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!
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.
G Scale | Modifying Bachmann Track
Steve asks others in the hobby for help:
“I have constructed a near-ceiling shelf quad-circular track and have come up short in various locations. Since Bachmann only makes a limited selection of G track, what is the best method to alter both straight and curved track? If anyone has been successful doing this, please respond with a step-by-step procedure that you’ve found successful. I have already tried using a fine-blade hacksaw and a Dremel cutting wheel but have run into difficulties maintaining and straight and clean cut. Many thanks in advance!”
If you can help Steve, then please use the comments link to add your suggestion.
Making A Pond | Rolling Brook | Waterfall | Drainage Canal
Tom has a scenery question for readers:
“I have just started to get in to the part of my layout where there is going to be a pond. How do you get it to look real?”
If Dan has a look at pages 76 and 77 of Model Train Help there several ideas for making a pond, rolling brook, waterfall, and drainage canal.
N, HO Radius Curves
Dan asks readers for advice:
“I am going to build a shelf around a room for a train. I am not sure yet what scale I am going to use (N or HO). My question is; how tight of a curve can I make without making the train derail?”
Add your comment below.
Tyre Changing on Diesel Engines
Alex is into oo gauge railways and asks others in the hobby:
“Hi, can anyone suggest the best and easiest way to change tyres on oo diesel engines. Getting them off is easy, putting new ones on is not so easy.”
Add your comment below.
HO | Decoder Spare Part 60760
Valerio asks readers:
"Does any one knows the Marklin (Motorola) decoder number or identification that is included in the Marklin Digital high-efficiency propulsion kit for converting Marklin HO locomotives kit part number is 60760."
Comment below.
HO | Drive Cogs Brass Or Plastic
Pete asks readers:
“My question is that of drive cogs renewal or replacement. Where to obtain the little devils? My local shop have no answer as they just want you to buy a new engine but I like my old units. Can anyone give me some pointers I don’t want to make them? Brass or plastic is OK. Thanks”
Comment below.
HO Scale Switching Scene | Layout Space
Stanley is building his very first layout and is hoping for some advice from those with some experience in the hobby. If you can advise Stanley, then please add your suggestions using the comments link below this posting:
“This is my very first layout! I have limited space in one room to build my very first layout. To avoid “fighting” with windows, etc., I have decided to try to fit a HO scale switching scene layout 20 inches off the floor x 84 inches long. If anyone has built low level layouts, are there any suggestions and/or pitfalls to avoid?”
Comment below.
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