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!
Switch Motors | Electrify Peco Turnouts
Bill seeks help from anyone in the hobby who knows about Switch motors and asks:
“I have 38 Peco turnouts on my layout and want to electrify all of them. I will have one control panel. My sub base is 1/2″ plywood with a portion of the plywood covered by 2″ dense foam. I have easy access to the underside of the layout. In researching all of the possibilities, my mind is swimming! Any suggestions from anyone on which direction I should go would be appreciated. I am able to do all of the wiring myself. Thanks!”
You can add your suggestion below.
HO | Power Pack
David asks others in the hobby:
“What is a good size power pack to run on a long layout? My track is oval and 26 long and 4 wide. No switches at this time.”
Add your suggestion below.
HO Wiring Problem
Ken asks for readers advice on wiring track:
“My train is about 90% wired or so I thought. The present wiring is such that it does not allow me to wire the left side of the track for another train because it is black (ground). Wiring it now would be direct short. How can I fix what I messed up without starting over?”
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HO Polarity On Can Motor
David asks readers:
“Can I assume that housing of the can motor is negative and the internal mechanism is positive?”
Add your comment below.
N Scale Power Supplies And Wattage
Don asks if you can help:
“I am building my own power supply for my proposed n scale layout. I will use controllers to activate blocks of track. I do not plan on using DCC until I can demonstrate old-fashioned operations. Running several diesel headers on longer freight trains, I need to know what the current draw is of the typical locomotive manufacturer. I will start with Bachmann equipment, but want to build the power supply to handle higher quality equipment also. Since wattage is probably the best measure of the electricity needed to drive a locomotive, amperage probably varies as the voltage is manipulated. I would like to create a chart which provides voltage on the y axis juxtaposed against amperage draw on the x axis. Does anyone have these data, or a means to develop them, short of using a VOM or VTVM? As a corollary, do these data change based on load and/or grade, degree/tightness of curve endeavored by the locomotive? Thanks in advance.”
Comment below.
Reducing Peco Switch Motor Noise
Paul asks readers for advice:
“How do you eliminate the ‘Slap, clack or buzz’ of HO peco switch motors when they throw the turnout. I prefer the steady grinding sound of tortoises but have to use Peco’s often.”
Add your suggestion below.
HO Wiring for Multiple turnouts
Steven is seeking advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“Hi there, I am relatively new to model railroading and am building an HO Scale Railway. It is analogue. I need to wire up 4 turnouts, two left hand and two right hand meaning that the track comes off the mainline and then returns to it in two separate places. I need to know where to place the plastic track joiners and what are the best type of toggle switches to use. Also the type of wire that is ideal for model railroading. The track configuration is very straight forward, so am hoping that the wiring will be too.”
Add your comments below.
Points Control Board For Points On Railroad
David has a question for keen HO model railroaders and asks:
“I have 35 sets of points on my layout, all have through board underneath motors. I need to wire them back to a control board so am looking for a supplier you can supply control boards. Can some suggest a source?”
Add your suggestions below.
Reverse Loops And Electrification of WYE
Donn has a question on HO reverse loops:
“To use a WYE for reversal of direction from the main line (horizontal), I will pass thru a R turnout, head vertical up to the right leg of the WYE, then continue thru the WYE (completely thru the length of the train), then reverse direction and back down thru the WYE left leg, back down thru a left turnout back onto the main line. I will be using a reverse loop module (Bachmann). I will isolate both rails (each leg). Do I need separate reverse loop modules on each leg? All Bachmann EZ track and Bachmann DCC.”
If you can help Donn, please comment below.
Overloading House Sockets
Kev has a question for readers:
“I’ve got far too many 12V street lights and track transformers running and they all plug into the same 15 amp circuit of my house wiring. They won’t all work at the same time. Without re-wiring the house or plugging into my neighbours house has anyone any suggestions?”
Readers can offer suggestions, but obviously Kev should seek the services of a qualified electrician if he thinks there is any risk to safety.
H O Transformers With Multiple Locomotives
David asks readers:
“To run multiple engines, how many transformers is safe to run ?”
Add your answer below.
Hornby Dublo 3 Rail 1/87 Power Wires to Track
John asks readers for advice:
"After 62 years I have become keen on my 1948 Xmas Present and have now acquired more rolling stock. The question I would like some clarification on is what Style of 12 Volt wire should I use? I have seen solid wire and multi-strand used and coming from an engineering background I'd expect a specification would be listed for an original Transformer with 12V and 1.5Amp or 12V 2Amp Hamment and Morgan Controller."
Add your suggestions below.
Replacement Motor for Mantua
Fred asks readers for help:
“Who makes a good and slower motor for an HO Mantua 2-8-4 Berkshire? I would like to convert it to DCC and slow it down for more power.”
Add your suggestions below.
Level 4 LED Resources Helpful
The online Model Train Club is proving a big hit and some members have already got access to all the level 4 resources – well done! I really appreciate all the positive comments and it’s encouraging to know the club is helping so many in the hobby. It makes the hard work all worthwhile.
This email from Warren C is one of many I’ve received:
“Robert I just got the LED tutorials in level 4, they are what I’ve been hunting for. Every month you add new stuff and it’s like opening Christmas presents. The clubs keeps getting better and better, congratulations to everyone involved.”
I’ve also had a lot of feedback from members who found the level 3 scenery and airbrushing resources really helpful. Thank you for all the kind words.
00 Hornby Controls
Cliff asks readers:
“I have after a 30 year gap started to reassemble my model railway in the loft.I have yet to wire the system up.The question is will i still be able to use my old hornby ZERO ONE controls?”
Comment below.
Street Lights On Layout
Ross asks readers for help:
“I connected some lights in a building and some street lighting on my HO layout but they don’t work. They stayed on for only a few moments before they died. I think the current was too high? Can someone tell me what I should be doing to make the lights work.”
If you can guide Ross please comment below.
Lower Voltage For LED
Jorge asks readers:
“How to lower the voltage of 12 volts for 1 / 2 volt to turn on the LED HO layout and how to connect in series two, three or more.”
Reader can comment below.
Digitrax Wire Connections
Anil asks readers for help:
“I would like to know how to make wire connection to HO layout track when using Digitrax PR3 as the LocoNet terminator? Please note that I don’t have a command station.”
Comment below.
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