Lindsay from Australia is having a problem warm motors and asks readers:

“I run the older Triang locos and use feedback (can switch on or off) controllers from Kent Panel Controls. These make the locos run very well, except that the motors run much warmer than with analogue controllers. Does anyone know is there any reason for this and will it harm the motors?”

Add your feedback to Lindsay’s posting using the GREEN comments link below this posting.

A quick note for readers: This Model Train Blog is read by people from all around the world. For the purposes of simplicity I generally stick with US spelling and terminology. However, like in this posting, you will probably spot the occasional variance from this rule.

If you didn’t spot it; Lindsay from Australia used the British spelling of “Analogue” whereas in the USA the spelling is “Analog”. Readers in Australia, New Zealand and the UK also generally use the term “model railway” or railway modeller”, whereas in the USA and Canada the terms “model railroad” and “model railroader” are more widely used. In the USA HO is the most common scale whereas the closest eqivilent in the UK is called OO scale.

Despite the occasional difference in spelling and terminology, most aspects of the hobby are very similar regardless of where you live on this planet.

These questions are from readers with N scale layouts. They are asking advice from anyone who can help.

Arthur asks readers:

Sections Of Track

“How many sections of curved track does it take to make a 180 degree turn?”

Marshall asks readers:

Power Box

“Hello, my train track is only getting about 3 volts and my power box says that its supposed to put out about 15 volts and my train is barely moving on the tracks. Does someone know what the problem is?”

To help either of these train enthusiast with their N scale questions please use the green Comments & Feedback link to add your thoughts. It takes only 2 minutes to register and you only need to do it once. Then you can participate in future discussions.

We all started in this hobby knowing nothing about the subject. Fortunately many in the hobby are happy to help and encourage others who are just getting started in model railroading. This is essential, because for this hobby to survive and prosper, we need a constant flow of new people taking part.

Klaus has a question for readers that has been asked several times before on this blog:

“I do have some dead sections in my line so how can I overcome them?”

Klaus, if no one answers this question on your posting, have a search of the blog using the search box, or buy my Model Train Help Ebook as you’ll find that really helpful.

Remember, I operate this blog as a free service for you to use. I encourage all readers to contribute answers to help others. Although I know many of the answers myself, it is best for me to stand back and let others participate rather than me doing all the talking. So get involved and help others.

DCC Question

William has a DCC question for others in the hobby:

“Please can someone advise on a DCC system is the commands riding on a fixed DC level.”

Griadient On Layout

Ron has a quick question on track gradients and asks you:

“Can someone answer this O question please? On a 4′ x 8′ layout how much of a grade is necessary and how high can I go.”

Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Train Question

Norbert has a question for others about buying a Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Train and asks:

“I received an offer Hawthorne Village for a Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Express Train. It would be a collector’s item? What do your many readers think of the train?”

To answer any of these brief questions use the green Comments & Feedback link below.

PLEASE NOTE: Brief questions with limited details are often not published. Detailed questions are usually published as a feature posting on there own.

Making Trees

Martin wants to hear from those of you who have experience making miniature trees and asks:

“Could someone out there please help me with making trees h.o. using lychen. I bought the stuff but I have no idea how to turn it into trees. Regards Martin.”

Turn Out Confusion

Howard wants a reader to help explain turnouts and asks:

“I am new to this fun hobby what is the diffrence in 4-6 and other turn outs?”

To assist either (or both) of these keen model railroaders simply click on the green Comments & Feedback link to add your feedback.

Mel is having a problem with his loco coming off the track and wants to hear from readers who have experienced similiar problems:

“My N-scale train doesn’t stay on the track well. One or more of the wheel sets will get off and then will disconnect from the car ahead or behind of it. If it happens to the locomotive, the rest of the wheels don’t maintain enough contact to make it run.

Someone told me that it is because the engine is too lightweight. One time I pressed down on the locomotive with my finger as it was running and it did a lot better. Can I add weight to the cars to give them better traction? I don’t want to put anything on the outside of the car to mess up how it looks and there’s not much space between the bottom of the car and the track. I thought of maybe gluing some fishing weights underneath. Any suggestions from anyone?”

Use the green Comments link below Mel’s posting to help him out.

Note: There is a really helpful section in the Model Train Help Ebook on buying a locomotive and what to look for – available at http://www.model-train-help.com

Charles has a question for those of you who have experience with DCC operation and asks:

“I recently installed 2 decoders MRC1651 in 2 different locos. For one of them, the loco seems to work pefectly, but from time to time it stops for a few seconds and it restarts usually by itself (sometimes I have to push it). The other loco has the same problem, but it will stop less frequently and for less time. I cleaned the rails and wheels several times, but the problem still persists. Any suggestions from others who have experienced similar problems would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.”

Add your feedback to this posting using the green Comments & Feedback link below.

Suba has an HO Marklin layout and asks other Marklin fans:

“I have the K, M and C tracks also the 6021 and mobile station together with signals for K, M and C tracks. I have the mobile station 18 and 60 va the 6021 32 X 2 units transformer.
Can someone tell me what is the best possible way to use all these items and not burn anything out?”

If you have submitted a model train question and it has not yet been published, you might want to submit it again (see link at bottom of page). Not all questions are approved for publication because many fail to meet the required guidelines.

Many questions are rejected because they either don’t make sense, or are in text message format, or are submitted ENTIRELY IN CAPS. Proper sentence construction is required.

