Here is a chance for fellow model railroaders to help each other by sharing answers and ideas. This reader has a question for you on locomotive numbering.

“What do the 3 or 4 numbers that are separated by a hyphen mean in the description of a locomotive? You always see these numbers when the ad lists a locomotive for sale?
What does it represent and what numbers are the best, if there is such a thing? Thanks.”

Whether you are a beginner, or experienced railroader, all trains set starts with the basics of a train and some track. Well, there’s a little more to it than that.

A typical model train set would include: at least one locomotive, three, four or five freight cars or trucks… and enough straight tracks and curved tracks to make an oval layout. A basic model train set would also include a power pack (transformer) and some wiring that runs from the track and the power pack. Those are considered the basics of model train sets.

A starter model train set is a good entry point for a beginner to this exciting model railroading hobby.

When planning a small model railroad layout, it’s important that you know the limitations that a small space can impose.

Although the space available for the model railroad layout might limit the choice of scales, the major limitation is usually in the choice of themes that can be effectively modelled in the space available.

In most cases main line model railroad themes wouldn’t fit. Whereas, a limited space may be better allocated to creating industrial, branch line or tramway themes. A mainline theme may still be possible if the model railroad layout is scaled down.

I just got some feedback from a reader regarding his local hobby shops and what they think about HO scale. I thought I would share his comments and you are welcome to add your own thoughts on HO scale to this blog.

“I have just begun reading Mr Anderson’s ebook and was encouraged to read that HO train lines are so popular. I was beginning to have doubts after visiting two local train stores here –neither of which carried much in the way of HO train sets. The larger of the two in fact said it did not carry HO lines because they were no darn good. The engines are not repairable and the tracks keep coming apart. They preferred the larger–mostly Lionel type trains that can be turned on and off by remote. “

I think the thing to remember is that some hobby shops specialize in certain scales and brands and have their own views that are not always shared by everyone. Keep an open mind.

Here is a list of groups in Florida:

Big Bend Model Railroad Association Tallahassee, Consolidated Model Railroaders (CMRX) Panama City, Florida Citrus Model Train Society Fort Lauderdale, Florida Nature’s Coast Model RailRoad Club Brooksville, Greater Florida LEGO Train Club, The H. B. Plant Railroad Historical Society Plant City – Florida, Miracle Strip Model Railroad Club – Florida, Model Railroad Club Wildwood, Ocala Model Railroaders Ocala – Florida, Orlando N-Trak Orlando, Palm Beach Model RailRoaders West Palm Beach, Pensacola Model Railroad Club Pensacola, Ridge Live Steamers Dundee, Sarasota Model Railroad Club Sarasota, Scale Rails of Southwest Florida Fort Myers, South Plantation Train Club Plantation – Florida, Sun City Center Model Railroad Club sun city center, Suncoast Model Railroad Club Largo, Palm Beach Model Railroaders West Palm Beach, Florida.

For details on individual model railroad clubs.

Here is a list of groups in Connecticut:

Connecticut Society of Ferroequinologists and Model Railway Engineers, Connecticut S Gaugers, Housatonic Model Railway Club, Mohegan – Pequot Model Railroad Club, New Haven & Derby Railroad Club, New Haven Society Of Model Engineers, Silk City Model Railroad Club, The Stamford Model Railroad Club, Torrington Area Model Railroaders, Valley HO Trak Model Railroad Club, Valley Ntrak of Connecticut.

For details on individual groups visit http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/modelrailroadclubs.html

Before Lionel entered the scene, Ives Corp. dominated the toy train manufacturing in America. Founded in 1868, this toy firm developed a mechanical clockwork locomotive giving its trains the edge of self-propelled motion. Around 1900, Ives faced competition from European toy makers. Ives then produced colorful electric locomotives with the first automatic reversing units. Heightened competition from Lionel and American Flyer led to Ives declaring bankruptcy in 1928.

The American Flyer Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1907, and made windup and electric wide gauge (the competitor to Lionel’s Standard gauge) trains. The A. C. Gilbert Co. bought the firm in 1937 and offered O and HO trains. After World War II, Gilbert switched from O to S gauge. Lionel purchased the rights to produce American Flyer trains after Gilbert went out of business in 1966.

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) is the largest US organization devoted to the development, promotion, and enjoyment of the hobby of model railroading.

The NMRA was founded in 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in order to provide a service to the hobby of model railroading.

The branch line theme often includes mixed freight and passenger trains running to a timetable-based operation.

