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!
POLL RESULTS: Do you have relatives who are (or were) model railroaders?
Not so many people as usual participated in last weeks poll which asked: Do you have relatives (parents, brothers/sisters, uncles/aunts, cousins/nieces/nephews, sons/daughters) who are or were model railroaders? The 240 participants voted as follows:
>> NO (65%)
>> YES (30%)
>> I don’t have a layout yet (5%)
How Do You Remove Ballast and Flex Track?
Roy asks readers:
“Is there a way to remove ballast and flex track? I want to replace flex track with Kato track.”
Unfortunately Roy doesn’t give any details of how his track and ballast are applied on his N scale layout. Hopefully he will add a comment to this post giving more detail.
Ordering Train Stuff Online From Where?
Obviously readers will have preferred brands and retailers when it comes to buying model trains, parts and accessories.
Gio is into O scale and asks:
“Do members know of hobby shops or online retailers that are reliable as far as stocking and prompt delivery no hassles competitive shipping rates?”
Perhaps Gio might like to add a comment to this post and tell people where he lives, or at least which country.
How Easy Is It To Convert Old Locos To DCC?
Phil asks readers:
“I have been out of the hobby for about 18 yrs now. I am planning my next layout and am confused on everything I read on DCC, except that DCC seems to be the way to go. With all of my older HO locos is it better to convert them to DCC, or start all over again from scratch and build up another roster of locos with DCC already included? Thanks for the time to respond.”
Send In a Photo of a Building You Made – and get it PUBLISHED!!!
Thank you for all the excellent feedback on the model buildings featured on this blog. It is pleasing to hear such good results!
Several readers suggested publishing a photo of a building they constructed, to show other how good it looks on their layout, so there is now the opportunity for readers to do that. Details at http://www.modelbuildings.org/photos.html
How To Wire A Double Slip
Jan asks readers:
“How do I wire a Peco SL-E 190 double slip? I have wired each point motor shifting the polarity of the crossing point most close to it. The slip works beautifully as a normal diamond crossing. But, if I activate the second point motor in the travelling direction in order to go to a siding a short circuit occurs when the locomotive reaches the second crossing point due to incorrect polarity. Of course the same problem happens when entering from the opposite direction.”
TRAIN POLL RESULTS: What is your favorite type of freight car?
Our last poll asked: What is your favorite type of freight car?
443 model railroaders took part and the results were as follows:
>> Box (34%)
>> Tank (12%)
>> Hopper (9%)
>> Flat (9%)
>> Refrigerated (9%)
>> Covered Hopper (7%)
>> Gondola (6%)
>> Special Purpose Car (6%)
>> Doublestack/Well (6%)
>> Stock (2%)
Pantographs Not Working
Jack from Canada asks readers:
“Where can I buy working N scale pantographs? I have a GG-1 Kato locomotive but the pantographs keep falling down, no mechanism (springs?) to keep them up. They do not have to supply the current to the motor, that stays on the tracks but it looks dumb to have an electric locomotive without a working pantograph.The Japanese pantographs have no springs in them either and are no help. Please advise.
Power Requirements For 25 Foot Layout
Nicholas asks readers:
“I am in the planning process of a single HO track that will be a rectangular lay out. The two long straight legs will be 25 feet in length each, and the two short legs will be approx. 15 feet each. Only one assembled train will be operating at a time. Concerns; 1. Will I need two power units or one, 2. What type (power rating, model) will be required to power that much track, 3. Will this require multiple power points through out the line. Thank you for your attention.”
How To Make Your Layout Appear Bigger Than It Is
Experienced model railroaders use a variety of techniques to maximize space usage and to create the illusion their railroad stretch far into the distance.
One of the best ways is to give the illusion of the background scene extending further is to start with either a photographic or realistically painted backdrop. Commercially made photo backdrops are available, but many prefer to paint their own sky and background scene.
Whether painting the backdrop or using photographic printed landscape images, the trick is to create the illusion of depth and realism. The next thing is to build up the scene in front of the backdrop, to add further to the 3D effect. This can be done using trees, shrubs, grasses, people, fences, vehicles, roads, and structures.
The model buildings in this video can be seen here.
Instead of wasting valuable track or yard space with structures that are 6” or 8” deep, many hobbyists construct their background buildings just 1” or 2” deep. This clever technique can save an enormous of space, whilst still proving the illusion that the buildings are full-size, and that they extend well into the background.
These thin low relief buildings usually consist of a frontage, with part of a roof, and usually one or two side walls visible or partly visible. The buildings can be placed in front of the sky or tree lined painted or photographic backdrop.
More scenery, props, greenery, track etc can be positioned near the buildings to create the impression the layout extends considerably further than in reality it does.
It’s an expensive waste to cut up pricey plastic kits to create this type of background illusion. Instead, it is much cheaper to download and build these designs from corflute, ply, card, or foam board. They can be made exceptionally strong!
And, because the downloaded prints are like photos, no paints or airbrushing is required.
The railroad models on the modelbuildings.org website are of a high quality finish (photo-realistic) and already have fine detailing such as curtains hanging in windows, flaking paintwork, rusty pipes, mold on brickwork, cracks in concrete. Some buildings even feature items on display in shop windows.
Can You Run Older Trains With Newer Transformers and Track?
Kenneth Asks Readers:
“I recently purchased a Sothwestern Pacific set new with the new fast track, and now purchased a 2001 used Sourhwestern kit. Can I run the older 0/027 model on the newer track using the new transformer or will I have to use the older transformer?”
Modular Sectional Railroad Tracks
James asks readers:
“Is there a G Scale book on how to build modules that can be connected to other modules to make larger railroads like those I have seen for HO and N scale railroads? Do you know if anyone is building modules in this scale?”
A/C Power to Layout for MTH and Lionel
Mike asks readers a A/C O-gauge 3-rail question:
“I have many MTH and old Lionel plus Super Streets. How do I wire the 2 electrical system layout? I know that Lionel doesn’t work on 18 Volt tracks, but can I cross-over the 2 tracks?”
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