Roger has a question for readers relating to engine power and asks:

“When consisting multi road engines, is there a general rule as how many cars an engine will pull to be semi prototypical. I’m designing a shelf layout and there will not be over a 2.5% grade, but would like to run more than one engine. I will have a couple of yards and interchanges. passing siding tracks and a lot of spurs to businesses. I plan on buying dcc controllers and sound equip the engines. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.”

To answer Roger’s question use the green Comments & Feedback link to add your thoughts.

Would anyone like to help Larry with this problem?

“I need some help that I hope your readers can furnish. I am redoing a Marklin Z guage layout. The original Marklin transformer #6727 is too clunky and heavy, so I purchased a modified for Z…MRC Railpower 1300 which runs the trains fine. Problem is the AC output for the accessories is -19V. I need 10-12V for the turnouts and lights. Can someone tell me how I can get a voltage reducer to bring the volts down? I was told the lights would run on DC and use a 12Vdc transformer, but what about the currrent/milliwatts? I have 10 house lights that run 12-16V and 10 street lights that are 12V. Can someone help?”

To help Larry use the green Comments and Feedback link below. Simply register (if you are not already registered) and then add your thoughts or advice.

Subhash wants to hear ideas from readers on his planned layout and asks:

“Does anyone have any ideas to help me with my signals? I am planning to make a layout for my suburban train. It will be to and for double line, one for up direction other for down. Four trains will run at a time. The layout will have two terminus station and I want ot make automatic signals. Once the train jumps the first signal it will turn red – the train behind should automaticly stop. When the train reaches the terminus station and if the platform is already occupied by another train, it should switch to another platform.”

To guide Subhash in his planning, add your thoughts using the green Comments And Feeback link. Have your say and help others in the process.

Arthur (Art) wants to hear your thoughts on hands free command control and asks:

“Has anyone figured out a way to run multiple consists on a layout with command control and have it hands free? Years ago we used to use block systems and disable the e-unit but with the new tmcc I cannot figure out how to do it. I even tried to set up a block system and reduce the voltage to the respective blocks. However, the engines do not respond to lower voltage until you get down to around 10 or so volts and then they shut off. I would like to be able to run a bunch of trains and not have to worry about what engine is where. Thanx-art”

Add your thoughts using the green Comments and Feedback link to register and post a comment.

HO Layout Wire Gauge Size

Jim needs help from readers in wiring his HO layout and asks:

“I need help with my HO layout. Can someone tell me what size/gauge of wire do I need to use in wiring my HO layout?”

Wiring HO Turnout Switches

Al needs your help with wiring turnout switches and asks readers:

“I am trying to wire my turnout switches and can only get three to work. I have the control buttons for the switches in one line attached to each other. I can not get them to work. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?”

To help one or both of these keen model railroaders please use the green Comments & Feedback link below this posting.

NOTE TO ANYONE ASKING QUESTIONS

It is in your best interests to add as much detail to your questions as possible. Also, explain the problem as clearly as possible – you can even mention solutions you have tried that haven’t worked.

The important thing is this; if the person answering the question doesn’t clearly understand your problem, or know what you are trying to achieve, it is likely the answer will be incomplete or even inaccurate.

The very kind people who share their time answering questions (and giving feedback) are genuinely trying to help, but sometimes it is very hard to offer any suggestions due to a lack of clear information in the original question.

Also, if you do use this free service to ask a question, it would be really helpful if you could add feedback to thank the contributors. They are helping out voluntarily because they genuinely want to help others in the hobby.

One more thing; if you know the answer to any questions posted by others or can add some feedback to a question – please do. This service will only continue to operate if everyone contributes fairly. So, if you ask a question – have a look through the other postings to see if you can help someone else. We all need to help each other.

Use the green Comments & Feedback link below any posting to add your thoughts.

You can submit your detailed model railroad questions here.

Nader is wanting to operate multi train control and asks readers for advice:

“I’m looking for a computer/electronic multi train control. I’m trying to build an outside railroad (G sacle) and would like to power and control the train via remote control. Would anyone have a few suggestions? Thanks!”

Click the green Comments & Feedback link, register and then add your thoughts to this posting.

Jim is having a problem with switches and asks for reader feedback to help:

“I’ve had O 3 rail before but never had this problem. I am building a new layout powered by and MTH 4000 transformer. When I come out on the throttle enough for the engines to move, it throws my switches (Lionel 042). They are r/c switches, but I do not have them wired in yet, so presently they are being used manually. As soon as I give throttle, they start throwing whatever the opposite direction is from what they were before I throttled up. Does anyone have any idea what’s causing this?”

