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 Track To Choose?
Bob has a question for readers about track choice:
I already have the shelf idea in mind but in HO. I’m 60 years old and already have it tough enough working on HO Scale. I put together a HO Scale Model caboose and what a job that was. I have plans of constructing 2 Helix or Heli because of limited space and multi-level shelf. One at each end of the set. I do have one question. What would be the best track to construct a HO Scale train set? I bought 2 Bachmann Starter train sets because I liked the looks of the old style steam locomotives. The E-Z Trrack is nice to put together, but it doesn’t seem to be the best if there needs to be any kind of correction or adjustment, that it is easy to work with that pre-assembled track. Also, I see that Bachman is not as high a quality as BLI or a few other companies. But the pricing is a lot less.
This is not my first train set. It’s my first as an adult. I used to work on a train set with my father over 40 years ago. I’m sort of house bound now, so I need something to keep me busy. So, please get back to me on what you think would be the best track to work with. I know I have to get the cork bedding and tacks to attach the track to the board and so on. Just track brand would be helpful.
Track Laying Tips
If you are about to construct a layout, then here’s a couple of track laying tips.
Why Does Rolling Stock Derail On Turnouts?
Rich has a question for readers:
“Sometimes I get derailments with rolling stock as they pass through a Bachmann ez track turnout. Sometimes it derails other time the loco follows the switch direction straight (as it is set) and the next car wants to travel up the switch curve. Any ideas as to why?”
Problems With Model Railroad S Curves
Curves look good and generally necessary to turn trains and keep them running without coming to a dead end, but curves use up plenty of room on a layout. And, the radius of the curves will affect the type rolling stock that comfortably operate without derailing and still look convincing when navigating the curve. Longer passenger cars, auto carriers, and large articulated locos will generally require a large curve radius.
S-curves are synonymous with derailments and uncoupling, because having curves going in opposite directions makes it harder for trains to stay on the track. The frame of each car needs to turns in one direction when entering the S curve, and then turn the other way when exiting the s bend. The coupler on the rear end will attempt to follow it through the movement. At the same time the following car will be taking a slightly different route as it won’t have entered that part of the curve. This will produce strong sideway forces on the coupler trying to pull it off the track. So, even though it can be entertaining to watch trains navigating S curves, they are fraught with potential problems.
Download your FREE report – 33 Track Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Share it with your friends.
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
Converting An Older Non-DCC Loco
Selwyn asks readers:
“I have a couple of older style non-dcc engines (HO scale) I would like to convert over to DCC. They are both diesels. I expect almost anything is possible but my real question is it worth the effort and where do I start?”
New Scale House Models Added To Range
The feedback on the 8 new scale model houses has been excellent with many readers telling their railroading friends about them. The designer certainly spent a lot of time perfecting the accurate and intricate detailing and it shows.
The 8 plans are available here for 70% off the individual listed price.
How Hurricane Destroyed Model Railroad
Blog reader Ken counts the day Hurricane Ivan destroyed his much of his model railroad.
A Bit of background – Back in September 2004 Hurricane Ivan caused widespread devastation in the United States and Caribbean. Ivan reached Category 5 strength in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the tenth biggest Atlantic hurricane on record (Ivan was the size of Texas). Accompanying the weather system were 120 tornadoes. After reaching full strength, Ivan moved north-northwest striking Florida as an intense Category 3 storm. The hurricane caused an around US$18 billion (in 2004 money) of damage in the United States.
Let’s hear from Ken –
Here are some pictures of my layout taken the day before Ivan struck. An 80′ pine tree fell diagonally across the roof, crushing one wall and displacing the entire wall off the foundation. The building was deemed unrepairable. I’d at least taken all the rolling stock and locomotives off and put them in storage, so they were saved. I’ve salvaged some of the track and turnouts, but most were too damaged to use again.
