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!
Making a Corn Field
Joe sent in this tip:
“An easy way to make a corn field is to soak corragated cardboard for about 5 minutes in warm water. Then peel off outer layer and allow the other layer with flat surface to dry. When dry, paint brown, and sprinkle ground brown cover on it. When dry you can ‘plant’ your corn stalks into the high parts, it looks great and makes perfect straight rows.”
Digitrax PR3 Problems
Ted is having computer and DCC problems and is hoping someone can offer some help:
“Hey fellow rail fans, I am upgrading some non DCC locomotives to DCC/Sound and after reading reports and watching videos I chose Digitrax as the media I want to use. However after receiving my PR3 I attempted to install it on two of my computers and it fails to be recognized. One operating system is XP and the other is Vista (The PR3 is not compatible to Windows 7). I installed the software anyway and of course it failed as well. The instructions state that the installation disc has a utility called USBDeview to be used to uninstall the software from the computer, but it does not exist on my disc. I have called Digitrax three times in the past 10 days and sent emails twice to seek help and got no response. Question is; does anyone have this PR3 system and have any idea what is wrong? I assume the particular PR3 I received is defective and will return it in a few days if I can’t get an answer! I am new to this computer style of model railroading and lack confidence, so I have to read everything several times and try and do it right! Maybe I made a mistake choosing Digitrax! I hope not! Thanks.
Add your suggestions to help Ted below.
QSI Quantum DCC Decoder
Bob has a question for knowledgeable readers:
“I have two HO Walthers(920-40991) Proto 2000 E7 Locomotive with QSI Quantum DCC Q1a Sound Decoder. All works except sound. Unplug sound and plug in new speaker and we get sound. Loco works for 5 second then off for 5 second then on again. Off and on again every 5 second. I replug in the original two speaker, loco runs great, but no sound. Any ideas will help.”
Comment below.
Cleaning Rails and Wheels
Alvaro has a question that has been answered many times before on this blog and in the online train club. Perhaps readers might like to add there answers here.
Alvaro asked: “I’m having problems with the cleaning of rails and railway wheels of locomotives. What are the products I can use?”
Add your answer below.
Make Corrugated Roofing
Patrick a keen member of my online model train club sent in this tip:
“Here’s a budget idea that turns out well. Take an ordinary tin can – you know the type with the fine corrugated ribs in the middle. Be careful doing this to avoid cutting yourself (have a medic handy!). You cut off both ends of the can and then you cut the metal from top to bottom. You will end up with a rectangular piece of metal which you need to flatten out without it buckling.
You don’t need to flatten it completely, just enough to use it for a pattern. Then get some aluminum kitchen foil and cut off a piece a little bit bigger than the size of metal you want in your finished project.
The next thing is to lay the foil over the ribs in the flattened metal can and using a thin stick you press the foil down into the grooves of the tin can. This is how I make authentic looking corrugated metal roofing, especially if you add some weathering to age it.”
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CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD THIS $39.95 E-Book For FREE!Now, I’m the first to admit, this informative e-book doesn’t cover absolutely everything. Fact is; it would take thousands of pages of cover every aspect of this exciting hobby, but I have condensed many of my best and most useful ideas, into 109 pages of practical help.
You can buy this e-book for $39.95 or get it FREE today at my Online Model Train Club
Locating Kinks In Track
John sent in these words of wisdom:
My tip is the “Odegard Squint,” named after famous model railroader Gordon Odegard (might be Odegaard). Just stand at one end of the layout and look at the track is at eye-level. Squint your eyes, and make sure all the track looks straight and there are no kinks or foreign objects on or near the track. Works every time!
Tunnels Made With Insulation Foam
John comments:
“Wow, great tips and very useful! Tunnels can be made with insulation foam, but buying a portal and fixing it up as you suggest is really good. In fact I have a Life-Like (anything but) small N-Scale tunnel that I was wondering what to do with, and I can dress it up as you said with paint, ground cover, trees/bushes, and a little lightweight hydrocal, as well as detailing the rocks on the tunnel openings.”
Cleaning Locos
John asks readers for their views:
“I recently purchased a vintage loco which has an accumulation of dirt on the body, from years of exposure. What is the best method of removing the dirt and dust, without damaging the finish?”
Comment below.
Lionel 14275 Powermax 30 Watt Transformer
Russ wants advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“I purchased a Lionel 14275 powermax 30 watt transformer. Where can I find reviews of this transformer. Also, where can I find a related instruction manual. I believe these transformers were introduced in 2006. Whatever info anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.”
Add your answer below.
Bachmann Engine Issue
Bill asks readers for advice:
“I’m now switching my layout to DCC. I have 3 or 4 HO Bachmann engines that I’ve had for about a year now. I’ve been running them on my track (DC). They run great however the lights in the engines come on when I first power them up but go out within a miinute or so. When I hooked up the DCC it was the same. Is this a bulb issue or something else. The engine were not top of the line. I paid about $100. a piece.”
Add your suggestions below.
Hornby Flying Scotsman Train Will Not Run
Derek asks readers:
“I have a Hornby Flying Scotsman it has been in its box from new 1970’s but it will not run on. The wheels stick as you rotate the main wheels joined by running gear. All wheels run free when the unattached motor is good when run separate. Any suggestions would be great would like to see this one run.”
To help Derek add your comments below.
HO Two Level Viaduct
A reader asks:
“Has anyone ever seen or heard of a two level viaduct with one set of tracks above the other running parallel to each other and not across. I mostly run steam. This might be a horse of another color, but I could use some input on this subject.”
Add your suggestions below.
Quality of HO Locos Rated
Vince has a question for readers:
“I am looking for a simple listing of HO scale locomotives (and rolling stock, if possible). My criteria would be: Detail of model, visual accuracy, performance, and of course value. I know that some of those may be self-limiting but as I invest money in equipment for my layout it is hard to pick stuff that really looks good. It seems to me that fewer pieces of equipment of real quality is a wiser way to spend my limited resources. How are models rated?”
Add your suggestions below.
HO Decoder Bachmann 2-8-0
Peter asks readers for advice:
“I have a Bachmann 2-8-0. I would like to fit a good sound decoder .Which is the better one? I understand that if it is a soundtrax i need to use a programmer to install? Is this correct or is it fit and play?”
Add your answer below.
Grand Gazebo Wiring
Gene has a question for readers:
“I just bought the HO Grand Gazebo that has a raceway for ease of wiring, however, the raceway is way to small to insert wiring. Using Model Power #511, 12-16v-12inch leads, peel and stick lights. I’ve tried routing out the raceway a bit, but the 2-wires will only go thru about 1/2inch, then stops. One wire will go all the way…but not 2 wires. Is it a faulty building, or?? Don’t think one could go much smaller on the wire, but maybe someone has an idea.”
To help Gene, add your advice below.
Controlling Turnouts
Bernard is new to the hobby and is hoping an experienced model railroader can give him some advice:
“I am new to trains. I have built many HO structures, have a good DCC system, and I am starting to plan my layout. This is not any easy thing. I am confused about turnouts since I have different opinions from different sources. Should I control the switches from the DCC, or should I have a separate electrical line to control the switches? One vendor told me that many have tried to use DCC to control switches, but change back to separate switching to control them. Since I will soon have to plan my infrastructure I could use some help.”
Add your suggestions to help Bernard below.
N Scale Wiring
Illion is new to model trains and seeks advice from anyone with experience:
“What is better; to solder the wire in the track, or use the joiners that have solder wires? Please your advice for a beginner”
Add your suggestions below.
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