and getting started. Any ideas on what to use to fasten track to homasote? Any help from your readers would be greatly appreciated. “
Model Railroader Question 2:
“Are there any methods to create canted or banked curves with HO flextrack? I’ve never seen a model RR with banked curves. They look great on real RRs.”
Model Railroader Question 3:
“I have a 6×10 layout with 3 different tracks, someone said that I will need a barrier strip and jumper. When train goes at the far end of the layout it slows up a lot or stopping. Would I need the barrier strips and the jumper? If so, how would I hook them up I do not know? Would your readers have a diagram or step by step instructions. Thank you! “
If you would like to help these model railroaders and suggest an answer, simply click on the green comments tag below.
Bullet Trains In Japan Hit 186mph
Japan has been a leader in developing a network of high speed bullet trains (Shinkansen) servicing the main trunk routes.
The first line from Tokyo to Osaka opened in 1964 trains with trains running up to 125mph (200km/h). Average speeds have since increased with improvements in infrastructure, signalling and maintenance.
Most of the bullet trains run on conventional steel rail mounted on concrete sleepers, with the fastest services using dedicated tracks to avoid conflict with slower trains.
The bullet train network operates on two different gauges 42 inches (1,067mm) and 56 inches (1,435mm), however many of the narrower gauge routes are being converted to the wider 1,435mm gauge.
Signalling is largely fixed block, although with the high line speeds, sections are much longer than is standard elsewhere.
Three types of bullet train operate including the 500 Series with its 15 metre-long power car nose designed to reduce wind resistance at high speed.
Read more about travel on the bullet trains http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/train-travel-japan.html
The newer N700 bullet trains reach speeds of up to 186mph. A trip from Tokyo to Osaka by N700 takes about two hours and 25 minutes. The N700 boasts has increased acceleration, which reduces the amount of time it takes to reach its maximum speed.
The capital Tokyo remains the central point for the network which has lines extending west and north.
6,000 Mile Rail Journey
The Trans Siberian Railway crosses over 6,000 miles or one third of the World.
A journey on the Trans Siberian Railway is a trip of a lifetime and one you will never forget. It has been described as one of the world’s greatest railway journey’s. The Trans Siberian Railway runs from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, or on to Beijing, or Japan. Click this link for more details about a trip on the Trans Siberian Railway.
British Decide US Railroad Gauge
The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet 8.5 inches. Yes, it is an odd dimension and comes from British history. You see, the English expatriates built the US Railroads and those were the gauge dimensions used in England. The reason why the English used that gauge is because the first railway tracks were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that’s the gauge they used.
To built the tramways, the English used the same jigs and tools and wheel spacing, that were used for building wagons. They couldn’t use any other spacing, because the wagon wheels would break in the spacing of the wheel ruts which were common on old roads around England.
Note:
Model Railroads is a US term
Model Railways is a British term
Model Railways is a British term
For information on HO Model Trains (OO in Britain)
Two Model Railroad Videos
The new series of 42 model railroad videos is proving popular. They are not flashy productions, but the content of each video is helpful. The videos can be downloaded over the Internet. Here is a little bit of information about two of the model railroad videos:
Video #5.
‘My Railroad’ (Part 3)
On this video John shows his electrical setup and explains scenery construction techniques. He demonstrates a working crane and gives an interesting tutorial on lubricating a locomotive and how to use conducta lubricants for cleaning and lubricating commutators.
Video #6.
‘Trains In The Tropics’
The Cairns/Kuranda Scenic Railway in Queensland, Australia is an amazing example of engineering achievement. This is a fascinating look at the prototype and HO layout including the Skyrail and unique ‘Aussie style’ buildings. Very interesting!
Click here for more information about the model railroad videos.
42 Amateur Model Railroad Videos Released
After a year in the making a series of 42 amateur model railroading videos were finally released today.
These videos do not pretend to be Hollywood productions as they focus more on providing good content rather than flashy presentation.
The 42 model train videos cover a range of model railroading topics and include tours of several private layouts… not normally open to the public.
