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!
Trucks Seem To Drag
Jonathan has an HO layout and is wanting advice from anyone with experience with couplers:
"I have IHC 85 pass. cars w/plastic trucks and McH knuckle type couplers. These wheels (#33) seem to drag when on the track but roll freely if rolled by hand. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Add your suggestions using the comments link below.
4 x 8 HO Layout with Double Ovals
Richard asks readers:
“I’m starting on a 4×8 layout with double ovals and a small yard inside the inner oval. im running on DC for now. I have a loco that can also run on dcc. My question is can I just switch over to DCC even if my switches are insulated Atlas switches? Any special wiring I need to know about? For now my layout is just flat landscape.”
Add your answers below to help Richard.
HO Concentric Curve Easements
Stephen asks readers:
“In a recent model railroad planning magazine, there was an article titled ‘How to Plan Concentric Curves with Easements’ by Van S Fehr. The article made reference that the author placed an Excel Spreadsheet ‘on the web’ that performs the calculations for the Seven-Step Procedure. Does anyone know how to find this spreadsheet? I’m building a new layout and need this type of information.”
To answer this question, and if you think the spreadsheet Stephen is looking for is available free, use the comments link below.
N scale Concor DCC
Gale asks readers:
“I have several Concor brown box collector set in N scale and I want to convert them to DCC. Where can I find the Information on how to do this?”
Add your answer below.
Pre-Test A Locomotive To Use As A Track-Testing Tool
John has very generously sent in this idea to share with others in the hobby:
Whether you have a small layout or a room-sized empire, it’s essential to test the track as you build. One way of doing this is to use an older, inexpensive, or seldom-used locomotive to run over the track as you check for bumps, kinks, and other obstructions. If this locomotive runs fairly well, then your “good” engines will run like clockwork. However, it is important to see that this test locomotive actually runs and runs well enough to try out the track.
To Pre-Test the Test locomotive, which takes a short amount of time, set the track up in a semi-circle. Include straight, rerailer, curved, and small-pieces of track, along with a switch and siding, hooked up to a power pack (as shown in the accompanying photo). I used Kato N-Scale Unitrack and a small trolley, and slowly ran it in both directions, watching for hesitations, stops, derailing, and slowing down with flickering lights on the straights and curves, and looking for stalling in or out of the switch. A lot of locos hesitate slightly on switches, but should only stall out or derail if the switch is set improperly.
If your locomotive passes this Pre-Test, then it can be used as you put down track on your layout. By doing this small test, which only takes a few minutes, it gives you a reliable locomotive that has a “purpose in life” while your more-expensive diesels, electrics, and/or steam engines run on your layout.
Adding Strength To Trees
Shane who is a Level 11 member of the online Model Train Club sent in this idea to share with others.
“I find Seamoss trees great to use but I like to make them stronger, so I insert a length of thin piano wire up the hollow trunk.
If you are careful you can gently push the wire a long way up the trunk to make each tree much much stronger and stable. I leave about an inch of wire protruding out the base of the trunk as this is helpful when mounting the tree to the layout.
Just be careful when using piano wire (or locating trees with piano wire in them) as the wire is very sharp and could do some serious injury if someone accidentally poked themselves in the eye when viewing the trees up close.”
Cutting Track Sections
Sandy has sent in this idea to share:
“Cutting track can be problematic and a poor job can result in a bad fit and inevitable derailments — no fun! One thing to watch out for is fine metal shavings that could find their way into moving parts on an engine — even more of a problem!! There are difficulties with using an ordinary hacksaw as this definitely spreads metal dust which is difficult to clean up. You can use a Razor Saw but the cutting pressure can put the rails out of gauge.
My solution is to use a pair of side cutters with a flat edge on one side. They cut straight instead of cutting to a tapered point. The side cutters need to be sharp and there is the possibility of breaking them under pressure. However, they work well and are a versatile tool to have in the kit. You can buy side cutters from an electronic store, or have a look at the Xuron site online.”
Thanks Sandy.
Online Train Club Going From Strength To Strength More Than 1 Year On
Its been over a year since I stuck my neck out and started my own “members only” online model train club. Unfortunately a lot of people were quick to knock a new idea, but I persisted and the reaction from my loyal growing number of members has been very encouraging. Many current members have been with the club since it started and are now accessing Level 14 content, as each member gets upgraded each month.
For those who don’t know how it works. All new members start at Level 1 and get access to more and more content each month. It is like having 24/7 access to a giant resource library.
Starting the club was a big investment and huge risk for me, and it takes a massive amount of time continually adding new tutorials and articles etc each month. It has also been an expensive and complex technical job (something I can’t do myself), keeping the website fully operational 24/7. I would be lost without the techies behind the scenes making it all work.
As well as the longtime loyal members, there are lots of new members coming on board each month. The positive feedback from members has made it all worth while. I really appreciate the support and encouragement. Thank you.
To join the club go to http://www.modeltrainclub.org/club.html
Do You Operate DCC On Your Layout?
We have asked a similar question before (some time ago), but Eugene has suggested we ask the question again. This is a good idea as we now have so many new followers of this blog.
And, if you have a suggestion for a poll question, simply send it in using the "Ask A Question" link at the bottom of this page.