Ken goes on to say –
Not saying I can’t learn something new, but I’ve been model railroading for 45 of my 64 years. I enjoyed your Tips book, and like getting the emails/links. I’m a member of two model railroad clubs, one for 21 years. I was a member of a third that gradually disbanded as the members died off. I’m not expecting to kick off any time soon, but who knows? My closest model railroading friends are even older than I am. One started his first model railroad layout when he was the age I am now, and he’s nearly 78 now.
We need young people in our hobby! We need a way to make the leap from “Thomas the Tank Engine” to actual scale model railroading. And we need females in the hobby!
How many ladies of any age do you know that are active, dedicated model railroaders? It’s 99.9% a male hobby, and it shouldn’t be. My daughter loved creating HO scale trees and shrubs, and helping me landscape the layout.
I lost that layout (and the entire 20 x 16 building) to hurricane Ivan in 2004. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ivan ) We were on the east side of the storm when it made landfall along the Mississippi/Alabama Gulf Coast.
Since then I’ve been helping my friends work on their layouts. One is a 12 x 16 N scale two-level layout, and the other (belonging to the 78 YO) is a 30 x 35 two-level HO scale masterpiece. Learning DCC technology has been a real experience after 40 years of DC block control layouts.
How to Give Your Railroad the Illusion of Size
Space limitations are a problem for most model railroaders, so the use of every square foot needs to be well thought out, from both an operational and visual view point. There’s nothing worse than a layout that looks cluttered.
Several clever visual techniques can be applied to provide the illusion of space and distance. Although the following tips seem logical, they are sometimes overlooked by many in the hobby.
1. Where appropriate, sort your objects into sizes placing the bigger objects towards front and the smaller objects behind. I appreciate this is not always practical, especially if you plan to position a big industrial building against the backdrop (that would make sense).
The point I’m making is that if you have, for example, residential houses, the ones at the front should look bigger than the one’s in the far distance. If they are all the same size – the layout can lack perspective. A big advantage of downloadable kits (over plastic kits) is they can easily be reduced in size by 5%, 10%, or even more, so buildings that are supposedly miles away can be smaller than those in the foreground.
2. Be aware that bold colors standout, whereas objects with softer colors and tones fade into the distance. A light, muted, object with grayer shades and soft edges at the back of a layout can appear to be located miles into the distance. Strong, bright, vivid, sharp objects against the backdrop will look much closer. So, to make bushes, trees and other vegetation recede into the distance; make the colors less bold, less sharp and less detailed.
3. Objects that are lower will appear as though they are further away, whereas higher objects will seem closer.
4. Position thin ‘low-relief’ buildings up against the back of the layout, as they will require less space, yet still add illusion of perspective and distance to the scene.
And tips added by readers:
5. Judicially placed mirrors can also create the illusion of a bigger layout (thanks Denis)
6. Road positioned at angles disappearing in the distance behind vegetation, buildings, or hills makes the layout look longer and wider (thanks Bud)
ANNOUNCING! Introductory 70% Saving Off 8 New HO, OO, N Scale House Model Designs
The new series of 8 downloadable scale model homes with 4 garages is now available at a special introductory price saving 70%. These scale models are enjoyable to build and very authentic in appearance, because they include photo-realistic pre-done weathering and detailing. This short video will give you are good close up look.
You download the PDF plans as OO scale, and simply adjust your printer settings to scale them to HO scale or N scale. That’s simple – the web page shows how. You can make several houses from each design if you choose, without having to pay for another download. Easy to follow assembly diagrams and instructions are included.
Go here to grab this 70% saving today
http://www.modelbuildings.org/scale-houses-8-house-models-to-make.html
How To Hide An N Scale Ramp
Shaun asks readers for ideas:
“I am wanting ideas on how I could hide the ramp on my N scale layout as the next two tracks are a railway station. The down track and the one above the ramp are 40mm apart. I don’t know what to do with tracks 1 – 5. I am thinking of putting mountains to form a partition stright down the middle (lengthwise).”
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
