Troubleshooting
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!
How Do You Uncouple Stubborn Cars?
Ross sent in this question:
“Hi to everyone. Just wondering the best way to uncouple stubborn cars during an op session? I’m very new to things, but already not a big fan of the Kadee magnets, which I’m finding a bit inconsistent when I want to keep my fumbling hands and elbows away from the scenery. I saw one guy on video using a pick thingy sharpened and flattened at one end. He wedged it between the coupler jaws and opened the couplers with a little twist. What do people use?”
Is There A Quicker Way To Clean Freight Car Wheels?
Mervyn asks:
“I’ve airbrushed and weathered most of my 136 freight cars and have got them looking good. A lot of work but worth it. I now want to remove any grime and gunk build-up on the car wheels. From experience, I know it will take at least 15 minutes to clean all 8 wheels on just one car by swabbing an Isopropyl Alchohol soaked Q-tip against the wheel tread and rotating the other axle wheel. I calculate about 34 hours of repetitive work. Is there an easier/quicker way?”
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How To Slow My Athearn RTR SD40
Tom writes:
“I have an Athearn RTR SD40 which won’t slow down. I’ve tried speed table programming without success. It has a soundtraxx Tsunami decoder. Anyone else had this happen?”
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DCC Locomotives Go In Opposite Directions
Roger is puzzled with this:
“After installing a decoder in my Atlas C425 it goes in the opposite direction to my other DCC loco. Strange, I thought both DCC ready locos would run the same way?”
If you have a question you would like published, send it to the Blog Moderator using the link below. If you have a photo or drawing to include, then simply advise the Blog Moderator when submitting your question. He will tell you how.
Engine(s) Drawing Too Many AMPS
Allan writes:
“First I would like to say I’m actually asking this on behalf of my Dad. (he doesn’t know that I am doing so) I don’t really know much at all about this specific issue or the entire hobby to be honest with you.
So the issue is that three of his engines are drawing 3X the amps that they used to and therefore and either are not working properly or at all. Now I believe he was told to (or suggested to) add a second power supply to the layout being that the layout was quite large. Now, Dad (Bert) has done so now but that did not fully correct the issues he was having.
So my question to anyone that would like to offer some advice is …. What is it that’s causing this high amperage issue in these engines and how can it be rectified? The brand name of these engines is Athearn I believe and please forgive me if I have miss spelled this. All three of these engines previously did run perfectly fine. At that time apparently, they were drawing 1 amp and are now drawing 3 amps each.
Thank you very much in advance for any help or direction in this issue. Thanks again Allan (& Bert too).”
Add any comments or suggestion you have below.
Z21 and Hornby R8247
Michael is seeking help:
” I have several HORNBY OO GAUGE R8247 DIGITAL ACCESSORY DECODERS on my layout and I have upgraded to a Z21 However I cannot connect them to my new Z21 unit. Can anyone help?”
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Walthers BNSF GE ES44C4 With Tsunami 1 Decoder
Kim asks:
“I don’t know how to adjust CV’s to my Walther’s HO BNSF GE ES44C4. It needs to be slowed down. It has a Tsunami 1 decoder. How do I find the right CV to reduce speed steps to be matchable to other locomotives?”
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Sound on a South African Class 34-200 Diesel
Andre models HO and asks:
“I have a single South African Railways Class 34-200 diesel with no sound. The sound clips available are for the GE 16 cylinder 2-stroke types of diesel. The 34-200 is based on the GM-EMD GT26MC 16 cylinder 2-stroke, and it is possible to hear the difference the two engines produce. It would. therefore, be technically incorrect to load the GE sound onto the 34-200. Is there anyone out there who knows where to buy sound clips for start-up, idling, accelerating, compressed air blow-down, the full spectrum of the sounds coming from GM-EMD GT26MC?”
Add your suggestion below to assist Andre.
Power Controllers
Frank writes:
“I need more Amps to run all my HO trains. I use a computer power pack puts out 6 amps 18 volts, run through a transformer with power unit removed. Is there a better way to achieve 16 volts max and 10 amps? Any ideas would be appreciated.”
Sanding Rails – Good or Bad Idea?
Neil posted this question:
“I just watched a video on how to spray the track with Earth Brown paint. The dried paint on the top of the rails was then sanded with #2 sandpaper. Sanding rails didn’t seem smart to me? Has anyone done this, or am I worried about nothing?”
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Athearn SD40 on 18 Inch Curve Track
Gordon asks:
“Will an Athearn SD40 run ok around an 18″ radius track? I have 22″ curves on my HO layout but plan for an 18″ radius curve. Will it work?”
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Designing a Layout With Bachmann EZ Track
Roy asks:
“I am building an HO scale Layout using Bachmann EZ track. I have a question I am adding a train station to my layout. The tracks for my station will come off the main track line via a switch then go the length of the passenger station stop the hook back to the mainline via another switch. My question is do I use EZ track for my station stop tracks or use regular tracks that same track code without the attached roadbed and just ballast over the track? Also, do I use EZ track switches or regular track switches without attached roadbed to divert passenger train in and out of the passenger train station from the main track line that has EZ track?”
Post your suggestions using the COMMENTS link. If you have a question you would like to have published, then please use the ASK A QUESTION link.
Lionel Pennsylvania Flier O Scale Train Set With Fastrack Inner Loop
David writes:
“I purchased the Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer O Scale train set that comes with a DC wall-pack power supply. I have no trouble operating the set. I then purchased the FasTrack Inner Loop add-on and incorporated it into the oval layout from the original Lionel Flyer and the train won’t run. Do I need to purchase an AC transformer to be able to use the Inner Loop add-on?”
Atlas Union Pacific DCC Ready GP-35 Loco
Reynold models N scale and asks:
“I wanted the DCC Ready Atlas GP35 loco in Union Pacific markings, but have just found out it wasn’t around until the 1960s. My layout… half-finished… will be set in the mid to late 50s, so I’m probably better with something a little older. I don’t need Union Pacific if that opens more options. Any ideas?”
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Old O Scale Marx Model 709 Train Transformer Issue
Dale posted:
“I am currently renovating an older Marx train set. I get a weaker response the farther I get from the transformer connection. The set has a Marx Model 709 Train Transformer. I am wondering if I need to replace this transformer? If so… should I replace it with a 709 transformer, or should I change to a different transformer for additional power? If I should replace it…. any recommendations?”
JMRI Digitrax LNWI LocoNet WiFi Interface
Brian asks:
“My HO layout is DCC running a Digitrax DCS52 Command Station and a Digitrax LNWI LocoNet WiFi Interface. What device connects a laptop PC running JMRI to your layout? “
Peco SL-E8361 Turnout Connected To Peco PL-11 Side Mounted Motor
Bruce asks:
“I have an HO Peco SL-E8361 turnout that I’m trying to connect to a Peco PL-11 side-mounted motor, but there’s no connecting rod to go between them. Does anyone have a solution for doing this? The hole in the turnout is quite a bit smaller than the hole in the motor. Thanks.”
Lionel 1033 Transformer Issue
Rick has O scale and writes:
“My transformer Lionel 1033 voltage is low when the load is applied it reads 6v. Without load, it reads 18v. I put a jumper from the b post to the circuit breaker but the voltage read only 8v. Any suggestions on how to get the voltage up to 18 or what to check?”
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