Kermit operates O and O27 and has a question relating to transformers:

“I have two cw 80 transformers that have quit working. My grandson was using one and I was using the other. I believe they shorted out and the braker did not reset or burned. Does anyone know how do I get into the transformer? I tried the Lionel service manual but could find nothing on the “CW” type transformers. Is it safe to open the transformer and work on it?”

Editors Note: Kermit – If the transformer has been designed not to be opened, then it is a good indication that the manufacturer doesn’t want the electrics tampered with. This could be because of potential damage to the unit, damage to other components running off the transformer, risk to safety (electrocution), or potential fire issues. It may be best to check local regulations relating to electrical work as laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Safety needs to be the priority at all times.

Jerry has a question for you on tortoise mounts on his HO layout:

“I have a pair of NJ lighted crossing gates and being the novice I am, I need to know how to mount the tortoise switch machine under table in order to control the gates of the crossing signals.”

This question is for Lionel fans who hopefully can help Doug with his question:

“What do I have to do, or is it even possible, to run a RailKing Proto Sound II DCS engine on Lionel setup using TMCC. If not, can the reverse work – in other words, if I purchase the Railking DCS will Lionel TMCC trains run on that system? Can one of your readers please help me.”

Comment on Doug’s posting by clicking the green comments link below.

Ken needs help with HO wiring:

“When I run my engine on the mainline it works fine running forward, however when I go to switch to another line, it will not cross the points unless I have the second line set at reverse. Can anyone explain the problem?”

If you have experienced similar problems you can tell Ken by clicking on the comments tag below.

Pierre is looking for circuit diagrams for his HO layout. Can anyone help him?

“I am looking for a circuit diagram (with parts list) for a device to automatically reverse a locomotive on DC analog HO track. It should preferably have an adjustable delay time. Up to now I could not find such a diagram in the printed media or on the internet. Can one of your readers point me in the right direction please?”

Peter has a DCC question for you:

“I have a locos with 2 motors. Do I need 1 or 2 decoders to convert it to DCC?”

To comment on these two problems click on the comments tag and add your thoughts.

Dennis has an HO layout and asks this question:

“I Would like information on ‘easy but low cost’ to medium difficulty systems to give lighted block signalling on a small size RR. A lot of what I have seen lately is on computer and/or expensive commercial electronic packages to do this. I am instead looking for a simple way to do this.”

Jon wants your help or comments on signals too:

“I have built a layout and would like to place correct signals (home,distant,shunting etc), but find the few books that I have looked at rather complicated! Is there a clear reference book or similar suitable for even dummies like me! Various kinds of junctions/sidings/stations/loops shown in a clear and concise way. My layout is loosely based on British Southern Railway 1930/40’s.”

Comment on this blog posting below.

Gilbert needs help with his HO layout. Add your comments to his posting by using the green comments link below.

“I have a digital rail set and would like some advice from other model railroaders on how to accomplish it.”

One of our readers Bob has a question for you about OO/HO Electrics.

“I continually have problems with electrics. I get cross polarity and also need a foolproof way of setting up sidings, turntables etc.I can find my way around electrics so long as the instructions are straightforward and do not assume a greater knowledge than I already have.

Please can one of your readers help? I have loads of railway items sat in my loft doing very little.The other thing is what type of track should I look at for best performance? Much of my existing track on the layout dates from the late 70s / early 80s.”

If you would like to help Bob, simply click on the green comments link below and adde your comments to this blog.

Bob has an HO track layout and asks you this question:

“I am putting up an overhead track that will be 84 lineal feet. I know that one power feed to the track is not enough. What would other modelers suggest in regards to how many feeds and how far apart would be effecfive application? Thank you.”

Michael has an HO Märklin Setup and has some questions about signals.

Is there information available which clearly explains :

[A] How signals function
[B] Where signals are best placed
[C] Wiring,connection and operation of signals
[D] The differences between signals ie. pre and main signals
[E] Books / Information which simply and clearly explain any of the above

If you know a lot about signals setup and would like to help Michael, then please click on the GREEN comments link below.

David has a question for OO/HO modelers:

“I am using Peco electrofrog points. Electrical contact between the toe and the stockrail is frequently not satisfactory and that gives poor running. Has anybody got the answer please?”

Clive asks about OO Hornby DCC:

“Why do all my locos with a Hornby DCC ship reset to 3 when I have a derail. The ones with a bachmann DCC chip are okay. Thanks.”

If you have had similar problems and can give a solution, please help Clive and David by clicking the GREEN comments link below and giving your answer.

How good are you at answering model railroad questions? If can help these three modellers with their questions simply click on the GREEN comments link at the end of this posting. I’m sure they would be very pleased to get some help if you are prepared to share your ideas.

Richard has a question on carriage lighting:

“Hi all; this blog has been created just at the right time…as I have nearly completed my N scale ‘Mid English’ layout. All the buildings are in place, quite a few already with lighting. Can a clever person give me some plain and simple guidelines to wiring for passenger carriages. Locomotives are analog.”

Antonio asks:

“How can I cut in a straight line a sheet of plasticard of medium thickness or more? The ruler is always moving because of the pressure against the knife!”

Rob asks:

“Hi there to all. Can someone tell me who has taken over the Mantua locos? I am looking for THE MANTUA COLLECTIBLE (THE LINDBERGH SPECIAL) to finish the set. I already have the other four. Thankyou. Keep on railroading. THE STATION MASTER.”

