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Making Buildings Look Real
Here is a tip sent in by a member of my online Model Train Club. There are hundreds more inside the members area. To join see the link in the right column.
I took some digital photos of the displays in some local shop windows and reduced them on my computer and printed them out so they fit the scale of my buildings. I glued them in place and covered them with some clear acetate to represent windows – you could use recycled clear plastic lids.
Building A Shelf Layout
Here is a tip sent in by a member of my online Model Train Club It has been edited slightly following a useful suggestion from another reader.
Here are my essentials for building a shelf type layout:
1. Perhaps consider track re-railers following some turns. This assists to re-rail the cars which can come off the track around the curves. However, if you do need to have re-railers on either side of your curves then you might have a problem with your layout. Either you are operating way too fast for the layout design or the trackwork is BAD.
2. I think it is a good idea to install a wire guard rail or flexi glass to protect the trains from serious damage as they could accidentally derail and smash to pieces on the floor. OOOCH!!
3. Running the trains often helps keep the track clean, as will a track cleaning car. High level layouts can be harder to clean and can accumulate dust and even rust more quickly.
4. I painted my baseboard black. This way everything is highlighted on my black baseboard.
Locomotive Won’t Run
Vinny asks readers for help:
“I have a new MTH Proto 2.0 engine. I am trying to run it in conventional mode (do not have DCS command system). The loco won’t run. The lights come on, the engine chatter works. When I increase the voltage, the horn comes on and will not shut off. I charged the battery with MTH proto 2.0 charger and have the same results. What else can I do?”
Add your suggestion below.
MDF Bases
Malcolm has kindly contributed this tip:
"Rather than using Standard MDF for your base you can buy MR MDF which is a moisture resistance MDF which we use for Kitchen Cupboards."
Comment below.
Building Digital Controllers and Receivers
Derek asks:
“Hi are there any books that give you the circuit details for building digital controllers and receivers? DCC I had an old article in Practical Electronics 1980 for the main controller but lost the 2nd article on receivers.”
Train Club Members Share Their Tips
Here are a couple of useful tips from members of my Online Model Train Club. I’m sure you’ll find them helpful:
Club Member Penn gave this tip for Humps On Layout Joins
Sometimes the diluted glue/detergent mix used to ballast the trackwork can seep into the MDF (chipboard) joins where trackwork crosses over those joins. If the glue mix soaks in it can cause the join to swell at that point. This can create a pronounced hump and cause the track to lift. I’m sure you can imagine the problems that could cause and the problem could be tricky to fix.
So, it is better to avoid it happening in the first place. The trick is to seal the edges of the MDF board with undiluted PVA at the point where a track could cross. Before putting the track down I would paint all the track bed area with undiluted PVA. I would also use undiluted PVA to paint any areas that will be ballasted. To be on the safe side Iould extending the painting an inch or two beyound the area to be ballasted. I would thoroughly seal the MDF joins, screw holes, and any area where the diluted glue mix might penetrate. To be on the safe side I would give it another coat when dry. I would also seal any extra holes I might drill (such as point motor and wiring holes) before ballasting. I’ve had an expansion hump in a join under my track and I know how annoying it can be, so I’m now super careful.
Another member of my Online Train Club (Pete575) gave this tip for Easier Drilling
Drilling small holes into harder materials, can sometimes have its problems when the drillbit wanders as it attempts to gain bite. An example would be holes for grab irons. One solution is to imprint a small dimple in the hole location before drilling begins. You simply use a small awl., or a hard sharp pin and firmly press it in the base material to make a small pit. After doing that you place the tip of your drill bit in the pit and drill the way you normally would. Doing it this way can be much less frustrating.
You’ll get lots more tips, tutorials, and clever ideas each and every month inside my Online Model Train Club including ideas on:
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HO Diesel Loco Identification
Ed is hoping an experienced model railroader can help him:
“I was given a LV diesel locomotive with no identification. Having some LV roots, I would like to determine what kind of loco this is. Features are: LV – black and white – red flag – #638 six axles – front cab.”
