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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.
HO Derailing And Wheel Trucks
Ray has two very good questions he is hoping someone can help him with. If you know the answer(s) please add your reply using the comments link below:
1) Is there a difference between brands of locomotives and especially cars regarding the weight and the wheel trucks - do higher cost cars weigh more - or are all HO cars light as a feather? Is there any difference in precision with the spacing and traction by the wheels?
2) Is there a tool or technique for assuring smooth transitions between track sections especially turn outs to detect diversion in any plane or rough projections that will cause derailment?
Please assist Ray if you can.
H O | Wiring Layout | Bridge For Turnouts
John asks readers for help:
“I want to improve my wiring along the lines of DCC, but not to that standard. What gauge wires ( Australian ) for bus and droppers?”
Crawford asks readers:
“Are there plans available for building a bridge for a turnout?”
If you can help either John or Crawford please use the comments link below this posting to add your suggestion(s).
H O Steam Trains | Marklin European Layout Photos
Kelvin has sent in some photos of his steam trains and layout to share. He has a Marklin European layout featuring 12 steam locos with marshaling yards and the usual scenic country with tunnels etc.
They certainly look amazing. Thanks for sharing!!!!
You can comment below.
HO Train Track | Power Pack
Bill has a question and is hoping someone can help him:
"I have set up my track and hooked up coupler from power pack. All the track is clean and non mixed and is tight. When train goes to far side of track away from coupler to track, train slows. If I need another coupler on far side of track away from power pack how do I install it?"
Comment below.
Decals
Ron has a question:
“I have some existing white decals that I need duplicated. I do not have a printer at home. What is my best hope? Thanks in advance.”
Perhaps someone might like to offer a suggestion. I presume he has considered taking them into a copying shop or asking a friend with a scanner/printer for help?
G Scale | Scratch Building Rolling Stock
Mel asks G scale enthusiasts:
“Where can I get pictures and overall dimensions of various standard gauge freight cars that I could scale down and use for scratch building rolling stock of the 1940 to present day period.”
Comment below.
HO | Gear Box Covers | Overland Models | 8-40cw Drive
Craig wants advice from readers please:
“I have an older Overland Models 8-40cw drive in which the gear box covers are cracking and breaking due to weather and temperature, and I am wondering where in the world may I find replacements, now that Overland is no longer being produced. All help will be greatly appreciated.”
Comment below.
G Scale | Locomotive And Track Conductivity
Anirban is from Kolkata (formally known as Calcutta) India, and like Subhash (a regular contributor to this blog), he is making his own trains and track from scratch. This is amazing as most of us enjoy the luxury of buying read-made trains and track from shops and shows. But, as Subhash explained once before, they don't have the selection in India and also things a very expensive, so they have to be inventive to be involved in the hobby.
Anyway, Anirban is hoping someone will be able to offer him some advice:
"I am from Kolkata and scratch building a G scale model. I am facing problems with building the locomotive and the tracks. Making sleepers for the track is a real challenge. Also, I am unable to have the wheels conduct electricity from the track. The wheels do not conduct properly and hence the test model has jerky motions. Please do help!"
Maybe Anirban could send in a photo of his loco to show everyone.
If you are able to help, or offer some encouragement, please use the comments link below.
Lichen On Scenery
Roger has a question for anyone who has used lichen as part of their scenery:
“I live in the northwest where various forms of lichen are readily available. I would like to know how to treat lichen and preserve it so it does not dry out and stiffen, making it unsuitable for folliage etc.”
Add your comment below.
Problem With DCC And Trains Stopping | HO Athearn Locos
Douglas is having a problem on his layout and asks if readers can advise him:
“I have dcc and HO athearn locos. I find my trains stop then reboot and go. The tracks and wheels are clean. What am I missing?
Add your suggestions below.
Slipping Loco Drive Wheels On HO SAR Class 6J Steam Loco
Rhodie asks others for help:
“I have a brand new, kit built, H0 scale DJH manufactured SAR Class 6J steam loco, similar to the Frateschi 4-6-0. The motor, leading bogie, tender power bogies and drive wheels all work fine, except that the drive wheels on the main engine just slip on the track and the engine stands still. I’ve tried adding weight inside the boiler section but that doesn’t help. If they can be obtained, would adding a rubber band or tyre to two of the main drive wheels help or has anyone any other suggestions?”
Comment below.
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