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!
Which Model Train Scale To Use?
Jon asks readers:
“I am planning a layout and I am completely new to model railways. I have approx .5 mtrs long x 4 mtrs wide space, I am not too sure which scale to use. I a planning a Didcot to Oxford to Swindon/Reading layout, with a goods yard at Didcot.”
Using Ceiling Tiles For Landscape
Harry asks readers:
“Does anyone else use lay-in ceiling tile for making of cliffs and ridges in their landscape? I need tips on proper ways of painting the edges of the tiles so they look more natural. I have found the ceiling tile edges when broken and stacked look just like the road cut-thru’s in the mountains done by road makers in the north east US.”
How To Fix JMRI Problems With DCC Engine Functions
Doc has HO scale and asks readers:
“I just installed a JMRI system with my NCE DCC and iPhones. During operation, I lose my wireless connection. My Dell computer does not lose the wireless connect. My DCC sound still works but I have not control of the engine functions until I shut down and reboot. Any help out there.”
What’s Going On Here?
This is an interesting scene with lots of activity… but what do you think is really going on? Why is the loco on its side? What are the workers doing?
It would be interesting to get your feedback on what you think the situation is. Use the link under this posting to post your comments.
UPDATE: The good thing about the above photo is that the scene is not predictable and it gets you thinking about what might (or might not) be happening. If you click the comments link below you will see that readers have already come up with, not one, but a number of possible scenarios.
Choosing the Right Sound Decoders
Ethan asks readers:
“I have a small budget, but I am really keen on HO/OO DCC sound. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a reliable DCC decoder or capsule that is under £100 (USD$150)? I have tried the train tech sound capsule but it didn’t suit my needs.”
Trees and Bridge Added To HO Layout
Phillip sent in some new photos of his layout. (see photos in earlier post)
“Since my last publication, I have planted some trees and installed a girder bridge doing away with the short tunnel.
I had kept an old Christmas tree that we used back in the 1970s which I did not throw out. It came in handy for making trees.
The bridge girder is just plywood cut out which I used on a previous layout. Just painted it black (only suitable paint in the garage).”
Old Bachmann Engine Parts
Joe has an HO layout and asks readers:
“We just had a Train show here in Springfield Mo. I was told the train i have from Bachmann has a few worn out piece’s. They told it was at least 15 to 20 year’s old.It’s a Burlington Northern 484. do they make parts for this model still?”
Locomotive Control
Michael asks readers:
“Hi, I am new to this hobby and I have built a base in my garage and plan to lay one single HO continuous track (something like a folded over dog bone with sidings coming off from it. I would like to ask if anyone could advise me if there is a way to run two or three locos on this single track and have individual control of each loco at the same time. For example, speed one up whilst slowing the other down or running one off onto a siding? All at the same time. Is this possible?”
South American Model Railroad
Santa Elena Station, at the highlands.
Andre from Brazil sent in these photos of his railroad.
Says Andre: We have started our first HO layout. I and my girlfriend used Brazilian made material, like 3 of 4 locos and almost all wagons, tracks and buildings. Most of that is made by Frateschi.
A busy street near Boa Vista Station.
There are also a loco made by Rocco and a lot of Faller and Noch stuff, and some old Majorette vehicles from the eighties.
Santa Elena Station with a EP-4, a G-12 and an old passengers train
In my figures the layout has 40 meters of track in 7 square meters. We have not put the ballast yet. We are afraid of some eventual damage to the tracks.
Manaus-Caracas Express crossing the Amazonian savanna.
We’ve planned a savanna and mountain scenery, like our state (Roraima – Brazil) in the northern frontier, near Venezuela and Guyanna. It’s the land of the “Up” animation movie (2009).
So, our layout presents a fictional railway crossing a part of Amazonia and Gran Sabana.
Model Control Master 20
Bruno asks readers:
“I have Model Control Master 20, made by Model Rectifier Company. The unit was struck by lighting and blew capacitor C8 top off. I could not locate the any information off the capacitor. I’m wondering if anyone help identify the capacitor”
How to fix Coupler Problems
Paddy asks readers for advice:
“I have 2 sets of HO Bachmann trains. The couplers do not match. Is there a way to change them all to the same? If so, what should I buy? Can I change over to metal? I am a newbie to this great hobby but I have always loved trains. Thank you.”
Track Wiring Solutions
Karl (a new member to model trains and the Online Model Train Club) asks:
“Does anyone have an suggestions for keeping under-benchwork wiring organized and tidy. I am just starting off in HO and am worried I’m going to end up with a confusing mess below the surface. Any suggestions appreciated?”
15ft x 6ft Layout Built In Two Sections
Phillip’s layout
The control panel
Phillip sent in these photos of his layout to share:
I have four photos of my 4.5 x 1.7 meter (15ft x 6ft) HO DC dual track model railway layout.
I built it in two sections, 2.44m (8ft) section and 2.6m (8.5ft) section on castors so I can move out from the wall. It can be separated if needed to be moved out of the garage.
I would say it is a double 8, it goes back under the goods yard and back around as you can see in the pictures.
I model Bachmann trains, and the diesels and steam locos are very powerful. I have a goods shed on the far left corner and a smaller goods shed on the upper level on the right.
Because the Bachmann couplers are plastic, I cannot be used with magnetic coupling devices. I have to manually uncouple the carriages with a length of flat tin to push up the coupler. You can see the piece of tin sitting above the Vector dual control unit. That is one drawback with Bachmann couplers.
I made the track control panels myself and did all the wiring up to the electric point motors and track. I have tried to keep the weight down as much as possible for portability.
Joining Flex Track With EZ Track – Can it be done?
Stan asks readers:
“I I notice there is all kinds of track out there – Kato Unitrack, Bachmann EZ track and Atlas Flex track to name a few. My N scale layout under construction has Bachmann E Z Track, but a friend offered me some unused Atlas flex track and a small section of Kato Unitrack for a cheap price. I think he picked it up at a garage sale. The Atlas is code 80 so would it be ok? Any advice would be a help. Thanks.”
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