“My HO track and turnouts are Bachmann. Can I use the Switch Kat and Kato 4ch controller? The Bachmann turnout has 3 wires, whereas Kato turnouts have two? How would you wire that so that it would work?”

The post Using NCE Switch-Kat and Kato 4ch Turnout Controller appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“What do the numbers on the cross over (for example #4) means, and when or where do you use number #4, #5, or #6 cross over?

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The post Numbers on Crossovers appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“My loco drops 2 volts and slows the further away it gets from my power terminal track. Do I need 2 power terminal tracks positioned at opposite ends of my 9 foot track? Can someone clarify please?”

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The post Track Voltage Loss appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“My sons love model trains but it is something I never messed with as a child. I am fully indulging their hobby looking for things on Craigslist and eBay. I just gave my son an HO Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 train I bought used off of eBay for his birthday. It ran around the track once perfectly, but then it started acting like the motor was not catching the gears properly. It runs but acts like a transmission slipping. I have repaired Thomas track master trains and a small HO Freedom Train but this train is larger and more complicated at least to me.

1) Is there a resource any of you would recommend for adjusting or replacing gears on such a model?

2)We live in Western North Carolina. Are there places I could take it for repair if it is beyond my scope and abilities? Thanks”

The post Gear Slipping on HO Scale Norfolk and Western Class J appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“If I want to change my current Kato DC layout to DCC and use a Bachmann E-Z controller but still use the Kato point switches, how do I power them and what do I need to do?”

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The post DC to DCC appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I am still building my 5 module layout and plan to use electrical block detection in the future. I will run DCC NCE and operate a complete loop with an isolated section for each module as well as a siding. I want to include lights to indicate if the track is occupied or not. I would appreciate any thoughts on what I’ll need to make all this happen. Thank you in advance.”

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“Is there a decoder that can regulate the speed of a loco in a consist? I only have two engines… an Atlas and a Kato… but the speeds don’t match well. I don’t want to risk damaging them. Any suggestions?”

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The post Loco Speeds For Consists appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I’m planning to buy a newly released HO Roco Steam Engine with a 5 pole motor but no flywheel. Can I count on it running slow and smoothly, with realistic starts and stops with no jerking motion without a flywheel? All thoughts would be helpful.”

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“I bought a Bachmann engine that must be more than 30 years old and tried it out on my basic oval test track which has a straight piece on each side. It runs ok on the curves but is starts to stall on the straights. My voltmeter showed no power loss. I then cleaned the track, but it still runs ok on the curves and slows a stall on the straights. It baffles me. Any thoughts?”

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The post Engine Stalls On Straights appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I am at a LOSS as to how to replace (swap out) new trucks for my HO Like Like, Proto 2000 locomotive. I bought it on the web, and the trucks were totally dissembled. The gent at Walthers sent me some replacements, but the instructions he gave me, ….well clear as mud. Help wanted.”

The post Replacing E 7 Trucks appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I have HO, DC only and I just added a new Alco C-628 from Bowser. Beautiful engine, ran perfect for 2 days, but then all of a sudden I lost forward mode, lights function in front only when in reverse, no lights in front. Still ran perfect in reverse. Next day, reverse worked again, but now, only the back lights work, and no front lights at all. I noticed that the motor felt warm, and possible slight odor. Could this be an out of the box lubrication issue? Operation is still smooth in forward and reverse, not warm, no odor, but no lights in front. Appreciate any insight.”

The post Bowser C-626 Locomotive appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I am hoping that someone either knows how to change from the old horn/hook couplers to Kadees on a Model Power HO Scale Pennsylvania PRR EMD E7 Diesel Engine # 5772.”

The post Kadee Couplers for PRR EMD E7 Diesel Engine 5772 appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.