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Low Cost Way To Make Bridges
Simon Stanton sent in this idea to share:
“Here’s an idea for constructing bridges across rivers and valleys. Use a curtain rod to make metal girders for the sides of a steel bridge. I use those curtain rods with an “I” shaped cross-section. I find a hacksaw best for cutting the rods to the right length. I then fill in braces using styrene or wood. Later I spray paint the assembly dark gray or black. I have found this type of bridge construction to be really sturdy. The other advantage is the spans can reach further without bending.”
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Peco Turnout Motors
Art asks you for help:
“Does anyone else have issues with Peco coil turnout motors not functioning, only working to one side after awhile. And/or does anyone have any better set up so they switch and operate more efficient on Peco turnouts , N scale. Respects. Art”
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POLL RESULTS – Will your model railroad include a Christmas element of some kind this year?
340 model railroaders took part in the last survey which asked: Will your model railroad include a Christmas element of some kind this year?
Results are as follows:
— No (64%, 217 Votes)
— Yes (21%, 72 Votes)
— I don’t have a layout yet (15%, 51 Votes)
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Is This A Real Building Or A Scale Model?
Sometimes it only takes one thing to look artificial, or out of place, for the whole layout to lose its character and authentic look. It’s often the little details that draw the viewer into the scene to convince them it is real (or at least an extremely good scale replica). Fact is; vegetation and structures can help or hinder the overall perception of reality.
Is this a photo of a real warehouse building, or is it a scale model? See answer below.
The grass, trees, weeds, and bushes all need to look natural as if they were growing out in the wild. Bright colors can have a place such as in a Fall (Autumn) scene, but generally vivid colors need to be used sparingly, as they can over-power a scene or make the vegetation look unnatural.
Structures also need to look as if they have been exposed to climatic conditions. Although not everything needs to look old or worn, indications of natural weathering or usage can give buildings and bridges and authentic appearance, as opposed to a plastic look. Various weathering techniques such as chalk and India washes can add amazing realism when skillfully applied.
Another option is to buy structures that are pre-weathered or ones that already include realistic detailing. It may surprise you to know the frontage of the building pictured here, is in fact a model. I’m sure you’ll agree, it looks just like the kind of warehouse you would expect to see in an industrial area servicing a railroad.
To have a close-up look at the detailing go to http://www.modelbuildings.org/Low-Relief-Buildings-B.html Then run your mouse over the small image on that page and it will enlarge so you can view the detailing up close.
Joining Boards On Layout
Harvey asks for your help:
“I would appreciate any tips/advice on joining two boards together with 4 lower tracks and two on upper layer of my OO layout. Thanks.”
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Lighting Scale Buildings
Rogers asks others in the hobby:
“I would like to know the best kind of light inside old pre-1900 style HO buildings to simulate lamplight. Would yellow be the best?”
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India Ink Wash
Jeff asks readers:
“Does anyone here know the ratio of alcohol to india ink to make an india ink wash for use on model railroad building, rolling stock, scenery etc?”
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To Block Or Not?
Newcomer Bob is hoping for some good advice from experienced RR’s and asks:
“I am new to the hobby and am beginning to build an N-gauge layout on a 4×8 tabletop with no reverse loops. I will be using DCC. How do I know if I should divide the track into blocks or not? I plan to run no more than 2 trains at one time, at least for now. Will blocks allow me more freedom for expansion in the future? At this point I’m still pretty overwhelmed by it all! Thanks for any advice.”
Add your suggestions to help newcomer to the hobby Bob.
Mixing DC and DCC Locos
Darren sent in this tip:
Don’t overdo automatic reverse loops. I prefer to wire reversing loops the old-fashioned way. I do this because I like to run both conventional DC locos with my DCC locos and I don’t want my old locos to unexpectedly reverse direction.
Use the link in the right hand column to send in your tip or article for publication.
Click here for more DCC Tips and Techniques
4 Golden Rules For Backdrops
Ralph sent in his 4 golden rules for creating realistic backdrops:
1. Lower objects appear to be further away.
2. Higher objects seem closer
3. Distant objects have softer edges
4. Distant objects appear to be grayer
Follow these golden rules and your backdrop will look realistic.
Use the link in the right hand column to send in your tip or article for publication.
Shell Removal for Engine Repair
John seeks help from others in the hobby:
“How do you take an HO engine shell off to make repairs. I’ve tried but to no avail and I do not want to break the plastic body.”