These videos, available by download, also feature visits to some train shows and include lots of useful ideas and tips to help hobbyists build, or improve their own model railroad. Other video topics cover baseboard construction, electrics, foliage making, DC and DCC operation. The series even includes three videos about building a garden railroad.
These videos range in length but average around nine or ten minutes each. The step-by-step tutorials in the videos provide answers to many common (and not so common) model railroading problems.
Access to these videos is by “membership only” so is restricted to a limited number of keen model railroaders.
To find out more about these model train videos and to read the list of contents and see a sample video click on this model train video link.
Happy railroading!
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota Model Railroad Hobby Groups
Here is a list of model railroading clubs in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota:
Pennsylvania
Track2, Allegheny Northern Railroad Club, Capital PenNScalers Harrisburg, Williamsport North Branch Railroad Historical Society Hughesville, Carnegie Mellon Railroad Club Pittsburgh, The AMRS Hazleton, Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club Elkins Park, DARN NTRAK, East Penn Traction Club Philadelphia, GATSME Lines Fort Washington, Great All Saints Model Train Display Pittsburgh, Keystone N Trak model railroad club Kulpsville, Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society Mechanicsburg, Keystone Chapter of European Trains Enthusiasts Marietta, Lehigh Valley Large Scalers Lehigh Valley – Allentown, Lower Anthracite Model Railroad Club – Shamokin, McKeesport Model Railroad Club, Nazareth Area Society of Model Engineers Stockertown, North Penn S Gaugers Lansdale, Penn State Model Railroad Club University Park, Reading Society Of Model Engineers Reading, Southeastern Pennsylvania HO Modular Railroaders Willow Grove, St. Alban’s Railroad Fellowship Newtown Square, Strasburg Model Railroad Club Lancaster, Western Pennsylvania Railroad Society Hickory, Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum Gibsonia, Youngwood Historical & Railroad Museum Youngwood, Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
Providence Model Railroad Club Providence, Rhode Island Central Railroad Providence, RI Providence.
South Dakota
James Valley Model RailRoad Association Aberdeen, South Dakota.
$1billion paid for two 50 year old Garratt locos
January 2008
A steam enthusiast from New Zealand recently paid one billion Zimbabwe dollars (approx USD$7,500) for two Garratt locomotives built for the Rhodesian Railways in 1953.
Until about ten years ago, the locomotives were in regular use and have been sitting around idle ever since. The Garratt’s were dismantled and shipped from Africa to New Zealand – a journey of three months.
It is expected to take two years to fully restore them and convert the locos from burning coal to oil.
Monticello Railway Museum Swithing Puzzle
You may have already read our last posting about the Monticello Railway Museum. We’ll, Ron who is associated with the Museum, has very kindly sent the following posting which I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading. Here is what Ron has to say about the Monticello Railway Museum layout…
“The 33 ft. X 7 ft. layout was planned to acquaint museum visitors with steam operations during the 1930s/40s. We operate it during the museum season’s special events and it features scale Lionel TMCC steam locomotives, heavyweight passenger trains, scale freight cars, and an 072 minimum radius.
A USRA 0-8-0 yard goat sorts cars in the small yard after breaking up trains or making up trains for the larger road locomotives. Layout operations are accomplished from Lionel’s CAB-1 hand-held remote control units, enabling visitors to view the layout from trackside along its entire length.
I designed the track plan on computer for Lionel Fastrack sectional track. To date, the layout contains an Atlas O #6910 turntable, an Atlas passenger station w/platform, a Heljan 2-stall engine house that doubles as a car shop, a smaller car shop, an Atlas interlocking tower, two Fastrack operating grade crossings, a Lionel operating switch tower, an MTH operating water tower, an MTH water column near the turntable, and John Allen’s Timesaver switching puzzle that visitors are encouraged to try to solve. (Attached are directions for playing the puzzle.)
Still to come are a 6-stall roundhouse, 2 coaling elevators, a sanding facility, 2 more sidings not shown on the track plan, various industries along sidings, a hillside w/tunnel portals, scenery, and a backdrop.”
Operating model train layout in operating rail car
The all-volunteer Monticello Railway Museum was founded in 1966 as “SPUR” (Society for the Preservation of Unretired Railfans).
