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!
Model Train in Clear Plastic Tube
Cathy is working on an interesting concept and asks readers for suggestions:
“I’m trying to run an HO (or bigger) train through a sealed clear plastic tube (or other clear material). The tube would go under water for a short distance then come out and go around a lay out. The water would be in a small elevated pool at the bottom of a water feature, still in the making. A lot to accomplish but have had this idea for years and now I’m trying to put my two loves together-water and trains. Do you have any suggestions or could you refer me to someone who can?”
Add your ideas below.
Z Transformer Lighting
Rainer sent in this question for readers:
“I have approx 80 bldg. yard lights on my layout (without the signals) spread over 4 Marklin # 67271 transformers I would like to transfer all of them to 1 light designated power supply but can’t find the answer as to what the minimum power output for this transformer needs to be. I truly would appreciate your advice.”
Add your thoughts below.
Repair Parts for MTH Tank Cars
Keith wants help from others and asks:
“I have 6 Hooker O Chemicals tank cars #20-96187 from 2009 in which the black snap on foot board and railing assembly has become broken. I had a unit train of Hooker tank cars and it was parked at the edge of the board. My cat (Cinders) jumped up on the train layout and knocked 6 cars to the floor and the catwalk railing broke off. I have tried MTH but they said they had no repair parts. Can anyone suggest a source for parts.”
Add your suggestion below.
HO DCC Wiring Peco 3 Way Points
Denis asks readers for assistance:
“How do you wire a 3-way turnout (Peco 3 way points) for DCC. There seems to be several ways. Is there a place for using a juicer?”
Virginian Railroad el-2b Electric Locomotive
R.C.Belcher sent in this question for readers:
“I am 72 yrs old and I was raised within 50 yds. of the Virginian Railroad, formerly known as the Deepwater Railroad. I live about 2 miles outside of Princeton WV, still close to the railroad. I have been trying to find a EL-2B Virginian electric locomotive with the pantograph in ho scale. The one I did find was over $1700.00, way out of my price range as I am retired and on a fixed income. I would be greatly appreciative of any help I can get. I am a greenhorn in this. I already have the N&W Powatan arrow still in the box.”
Painting Structures On A Model Railroad
Detailing and weather can really add authenticity to a scene.
I always use flat (not glossy) acrylic paints for painting structures. The trick is to paint the parts (either with an airbrush or using a paint brush) BEFORE installing them. This is really important, because most adhesives will prevent the paint from sticking, or the washes from soaking in.
It is easier to paint a structure before assembling or installing it in place. You shouldn’t have to lean over your layout to paint a structure as this is uncomfortable and will result in a messy job. It is easier and neater to assemble pieces after they are painted.
Usually start by painting the lightest colors first, before painting the darker colors. It is generally easier to touch up lighter colors with darker tones, rather than the other way around. However, in saying that, there are exceptions to the rule. Thin washes of light paint colors can sometimes add an excellent weathered look when applied over dark colors. I have seen this done on the sides of rolling stock wagons and on brick walls where thinned washes of light browns and light reds are applied over black paint.
The online Model Train Club has a section on Detailing & Weathering as well as a section on Building Structures, and another on Making Scenery. Watch the 3 new videos.
A little trick I use is to apply some paint on an old rag and then drag the strip-wood through your fingers while holding the rag. This can give the effect of well aged paint.
New Videos Show How Club Operates
Watch the 3 New Video Tours of the Club
It is January 2013 and this is the beginning of the third year for the Online Model Train Club. Many members have belonged since it got started, and they will have seen numerous improvements over that time. New content and resources are being added each month, which explains why the club is becoming increasingly popular.
The three new videos show a look inside the online club (as seen by members).
>> Video #1 is a member tour of Level #1
>> Video #2 is a Level 2 member tour
>> Video #3 is a member tour of Level #3
Some club members are very experienced in the hobby and happily share ideas with other club members through postings inside the club.
As one member put it, “I like to help others where I can, and this is a great way of doing it.”
Click here to watch the Train Club Tours.
HO Rail Yard Construction
Raymond wants advice from experienced model railroaders and asks:
“Do your readers have a suggestion for resources teaching and planning for how to create a yard on a HO layout – I need help with how to couple and uncouple from idle cars in the yard to a switcher to another loco on the mainline. So I need suggestions how to do these steps and how to plan, purchase and place the magnets as well as the way to do the turnouts and block control for these maneuvers.