Make Your Model Train Questions Clear And Thorough

The important thing is to add plenty of detail and background information to enable someone who is unfamiliar with your layout, or objectives, to answer you question. It is important to remember that others are not mind readers.

Explain the problem as clearly as possible – you can even mention solutions you have tried that haven’t worked. The important thing is this; if the person answering the question doesn’t clearly understand your problem, or know what you are trying to achieve, it is likely the answer will be incomplete or even inaccurate.

The very kind people who share their time answering questions (and giving feedback) are genuinely trying to help, but sometimes it is very hard to offer any suggestions due to a lack of clear information in the original question.

Help Others In The Hobby

Also, if you do use this free service to ask a question, it would be really helpful if you could add feedback to thank the contributors. They are helping out voluntarily because they genuinely want to help others in the hobby.

One more thing; if you know the answer to any questions posted by others or can add some feedback to a question – please do. This service will only continue to operate if everyone contributes fairly. So, if you ask a question – have a look through the other postings to see if you can help someone else.

We All Need To Help Each Other

Use the green Comments & Feedback link below any posting to add your thoughts.

Shell Removal 2000 Series SD45 Locomotive

Gary asks readers for help removing the shell on his loco:

“My Proto 2000 series SD45 loco met with a slight accident and I need to remove the shell to do some repairs. The paper work that came with the unit is so vague I do not like to continue until some advice is forth coming. My nearest hobby shop is some 500km away and the staff there are more into things that go fast. Can any one help please?”

Power To The Main Line

Another reader asks:

“How often should power be added on a Main Line to prevent ‘line loss’?”

Al wants to hear from anyone with experience with tracks and crossings and asks readers:

“My last layout was made back in the 70’s and it was torn down for a move. I am starting a new layout and wonder what weight rail to use and, once decided, if there is any problem matching it up with turnouts.”

To advise Al, click on the green comments link, register and then add your feedback.

Do you have some experience in this wonderful hobby of model railroading?

Do you have your own model RR layout or are you in the process of building one?

Do you belong to a model railroad club?

If you answered YES to any one of these questions, then you probably have some knowledge you could share with others in the hobby. Please don’t just keep the information to yourself. There are lots of beginners who need mentoring and guidance from others in the hobby.

You can help by adding feedback and comment to their postings on this blog site. If you think you can comment (or even answer) some of the questions posted on this blog, please add your thoughts below each posting (use the green Comments and Feedback link).

This blog is a FREE service but we need your help to keep it going.

Note to anyone asking a question. Please ensure you supply plenty of details to help others help you. The better the question – the better the answer is often what happens. So, if you want a detailed, focused answer – make sure you compose a detailed well thought-out question.

Abdul wants to hear from readers on their thoughts on why his loco is stopping and starting:

“My n scale locomotives starts when I nudge it, then after travelling a bit it stops. I then give it a nudge and the same is repeated. What could be the reason and how to overcome it?

Add your feedback using the green comments link below.

Doug wants your advice on street lights on his RR layout and asks readers:

“Hi all, I have installed 20 – 12v street lights along my street, they all work but after about 2 -3 seconds they go out, I have tried with only 2 connected but the same thing happens. I have tried the transformer unplugged from the controller, with no other items connected, same result.
Any ideas from those in the know please.”

Give Doug your feedback using the green comments link below.

Leon has six questions for readers to get their teeth into and asks:

Since I am about 60 years away from my first model train, which I am trying to put in operating condition, I have a lot of catching up to do on technical matters! Thus, a number of questions I would to put to experts of this day and age:

1. I have both an S gauge (American Flyer 302 locomotive) and O gauge (Lionel GP7 locomotive). Of course, they cannot run on the same layout. But, can I use the Lionel type 053 transformer (8-17 v. 60w.) for the AF loco , which runs with a 22034 transfo (7-16v)?

2. I also have a newer transfo (EHNO), with what seems to be an AC output of 20v. (0-18v.), and a DC output of 20v. ( 0-18v) : can I use this last transfo for my AF or Lionel trains, with which output?

3. I have an old Triang transfo with an output of 17.5v. AC: is this of any use for my AF loco?

4. What type of transfo do I need for a 2 train operation (AF locos only) ? Would the 60w. Lionel transfo be sufficient?

5. My Lionel loco has an insert compartment on the bottom for a battery: what does this battery operate? This loco also makes a loud buzzing sound: can I correct this?

6. What causes sparks between track and tender wheels for the AF locos? How can I get rid of them ?

To help Leon you can add your feedback using the green comments link below. It might be helpful if you refer to the question number when commenting or answering a question.

A reader with an N scale layout is having problems with derailments and asks:

Steam Engine Derailing

“How do you keep the lead four wheels on the track?”

Double Track Bridges in HO

George has a question about double track bridges and asks:

“Where could I find double track bridges in HO? Are there any in curved 18 radius or larger?”

Garden Railways In The Rain

Ten year old William has a Garden Railroading question and asks readers:

“I’m only ten and just starting the hobby, and I would like to know if you can run trains in the rain on a garden railway?”

To help any of these keen model railroaders you can simply use the green Comments link below to add your feedback.

William is having problems with his Illinois Central 2363 engine and seeks input from blog readers who might be able to help him:

“My Illinois Central 2363 engine will not run. There is voltage to the motors, but I cannot get it to run no matter what I try. Anyone with any ideas will be appreciated.”

Use the green comments link to add your feedback to William’s posting.