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 To Stop Bogies Derailing on a Turnout
Julian asks readers:
“I have a seemingly intractable problem. The front bogies on my new OO Hornby West Country jump off on the turnout when having to turn. The first of the outside bogies seems to fall out through the gap in the outside curve where the crossing is and before the check rail on the inside has a chance to hold the flange of the inside front bogey. I have tried widening the bogies but what little extra there is before the wheels come off does not help. I have put a piece of foam under the bogies and while that damps the jumping it does not cure it. Help please!”
Constructing a Multi Level Train Layout
John has a question for readers:
“I’m building a multi level OO scale layout, the first level will be a fiddle yard and the second level will be the main area. I need to know what should be the height of my supports pieces between the first level to the second level, enough for me to access the trains on the fiddle yard on the first level and also to access wires and other things?”
A Clever Use For Broken Track Pieces
Robert (a blog reader from NZ) sent in this clever idea to share:
Have you got some broken pieces of track? Don’t throw it away, make a coal store for your steam locos.
Cut the plastic joining the sleepers (ties) together. Glue the sleepers together side by side until you have the length required (include a few broken ones). Then glue a piece of rail parallel to the ground about half way up the sleepers to act as reinforcing as per the photo. You can make a 3 sided or 4 sided store as large as you like this way. My photo shows a 3 sided version with a coaling crane and tubs.
Using Micro Controller Technology On Model Railroads
Just before Christmas I overheard a young guy at a shopping mall train display say something to the effect of “model trains are just for old farts!” True; a lot of us are getting on a bit, but despite what he implied, many of us embrace the newer technologies like DCC, JMRI, LED lighting, and micro controllers etc. In fact; it is those technologies that are attracting many younger folk back to the hobby. And that’s great!
These days the options for improving functionally (and realism) are far more diverse than was the case in the pre-digital era. For example; tiny microcontrollers can now be used effectively for: scenery and train lighting effects, turnout operation, block occupancy detection, signal operations, and even turntable control.
The sky’s the limit…there are all sorts of possibilities for the model railroader. I’m sure that young guy at the shopping mall would be impressed if he only knew how far model railroading has come, and if he understood the clever technologies being uses by some of us “old farts!”.
If you’re not fully up with the some of the technology options, then you’ll probably be interested in this just released e-book that walks through how to use tiny inexpensive micro controls. The downloadable e-book includes lots of photos, diagrams, links to videos etc, and explains (one step at a time) how to use this clever technology. Here’s the link to download the ebook http://www.modeltraincontrols.com
Progress on the Mountain Park Coal Mine Layout
Tim sent in this info to share with readers:
I retired last year and my friend Don and I are building our first layout in my basement in Edmonton Alberta Canada. The table is not very large, being only 40″ X 96″ (1016mm X 2438mm) but more than enough for our first simple HO scale layout. We are loosely basing it on the Mountain Park coal mine which is a ghost town south of Cadomin Alberta that flourished between 1912 to 1950. Don and I took our families camping up there many time as we love the scenery on the eastern slope of the Rockies. Mountain Park had a rail line called the “Blue Flea” but I can’t find out (yet) how it got that name.
The biggest problem we have run into so far is that the small locomotive (#55 in the picture pulling the coal cars) doesn’t seem to like the frogs in Atlas switches, we think because of the short wheelbase… We are currently thinking of switching all eighteen turnouts to PECO electrofrog which seem to solve the problem on the one I did yesterday.
Don is finishing the coal mine layout and I am working on a trestle bridge and then it on to the townsite for both of us. Google “Mountain Park Alberta” for reference images.
Locomotive Motors Lack Power
Chuck asks readers for advice:
“I have several HO diesels that are dcc. I bought them used on e-bay and they are in good condition. They operate with no problems but some of them don’t run as strong as some others. I don’t think the motor needs to be changed, but maybe installing new springs and brushes might give some new zip to some of my weaker engines. Please let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you and any advice you can give.”
How Good are Peco Turnouts?
Bill models HO scale, 100 Gauge track and asks readers for their opinions on turnout brands:
“Is there a better quality turnout than Peco? Of all the turnouts that I have, I have three medium turnouts where the train is constantly derailing. I have gauged them and checked all alignments and they look fine, but you hear a thump as the train passes over them. I’m ready to tear everything apart and replace those Peco turnouts.”
Video of Fred’s Container Ship in Action
Last week Fred sent in a couple of photos of the model container ship (1/550 scale) he made. This week he supplied a video showing the radio controlled action. Although the intermodal containers are recommended for use indoors on model railroad layouts, Fred only got a couple of water droplets on the containers, so he has spray them with matt varnish to seal them.
“The supplied containers were very heavy plastic which would make it very top heavy. That is why I wanted to use yours. Thanks for a neat product.” Fred K.
Can I Install Decoders in My Old Locomotives Without Problems?
Club member Ian asks readers:
“I have 14 older HO pre DCC engines and want to convert them over. Simple question is – can I install decoders in these old style locos? What kind of problems should I expect, if any? Also, I would appreciate any further guidance so I don’t stuff things up. Thanks in advance to all who reply.”
Fred Made This M.V. Tampa Container Ship Model
Fred sent in these impressive photos showing the container ship he constructed and fitted out using the photo-realistic downloadable container plans at http://www.shippingcontainermodels.com
“I finally finished the boat model of the 1/550 scale Imex model M.V. Tampa container ship. You have to remember that is is only 19 inches long by 2.5 inches wide so I simply reduced the containers to 30% of the files I purchased. I then printed those on thicker paper so I would not have to use cardboard for support. Here are pictures of it and by the way, maiden voyage on the pond Saturday went very well and onlookers really liked it!”
Tips for Building a Modular Railroad
Hank has a question for readers:
“This is my first attempt, I want to do a module in N scale. What I’ve got is a roundhouse with 6 compartments and a non powered turn table. I am open to suggestions on how to plan and then start putting this together. Please keep it as simple as possible, do not send me any complicated diagrams for I’ll give up and my train collection will be just that a collection to show and tell. I would like a main line to the round table and then to the roundhouse.”
Hank there is a very good manual on building modules called “Confessions of a Mobile Layout Builder” available as a bonus here http://www.modelrailwayscenery.org/model-railroad-scenery.html
How to Program DCC Circuit Breakers
Dennis asks readers:
“Can I use HO NCE EB1 CB’s with the Digitrax DCS100 & 150? Will they trip before the DCS100/150’s? Can I program them with the Digitrax DT402 throttle? Are there any specific programming settings when using the EB1? I have 20 districts and 5amp supply.”
How to Mount a Camera to a Model Train
Here’s a question from Don that will interest many in the hobby:
“Hello, I have wanting to put a camera on my HO train but have no idea what kind to buy or were to find them on the internet. I live in the USA if that makes any difference of any kind.”
Adjusting the Weight of Cars
Bill has a question for readers:
“If the cars were heavier, or some of them heavier, would it help the whole lot of them stay on the track better? Or is it generally going to take track cleaning or adjusting to solve most of these issues?”
How to Fix Sparking Under a Locomotive
Eddie asks readers:
“I was giving all my Marklin HO locos a run and one of the older ones started to spark from the slider. It ran a little bit, but not very good and then just stopped. Is it just a matter of changing the slider or something more serious? Thanks.”
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