A branch line on a model railroad layout will commonly have a small station where trains can pass. The train station has some shunting possibilities, e.g. serving a freight shed.

To make the operations more interesting a “shadow station” or passing loop can be added to a branch line train layout.

Many branch line layout designs consist of an oval shaped line, though on a shelf-based layout an out-and-back format is also reasonably common.

A branch line can be an excellent addition to any model railroad layout. A branch line is a quieter alternative to a main line railroad layout. Truth is; a branch line can be fascinating project to build and operate.

The advantages of building a branch line are many and varied. One of the advantages is that a branch line layout will generally require less rolling stock. A branch line can also mean greater flexibility in the complexity of your track plan depending on what you want to achieve.

It is not surprising that building a branch line is a favorite for many model railroaders. Afterall, a branch does provide more opportunities to include small dioramas within the model railroad layout.

Roco have been producing quality models since the early sixties. Over the years they have strived for excellence and today are considered one of the finest production model train companies in the world.

Pictured is the Roco (AC) 69292 – Steam Locomotive 50 622 Museum AC

The O Gauge Polar Express is a popular item with lionel enthusiasts. The Lionel Polar Express is based on the 1985 story written by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie was released in 2004.

Features:

The Lionel Polar Express model train set comes with a 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive with tender. It also has two passenger coaches and one passenger observation car with rounded deck.

The tender is equipped with an air whistle. As you might expect, this model train set comes with railroad tracks, a CW-80 transformer, some movie characters, liquid smoke and a how-to video.

The engine puffs smoke and has a front headlight. The tender has an operating coupler on the rear. The Polar Express has a die cast metal body and frame. Individual cars for this set are also available separately.

Model railroading has been around since 1825, when Joseph Ritter Von Baader built a model railway in the grounds of Nymphenberg Castle. He built it for the King of Bayern in order to encourage him in constructing a real railway project. In London in 1862, Joseph, Myers and Co was the first company to feature a steam-powered model locomotive in a catalog. Since then, model railroading has grown into a hugely popular hobby, enjoyed by millions of enthusiasts worldwide.

What About Lionel Model Trains?

Lionel is a well-known name associated with O gauge trains. Joshua Lionel Cowen started the Lionel firm in 1900, later developing Standard gauge (2 1/4-inch gauge) and helped to popularize O gauge. Lionel trains became a major model train manufacturer during the late 1940s and ’50s. In 1969, General Mills secured the rights to manufacture Lionel trains under the names Model Products Corp. and Fundimensions. Richard Kughn acquired those rights in 1986 and formed Lionel Trains Inc. In 1995 he sold the company.

The 2006 Lionel catalog features building the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha 4-4-2 Steam Locomotive.

In 1935, the Milwaukee Road introduced an all new streamlined passenger train capable of both dizzying speeds and luxurious service. The Milwaukee Road dubbed this fast and fantastic train the Hiawatha. Built by the American Locomotive Company, locomotive Number 3 was delivered in May 1936. Dressed in vibrant orange, maroon, and gray, this new locomotive was prepared for service with the Hiawatha.

Built from all-new tooling, this classic locomotive features many prototypical details, including an opening front cowl, opening cab doors, and separately applied handrails and catwalks. This model also boasts the unsurpassed RailSounds 5.0 sound system with two FatBoy speakers.Matching Hiawatha passenger cars are also available, complete with a “Beaver Tail” observation car.

More details on the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha 4-4-2 Steam Locomotive are in the 2006 Lionel catalog. Further information on how to get a copy of the 2006 Lionel catalog can be found on the Lionel Model Train site http://www.lionel.com/

Atlas’ model includes the three different styles of long hood that were common to the MP15DC throughout production: standard hood, hood with square air filter box and hood with angled air filter box (the air filter box is located in the area immediately ahead of the cab). In addition, various styles of hood and cab-end sand boxes are being offered. The model train locomotive will also include a see-through cab with various interior details and crew figures included.

The 1500hp MP15DC was designed by EMD as a replacement model for the successful SW1500 switcher. The longer frame of the MP15DC allowed for increased fuel capacity and the use of Blomberg road trucks; increased sand capacity was also offered as an option. The first MP15DCs were built for Missouri Pacific in February 1974 and a total of 351 units were produced through the end of production in January 1983.

The MP15DC is a versatile locomotive that is employed by both large and small railroads across North America in road freight and yard switching duties. It was also purchased by several non-railroad corporations for use in plant switching service.

Read more about the Atlas MP15DC Locomotive at http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/homp15.htm