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 Local Freights Do
Local freights are also known as peddlers and way freights. Their prime responsibility is to drop certain cars off and pick certain cars up at different towns. So local freights usually make a stop at every town and perform their respective task. When compared to fast freight, thorough freight and passenger trains, local freights are relegated to a second class status. This means that if one of the three trains mentioned above is on the track, then the local freight has to make way for them to pass first before it can carry on with its operations.
This photo shows a consist of HO scale freight wagons stationed in front of some industrial storage warehouses. The scale buildings have been constructed from corflute in low relief and are glued to a photographic backdrop. Corflute is what waterproof real estate signs are made from and can be purchased for under $10 for a very large sheet (makes several buildings) from a DIY store.
The plans for these model railroad buildings can be downloaded here.
Track Joining A New Table Section
Peter asks readers:
“What is the best way to join track when you need a new section of table that is removable.”
Add your comments.
Radius of Track
Ken asks readers:
“What radius would I use if I had 3 tracks next to each other ( 10-12-14 inch ) and hopefully a 4-8-4 would work on at least 2 of the 3 tracks? I model N scale. Thank you.”
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Ground Cover From Florist Foam?
Gil sent in this question for readers:
“I have access to a large amount of Florist Foam (Green). How do you break this down to make a decent and cheap ground cover or if possible Trees and Shrubs?”
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Ideas For Cabling Wires (supplied by Ben)
Ben sent in this idea to share:
I have used several inexpensive techniques for keeping wiring together. The wires still need to be easily accessed if you need to add or remove a wire. This photo shows some of the methods I have used. I only add a plastic cable tie when I’m finished wiring the cable. If you are using metal screw eyes it is worth opening the neck slightly so you can remove, add, or simply move a wire.
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Wye Loops As Explained By Jack
Jack sent in this short article to share:
A wye track is shaped like the letter ‘Y’ where tracks merge into a single one and single tracks diverge into two tracks. The track is designed like this because it allows easy turning of locomotives and routes trains to another track without reversing. It can be part of a junction or used in place of a turntable.
A wye track is connected in isolated blocks. If continuous wiring was employed, a short circuit would occur. Therefore, the track is wired in different blocks where each block is electrically isolated from adjacent ones. A Digital Command Control (DCC) system achieves this.
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Corflute and Foam Board Useful (and cheap) Model Railroading Construction Materials
When you consider the cost of buying locomotives, construction products like foam board and corflute are incredibly cheap to buy. A huge sheet of corflute (like they use on real estate signs) cost less than $10 at a local DIY store and was large enough to construct several model buildings. What’s more, the material is very strong and very easy to work with.
This video shows how to use corflute board for constructing a model railroad building.
The plan in this video can be downloaded here.
Locomotive Conversion
Andy asks readers:
“Do anyone offer help in converting an HO DCC equipped locomotive to Ring Engineering’s Rail Pro LM module installation?”
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Roadbed and Bachmann Track
Warren seeks guidance for others in the hobby and asks:
“Does anyone make HO roadbed to fit Bachmann easy track? We have alot of eztrack which I want to use instead of purchasing new track. Is it necessary to use roadbed under the eztrack or can I elimanate this step. I did plan on using ballast just not sure about the roadbed. ”
Add your suggestions for Warren.
Reading Layouts
William asks readers:
“This may sound like a stupid question; however, I bet there are many modelers that are thinking the same thing. I look at a layout and I see dotted lines, straight lines, helix curves, etc. I never see a chart to help you determine which lines are which! If a line is going from one level to another often times you cannot see where it picks up. Doesn’t anyone have any suggestions or solutions?”
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Sound In a Boxcar
Ron asks readers:
“To put sound in an N scale boxcar I’m told I need a 50′ box with metal wells and a truck with a metal frame for the electrical pickup. Where might I find such a thing or what should I ask for?”
Add your comment to assist Ron.
Guidance For Absolute Beginner
Gerry asks readers for help:
“Where does an absolute beginner start when wanting to layout/build an oo gauge railway for his grandson, on either a 6×4 solid base or a 8×4 folding base? Should I go DC or DCC? Where can I get a good shunting type layout?”
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DCC Equipped Engines
Bobby asks readers:
“I have been looking at N Scale engines on line and noticed that they, for the most part, are DCC equipped. Can they be run on regular analog DC or do they need to be modified?”
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Adding Weight to Freight and Passenger Cars
Donald has an N scale question for readers:
“How do I break open the N scale freight and passenger cars to add weight and what is best to use for that extra weight, hopefully keeping them on the tracks?”
Add your suggestion.
New Engine Runs in Opposite Direction?
Jim wants to hear what other think:
“I recently bought a new Porter Hustler engine by Model Power on ebay. When I put it on the track it ran in the opposite direction of all my other engines. It is a problem on my layout. Any suggestions.”
Add you comments to help Jim.
FasTrack layout Ideas For 8ft x 4 ft Baseboard
Reader Rob asks:
“I am looking some FasTrack layout idea’s. I only have a 4×8 board at this time. So I am limited to space. So if anyone has ideas for layouts that I can use it will be greatly appreciated. I cannot get out that much due to a disability. I do have about 8 switches a 90 degree cross track and plenty of track. Thank you for your time and concern. ”
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Engine Repairs – How To Remove The Cover
John asks readers:
“How do I dismantle an HO engine to find out why it makes a grinding noise but does not move on the track. I cannot figure out how to remove the engine cover/body. Thanks in advance, John.
Add your answer to help John.
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