Help Jim and add your feedback using the green comments link below.

Martin wants to hear from others in the hobby who might have ideas and opinions on wiring reed switches and asks:

“I have recently purchased some reed switches I would like some help as to how to wire them to my turnouts and can I activate two turnouts to one reed switch. Thanks Martin from Australia.”

Tim wants help from anyone who has experience with wiring and asks:

I am so confused on what to buy and how to wire up the various products that Lionel has for TMCC and conventional engines.

I will be starting out with two trains. About a year later I will be adding track and switches for three trains. Then I will complete the layout by adding more tracks and switches, and running four trains.

The two-train layout will have:

• 800 inches of GraGraves track
• 12 turnout or switches
• Two power blocks

The three-train layout will have:

• 1000 inches of track
• 16 turnouts
• Four power blocks

The four-train layout will have:

• 1500 inches of track
• Six power blocks

I will have about 25 building on the two-train layout and do not intend to have any more after that. Most of them do not have lighting.

I have about three decoupling tracks but no other action devices on the layout.

So what do we need to run TMCC and run non-TMCC trains on this layout as it grows?

I would like to see a schematic or block diagram showing how to connect the elements.
This I have found out from some web research I want to use the TPC instead of the Power Master. I am looking at the ZW as the transformer with two powerhouses (to start with) and getting a third or fourth Powerhouse as the layout get bigger. Any help from anyone in the hobby would be appreciated.

To help Jim or offer some suggestions use the green Comments link below. Remember to register first before typing in your answer.

John has a question for anyone with experience installing under-table switch machines and asks:

“I’m finally building the railroad I’ve been planning for years and I will have 21 turnouts including 2 “Y” and a double slip. I have no experience with under table switch machines. I would be grateful if one of the blog followers could please go into detail on installation and recommend the most reliable units.”

Converting Decoders

Sam has a quick question on converting decoders to run on Digitrax and asks:

“How do I convert m.r.c. decoders to run on digitrax systems?”

Wiring Lights

Patrick has a wiring question for readers:

“Can I wire red/green lights to a #541 R/L Atlas remote turn out?”

If you would like to help either Sam or Patrick use the green Feedback and Comments link below to add your thoughts.

Note to anyone asking a question. Please ensure you supply plenty of details to help others help you. The better the question – the better the answer is often what happens. So, if you want a detailed, focused answer – make sure you compose a detailed well thought-out question.

Derik has a Marrklin Train Set without a power supply and wants advice from readers please:

“I got a Marklin train set from my nieghbor, but it has no power supply, and I see there is an type of relay in the train engine. I also don’t have an operating manual, and I have never worked a Marklin train before. Can someone advise me what is the volts supply? What does the relay in the train do?”

To help Derik add your feedback using the green comments link below his posting.

Bob has an N scale layout and asks readers:

“I need to know what is the best way to hook up transformer to my train display. Any good tips or suggestions from someone who knows would be appreciated. Thanks”

To help Bob, use the green Comments and Feedback link below.

Does anyone want to help Harold with his track wiring question:

“I have multi-trains and I want to park one train on a siding and have that train stay while I start a train from a different siding without having to take one engine off the track. Can someone tell me how could I wire this?”

To help Harold use the green Comments and Feedback link below.

Marty has a question about motor sizes:

“There are many different engine sizes in real life that drive 4 to 10 axles each with increasing motor sizes. Do any of the models actually compensate in scale for the motor size of the engine?”

To add feedback to Marty’s posting click the Comments & Feedback link below.

A reader question:

“I am new to model trains. I have bought a Bachmann Empire Builder to start. I have a question for your blog readers. My question is what do the codes mean when used with switches?”

To help this newbie please add your feedback below this posting.

Mike has a transformer question for readers to try and answer:

“I have a small transformer that I would like help identifying. The name on it is “Pulse-Pack”. Other markings are “Model HO” and “LpC” There is no manufacturer, model, or serial data on it. On the front there is a lever with Off, For., and Rev. indicators and a dial with numbers 0, 5 and 10. Also some kind of a external fuse and a red jewel indicator light. Based on this data, I believe it to be a hobby transformer but would like to know what for and how old it is. All help from someone would be appreciated.”

To add feedback to Mike’s posting click on the Comments, Feedback and Answer link below.