Michael needs some advice from those with experience in the hobby:

“My diesel locomotive was recently cleaned at the local shop. I also cleaned the tracks at home. After an hour of running smoothly the locomotive started to hesitate and eventually kept bucking. At one point it just stopped running. Can anyone advise me as what to do with this?”

Add your comments below

If you have experience with locomotive motors then you might be willing to assist Tom with his question:

“I am new to model railroading and I am looking at various locos. What puzzles me is there are different types of motors used. Can anyone shed some light on this question and explain the differences?”

Add your comments below.

Jim has a question on a subject that has been asked many times before:

“I have the Lionel Fastrack. What is the best way to clean the track and what product do your readers suggest?”

Use the green Comments link to add your answer.

Ian from Australia has a question for anyone who knows anything about cleaning brass trains and asks:

“I have several brass locos that I’ve collected over the years. Being an armchair
railroader – I have a new (couple of years ago) 4.5 x 11 metre Colorbond shed – but haven’t started a layout yet – the brass locos have been in storage and some are tarnished, or worse – a few that were in a tea chest which suffered rising damp are green! With all the boiler detail I can’t use a rub-on cleaner like Brasso, they’d need to be dipped or have something applied and removed with an old tooth brush. An ‘Easy-Off Bam’ TV ad showed a copper coin being dipped and coming out clean, but the labels on their bottles say not to use it on copper or brass. Any ideas from somone would be appreciated?”

Use the green Comments and Feedback link below to help Ian with his Brass Loco problem. It takes only 2 minutes to register (if you haven’t already done so) and then you can participate in future Model Train Blog discussions.

Can you help Dan with his question about cleaning engine wheels:

“Can one of your readers please recommend/suggest the best way to clean engine wheels? Also can they suggest cleaners?

You can help Dan by using the green Comments & Feedback link to answer his question. Click the link and register (it takes only 2 minutes) and then you can participate in all future discussions.

Charles doesn’t say where he lives (which country, state or city) but asks readers this question:

“I have an old (35 y) Marklin electric engine that runs on both AC and DC. Can some tell me where I can get a 1st class checkup of the engines electric systems? I am on a limited budget.”

Add your feedback to this posting using the green Comments & Feedback link. It takes just 2 minutes to register and you only need to register once to post regular feedback.

Marty has a question on a subject that is widely covered in the Model Train Help Ebook and asks readers to add feedback on his problem:

“Can some answer what is the best solvent to keep tracks clean? How do you keep your rails clean? My layout is in my garage. What solvent should I use and what to use to put it on with? Thanks Marty”

Gerry is new to model railroading and it sounds like he is trying to remove the body from the chassis. He will probably need to remove the couplers and squeeze the shell together at the rear and at the front to release the locking tabs. Perhaps someone might like to walk him through the process step by step. Here is his question:

“I need some help getting the shell off a Athearn SD40 model 93567 engine. I am mew to this hobby and need to install a decoder in this and another engine. Does anyone know how to do this?”

Come on! Don’t just sit there. Add your feedback to help this beginner. He needs help and encouragement. Click on the green comments link below and register.

Rosemary wants to hear readers thoughts on cleaning wheels:

“What do people suggest is the easiest/best method to clean the wheels? We have some postwar rolling stock that need cleaning. I’ve read that alcohol is one method. Can someone give some advice please?”

To add feedback to Rosemary’s posting use the green Comments and Feedback link below.

Dave has a U shaped 4 level, 4 station layout with a harbour (english spelling) and 6 industrial areas and is having a problem with rusting rails. To help Dave click on the green comments link at the end of this posting and add your feedback:

“I have HO gauge Marklin and have been involved with Marklin for 49 years. I have a total of 62 locomotives dating from 1957 up to and including 1998. I do not do digital although this method is the way to go. I prefer to stay with the old system .

My layout is U shaped 6 x 3 , 4 levels with 4 stations , a harbour , 6 industrial areas and a rail bus secondary line, . Although not entirely complete as most model train enthuiasts never seem to complete a layout as there is always something that needs to be done.

However , what I would like to know, is how does one prevent track from rusting as I live less than one kilometre from the sea with the climatic conditions averaging between 20 degrees on a daily basis. At this time of the year the temperature is higher with high humidity and this does cause chaos with regard to smooth running of the system. I have tried methyolated spirits to clean track with success but all track under mountain areas and tunnels is difficult to reach which is a problem “

Henry wants to hear from someone who can recommend a good train repairer:

“Can some helpful person in the hobby refer me to a topnotch repairman/restorer for damaged/vandalized vintage NWSL, PFM etc, brass locos c. 1959 – 1980, preferrably in the US?
Thanks.”

To help Henry add your feeback using the green comments link below his posting.

Note – This is a blog FREE service so please help others in the hobby who are asking questions and who genuinely need help. Don’t keep your knowledge to yourself – help others, as I’m sure they will appreciate your help.

Mike is a novice to model railways and until recently had a 125 – R317 0580 working well. Mike wants information on the engine wiring and any reader ideas to help him retify the problem. Mike asks:

“Does anyone know where can I purchase a detailed plan of my 125 – R317 0580 in order to try and retify a fault.”

Add your feedback below.

Jack would like to hear from anyone with experience maintaining 2026 Lionel Engines:

“I normally perform all ther maintenance on my trains including cleaning, oiling, changing smoke & e units, but the slide bars are worn out and I wonder if this is something I should attempt or take it to a professional – does someone reading this know?”

Add your feedback using the green comments link below.

This blog is a FREE service for model railroaders to use. There is no charge to submit your model railroading questions at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/submit-questions.html Please note there is no guarantee that questions will be published on this model train blog.

All questions will be submitted to the blog moderator for approval and editing prior to publication. Please check your questions for spelling and punctuation as priority will be given to well written questions. Please give as many details as possible describing the problem as this will help other answer the question and provide quality feedback. Approved questions are usually published withing one week of submission.

Remember all questions should be directed to other readers to answer. The blog moderator does not usually answer the questions as this service is for everyone to share ideas with each other. If you would like to answer any questions and help your fellow railroaders, simply click on the green comments link below.

A request: Please do not get abusive with the blog moderator as the person is not being paid for this work. This is a FREE service and not all questions are approved for publication or answered.
We want to keep this service running so please don’t spoil it for others in the hobby.

Keen model railroading enthusiast Dick wants to hear from others on how to maintain his old Empire Builder (circa 1939):

“Almost 70 years ago I boarded the Empire Builder, leaving frozen Minnesota for the damp Northwest. I still remember that snortin’, fire-breatin’ steam-spittin’ monster that roared into the depot.

Overly long approach to the question, but I can replace my diesel stuff on my generous Social Security, but to replace some of this N scale steam iron would be a little tougher. I can’t afford another 4-8-4, let alone buying a Senator that would give me a pittance of the trillion gazzilion they are passing out for my pitiful little infrastructure.

So, short of a government bailout, what’s the best plan for keeping the old Empire Builder (circa 1939) rolling?

True disclosure: Years later I took a train to Texas. To Aviation Cadet pilot training. During the past 55 years as a professional pilot, I don’t recall seeing a steam powered airplane. But I did find some, like the old Great Northern fire breather, that sucked air in and spit fire out the back, and actually went a fair bit faster than a train. Thanks, guys for putting up with my ramblings.”

Paul wants to repair his trains with new brushes and/or motors and wants to hear from anyone who has already done this to their trains:

“I have various AHM engines from the 1970’s who need repairs, new brushes and/or motors. Does anyone know if there is a source for such train AHM train parts?”

To give your feedback click on the green comments link below.