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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!
Adding Hidden Pulling Power To A Train
Ghan Train Australia
Purna asks readers the following:
“Can I make my HO scale train more powerful by adding more locos which are “hidden” in the skin of carriages? Will it be effective? And can all such locos be synchronized well (without derailing etc.) Is DCC good for that? My real objective is to make a GHAN train with two visible locos (even though the rest of the powering locos are hidden) with a number of carriages about 50 in my model layout… Have any of you tried doing this? Will the power of the train drop if the track is too steep or with lot of bends”
The Ghan’s 2,979km (1850 mile) journey takes 48 hours and has been operating from the through central Australia since 1878. The train runs from the far south up through the middle of Australia to the far north. The Ghan was originally called the Afghan Express. The Ghan name is from 19th century Afghan camel drivers who ventured to Australia to help to explore the country’s remote largely arid interior.
Spot The Difference – Layout at Australian Model Railway Show
I’ve had several requests to run some more SPOT THE DIFFERENCE puzzles as it’s been some time since I ran the last one. See how you go with this photo taken at a model train show in Queensland, Australia. The scene features a small country town. At first glance the photos look identical, but there’s actually 9 differences. How many can you find?
Simply add your answers using the COMMENTS link below.
Battery Powered Trains
Bill shares his thoughts with readers:
“For some years now I have been wondering why we don’t convert to battery powered trains powered by lithium rechargeable batteries. The loco could be controlled by a transmitter as is used for RC planes. The loco could simply be parked on a battery recharging section of track when the battery runs down. Imagine the headaches removed when track no longer needs to be wired. Are any manufacturers considering this?”
Add your comment below.
Bus Accident Scene Something Different
Wayne sent in this fascinating photo to share. His photo of a bus accident scene was snapped at the AMRSS Glasgow exhibition and shows the Obervaz Swiss Hom model railway. Lucky escape for everyone inside!
Online Train Train Club Into Its 9th Year
The online Model Train Club is into its ninth year, with resources the membership numbers increasing every month. Some members have been with the club since it started. The online club is keeping pace with the ever changing times and includes categories like ‘ELECTRONICS’ for members to access. The online club is by no means a replacement for joining your local model railroad club, however it does provide easy access to a giant resource library which members can access any time of the day or night, wherever they are worldwide. Current members are spread across the globe including: Canada, USA, UK, Australia, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand, France and in numerous other countries.
Have A Safe and Happy Christmas
I hope you all have a wonderful time with friends and family (and your trains) over Christmas.
And… very importantly, a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who purchased products advertised on the Model Train Help Blog. Without your on-going support, this website would not exist.
A very Merry Christmas to all the Blog readers, online Model Train Club members, and to all those who purchased products through the Blog this year. Have fun working on your railroad… and have a safe and healthy 2019!
My very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Kindest Regards.
Robert
Santa at Station photo credit Anneli Salo.
Hornby A4 Silver Fox Tender Needs Body Replacement
Bill P asks readers:
“One issue that is causing me some background concerns is that I have a near perfect Hornby A4 ‘Silver Fox’ in appropriate Jubilee livery. Sadly there is some damage to paintwork on the tender and I am keen to acquire a replacement as this is one of ‘key trains’. So, if you know where I could seek a body shell for the tender or locomotive & end advise would be appreciated. In the interim I will continue to monitor eBay etc.”
Best Place to Railfan In Asheville NC?
Brock Ian who is interested in HO and a keen “railfan” enthusiast asks:
“Hello, What is the Best place to Railfan In Asheville NC? Thanks.”
Add your suggestions using the COMMENTS tag below.
Mystery Rail Yard #3 – Guess The Location
The first two mystery photos certainly generated considerable interest and confounded many. Following numerous requests I have included a third mystery photo for you to guess. Have a go – it doesn’t matter if you get the country or city wrong… the fun is in trying to guess a likely location. It won’t be long before someone gets the right answer and supplies some history and details. You’ll be able to follow the picks and see the correct answer when it gets published. Click the COMMENTS below this post.
If you think you know where this photo was taken, simply add your answer using the COMMENTS below this post. That’s also where you will see the answers submitted by other readers.
Rubber-Tired Metro Trains part of Taiwan’s Rapid Transit System
Many readers who were guessing the answers to the two mystery rail yard photos recently posted on this Blog were surprised to learn that mystery photo #2 was taken in Taiwan (mystery photo #1 was at Seoul Station in South Korea). Taiwan’s greenery and mountains in the mystery photo #2 came as a surprise to many who thought the photo was captured in Europe, South America, Japan, or maybe New Zealand. Not so; Taiwan is generally very green with the main population hubs concentrated in a few big cities.
