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!
Wiring of Turnouts
Ken wants to hear from anyone who knows about electrofrogs and asks:
“I have all Peco turnouts in my layout. How can I tell an electrofrog from a insulfrog without removing them from the track layout? Most of my other wiring is complete. All I need to do is the turnouts”
Add your comments below.
Outer And Inner Track Switching
David has a question for readers with a knowledge of switches and asks:
“I have an outer track and an inner track. Trains run well on the outer track. When I add electronic switches to move to the inner track, the switches move one way only. In moving to the other position, it tries to move but bounces back to straight position. If I disconnect the switch and add a straight section on track to hook the power to, the switch will work well. I have checked the voltage and there seems to be no problem. Any thoughts?”
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Semaphore Signals
Ralph has a second question this one relating to semaphore signals:
“I see only a very few semaphore signals on the market and those are about $25 dollars or so each. I guess this high price is due to the brass construction. For now I’d take non-working signals as temporary scenic displays. These were such an integrable part of the steam to diesel transition era operation there must be some out there somewhere. Does anyone know where Thank you for your time and attention to my questions.”
Add your comments below Ralphs posting.
Constant Directional Lighting
Ralph has a question he is hoping someone with experience can answer:
“I have acquired a few locos in which I would like to install constant, directional lighting, that I don’t need a Wells Fargo Truck to pay for. Some of these locos have lighting in one direction, others have no lighting at all. Is there a kit out there for this, or can I get the parts, (and what parts are they) to accomplish this?”
Use the green Comments link to help Ralph.
Locomotive Headlight Assembly
Bob wants to know where he can purchase a locomotive headlight assembly. If you have a favorite supplier you might be able to help Bob:
“I have a Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 (mallet) loco. I am trying to locate a head light assembly for it. Can anyone help me with that?”
Add your comments below using the GREEN comments link.
Transformer Power
Rodney wants to hear what people think about his transformer capabilities and asks:
“I`m building an HO scale railroad. The problem is that the train seems to stop, like it is as if there is no power. I have my switches and my lights connected to the transformer. Do others think that I might need to buy another transformer? It is a 6 foot by eight foot layout. “
Add your comments below.
Frogged Wye
Herb has a question and is hoping someone can help:
“Does a frogged wye solve a reverse loop polarity problem? Is their anyway to make a loop that comes back into the same single track line? Thanks!”
Add your comments or suggestions below.
Which Switches?
Mike asks for help from those who understand switches and asks:
“How do I know when to use which switch when building my layout? For example: Should I use a #4, 5, 6, or 8; Should I use a Wye switch or a LH or RH. Also, when would you use a Single Slip versus a Double Slip switch? When should you use a 3-way switch?”
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Track Sparking
Judy wants to know readers opinions on the cause of sparking on her layout and asks:
“Could someone please tell me what causes sparking between the locomotive and the rail and how do you fix it?”
Comment using the green Comments link below.
Which Transformers To Use?
If you have years of experience working on, or operating, a model railroad layout then it would be good if you could share your talents and experience with others who desperately need help and encouragement.
Here is an example. Cameron is a newbie to the hobby and asks:
“Can transformers for HO be used to power N gauge layouts, or must they say HO,N,O etc. on them?”
Although some of the questions on this blog might seem basic to you, for others the questions are particularly difficult and a great cause of frustration. So, do a good deed today and answer some of the unanswered questions on this blog. Others will really appreciate your help and admire your talent and experience.
Use the green Comments link below to REGISTER (it takes only 2 minutes), and then you can participate in future model railroading discussions and answer questions.
Stuck Drive Gear Set
RJ asks:
“How do you fix/repair a stalled/stuck drive gear set, on an older Bachmann steam locomotive?”
Add your feedback using the Comments link.
Trolley Direction Switch
Stephen has a brief question on trolley direction switches:
“I want to have a trolley just go back and forth on a short section of track (about 5 feet) and switch directions on its own. How do I set that up HO/O & S?
Hopefully he has supplied enough information for readers to add comments and help him?
Use the green comments link below. Richard can add more details using the same link.
Fixing A Short Circuit
Jose is having electrical problems with his layout and says:
“I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with? I purchased a Aristo craft also fa1. It was on sale because it needed work. Well I love to fix things so I brought it. The problem I found out was electrical. It would short out the transformer.
So off came the cab and I check the motors. The motors attach to a circuit board, Part #22000-68. There are two connections, one for each motor. I set it on the energized track and it shorted.
I then removed one connection and the motor started. I reconnected the other motor and again a short. So I reversed the process. I then disconnected the other motor and it ran. Again I reconnected the two and again it shorted.
Well the next thing I did was to bypass the circuit board. I rewired according to the circuit board connections. Shorted again. I then rewired a basic circuit and both motors ran. I checked and rechecked the circuit board for shorts, rewired according to the circuit board again and again and still it shorts out.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I disconnected the power board from the switch board. I rewired the switch board to the power and motor wires according to the circuit board connections and pop goes the weasel. I am no electrician but I was a mechanic and no a little about basic wiring. I have spent so much time in the garage working late into the night that my wife called me a mad scientist!
Has anyone ever run across this before? Can someone tell me what I can do? I am lost as to what to do next.”
Add your feed or comments using the green comments link below. Register if you haven’t yet done this as you can then participate in future model train discussions. It takes only 2 minutes to register.
Note to Jose and other readers: Please note – feedback and comments are only opinions usually based on personal experiences. It is your responsibility to seek proper professional advice regarding electrical safety matters. We will not be responsible for any accidents, deaths or injuries based on anything that might be said on this blog.
Electrical Supply To Layouts
Mike has an important asfety question for readers:
“I have seen some warnings that you can recieve a fatal shock off some componets of a model train layout. I thought we are dealing with relatively low volts(12VAC or DC in HO scale) and low amps(1-3 amps). I understand one needs to be always careful with electricity where is the danger lurking?”
To comment on Mikes posting use the green Comments link below.
Wire Falls Off Engine?
Nick has a question for those who have experience wiring and asks:
“If a wire in any ho scale locomotive falls off, can I reattach it to where it belongs so the train runs again? What do I use to reattach the wire?”
It is a shame Nick hasn’t supplied more details to help those who are trying to help him.
Nick you can supply more details by using the green Comments link below your posting to add more info.
Others can use the same comments link to add a comment or possible answer. Note: after clicking the Comments link you will need to register (if you haven’t yet done so. It only takes about 2 minutes and then you can participate in future model train discussions.
Resistor Instead of Diodes
Mike has a technical question for those in the know and asks:
“Can anyone tell me how to wire a Tomar drumhead kit using a resistor instead of diodes and a ballast bulb? What ohm resister do I need?”
Add you comments or suggestions using the green Comments link below.
Wiring Up Lights To Houses
Carol has a question about wiring lights on a layout and is hoping some kind reader will give some advice:
“I have purchased street lights, outside house lights and lights that are put inside houses, close to the floor. NOW … how do I wire them to work (safely)?? “
Carol, it might be helpful for others if you used the green Comments link below to add some more details to your question. It is often hard for others to give a good answer without knowing all the facts – especially when safety is involved.
Double-Crossover Switch
Leo has a question for experienced readers and asks:
“I have kato track with a doublecrossover switch. I’m trying to run 2 trains in different directions. How would I wire this track up so the two trains would go in two different directions. Someone please help me solve this problem.”
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