Comment below.
Problem Roller on Diesel Engine
If you have experience and can advise Ron, please comment below.
“I have two post war O diesel engines and both units the contact rollers burnt off. What causes this problem thanks and any help will be appreciated”
Genesis BigBoy
Carlos wants to hear from anyone who can help him solve a problem. He hasn't supplied many details:
"My BigBoy Genesis is programmed with a number and avery thing, was running perfectly and one day it stop running. Only the sounds function work. What can I do please?"
Comment below.
Peco Points Corroded
Derek asks readers:
“Hi I have just unpacked the 00 trains from 20Yrs storage and the Peco points have corroded under the frog rivets I have tried gentle emery paper and CRC but the resistance across the points is still quite high. Any help would be appreciated.”
Add your suggestions below.
3D Buildings For 3D Backdrop
James asks readers for help. Please use the comments link below this posting if you can assist James:
“I would like to build 3D back drop buildings for my N scale layout and would like to know the best tool to cut the side part of the building in half with little waste and a fine smooth cut.”
How To Clean Locomotive Wheels
Watch this demonstration by Dave on how he cleans the wheels of his model train locomotives.
Dave uses the Trix wheel cleaner
which you can get in HO scale (OO gauge) and N scale. It is a brush that cleans both locomotive wheels and the track. If required the brushes can be lengthened simply by connecting more than one unit together. This is good piece of equipment to help prevent those dreadful connectivity problems on your track, and to avoid TV and radio reception problems. You just position the wheel cleaner on your train track, then place the loco on the cleaner unit and power up the track. It takes 10 – 15 seconds to clean the wheels.
which you can get in HO scale (OO gauge) and N scale. It is a brush that cleans both locomotive wheels and the track. If required the brushes can be lengthened simply by connecting more than one unit together. This is good piece of equipment to help prevent those dreadful connectivity problems on your track, and to avoid TV and radio reception problems. You just position the wheel cleaner on your train track, then place the loco on the cleaner unit and power up the track. It takes 10 – 15 seconds to clean the wheels.
OO Gauge DCC Hornby Bachmann
Ian would like to hear from anyone who can advise him on DCC:
“I recently purchaed a bachmann dcc system second hand.Within a week I acquired a Hornby dcc train set and would like to run the Hornby engine on the Bachmann system. Any tips and advice would be welcome as I am a newcomer to the dcc scene.”
Add your suggestion below.
HO Peco Track Rail Joiners
Adrian from New Zealand asks readers for help:
“I have just started my layout and am using Peco track sl 100 streamline. I also received code75 sl110 rail joiners, but I can not get them on the track (too tight). Can someone help me please?”
Comment below.
Peco Track
Adrian from New Zealand asks readers for help:
“I have just started my layout and am using Peco track sl 100 streamline. I also received code75 sl110 rail joiners, but I can not get them on the track (too tight) can someone help me?”
HO CNW Rolling Stock
Randy has a question for readers:
“Where can one find examples or pictures of CNW rolling stock in the 60’s? I am modelling my home town in Nebraska and want to do a 60’s layout!”
Comment below.
Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation | NCE DCC System
Peter has an NCE DCC system and wants guidance from someone with experience in DCC:
“Hi Guys, I recently purchased a Bachmann 2-8-0 consolidation, out the box. I presume it has the Bachmann decoder installed. I use the NCE DCC system. The problem is that the locomotive only starts responding at about step 13 of the speed control. Is this normal? I also have a spectrum 2-8-0. This has no problem. This one has a NCE decoder in? Responds on step 4.”
To help Peter, add your suggestion below.
O Scale | Lionel Super O Switch Tracks | O-72 Turning Radius
Peter is hoping someone will be able to guide him and asks:
“Will O Scale Engines and rolling stock with an O-72 turning radius run thru Lionel Super-O Switch-tracks without derailing? If not, is the above track level side mounted switch mechanism housing (simulated switch motor) the problem?”
If you can help Peter, please use the Comments link below to add your thoughts.
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