“We had IDA dump 10” in our basement. None of my O scale train equipment was damaged. My question is, the track. I had kept a 50-55 degree humidity. It has come down to good numbers. I’m worried about the track surface. What should I do and/or use.”

The post Running Model Trains After Hurricane Ida Flood appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“My HO track and turnouts are Bachmann. Can I use the Switch Kat and Kato 4ch controller? The Bachmann turnout has 3 wires, whereas Kato turnouts have two? How would you wire that so that it would work?”

The post Using NCE Switch-Kat and Kato 4ch Turnout Controller appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“One of my Kadee 50 footers has a bent coupler I need to fix but I’m not sure how to remove the coupler cover without damaging it. I guess they are not designed to be fixed?”

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The post Kadee 50-footer Boxcar Coupler appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I’ve only been running my trains for a short time and already there is black stuff building up on the rails. If I don’t clean it away my engine loses some power. I don’t think it’s grease, oil, or the paint I used on the ties and rails which I shined with bright boy. What is it and the cause, and how can I prevent it from coming back? Do others have this problem?”

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The post Dirty Stuff On Rails appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I have an old HO scale setup on a 4’x6’ sheet of plywood. The old track is on a raised cork bed. The train barely moves on the track. After applying several cleaning methods, unsuccessfully, I’m told I need some new track. I would like to purchase new updated tracking but am unfamiliar with it. Most importantly will it fit on my previously installed cork bed. Any help to get me started would be greatly appreciated.”

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The post Cork Track Base appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“What do the numbers on the cross over (for example #4) means, and when or where do you use number #4, #5, or #6 cross over?

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The post Numbers on Crossovers appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“My loco drops 2 volts and slows the further away it gets from my power terminal track. Do I need 2 power terminal tracks positioned at opposite ends of my 9 foot track? Can someone clarify please?”

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The post Track Voltage Loss appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“My sons love model trains but it is something I never messed with as a child. I am fully indulging their hobby looking for things on Craigslist and eBay. I just gave my son an HO Norfolk and Western 4-8-4 train I bought used off of eBay for his birthday. It ran around the track once perfectly, but then it started acting like the motor was not catching the gears properly. It runs but acts like a transmission slipping. I have repaired Thomas track master trains and a small HO Freedom Train but this train is larger and more complicated at least to me.

1) Is there a resource any of you would recommend for adjusting or replacing gears on such a model?

2)We live in Western North Carolina. Are there places I could take it for repair if it is beyond my scope and abilities? Thanks”

The post Gear Slipping on HO Scale Norfolk and Western Class J appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“Dear Railroaders, I hope all are safe and well. I have a A.C. Gilbert Co., Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Whistler, and believe it to be a Model 577. Running 3-rail O gauge trains. I have no wiring instructions or manual for the Whistler. Does anyone know where to access installation instructions, a parts list and/or wiring diagram? It would be greatly appreciated. Best regards.”

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The post Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Whistler appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“Looks a 3% grade section is what I’ll need on my 65″ x 90″ HO layout. I was hoping for less, but with 18″ curves and a 122″ run that’s what’s going to need to happen. My questions – How restrictive will 3% be? What do I need to watch out for?”

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The post Planning a 3 Percent Track Grade appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I have a DCC layout. I purchased a used, but newer, (closed can motor) Walthers Trainline diesel. The track has been cleaned. All other locomotives run fine, but the Walthers hesitates and sometimes stalls. Are the wheels different on the Walthers? What is the fix?”

The post Locomotive Losing Contact Along Track appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.

“I am working with Peco Electro Frog turnouts and I am using the Circuitron SMAIL switch machines but the electrical puzzle I am dealing with now has nothing to do with the motors. So this person from Iron Planet Hobbies says do not modify these so the jumpers underside are connected, There were connected out of the package and there is a frog wire. So in my photos I am showing first a single left turnout, currently directing the train to the curve so in that position switch is working fine. The other way I have set up as a switch throw and it goes into a spur by an elevator so what is happening, when I throw the switch and the blades move to other rails, it is causing a track fault.

So other photo is a crossover using two left turnouts. It is fine when they are in close (straight) but like the other one (#3), soon as I throw and blades contact other rails, FAULT. These switches are 2 A and B, I throw 1 A and B which is for a side and it does not fault. Other photos is a diagram and the underside showing the jumper.

I live in mpls/St Paul MN and wished a had an electrical expert here. Motors are working great, moving switches very nicely. I started in front to get this working right before going to the back to the same switch layout but without the single switch. In the link, there is a photo of my Digitrax Zephyr DCS52. If anyone out there are using these same type switches, I could use some advice cause I am not understanding this.”

The post Peco Electro Frog turnouts With Circuitron SMAIL Switch Machines appeared first on Model Train Help Blog.