Technical
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!
When Engines Short Out On Turnouts
Dick has a question for readers:
“I have DCC on my HO layout. The engines short out sometimes when traveling slow on the turnouts. How do I cure this? (I use #6 Shinohara turnouts).”
If you can assist Dick, add your comment below.
HO/OO | DCC Wiring
Rick wants some simple to understand help and asks:
“I am just starting a freelance layout and I would like to find some wiring info from anywhere. I looked on the net but they spoke in language that I don’t understand yet. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks.”
Add your answer below.
ALSO, if you are knowledgeable on any model railroading topic, then it would be great a great service to the hobby if you would share some of your knowledge with others. Simply write a tutorial or tips and send them to us using this link http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/submit-questions.html. If you have a supporting photo or diagram, then we can let you know where to email it after you send in your tutorial or tips.
Red LED Blinking Lights
Ron asks readers:
“Where can I purchase 5mm, Blinking Red LED lights, with volts going to 18 or 24?”
Add your answer below.
Wiring The Track
Aidan has a question for experienced model railroaders and asks:
“I am starting to lay tracking and wire the layout. It’s not DCC, it is common return. The wiring plans say that the power should be fed at the toe of the points. I have one point directly behind another so I’m unsure of where it should be fed from. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.”
Add you answer below.
Reverse Loop Tortoise Switch Machine
RB asks readers:
“I would like to hear from anyone who has wired up and used the Sensa Trak ll IR sensors from TCH TECH and the tortoise switch machine for automatic turnout control.”
Add your comments here.
Confessions Of A Mobile Layout Builder
It is really handy to be able to easily move your layout (or sections of it) if required. Most people discover this when they move house. Moving the furniture is easy, but moving a layout can be problematic.
This informative manual describes how to build a mobile model train layout, so you don’t have to begin again when you move house. You can read how a modular train layout can save you money as well as taking up less space.
You’ll really enjoy this! It includes photos, tips and a layout plan included. Get it now for free when you join my online Model Train Club.
Lighting voltage
Dennis asks readers:
“I have an HO controller (Tech4 MRC260) with accessory output of 18.5v. I’m looking to buy lighting for the buildings and the Model Power MDP491, MDP492 lights are rated 12-16 volts. Do I need to step-down the output voltage so as not to blow the bulbs? If so where can I get something like that? Or do I need higher rated lighting?”
Add your answer below.
Lionel 14275 Powermax 30 Watt Transformer
Russ wants advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“I purchased a Lionel 14275 powermax 30 watt transformer. Where can I find reviews of this transformer. Also, where can I find a related instruction manual. I believe these transformers were introduced in 2006. Whatever info anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.”
Add your answer below.
Grand Gazebo Wiring
Gene has a question for readers:
“I just bought the HO Grand Gazebo that has a raceway for ease of wiring, however, the raceway is way to small to insert wiring. Using Model Power #511, 12-16v-12inch leads, peel and stick lights. I’ve tried routing out the raceway a bit, but the 2-wires will only go thru about 1/2inch, then stops. One wire will go all the way…but not 2 wires. Is it a faulty building, or?? Don’t think one could go much smaller on the wire, but maybe someone has an idea.”
To help Gene, add your advice below.
Controlling Turnouts
Bernard is new to the hobby and is hoping an experienced model railroader can give him some advice:
“I am new to trains. I have built many HO structures, have a good DCC system, and I am starting to plan my layout. This is not any easy thing. I am confused about turnouts since I have different opinions from different sources. Should I control the switches from the DCC, or should I have a separate electrical line to control the switches? One vendor told me that many have tried to use DCC to control switches, but change back to separate switching to control them. Since I will soon have to plan my infrastructure I could use some help.”
Add your suggestions to help Bernard below.
N Scale Wiring
Illion is new to model trains and seeks advice from anyone with experience:
“What is better; to solder the wire in the track, or use the joiners that have solder wires? Please your advice for a beginner”
Add your suggestions below.
Wires From Transformer Accessory Terminals
Brian would like to hear suggestions from readers:
“I’m adding lighting to buildings on my layout. Why if I run feeder wires from the transformer accessory terminals to a terminal strip and then plug the light wiring to the terminal strip am I not getting the lights to light up? Ometer is showing terminal trip is fully charged which makes no sense. If you hook lights directly to transformer they work fine. You can’t run each light on a 44×20 layout with 10 miles of wiring to the transformer.”
Add your suggestions to help Brian below.
LED Lights Power Control
Felicity has a question for readers about LED lighting:
“I was wondering if you could give me some information about LED lights. Do you know if they are powered by the 00 railway control panel of the layout or are they powered by the house mains supply. Many thanks for your time.”
Comment below.
Kato N Scale Turnouts | Toggle Switches | LEDs
Art has a question for N scale enthusiasts and asks:
“N scale Kato Turnout controls – what other cheaper toggle switches can be used for Kato N Scale turnouts and how do you attach switch direction LEDs on the control panel and on the turnout track indicating direction? Also if you have parallel controls on different sides of a layout, what is the best way to wire switch controls and lights? Thanks for the input.”
Comment below.
H O | Wiring Layout | Bridge For Turnouts
John asks readers for help:
“I want to improve my wiring along the lines of DCC, but not to that standard. What gauge wires ( Australian ) for bus and droppers?”
Crawford asks readers:
“Are there plans available for building a bridge for a turnout?”
If you can help either John or Crawford please use the comments link below this posting to add your suggestion(s).
MRC Controller Short Circuit
Greg is having a problem with short circuits and asks those with experience:
“Hello y’all. I cleaned my N track and when I started to run trains for my Grandson, a short circuit occurred. It’s driving me nuts! The engine ran for a short moment and then just quit. I am using a MRC controller. When it is unhooked from the layout, it powers up. As soon as I touch the wires to the back, the power light goes out. I’ve swept between the tracks with a stiff broom, traced all the wiring, and even ran a magnet over the track in order to pick up any stray pieces of metal that I might have missed. Any chance the power pack may be bad?”
Add your suggestions or answers below.
Marklin HO Analog Wiring
John asks readers for help:
“With isolating parts of the track, as to run multiple trains operations what would be the best way to do this? I am new to marklin and I bought a heap of marklin and some was given to me. I am probably looking to run 8 engines a room 4.9 by 4.4 meters. I am trying to run 8 engines continuously and haven’t got a plan yet, so would like some ideas. Thanks heaps for your help.”
Add your answers below if you know.
HO Electrical | LED Lights | Peco Catalog
Stu has two questions he is hoping someone can help him with:
1. Can someone please send me basic info on working with both grain of rice LED’s and those little round bulbs since I want to use them both to light structures? Can they be used together on the same buss?
2. Other than Walthers please tell me where I can buy products from the Peco catalog? Their fax number doesn’t answer and I can’t find a phone number. Thanks in advance for your help.
Add your suggestions or answers below.
Comment: Grain Of Rice Led’s are so called because of their small size. The color comes from the colour of the bulb or lens not by the filament. Any filament light will produce the light by heating wire, so the bulb can become hot and can on occasions pose a risk of fire. Filament bulbs do produce more natural light. These grain of rice LED bulbs usually come pre-fitted with the wires attached for easier connection to your power source. Members of the online model train club http://www.modeltrainclub.org/club.html who are up to level 4 and above, will have access to some great tutorials on using LED’s.
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