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Changing DC Layout to DCC
Sharad asks readers for advice:
“I Specialise in OO/HO gauge, and have 15 steam locomotives collected over 20 years. Eight of these are from Bachmann, 5 from Hornby and 2 from an Indian manufacturer. Of the 8 Bachmann locos, 4 are DCC which I have purchased this year.
1. My question is: How can I run all the trains together- Analog (DC) with the DCC. Please advise me how to convert the DC to DCC. Should I maintain 2 track systems: DC and DCC?
2. The layout I am constructing is in a newly acquired garage 9x 16 Please advise me whether I should have along the wall layout or in the centre of the garage. Please advise me.”
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How To Add Realism To A Backdrop
When you think about it, a backdrop can have just about as much surface area as the model railroad itself. That’s why a backdrop is an integral part for any layout. Having a perpendicular orientation to your line of sight requires special thought.
In real life we view things in 3D, yet when you add anything extra to a backdrop (apart from blue sky), there is always the risk the backdrop will lose the 3D illusion. Painting clouds, mountains, and structures onto the background can look effective when viewed straight on. When viewed from a different angle however, the illusion of 3D can suddenly be lost.
Here are some tips for creating effective backdrops:
Keep the horizon low and make sure anything that is supposed to be vertical is vertical eg. telegraph poles, people, trees, buildings etc. Avoid abrupt horizon lines. Use trees, buildings, hills, or bridges to hide the meeting line where the vertical backdrop meets the horizontal layout. Avoid deep or bright colors for the sky. Light muted shades can work best. Soften and lighten the distant colors.
Although you won’t want everything to look artificially perfect, you also won’t want the eye to be drawn to something that looks out of place e.g. a dark blue sky. Vehicles need to be correctly positioned in the streets and not be cocked at strange angles.
Buildings painted on a background can sometimes look okay when there are other buildings or features in front of them. Otherwise it is best to design the buildings to stand out from the backdrop in low relief with the front and part of a couple of the sides showing. This can help achieve a credible 3D effect.
For more scenery tips http://www.modelrailwayscenery.org/model-railroad-scenery.html
The buildings shown here are low relief buildings made from core flute. Foam core can be used instead. Both materials are very inexpensive to buy and are readily obtainable from Hardware DIY stores.
To get a close-up look at the detailing on the buildings in this town scene http://www.modelbuildings.org/low-relief-buildings.html
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Why Does The Solder Joint Just Look Ugly?
Ugly solder joints can be a result of inexperience or maybe the surfaces or tip is dirty. It is an indication the solder did not properly flow, and that perhaps the soldering iron might also not have been hot enough. A good solder joint is typically flat and shiny. To achieve a good solder flow, you will need to have the surfaces clean and shiny, and the iron heated to maximum temperature, before the solder touches the tip of the iron.
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If you would like to learn more about DCC operation http://www.dccmodeltrains.org
POLL RESULTS: Are Model Train Manufacturers Doing Enough To Promote Model Railroading?
The latest survey asked “Are Model Train Manufacturers Doing Enough To Promote Model Railroading?”
415 model railroaders responded as follows:
— No, I think they could do more (79%, 326 Votes)
— Yes, I think they are (21%, 89 Votes)
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Building A Custom Layout
Nathan has a question for readers:
“I was wanting to hear ideas for a custom HO layout. I am kinda new to this. The size doesn’t matter unless it’s bigger than 150 sq ft. I only have cheap set locos but I have got 10 of them. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.”
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1940’s 1950’s Layout
A reader wants your advice:
“I’m planning a N scale layout based during the late 40s to late 50s. I will be including a Switcher/Yard engine for my small branch line’s yard. My layout is a simple D.C. arrangement that will be up-graded to D.C.C. at a later time. Thanks for what advice I can get.”
Joe’s HO Scale Layout
Water tower for 2-6-2 Steam locomotive HO scale
Joe sent in these photos of his HO layout to share.
After reading a recent article on layouts for small areas, I decided to breakdown my 4×8 and construct a layout around the room. I painted the walls with forest and mountains and clouds. I was able to construct a two tier track pattern that are separate. The third set of tracks Is a trolley running from one side to the other.
Imagination was a big part of the scenery. This HO DCC layout was fun to build and even more fun when my grandchildren come and their eyes go wide as I shut the lights and turn on the street lamps, buildings, and neon signs. It seems to come to life. A small area doesn’t have mean a small layout.
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