The Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad club is a small RR club located in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington USA.

The club layout is modular 9 x 6 foot sections in a dog bone configuration with 2 mainlines of 40 feet and a branch line with 8 track staging yard. The layout is both analog and DCC. Most of the members are analog but once an month club members dedicate a meeting night to DCC.

Club members of the Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad Club meet every Tuesday night a 7 PM at the club house 303 3rd. St, Rainier, OR. USA.

If you would like to tell others about your model RR club go to http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/train-club.html

Natalie is a 66 year old Grandma and is building a model RR layout with her grandson and would like your help please. Here is what Natalie has to say:

“My grandson and I have been attempting to build an HO model railroad layout. We have the platform made and covered and are experimenting with making our own hills, mountain and rocks from plaster. We are now at the point where we want to realistically paint the items.

Any suggestions from your readers would be helpful. We did make a tunnel successfully but the painting of it does not look real at all (tans, browns and green paint).

Also, I have read on line that people use Photoshop to acquire buildings and houses copies and was wondering if this is a free site? Any help from your readers would be most appreciated by me, a 66yr old grandma and her grandson.”

Elbert is planning a 1950’s layout and needs guidance from readers:

“I am just starting an HO model train layout and wanted to do a 1950’s era scene with steam locos. I am however, having a difficult time locating a 4-6-4 hudson with cn or cpr markings. So far the ones I have found are way beyond my budget as they are generally custom built brass. Also, I am researching what type of loco would have been pulling passengers when my parents emmigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in June of 1952. If anyone has any relevant info or pics on this they would be greatly appreciated.”

As a note to Elbert, Accucraft has produced 150 live steam CANADIAN ROYAL HUDSON 4-6-4 locomotives in 1:32 scale and 45mm gauge. They are handcrafted from brass and stainless steel. Production is limited in 150 models.

TECHNICAL DATA CPR 4-6-4 Royal Hudson Steam Loco

• Width – locomotive 110 mm/tender 100 mm
• Length – locomotive 560 mm/tender 375 mm
• Height – locomotive 155 mm/tender 155 mm
• Cylinders – 15.9 mm bore, 25.4 mm stroke
• Minimum radius – 8 Ft
• Operating pressure – 100 psi (6.9 bar)
• Boiler capacity – 520 ml
• Equipment – Tender pump, axle pump, blower valve (alcohol version), throttle valve, pressure gauge, quadrant reverser, whistle & valve, water glass, cylinder drain cocks and alcohol or gas firing.

If you have some comments on this posting click on the green comments link and have your say.

The layout comprise three loops. An outer loop, (main line) just inside the edges of the base, a second loop that rise approx. 2″ over 3′ crossing a viaduct & over a small pond, looping around a multi purpose farm and Industrial Park, returning to the main line by grade over one plate girder and three truss bridges, and one smaller loop at the opposite end which passes through a tunnel under the farm and through a small town. There are two passing tracks and a triple spur into the Industrial Park.

There is also a deadend spur which can be used to expand the layout onto another module if desired.

My rolling stock comprise of three diesel loco’s, about 20 various freight cars and a four car passenger set. The base of the layout is made of foam core as per instructions in the book, so it is very light and portable.

I’m only into DC at this time. There are 12 remote turnouts and 9 track blocks. In lieu of the slide switches which come with the turnouts, I built a set of probe points for each and have the block switches and probe points mounted on the roof of a building which I scratch built.

I have been a model builder from childhood, starting out building ‘EasyBuilt‘ balsa models and expanded into tall ship models and woodworking over the years. This is my first venture into model railroading.

Walter has an interest in famous trains and wants ideas from readers.

“I would like to develop an HO layout featuring famous trains and wondered if your readers might offer me some suggestions. We have recently moved and I now have a whole room to myself. My model materials are still in boxes but I am formulating a plan which is still in the mentally visual stage but I have lots of space to incorporate my ideas into an active layout, Right now Im not planning a specific layout but would like to develop the concept of famous trains.”

To make suggestions click on the green comments link below.

Club member David sent in this information about the Northern Lights Model Railroad Association and Railroad Museum.

The purpose of the club is to share the joys of model railroading. The experience is not limited to controlling trains as they go around on the track but include a number of other disciplines including artistic construction of models, programming controllers, wiring electrical circuits, woodworking, and the thrill of seeing a plan put through from an idea to something that works and you can see in action.

Members also meet new people with similar interests and share other aspects of life related to the hobby.

The layout is a HO scale model railroad. It is located in it’s own room and the layout is 32 feet by 17 feet. A public viewing hall on one side borders the room and is glass enclosed from the public. The layout is a double dog bone. It was designed with two factors in mind, It was designed with no duck under, and that it would be DCC controlled.

The layout is powered by its own dedicated 30-amp power supply with lighting and power surge protection. It is wired for DCC with two separate buss wires of #4 bare copper ground wires.
Digitrax manufactures the DCC system and the layout uses a DB 100 and a DB 150 as a booster . There are 14 UP 3’s space around the layout plus the the layout is also fully radio and infrared compatible using 300R hand throttles and Digitrax UR 91’s radio receivers. All wiring is heavy duty commercial and relays, which were used, are Potter Brumfield bottle relays with 12-volt control voltage.

The layout will have a full size double ended yard, full engine facilities with a working 130 foot turntable, round house and backshop, store house and power house. There is about 1500 feet of code 100 nickel silver track.

In the future the club has plans to be able to dispatch trains from the Telegraphers office through the use of the club computer.

In addition to model railroading, the Association is also dedicated to preserving the history of railroading in the region. The Association’s museum has a number of pieces that represent railroading’s past including the caboose, switch gear, signaling equipment and several motorized railroad vehicles.