Can you help this reader with questions? If so, simply click on the GREEN comments link below this posting.

Paul has two N scale questions for readers.

“I just bought a Kato EMD SD40-2 diesel loco in N scale, and after bought a decoder for it as well so I can operate it with DCC. The decoder is a Digitrax DN163K1C, and the DCC system that I will use with it is the MRC Prodigy Advance Square. Do your readers think I’ll have any problems with the decoder working with the DCC system I have?”

Paul’s second question:

“I am still building my layout, I am trying to figure out how to wire up just a straight section of track to use to test the locos that I just bought. Since I live in Malta there is no hobby trains shop here and I just want to be able to test if everything is OK. I know I have to put two feeders one on each rail, but I don’t know if I need 4 feeders two on each end of the straight section of track.

Thank you for any help your readers may give me.”

“I have just joined your Blog and find it very interesting. I have a question please. I am building up an N Scale layout for my Autistic Grandson to enjoy and I want to be able to show by lamp on the control panel which way the points are switched by installing lamps in the relevant track sections on the control panel. This is to give him a visual as to what’s happening. I know I can use the Atlas snap relays, but at $15.00 each and 18 sets of point to monitor (yards and mainline) the dollar signs get big. Is there anyone who can help me with an alternate system so that when I push the momentary switch to change the points a light will come on showing which track they are feeding. I want the track indicator lights to stay on when the points selected that track. Any help would be appreciated. Also I have just bought your E-Book and find it very helpful.”

If you would like to offer some suggestions to help this readers Grandson enjoy the model railroad layout, please click on the green comments link below.

This blog is for you the reader. It is your opportunity to share ideas and problems relating to model railroading.

Can one of our readers help with this model RR question from a fellow enthusiast:

“I need non technical instructions a simple minded person could understand about wiring track signals to Kato unitrack switches. I want to make my N gauge train layout operates like a real one. I have Brawa signals with five wires and Kato track uses on two wires. I am trying to use a push button control board and I have figured out how to use diodes to make the kato switches work, but have difficulty understanding the instructions of Brawa book on how to wire the signals, as brawa suggest using a track switch with three wires not two.”

If someone would like to help this fellow model railroader simply click on the comments tag below to submit your ideas and suggestions.

Here is a question for Lionel fans to tackle:

“I’m wondering if your readers can help me on another matter. I’m wanting to find some one or some company that offers a small,inexpensive electronic “module” or circuit board, that can be used with the#154 Lionel twin-flasher signal. There are a couple of other model numbers that it (the module) can be used with also.

You know how irratice the lights flash on the 154 when using the contactorswitch that comes with the unit. I’m looking for something that will allowthe lights to flash sequentially, making it more realistic looking like thereal thing.

I do have one I bought about a year ago off of ebay. It came with a large,stand-up coin bank in the shape of one of these twin red-light flashersignals. When you dropped a coin into the bank, the lights would startflashing and train sounds would be heard.

The unit I bought came with the two red bulbs and sockets, the module itselfwhich appears to be very simple, and a 9-volt adpator. You would use thesame contactor switch that the automatic gate would use, just a simple spst spring-loaded weight operated switch.

Even when the train was stopped, the lights would continue to flashsequentially, making for a very realistic appearance.

I just wondered if your readers have heard of such a thing and might now where to find one.”

If you would like to offer a suggestion to help out this reader, simply click on the green comments tag below.

If you are into Lionel trains, then you might like to help out this reader. To add your comments, or to suggest an answer, simply click on the green comments tag below. Here is the reader question relating to Lionel RailSounds gear:

“I bought two engines, brand new, from a guy on Ebay. My main concern was would the Railsound features work with the old-style transformers. I have 2 KWs and a ZW. I know there’s some features on the Railsound engines that require a special button found on a rather small (80 watt) transformer that was included with the Railsound SETS. One such feature is a bell; which operates when a button on the transformer marked “BELL” is pushed. Obviously, that button is NOT on the ZW or KWs.

The seller wasn’t sure, so I wrote a company called TRAINZ that has a huge website plus sells a ton on Ebay. I had bought from them in the past, and hoped they could tell me if the Railsound units were compatible with these transformers.

They were kind enough to answer, and told me MOST of the Railsound features WOULD work with the old transformers. Other than the bell everything esle should work.

Well, on the Diesel engine, the motor sound works, although it’s not very loud; but the horn doesn’t sound when the button is activated; and the two-way conversation feature between (I assume) the engineer and the brakeman) only works when I slow the train down from a fast speed. THEN the horn blows a short time, and the conversation takes place.

I can live with this, even though it’s not perfect.

But the Steam loco, which has the Railsounds module in the tender, doesn’t work AT ALL. No engine sounds, no whistle at all, no 2-way conversations, nothing.

I’m thinking, since the Diesel did at least work partially, that the tender MAY be defective. I asked the seller and he did say I could return the tender and try another one, but he doubted that it was defective. He thinks the unit just isn’t compatible with the old transformers. But since the Diesel DID work somewhat, it seems the steamer should work….at least “somewhat”.

I just wondered if you’ve had any experience with the Railsounds system and the older transformers. Any info your readers can supply would be greatly appreciated.”