Its goal at that time was to maintain and operate steam powered passenger train excursions. In 1969 the name was changed to the Monticello & Sangamon Valley Railroad Historical Society, Inc., and then in 1982 the name was again changed to the present day Monticello Railway Museum.
The museum offered the first train ride in 1972. Trains operate on both former Illinois Terminal and Illinois Central trackage. At the museum site, round trips depart from an Illinois Central depot, built in 1919 at Deland. In downtown Monticello, round trips depart from the 1899 Wabash depot.
Volunteers have begun building the Lionel 40’s layout in the storage compartment of the Illinois Central R.P.O. This photo (kindly supplied by Ron), shows the engine terminal without its future roundhouse on the 33-ft Lionel 40’s layout.
The Monticello Railway Museum is located off Interstate 72 at Market St. Exit 166. USA.
Model Train Shows In Australia 2007
If you live in Australia or are thinking of visiting Australia you might want to visit some of these Australian model train shows in 2007:
New South Wales – Australia
September, 2007
Liverpool
Australian Model Railway Association
CONTACT: +61 2 9567 1899
Queensland – Australia
September, 2007
Graceville
9am-5pm (Sat)9am-4pm (Sun)
B.R.M. Queensland.
Graceville Primary School, Oxley Road, Graceville.
CONTACT: +61 7 3374 2288
Queensland – Australia
October, 2007
Toowoomba
10am-5pm (Sat)
Closed (Sun)
Darling Downs Model Railway Club Inc.
DeMolay House, Margaret Street, Toowoomba.
WEBSITE: www.ddmrc.com
CONTACT: +61 7 4638 1408
South Australia
October 2007
Tonsley Park
9.30am – 5pm (Sat)
9.30am – 4pm (Sun)
Noarlunga Model Railroaders Inc.
Mitsubishi Entertainment Centre, 1284 South Road, Tonsley Park SA 5042
COST: Admission $5.00 (Adult), $2.00 (Children/Concession) $12.00 (Family)
WEBSITE: www.nmri.web1000.com
CONTACT: Events Coordinator, Box 707 Morphett Vale 5162
Over 20 layouts plus static displays, Free parking, Free Door prize and Colouring competition.
Queensland – Australia
November, 2007
Holland Park
9am – 6pm (Sat)
9am – 4pm (Sun)
Union Pacific Model railroad Club
Holland Park Bowls Club 49 Abbotsleigh Street, HOLLAND PARK, 4121.
Queensland – Australia
November, 2007
Carina9am – 6pm (Sat)
9am – 4pm (Sun)
All Gauge Model Railway Club, Zahel Street, Carina.
CONTACT: +61 7 3395 3200
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
RockdaleAustralian Model Railway Assoc, NSW Branch Inc.
Clubrooms, Chapel Lane, next to Council carpark
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
Guildford
Sydney N Scale Model Railway
Gate 13, 4 Palmer Street, Guildford.
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
Bowral
Berrima District Model Railway Club Inc
Bowral Memorial Hall
CONTACT:+61 2 4861 4032
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Hornsby Heights
St Luke’s Railway Modellers 19th Annual Model Train Exhibition. St Luke’s Anglican Church, 155 Galston Road, Hornsby Heights.
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Campbelltown
Macarther District Model Railway Club
Campbelltown Civic Hall, Cnr, Queen & Broughton Streets, Campbelltown.
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
KURRI KURRI
Ambulance Hall in Kurri Kurri, with use of the Guide and Church halls next door
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Blackheath
RSL Hall, Cnr Bundarra and Station Streets, Blackheath
CONTACT: +61 2 4758 7005
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Wagga Wagga
Sturt Public School, Lake Albert Road, Wagga Wagga
CONTACT: +61 2 6931 1644 (ah)
ALL YEAR
1st & 3rd Sundays, 10.00am – 4.00pm, every month.
Blue MountainsValley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum
Tusculam Road,Valley Heights.
Admission: $7 Adults, $15 Family, $5 Child, Children Under 5 free,$5 Seniors.
Contact: 02 4735 8601
For more model train club information.
Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon Model Railroad Hobby Groups
Nevada
Southern Nevada N-Trakers, Clark County, Nevada.
North Carolina
Cape Fear Model Railroad Club Inc Wilmington, Carolina Coastal Railroaders New Bern, League Of Non Aligned Modelers Raleigh & Boone, Carolina Model Railroaders Greensboro, Hinkle’s Lionel Trains Lionel collector and operator in the Charlotte, Neuse River Valley Model Railroad Club Raleigh, North Raleigh Model Railroad Club Raleigh, Piedmont and Western Model Railroad Club Valdese, Sipping and Switching Society of North Carolina Raleigh & Boone, Triad Live Steamers 7.5″ gauge Live Steam Club Farmington, Waynesborough Model Railroad Club Goldsboro, Wilson Area Railroad Modelers Inc. Wilson, NC.
Ohio
Burning River ‘N’ Society Cleveland, C.A.N.S. (Columbus Area N Scalers) Columbus, Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Columbus, Central Ohio N-Trak Columbus, Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society Dayton, Central Ohio S Gaugers Columbus, Cooke Road Train Crew Columbus, Crossroads Railroad Club Vandalia – Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley and West Shore Model Railroad Club Olmsted Falls, Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society, The Hocking Valley Model Railroaders Lancaster, Janis Junction Model Railroad Club Columbus, Lake Shore Live Steamers Cleveland, North Coast N-scalers, Pittsburgh & Ohio Northern Railroad Club Ada, The Sebring Model Railroad Club Sebring, Swanton area railroad and model club inc. swanton, Travelin’ Trainmen of North Central Ohio North Central Ohio, Tri-State NTRAK Cincinnati, Youngstown Model Railroad Club Youngstown, Ohio.
Oklahoma
Central Oklahoma Model Railroad Club Oklahoma City, Claremore and Southern Railroad Club Claremore, Grenn Country Model Railroaders Green Country Model Railroad Assoc. Oklahoma, Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma, Northeast Oklahoma N Scale Tulsa, Oklahoma O Scalers Oklahoma City – Oklahoma, North Central Oklahoma Rail Road Club Ponca City, SouthWest Oklahoma Railroad Association Duncan, Southwestern Live Steamers.
Oregon
Aloha and Western Oregon Lines HO Model Railroad Club Aloha, Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club Portland, Corvallis Society of Model Engineers Adair Village, Greater Portland LEGO Railroaders Portland, Over The Hill Live Steamers Chiloquin, Pacific Northwest Division of the Toy Train Operating Society Seattle & Portland, Rose City Garden Railway Society – Portland, South Coast Model Railroaders North Bend – Oregon, Pacific Northwest Livesteamers Molalla, Train Mountain Railroad Museum Chiloquin, OR.
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico and New York Model Railroad Hobby Groups
Here are some Model Railway clubs in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New Mexico:
New Hampshire
Bedford Boomers Bedford – New Hampshire, New Hampshire Garden Railway Society Club, Nutfield Valley Railroad Club Derry, New Hampshire, Concord Model Railroad Club Concord, Connecticut Valley Model Railroad Club Lebanon .
New Jersey
Central Jersey O-Scalers, Garden State Central Model Railroad Club Ashbury Park, Garden State Model Railway Club Inc North Haledon, Gateway Model RR Club, Jersey Central N-TRAK Tinton Falls, Jersey Valley Model Railroad Club, Patcong Valley Society Of Model Railroaders Egg Harbor, Ramapo Valley Railroad Club Ho-Ho-Kus, South Jersey Garden Railroad Society, South Jersey S Gaugers, Sussex County Railroad Club Hamburg, NJ, Model Engineers Railroad Club of North Jersey North Haledon, The Model Railroad Club Union, New Jersey Live Steamers Somerset County, New York Society of Model Engineers Carlstadt, Northern New Jersey N-Trak Lyndhurst, Ocean County Society Of Model Railroaders Lakewood, Packanack Train Club Wayne.
New Mexico
Alamogordo N-Scale Train Society Alamogordo, Mesilla Valley Model Railroad Club Las Cruces,New Mexico Rail RunNers Albuquerque, NM.
