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Unusual Ballasting Technique
Bernard asks:
“I read where someone used mixed ballast with gelatin before wetting it down to hold the ballast in position. This is instead of spraying glue and water on the ballast. Has anyone done this and will it hold in place over many years?”
Comment (or view comments) below.
Automating Turnouts Using Digitrax
Jan has this question for readers:
“I have an N scale loop to loop railroad using Kato track. I want to automate each reversing loop so that the train can operate without hand-switching tracks. What does the wiring look like using BD4N and DS74 with DSXC4? I can find wiring diagrams using older parts (BD4 & DS64) but cannot find diagram using the upgraded parts.”
Please add your suggestions below.
Weights for Powered Engines
Jim operates HO scale and asks:
“I Run mostly Athearn Blue Box engines, but the real question is — is there a recommended weight for powered engines? I know there are weight recommendations for rolling stock (by length of vehicle ). As for wheel sets, I run code 100 track, does this effect the wheels, especially the flanges?”
You are welcome to contribute your thoughts below.
Buzzing and Nothing else
Allen writes:
“Hi! I am not necessarily new to model trains, I’ve used them for years. I recently have just got back into it, but when I’ve put my set back together, I’ve found that all I am getting is a buzzing sound, and nothing else. I’ve tested my old models and brand new ones, different track pieces for power sourcing, new controllers, but good lord nothing at all is working. All I am getting a buzzing sound, and when I press “stop” on my DCC controller, the models inch maybe less than a centimeter forward. Help!!”
LED Light Circuit
Bob writes:
“I am retired and come into OO model railways late , learning as I go . I saw a post showing how to wire LED’s on a 3v system doing away with need for resisters etc . All went well and has been working great, until now. One circuit with street lighting on has gone out apart from 1st light on circuit. I thought maybe the second light had blown, but tested it with battery and its fine ,I have also checked the feed to 2nd light but my tester shows power there. Is there a simple way to test circuit without disconnecting every light and starting again. Any tips would be welcome”
Add your thought below if you can advise Bob.
Kato Engine Speeds
Othmar asks:
I run five kato engines on a 25 car consists. It is impossible to match the five Kato engine regarding speed ie each engine runs different speed and causes them to uncouple very annoying. Does anybody has a suggestion how to resolve this?
Identify Old Marklin Trains
Gerhard sent in this question, but to get an accurate response from readers he really needs to add a photo in the comments section below:
Gerhard writes:
“I have recently aquired some pieces of a Marklin set with rails and all. It seems to be quite an old set with many locomotives and wagons. Where can I determine how old this set is and get some more technical info on it as I do not have a power supply for it. It is a beautiful set, specially some of the loco s. It has a central track power take off system.”
Post War Lionel With Sound
Dick asks:
“My post war Lionel has sounds (limited amount), coming from the tender. I’d like to get more sounds from the unit. What do I do, buy a new setup, can I add cars with sounds. I don’t know enough to ask the correct questions!”
Lionel 282 Crane Motor
Dan writes:
“I have a motor question. Coming off the motor coil, how many bare copper wires should there be exposed. If two, I have one, can’t find the other. Do they come off the winding at top or bottom. Pretty confused. Thanks for any advice to anyone who can help”
Add your comments to Dan’s O scale question below.
Can Smoke Damage Track
Gene writes:
“Our RR Club has HO and O scale members operating in the same room in our building. The problem is since the O scalers have started using smoke with their engines we have been having more dirty track with the HO members. Is there such thing that smoke can cause dirty track?”
Add your thoughts below.
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