One specific question I have is whether it is feasible to perform the switching moves when there is any grade change or regardless of precautions, will there always be a problem with freight cars rolling downhill. I am assuming that this would be feasible as long as I can control the coupling and uncoupling very well with parked locomotives and end of line bumpers preventing the downhill escape. Thank you in advance for suggestions on how I can learn more about and plan this.”
Add your answers below.
Sound Speakers On Trains
Stephen (a member of the Online Model Train Club) sent in these tips for adding sound effects to trains:
Many manufacturers of model trains now have built-in cavities where speakers can be located. In some instances you can make a space for a speaker in the fuel tank on a diesel locomotive. Some of the older diesel locomotives might be trickier. Steam engines will typically have a tender (unless they are a tank engine) where you can locate a speaker. I usually install the speakers face down as this generally gives off the best sound. I cover the speakers with a double thickness of panty hose to avoid metal fragments getting attracted to the speaker magnet.
What is the most challenging part of building a Model Railroad Layout?
The results are in from the last poll where 227 people voted. The question was “What is the most challenging part of building a Model Railroad Layout?” Answers were as follows:
Planning (36%)
Track Wiring (26%)
Scenery (19%)
Maintenance & Repairs (6%)
Benchwork (6%)
Other (5%)
Building Structures (2%)
Non-DCC diesel loco Conversion
Ed has a question for experienced model railroaders:
“Can an older non-DCC diesel loco to DCC with some kind of converter? And is it worth the trouble? If so what exactly am I looking for to do the job?”
Add your answer below.
Can’t Get Polar Express Train To Work
Scott is hoping for some advice from readers:
“I purchased the Lionel Polar express O gauge for my son for Christmas. Unfortunately it appears that the train engine is broken. The transformer is working, as the other cars are lite up, but the engine doesn’t move, whistle, or light up. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot this train set?”
Add your suggestions below.
Track Maintenance
A reader by the name of Sil sent in this question:
“What is the best thing you can do to the track to keep it resident so that the trains run smoother? I use a light sand paper and my friend say’s rubbing alcohol is good also. Is this True? ”
Add your thoughts below.
Christmas Trees and Trains Go Together!
Regular contributor John kindly sent in this short article to share:
Not many things express the season like a train around the Christmas Tree. Whether your set-up is elaborate or a single train going around and around, everything seems to go better when both are incorporated into a festive scene. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, and the Tree looks even nicer with a train going around it.
The pictured scene is a 4-foot Christmas Tree, an inexpensive HO Bachmann set with track and an engine with three cars, and Cobblestone Corners winter/holiday figures. The 3-1/2 x 4-foot table covered with white shelf-wrap (to simulate snow) finishes and holds the scene, and overall costs about $100 dollars. One word of caution – do not put tree-wrap or fake snow paper too close to the track or train, as the material acts as a magnet and gets itself wrapped around the wheels, causing all kinds of havoc.
Many of us have fond memories as a youngster of seeing a train around the Tree, and a lot of those children are today’s modeler’s with tremendous layouts. But even if you’re not an active modeler, a train around the Tree adds much to the enjoyment for children or adults alike.
Quartering Steam Loco Drivers
Robert Morey sent in this contribution to share:
You need one sheet of thin plastic a bit longer than your main driver wheelbase.
1. Draw a line and mark out the positions of the driving wheel axles.
2. Draw lines through each axle position perpendicular to the first line.
3. Drill holes the same diameter as the driving wheel axles.
4. Cut along the first line so that you have two pieces of plastic with semicircular holes.
5. Slip each piece of plastic between the wheels and frame on opposite sides to each other so that the driving axles fit into the slots on each piece of plastic.
Align the crank pin positions on one side of the loco with the edge of the plastic that has the slots. The crankpins on the other side of the loco should line up with the lines drawn perpendicular to the cut edge through the slots if they are correctly quartered.
Trouble with HO Switches
Jim asks readers:
“I’m having trouble with my locomotives running through my switches creating shorts in the DCC system. I use Atlas switches and can’t come up with a fix. It seems to happen more often with my steam locomotives. Has anyone experienced the same problem and come up with a fix?”
Add your comment below.
Track Codes And Scenery Scatter Powder
Graham has an OO layout and asks:
“What’s the best glue for fixing scatter powder to layout boards?”
James has an N scale layout and asks:
“What are the differences between code 55 and code 80 track and can you combined then on a layout Thanks”
Add your answers below if you want to help.
HO Helix Construction
Steven asks readers:
After too long not having a layout, S and A lines is starting to come alive. I am planning a multilevel layout.
My question is on helix construction. What methods seem to work the best? What is the formula to get proper grade?
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