The big city of Taipei in the North has an extensive and very efficient mass transit metro system that reaches out in all directions including a direct line from Taipei’s Main Station to the main international airport – Taoyuan International Airport. You can get your boarding pass and check your bag in at Taipei Main Metro Station and board the train for the airport which saves a lot of time at the airport end.
Most of the Taipei metro system is underground, but the Brown Line which operates from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center to Taipei Zoo operates above street level on rubber tires (tyres in British English).
The Taipei Brown Line opened in 1996 and is not the only train line in the world to run on rubber tires. There are many other examples. The rubber tires on the cars run on rolling pads inside guide bars for improved traction.
The Brown Line in Taipei stretches 15.6 miles (25.1 kilometers) servicing 24 stations across 7 districts in Taipei of which 22 of the train stations are elevated above street level and 2 are underground. As of Sept 2011, Taipei’s Brown Line, with it’s driver-less trains, transported on average of 180,000 passengers daily, although this figure has likely increased somewhat since then.
Photo Mystery No. 2. Can You Guess The Country Where This Railway Photo Was Taken?
If you scroll down to my posting of Oct 4 you’ll see a scene from a rail yard in a large city. At the time of writing this weeks posting, no one has as yet correctly identified the city where the Oct 4 photo was taken. See the comments under the Oct 4 post if you think you know the answer.
New Mystery Photo #2 – Guess the Country
If you thought that was hard, try and pick the country where this scene was photographed. It is not near a city but is near a small town and the engine is doing some shunting work and reversing. If you want to have a go at guessing the country, then simply add your guess directly below today’s posting using the COMMENTS LINK under the photo.
I will add a reply in the COMMENTS section when/if someone picks the correct answer.
UPDATE –
Guess Where This Railway Line Is – Which Country or City?
Who will be the first to correctly identify the location of this railway location?
The color of the paintwork on the train might be a clue for some, or the side of the track the train is on, whilst the surrounding buildings might be an indicator for others. If you think you know the country, or better still the city, just add your answer (or guess) using the COMMENTS link below. I’ll reply in the COMMENTS section when someone get the answer correct.
The photo was taken only last week so is very up to date.
UPDATE – The above photo generated a wide variety of possible locations including: Madrid in Spain, Moscow, Tokyo, Taiwan, Frankfurt in Germany, Paris in France, Norway, Philadelphia in the USA, Scotland, Switzerland, Mexico City, United States – Pacific Northwest, England, Australia, Chicago, North Korea, Busan in South Korea, Austria, Yokohama in Japan, Los Angeles, Czech Republic – Near Prague, and Italy. All very different locations in so many ways, yet the real location has a lot in common with railroads in many of those cities and countries.
To see the correct answer simply click on the COMMENTS link below this post.
Well done to Charlie Treft and Martin who were first to guess the collect location. Bill and Ian were close with their suggestion.
Locomotives From USA in the UK
Brock has a follow-up question to one he asked a little while ago:
“I asked a question about if rolling stock or locomotives from the USA were ever in the UK. I got an answer and was told that The US may have sold The UK locomotives before The US joined WWII. Thank you, I have found this is true. I am now wondering what type of locomotives were sold and were they repainted? Thanks.”
Have a Safe Trip Home?
You can read what you like into this.
Photo credit https://pxhere.com/en/photo/310992
How Much Can A Loco Pull?
Don asks readers:
“The grade calculator at http://www.modelbuildings.org/free-calculator-tools.html was great thanks. What I need most is what is the most grade an HO engine should pull ( ballpark )”
Assembly Instructions
Peter asks:
“Hi. Does anybody out there know where I can purchase assembly instructions for a OO Mercian Models SG20 Bishops Castle ‘Carlisle’ 0-6-0 loco. I bought this sometime ago and have mislaid the plans. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance”
No Train Expected Any Time Soon?
When you look closely at rail yards sometimes you see the strangest things!
LED Lighting in Downloadable Buildings
Bob might have spotted the LED lighting in Rich’s photos below and has this question for readers:
“What is the best way to control led light bleed in downloadable card stock buildings? Black core flute and interior walls?”
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
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Model Train Help Ebook
Thanks to everyone who participated in this quiz. I’m glad you enjoyed having a go.
The suggested locations were many and varied, although the mountains drew a number of suggestions including: Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Chile, Russia, Brazil, PA in the USA, Northern Italy, Soth Africa, Germany, Soth Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Spain, Rochester – New York, Australia, Peru, East Africa, Indonesia, Austria, Burma, India, Ecuador – South America, and Slovakia.
Well done to Kevan Mullan who was first to guess the correct location which is revealed in the COMMENTS section below this post.