Tips & Resources
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!
What Train Gradients for Double Header Locomotives?
Although Scott focuses on HO scale, the answers to his question will no doubt be of interest to folk using other scale. Scott asks readers:
“Can double locomotives help out in steeper grade? Can you have two trains hauling many boxes? What is maximum number of boxes can one train can haul? Two trains? On gradients? Thanks.”
Getting Started in Model Railroading
William asks readers:
“I want to start in model railroad with my two grandsons. Which is the best way to start; buying a ready built set or buy individual pieces? I will start small and gradually build to a larger layout. Any suggestions please.”
How To Build Scale Model Windows
Ernest models HO and asks readers:
“I have started scratch building model buildings and I was wondering if anyone knows a good way to make HO windows? I know that I can order them from Grant Line, but the postal costs are so high that I would have to order them in bulk. Is there a way to build them myself? Keep up the good work.”
Starting Off With DCC
Ben asks readers:
“I am building a 4ft x 10ft OO gauge layout and want it to be DCC. I want some suggestions for an expandable controller please.”
Which Oils For Metal and Plastic Gears?
Dave H asks readers:
“What type of oil should I use for a ready-to-run loco? Should I use different oils for metal and plastic gears?”
Cleaning Track
Alister from New Zealand asks:
“What are the pros and cons in using Automatic Transmission fluid for cleaning track?”
Scale Comparisons N and HO and 00and ON30 – UK and USA
Jordy asks reader:
“What are the ratios in the USA and Canada for all four sizes above compared to those in England?? Are they the same ie – 1:76/1:48/1:87 not sure of N too small for me? Kind regards.”
Tips From Bernie
Bernie sent in these tips to share:
“What I have done for making ballast is this: Dry used coffee grounds. Once dried, mix a small amount of white to white-grey paint in a container. Then stir in the coffee grounds until the paint is absorbed. Place the painted grounds on a tray to dry and viola….. ballast. Also, lavender and rosemary branches make a great base for trees.”
A Clever Use For Broken Track Pieces
Robert (a blog reader from NZ) sent in this clever idea to share:
Have you got some broken pieces of track? Don’t throw it away, make a coal store for your steam locos.
Cut the plastic joining the sleepers (ties) together. Glue the sleepers together side by side until you have the length required (include a few broken ones). Then glue a piece of rail parallel to the ground about half way up the sleepers to act as reinforcing as per the photo. You can make a 3 sided or 4 sided store as large as you like this way. My photo shows a 3 sided version with a coaling crane and tubs.
5 Free Calculators for Model Railroaders to Use and Share with Friends
The folk at ModelBuildings.org have made available 5 calculator tools. The service is free for the model railroading community, so you are welcome to use the tools and share the link with your friends by email, Facebook, Google+, Twitter etc.
Use the free calculators here: http://www.modelbuildings.org/free-calculator-tools.html
Solution To Train Coupler Problems
Phillip has been experimenting with various coupler options and sent in these tips to share.
I had been looking on the internet for Kadee couplers for the NEM pockets for Bachmann coaches and rolling stock, but found it was not that easy to convert due to different heights of the NEM pockets, plus the cost to convert most of my rolling stock.
I found a PECO ST261 setrack decoupling unit which I purchased last Saturday and I have installed six on my layout so far. I now can decouple the locos and coaches and swap the locos around and visa versa.
I had to experiment with them and found that as long as you keep enough speed up and the couplers are tensioned, they do not uncouple while going over the decoupling unit. The tensioned drop down bars on the couplers pushes down on the spring while riding over it. I positioned them on the track between the wheels where the loco stops at the station, and just have to go forward a bit and reverse over the decoupling unit and bingo, they are separated.
I have found that some of the couplers on the four wheeled wagons just ride over the ramp when reversing and don’t decouple. I think the push up bar is just a fraction short. If I raise the decoupling ramp a fraction, the diesel locos bottom out on the axle cover. I’ll be purchasing some more when stocks are available and I would recommend these decoupling ramps as they are great and make my railway operation more interesting.
Also, I have closed up the gap between the coaches by swapping the coupling on one end of the coach with a shorter cranked coupler (36-027). There is no buffer lock with this set up on my layout. If I use two of the short couplers, the coaches will not couple up and both ends of the coaches touches.
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Critical Layout Building Mistakes To Avoid
This 2 minute video has some important tips for those planning to build a layout. The free report can be downloaded here http://www.modelrailroadhub.com/free.html There is no form to fill in to get the free report…. you can just download it and even share it with friends.
Paint Bottle Label Tips
I’m sure that I’m not the only one with old paint bottles with smudged or rubbed off label wording (e.g. color name). Although this is not always a problem, the bottles when smudged or dirty can all start to look the same.
One idea is wrap some clear carton packaging tape around the entire bottle to protect the label as soon as you get it home from the hobby shop. You could also write the date on the label before covering it with tape.
The other idea is brush a small dot of the paint on top of the lid. This will make it easy it easier to locate a color without needing to read the label.
How To Stay Clear Of Problem Curves
In real life a railroad curve will be much more gentle than can normally be modeled on a scaled down layout. This short video has some helpful tips.
FREE REPORT – 33 Track Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Here’s a FREE report you can download and share with your model railroading friends on Facebook, by email, or post it on your blog or website if you have one. It is absolutely FREE!
The report walks you through 33 common track planning mistakes that can be avoided, saving time, money and an enormous amount of frustration. Even if you just pick up one or two new things from this report, it will be well worth getting.
Download and share this FREE REPORT HERE
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