Also, if you would like to make a contribution to the hobby by sharing some of your knowledge by writing some tips or a short tutorial for publication - please also use the "Ask A Question" link to send in your submission. Content must be original and we can send you an email address if you have a supporting photo or diagram for publication.
Encouraging Others To Get Started In Hobby At A Young Age
Our recent poll results highlight the importance of getting children (kids and grandchildren) involved in the hobby of model railroading, as it seems most of us currently involved in the hobby developed our interest at an early age.
A total of 1157 people took part in the last poll which asked: At what age did you begin working on your first layout?
The results were as follows:
Under 15 = 469 (40%), 15 to 24 years old = 129 (11%), 25 to 34 years old = 105 (9%), 35 to 44 years old = 91 (7%), 45 to 54 years old = 90 (7%), 55 to 64 years old = 143 (12%), 65 to 74 years old = 80 (6%), 75 to 84 years old = 14 (1%), 85 years + = 2 (0%), I haven’t started yet = 34 (2%)
If you have suggestions for a poll question to put to blog readers, submit your idea using the “ask a question” link at the bottom of this page.
Lubricate My Steam Engines
Denny wants advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“Where do I lubricate my old Lionel engines (steam and diesel)? Where on a 736 do I apply oil? I added oil (light) to the shaft in cab now it smokes. Would this have damaged it?
Add your answer below.
What Material Are You Using To Model Truss Rods?
A reader has sent in this idea:
"I have tried filament (too thin) and jelly cord (too thick and puts tension on the queen posts - its is a nice black color), and now I am using music wire which works wonders. Make a pattern and then lay it on a board, put nails where the bends are to be and bend the wire around them. Each truss rod comes out the same."
Comment below.
HO/OO | DCC Wiring
Rick wants some simple to understand help and asks:
“I am just starting a freelance layout and I would like to find some wiring info from anywhere. I looked on the net but they spoke in language that I don’t understand yet. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks.”
Add your answer below.
ALSO, if you are knowledgeable on any model railroading topic, then it would be great a great service to the hobby if you would share some of your knowledge with others. Simply write a tutorial or tips and send them to us using this link http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/submit-questions.html. If you have a supporting photo or diagram, then we can let you know where to email it after you send in your tutorial or tips.
Red LED Blinking Lights
Ron asks readers:
“Where can I purchase 5mm, Blinking Red LED lights, with volts going to 18 or 24?”
Add your answer below.
Making A Catenary For Layout
For those who don't know, a catenary is part of the overhead wiring on railroads, which hangs in between the supporting masts, and from where the dropper wires are hung.
Guillermo, from the Patagonia Argentina asks readers:
"I am looking for to make an HO non operating catenary system for part of my layout. Do you have idea where could I find information for about it."
Add your answer below.
Making Ground Cover For My Layout
Joss an 11 month member of my online Model Train Club has posted this idea at the club.
Some model railway scenes look artificial like when forest trees sprout out of flat green manicured lawn. I have never seen a real forest like that. Most forests have layers of undergrowth where leaves have dropped over the years allowing little plants, underbrush, and assorted vegetation to grow.
I know you can buy ready-made ground cover, but I’m a bit old fashioned and like to make my own. I gather up dead leaves and crush them in a kitchen blender. I then gently bake the moisture out, or I thoroughly air dry the mixture (don’t start a fire in the oven!). I then use a sieve to sift the baked material to look like tiny fragments of dead leaves (which is what it really is). Apply some ground goop to your surface area and sift on the leaves to bond them to your forest floor. Leave it to dry. I haven’t had any problems with the leaves showing any signs of decay or mold, and I first used this method a few years ago.
Telephone Poles On Layouts
Razza a keen member of my online Model Train Club posted this idea in the members area.
You can either buy telegraph poles from a hobby shop or you can make your own. The bought ones are usually molded in one color so you might need to paint them a bit so they look more real. The ceramic insulators on telegraph poles are not usually vivid white and on a real pole they are likely to be off white or greyish in color. So touching them up with some paint will take away the unreal starkness.
You can also add more details. For example (depending on where you live), the poles might have a band around them to stop possums climbing the poles and causing a power failure. Some poles will have a guard to stop mice and other rodents climbing or attacking the poles. The telegraph poles might have a styrene plastic sheet wrapped around towards the base of the pole to stop vermin climbing up. You can replicate this by wrapping on a small piece of heat shrink insulation and then lightly applying heat to help it grasp the pole. Have a look at some telegraph poles in your area, or search images on the net, to see what details you can include to add realism.
There are hundreds more helpful ideas in the members area at the online Model Train Club.
How many locomotives do you have? Poll Results
I’m sure you’ll find the results of the last poll fascinating. I total of 860 people responded, with a staggering 43 % having eleven or more locomotives in their collection. Here are the detailed results:
1 = 16 votes (1%), 2 = 46 votes (5%), 3 = 57 votes (6%), 4 = 68 votes (7%), 5 = 60 votes (6%), 6 = 63 votes (7%), 7 = 55 votes (6%), 8 = 36 votes (4%), 9 = 29 votes (3%), 10 = 40 votes (4%), 11+ = 375 votes (43%), I don’t have any locos yet 15 votes (1%)
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