Current projects include restoration of a Great Northern Caboose, Expansion of Casy Holt Juction (Club House/Railroad History Museum Building) Restoration of serval motorized railroad vehicles and Track Relay Project.

The project will include:

• A #9 90 pound left-hand switch
• 500 feet of 90 pound track
• A road crossing and road bed
• Working crossing signals

Northern Lights Model Railroad Association and Railroad Museum 219 20th Street NE, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, USA.

Rob from Victoria Australia has a question Melbourne Trams in HO or OO scale:

“Does anyone manufacture models of early Melbourne trams that do not need assembly?”

Chuck is restoring a Lionel 773 Hudson and needs your help. To offer a suggestion click on the green comments link below this posting.

“I am restoring a Lionel 773 Hudson. After some considerable searching and procuring pieces to put the unit back to OE condition, I am looking for information about the paint for the boiler. Also, what coating was put on the powdered drive wheels? Three of the drivers had some rust on them and that has effected the black surface coating. Thanks in advance. Any help as to web sites, or other info for restoration would be great.”

Click on the comments tag to answer.

If you operate DCC you might like to add your thoughts to this posting. Click the green comments link below.

James operates HO and asks:

“Which is better too operate, dc or dcc and how do I get started? What equipment do I need to buy?”

James, the Model Train Help Ebook includes a big section about pros and cons od DC verses DCC.

Peter also has HO and asks:

“I have a locomotive with 2 motors. Do I need 2 decoders or 1 for a conversion to DCC?”

Terry has an N scale layout and is looking for a DCC control/sound board – can you help him:

“I have been looking for a DCC control/sound board for an Atlas GP-7 loco ph1 (N scale) (DCC ready)so far I have had no luck. I’m new to DCC and just trying to get started in it. Can someone please suggest something?”

To suggest an answer click on the GREEN comments link below this DCC posting.

Bruce asks a question about the HO automated railroad he is building:

“Is there a catagory for a completely automated railroad system in train shows? I have one that I am building and it is run with a PLC and a robot for loading and displays and things of that nature. Don’t know what it will be like when I am finished but will be off the charts. Still in the planning stage at this point but getting closer all the time.”

If you visit a lot of train shows or have some suggestions to help Bruce with his automated railroad, simply click on the GREEN comments link below this posting.

There are plenty of newbies who could benefit greatly from your model railroad experience. If you can help by answering some of the questions submitted by readers to this FREE blog site – simply click on the GREEN comments link below these postings and post your answers and suggestions to help others in the hobby.

Over the past year or two this FREE blog has proven to be a help to many, but I need your help and suggestions to keep the blog going.

Please join in and contribute your thoughts and together we can help others. Click on the GREEN comments tag below each posting.

Share your experience with others in the hobby by helping them solve their model railroading problems. In this blog I am giving everyone the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions.

Here some questions from a newbie in the hobby about his N scale layout. To offer help simply click on the green comments tag and type in your ideas or suggestions.

N Scale Question

“I have just started with model railroading in N scale to accommodate the area I have. I will be using Atlas, Code 55 track. I will have a main line, branch Line with a small yard and industrial spur . I will be using #5 turnouts. While working on my yard design I am not sure what is require to transition from the turnout to parallel tracks.

At the throat of the yard, yes, I should use turnouts, however, should I use ship switches or turnouts when switching is required in the yard area?

What type of curve should I use between the turnout and strieght track?

Maybe a 10 inch radius full or half section?”

Type in your answers by clicking on the green comments tag.

The more you know about model trains, the less chance that you’ll be taken for a ride (excuse the pun!). Some shop assistants and train retailers just want to sell you something, and others may misunderstand your needs and sell you the wrong thing. However, in general hobby shop staff have a wealth knowledge and are happy to share their ideas.

The more research you do, the better you’ll get to know your model train scales, styles and which model train manufacturers you prefer. Toy stores sometimes carry train sets, but often they specialize for the lower end, or battery operated, model train set market.

Hobby stores are generally more specialized and cater more for the experienced model railroading enthusiasts. Hobby stores generally sell more challenging electrical model train sets and offer choices from more train manufacturers than do most toy stores.

Specialist model train hobby stores usually carry a full range of model train accessories, as well as railroading books, magazines, DVDs and train videos to help you get started. The other advantage is that model train hobby shops typically service what they sell. Although there are exceptions, model train hobby stores generally have shop staff who are knowledgeable about model trains.

Buying Trains And Train Accessories On The Internet

There are several well known Internet train sites offering extensive ranges of model trains and accessories. Well known Internet train sites include: http://www.internettrains.com/ www.internethobbies.com/ http://www.ncphobbies.com/ www.wholesaletrains.com/ Please note: by mentioning these sites we are not necessarily endorsing or recommending these Internet train retailers. They are just examples of Internet train retailers – and you will need to make your own decisions as to where you buy your train accessories.

The important point to note: when buying model trains and train accessories online you can also get some excellent deals. However, you do need know what you are looking for, because when buying on the Internet you can’t pick up the item and examine it. Depending on which Internet site you visit, you may not be able to get detailed information about individual products. So, do thorough research before buying any trains or accessories to avoid disappointment.

Research the specifications to ensure what you are buying meets your needs.

Before you purchase your model train set think carefully about where you’re going to display and built it. Select a space where your model train set won’t get damaged – and where you have room to enjoy the model train set – and work on – and operate the trains with ease. And, if possible, room enough to expand onto your model train layout. Yes, that’s something to consider – is it going to be permanent, or is the model train set going to put away after each use?

My Model Train Help Ebook includes a list of resources to help you avoid mistakes when buying trains and accessories.