New York
Albany NY N-Trak Albany, Brooklyn N-trak Brooklyn – New York, Buffalo Model Railroad CLub Buffalo, The Catskill, Adirondack and Berkshire Railroad Albany, Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society Camillus, HOTrack of the Sunrise Trails Long Island, Hudson Valley Märklin Club, Long Island Live Steamers, Long Island Model Railroad Engineers Farmingville – New York, Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Levittown, NEB&W’s Rensselaer Railroad Heritage Center, The Olde Newburgh Model RR Club, Ltd Walden – New York, Central New York Model Railroad Club Syracuse, Central Operating Lines Model Railroad Club Ronkonkoma, Flower City Tinplate Trackers Rochester – New York, Genesee & Ontario Model N-Gineers Rochester – New York, Hopewell Junction Model Railroad Club – Hopewell Junction, Philipstown Railroad Association Cold Spring, Queens County Model Railroad Club Long Island City, RASG Modular Railroad Club Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology Model Railroad Club Rochester, Rochester Model Railroad Club Rochester, SMRC Syracuse Model Railroad Club Syracuse, Trainmasters Of Babylon Long Island, Upstate Model Railroaders Glens Falls – New York, West Island Model Railroad Club Farmingdale, NY.
Montana, Mississippi and Missouri Model Railroad Groups.
Continuing the series, here is a list of Model Railway clubs in the states of Mississippi, Missouri and Montana:
Mississippi
Jackson Society Of Model Engineers, Mississippi Gulf Coast Model Railroad Club, NorthEast Mississippi Model Railroad Club.
Missouri
Big Bend Rail Road Club St Louis, Capital City Model Railroaders Jefferson City, Gulf, Midwest & Great Lakes Railroad Sedalia, Heaven’s Hostlers Model railroad Club, Kearney-Holt Model Railroaders Club, Mexico Train Works Model Railroad Club Mexico, MidWest Valley Modelers St. Louis, Mississippi Valley N Scalers, NorthEast MS Model Railroad Club New Albany, St. Charles Model Railroad Club St. Charles County, Saint Louis HO Gaugers Model Railroad Club, Wabash, Frisco and Pacific Association Glencoe, Weekend”N”gineers Kansas City.
Montana
Headwaters HOTrak Group Dillon.
For more model railroad clubs.
List Of Model Railroad Clubs In Canada
I had a message from a reader wanting a list of model railroad clubs in Canada. I thought I would share the list with everyone:
Alberta
Bow Valley Model Railroad Association Calgary, Calgary British Railway Modellers Calgary, Calgary Free-mo Group Calgary – Alberta, Calgary Model Railway Society Calgary – Alberta, Edmonton Model Railroad Association Edmonton – Alberta, Edmonton Society of Model Railroad Engineers Edmonton – Alberta, Iron Horse Park Miniature Railway Airdrie, Alberta.
British Columbia
British Columbia Society of Model Engineers Burnaby, Vancouver Island G Scale Club Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island Model Engineers Our club, The Vancouver TraiNgang – N-Scale – Vancouver, BC.
Manitoba
Assiniboine Valley Railway Winnipeg, Renegade HO Modular Railroad Club Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club, Winnipeg N-Trak Model Rail Club – N-Scale – Winnipeg, Manitoba.
New Brunswick
Campbellton model Railroad Club Campbellton – New Brunswick, Moncton Model Railroad Society Moncton – New Brunswick, Saint John Society of Model Railroaders – Saint John, New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley Model Railway Club Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
Ontario
Barrie-Allandale Railway Modellers Barrie, Burlington Model Railway Club Burlington, Central Niagara Railroad Club St.Catharines – Ontario, Chatham, Wallaceburg & Lake Erie Model Railroad Group Wallaceburg, Erin Mills Model Railroad Association Mississauga, H.O Model Engineers Society hamilton – Ontario, The London N’Gineers Model Railroad Club London – Ontario Model Railroading club Carleton Place, Muskoka Model Railway Club Bracebridge, Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders (OVAR) Ottawa, Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society Ottawa,, Ottawa Valley HOTrak Modular Club Ottawa,, Ottawa Valley N-TRAK Ottawa,, Richmond Hill Live Steamers Richmond Hill,, Thames Valley Modular RR Club, Model Railroad Club Of Toronto O Scale, Windsor Modular Railroad Club Windsor – Ontario, York Railway Modelers – South Western Ontario.
