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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!
Turning Off LED Coach Lights When Train is Sitting at a Siding or Station – How?
Russell posted this question:
“I figured how to instal an LED strip light in a passenger coach and power it from the rails on my DCC layout without using a decoder, but I can’t figure how to turn the lights off without taking the coach off the rails or using an isolated track section. I thought this would be a handy detail when the coaches are stationed at a platform or on a siding waiting to be put into use, but am not sure how to achieve this. Have you done this? How?”
Woodland Scenics TT4560 Tidy Track Roto Wheel Cleaner Feedback
Kevin posted:
“I am thinking of getting a Woodland Scenics TT4560 tidy track roto engine wheel cleaner HO version and would like feedback on how efficient they are. My understanding is you put your engine on this device and it cleans the wheels. Sounds easy, but what happens when the engine is tender driven with the tender having rubber wheels? I’m just not sure how this would work?”
Replacing Square Couplers With Magnetic Couplers
Nathan posted this question:
“I recently picked some old rolling stock (N-scale) cheap, but the cars have the older style square hook couplers, so how difficult would it be to replace them with the magnetic couplers?”
Add or view comments below.
Replacement Motorized Chassis for PA1
Charles is into N scale and asks:
“I’ve been trying to obtain the subject matter for my Con-Cor/Kato Santa Fe PA1. I’ve searched the Web and can’t find what I need.”
Smoking Locomotive
Donald models HO and asks:
“I have a Bachman HO 2-6-2 locomotive that smokes. Q: Is there any way you can clean the smoking unit if it becomes clogged with dried burnt oil inside the smoke stack?”
Swapping Plastic Wheels For Metal Wheels
Arthur posted this question:
“I have a lot of HO cars (different makes) with plastic wheels and over winter want to gradually swap them for metal which I think will run better. What size should I get? I see there are 33inch and 36inch. Does the make matter?”
To view the answers or add your own suggestion, leave a comment below.
Replacing Plastic Wheels and Plastic Couplers
Bendt seeks your help:
“Hi, I got a cheap job lot of old wagons, tank cars etc at a garage sale. The problem is being attached to the trucks they mostly have snap-in plastic wheels and plastic horn couplers. I tried converting one car but it was very fiddly. Am I wasting my time trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear? Should I just start over with new cars? Thoughts appreciated.”
Write and view COMMENTS below.
Fish Plates on Rail Track
Tony asks:
“What is the best way to put fishplates on OO rail track please?”
Barber Roller Bearing Trucks
Barry asks:
“Does anyone know the difference between Roller Bearing Trucks and Barber Roller Bearing Trucks?”
Original Dining Car Orient Express D2419
Peter from South Africa writes:
“Attached is a copy of the dining car D2419 which I wrote about in my recent blog article which I thought the readers would love to see. According to the info it was made by a firm Poco maybe Poland.
This wagon Dining Car started its life as the original dining car for the first Orient Express going back to the early 1900s and when the WW 1 finished the Armistice was signed in her between France, England, and Germany and was mounted at Versailles France. Along came the WW 2 when Hitler signed the WW2 into operation and stolen the dining wagon 2419 D and used it as his command center on his special war command train until the end of the of WW2. Then according to the records this coach was pushed into a tunnel and burnt. The remains were only found later on but the French had an ace up their sleeve and had a similar coach and brought it out and renamed it 2419D and it is in Versailles today as far as I know. This information was obtained from a Video hunting Hitler shown here in South Africa.
Trust this gives you some info on the coach I use her on my 1930’s SAR trains as it color is what they called Imperial brown which blends in with the 1930’s passenger rolling stock of SAR trains
Cheers Peter Field RSA.”
Power to Turntable
Rudy asks:
“I’m interested to install a manual HO turntable. How does power get to the table, and then the track beyond”
Knuckle Couplers – Where From?
Larry models HO and wants to know:
“I don’t know the type or where to buy knuckle couplers for an AHM Burlington 5204D reel car. Any help available?”
Add your comment, or send in your question for publication. See links below.
Out of Scale Vehicles/Toys On Model Railroads
David has an interesting observation and related question:
“Our modeling scales have been pretty well fixed for over 100 years. Our hobby has probably the largest demographic of any ‘toy’ buying, world wide. So why do toy manufacturers insist on making their product to either no scale at all, or to scales that do not relate to our most popular ones (OO, HO, N, etc.)
Are they not aware that they open the market for their products immensely?
For example, if the Asian toy car and truck makers did them in H0/00 rather than 1:100 or 1:80 how many more they would sell?
Is it possible for model railway associations worldwide (NMRA and all the others) start a ‘mailing campaign’ advising companies of the market they are missing?
What do contributors to this page think?”
Smoke Pellets or Liquid
John has an O scale question:
“How does one determine when to use smoke pellets/pills or liquid for Lionel trains smokestacks? Does it matter?”
Wiring Tiny LED Lights
Howie models HO and writes:
“Hi. I just got back into the hobby. The LED street lights have the thinnest wire I have ever seen. How do I fasten them to longer wire to get power to them? So tiny! Help!”
Add your thoughts to assist Howie.
Turntable Power Source
Ed writes:
“What Power source can be use to power an H.O. scale turntable? 130 degree.”
Sounds For Post War Lionel Train
Dick writes:
“My post-war O scale Lionel has a tender with some sound options. Can I add more realistic sounds to my setup?”
Electrical Pickup Troubles with Baldwin Modern 440 Locomotive
Martin asks for help:
“I am having electrical pickup troubles with my Baldwin Modern 440. The tender sound will work when I disconnect the tender and pins from the loco, that is until I touch the tender or attempt to move it. The sound sometimes works when I fidget with the tender. I don’t know what to do.”
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