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Tutorial Constructing A Fire Station Scale Model
In this tutorial we see how a fire station scale model is constructed in OO scale. The plans can also be built to HO scale, or N scale.
Download plans for this fire station model https://www.modelbuildings.org/fire-department-ambulance-police-station-models/
There is also a city fire station that can be constructed as a background building https://www.modelbuildings.org/city-series/
HOUSE ON FIRE Tutorial – Watch Me Construct A Fire Damaged Burned Out House In HO Scale
This tutorial reveals how easy it is to construct a fire damaged scale model. The plans for this fire damaged house model can be constructed to HO scale, OO gauge, or N scale.
Download plans for a burned-out background building and backdrop fire station https://www.modelbuildings.org/city-series/
Download plans for the fire-damaged house model, a fire department building, ambulance station, and police station https://www.modelbuildings.org/fire-department-ambulance-police-station-models/
Mobile Charge Office Used By Police on South African Trains
Peter Field from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa sent in this photo of his layout to share. He writes:
“We are fine just hiding from the COVID 19 but fine so spend a lot of time working on the layout which is 99% completed other than maintenance and doing small adjustments every so often.
Attached is a pic of the mobile charge office as used on many passenger trains in RSA. It has a charge office, counseling room, sleeping quarters for approx. 6 police officers, and small kitchenette, shower, and toilet compartment. The car has 4 cells in the rear with very small windows. It is also used on the container trains as protection as criminals break into the containers every so often. The police patrol the train when stopped at a station if necessary.”
Banking On Curve
Tony models OO gauge and asks:
“I think my 10 inch inside radius 180-degree curve built on a wallpaper paste table needs some sort of banking underneath to prevent the engine and rolling stock coming off at any speed. So my question is how high should the outside of the banking be compared to the inside, which I suspect to be zero?”
What are Droppers?
Following on from the question from Bryan, another Brian posted this question:
“I was just reading a persons question on your site. He mentioned adding DROPPERS to help stop engines from stalling at a switch. My questions are WHAT EXACTLY IS A DROPPER and HOW DO THEY FUNCTION?”
You can add your comments or answers below.
GP-7 Stalls on Atlas #6 Turnout
Bryan has 
this question:
“I have HO with NCE PC. After problems with my Atlas #6 turnout I added droppers and my engines stopped stalling on it – see my drawing. My GP-7 approaches from Kalmanazoo bound for Grand Rapids… no issues… but heading in the opposite direction it stalls. Doesn’t happen with my other engines. I marked it on the drawing where it stalls. It stops then restarts. I have 2 reverse loops.”
Bachmann GP-35 Buzzing
Max writes:
“I got my DCC Bachmann GP-35 out to give it a run after sitting it its box for several months, but the motor is buzzing and humming, and surged when I tried to move it. Maybe the voltage or the brushes are causing it?? I recently cleaned the track and originally got it with the decoder installed if that helps. Any thoughts?”
View or add comments below.
EMD GP40 Factory Settings
Ewan posted this:
“I got a EMD GP40 not brand new but looks hardly used. When I first ran it the engine worked ok, then I removed it from the track to do some minor track adjustments, and that’s when the problem started. It seems to respond to all the controls correctly, but when the power is connected the FT-A starts to move forward very quick. It responds to the emergency stop but not other commands. Is there a way to reset to factory settings, or do I buy a new decoder maybe? I don’t have a programming track to test it on.”
Add your comments/suggestions below.
Tutorial – How to Make a 1950s Style Railway House 👍😉
This tutorial shows the basics of building a 1950s style house. The plans for this house can be constructed to HO, OO, or N scale.
Power Loss On Layout
Hans writes:
“Please help! My model-train layout spreads over 20m2. I have the transformer on one end. I noticed that when the locomotive is on the opposite side, approx. 6mtrs distance, the power supply weakens. So, I added another transformer to the opposite side and it worked for a while, but now the transformer is burned-out. What recommendation do you give me to have a constant power-supply across the entire network? Thank you for your help.”
Add your suggestions below.
Sound Decoder Question For Kato SD90/43MAC Loco
Liam writes”
“I got a Kato HO SD90/43MAC on eBay (#176-5611) and want to fit a sounder decoder. Stupid question I know, but does a sound decoder also have a regular DCC decoder? Which one should I get and will the speaker, which I presume comes with it, fit ok?
Watch How A Beginner Constructs His First Scale Model 👍👍👍
This short tutorial was put together from video clips supplied by a proud newbie to model making. A good first attempt. He has agreed to make more.
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