Quebec
Association des Modélistes Ferrovière de Montréal (AMFM) – Montreal Railroad Modelers Association (MRMA) Montréal, European Train Enthusiasts – Greater Montreal & South Eastern Ontario, Quebec. Free-Modu-Rail de la Capitale Quebec City, Modelistes Ferroviaires de Gatineau Gatineau, Les Modelistes Ferroviaires de la Mauricie Inc Club, Montreal Live Steamers Montreal, Montreal NTRAK Montreal, Quebec Model Railroad Society Sainte-Foy, Société de Modélisme Ferroviaire de Québec Sainte-Foy, Quebec.
Saskatchewan
Echo Valley Railway Guild Regina, Prairie Rail Workshop Saskatoon, Regina Model Railroad Club Regina, Saskatoon Railroad Modelers Saskatoon, SK.
Here are more details on Model Railroad Clubs in the USA and Canada.
Model Train Shows
There are several model train shows and exhibits planned for 2007 in most states and around the world. Here are four upcoming events:
The 2007 National Model Railroad Association National Train Show® will be held at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center July 27 – 29, 2007 Detroit, MI. Each year this big event is held in a different city and state in North America. Detroit, MI will host the 17th Annual National Train Show® which will showcase all aspects of model railroading including the industry’s newest and most unique products and services from manufacturers and retailers from the U.S. and around the world. The event will cover 180,000 square feet of space, including over 45,000 square feet featuring extraordinary operating model train displays.
The Great Scale Model Train Show will be held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Timonium, MD Saturday June 23, 2007 9am – 4pm and Sunday June 24, 2007 10am – 4pm. Another model train show will happen at the same venue on Saturday October 13, 2007 9am – 4pm and Sunday October 14, 2007 10am – 4pm.
And in New Zealand…
An annual event organised by the Christchurch Model Railway Exhibition Society Inc with trade stands and in excess of 20 layouts of various scales and trade stands catering for both the serious modeler and those wanting a family day out. This New Zealand train show will be held at the Pioneer Stadium, Christchurchon Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th October 2007.
11,000 Locomotives Built In 50 Years
This is the N scale 2-6-0 Mogul Steam Locomotive from Micro-Ace in an 1880s era paint scheme.
The earliest 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotives were built in 1863 by the Rogers Locomotive Works in Paterson, New Jersey. The extra set of driving wheels on the 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive was said to increase in tractive effort by around fifty percent over the then standard 4-4-0 wheel arrangement.
Approximately 11,000 Mogul-type locos were then built over the next 50 or so years. The 2-6-0 was a general-purpose steam locomotive that was found in both freight and passenger service.
How Model Locomotives Are Manufactured
I came across an interesting article about how Märklin Trains are manufactured.
Here is an extract from the article:
“First stop is the die casting shop. Loco body, chassis and wheels are cast independently of each other. At the same time, in the plastic molding shop, work goes ahead on the remaining body components. The highest precision has to be the rule in the turning shop. Gear wheels which still guarantee the almost legendary Märklin quality even after thousands of working hours, bevel gears and the extremely fine Mini-club wheels acquire their form here. The cast wheels for HO and gauge 1 locos are finished here, too. “
The article goes on to say:
“In order to ensure that the paint holds securely, the individual zinc die cast units are electro-phosphated. Hundreds of parts are dipped simultaneously in the various chemical baths, secured on special mountings. In the paint shop, linked spraying machines apply the basic colors of locos and cars where these are not already of dyed plastic. Against this, the spray gun operators need a practiced hand and the right kind of practice for painting individual sections of the loco bodies. And because not all color can be applied by spraying or printing, skilled women’s hands in the manual paint shop give the final touch to body and chassis. The print shop, finally, adds the lines and serial numbers and all the remaining insignia, etched with the same precision as all the other processes. “
Interesting!
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