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!
Loco’s – Cars per Sq. Ft Layout
A reader asks:
As most model railroaders have TOO many Locomotives and Cars. It would be interesting to know what the recommendation would be for the following -
How many locomotives per sq. ft of Layout? How many Cars per sq. ft. of HO Layout?
Submit your answer below this posting.
Unusual Scenery Ideas
John sent in this unusual idea to share:
“The souvenir teaspoons that people collect sometimes have an outside toilet on them. Here in Australia the outside loos were called a thunderbox, longdrop, or dunny. After painting and weathering I cut them off and use them as extra scenery in back yards or around older buildings. I add a well worn track to them if modeling in that era or have them with extra junk surrounding them. And they look great with a figure in them.
If anyone else wants to share some creative scenery ideas, please submit details using the Ask A Question link below. Approved ideas will be published in approx 7 - 10 days.
Turning Trains Around – Turntables, Wyes and Reversing Loops
Richard has a question for others in the hobby:
“I know about HO turn tables, wyes and reversing loops at the end of a line. Are there any other ways to turn a train, or even just a locomotive around to head back the other way? I’m thinking mostly of passenger trains, with all the seats facing forward and I don’t want them to have to ride backward, or to manually reverse each car.”
Comment below.
Snagging Couplers
Owen sent in this tip to share:
A snagging train coupler can also cause derailments. Unpolished couplers (particularly on new cars), can catch and bring about derailments.
It pays to clean away any rough edges and if necessary adjust the couplers so they center properly. Some coupler brands and particularly older couplers are hopelessly uneven in heights. The key is to have then set at the same height where possible. And, it is a good idea to stick with one brand so you become familiar with how they perform. Mixing brands like Hornby and Bachmann can sometimes be problematic.
Solving Derailment Problems
Derek has sent in this tip to share:
Having the wrong track gauge is a common cause of derailments. Having a tight track gauge may cause the wheels to ride up and derail. However, having a wide track gauge can also result in derailments when the wheel flanges don’t span the track properly.
One can adjust gauge by the use of spikes to hold the track down in gauge. The rail can also be gently heated with a soldering iron, and moving the rail to its correct position before letting it cool down.
Another thing I do is check the points for sharpness as they switch. Some newer switch points can be somewhat blunt on the movable section where it strikes against the stock rails. If this happens it can lift, or jolt, the wheels and end up derailing the train. Take a small file and gently smooth the moveable part of the points to achieve a smoother transition. Always check the gauge in both positions.
Do you operate DCC on your layout?
In the last poll we asked “Do you operate DCC on your layout?”
Well, the results were very interesting….
1047 had their say…
Those who said YES I operate DCC = 538 (51%)
Those who said NO I don’t operate DCC = 406 (38%)
Those who replied – I don’t have a layout yet = 103 (9%)
The latest poll question about train eras was sent in by Richard – thanks Richard.
If you would like to suggest a poll question, simply use the “Ask a question” link at the bottom of this blog.
Cleaning Track, Rolling Stock, and Engines
Frank wants advice from experienced model railroaders on how to keep his track, cars and locos clean. If you can offer a suggestion, then please add your comment below:
“I clean my tracks, rolling stock and engines with goo gon. I was informed that this leaves an oily residue. Is this so? Tracks I clean with a clean white rag. I use white paper toweling socked with goo-gon layed over a section of track and roll my rollig stock over it. I then roll it over a dry paper towel until clean. Engines I do in the same manner except I use the power to spin the engine wheels. After a short period of time; less then a week the tracks are back to being dirty again. Another point: someone told me they use moleskin pads on a cheap track cleaning car and run it around the tracks. Again the tracks get dirty within a week or so. Any Suggestions.”
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.
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