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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.
G Scale | Clean and Lubricate Locomotive and Deisel Engines
Tony has a question for Garden Railroad enthusiasts and asks:
“How do I maintain both my locomotive and diesel motors/engines? Do I have to lubricate them, oil them or grease them? Please be specific when explaining how to. Thank you.”
Please add your suggestions if you know the answer.
6 Model Train Questions
Here are some short questions submitted by readers. If you can help and know an answer please add your reply using the comments link below this posting.
1. Frank asks : I have a DC Athreans HO Kit S12, B&O Switcher Locomotive. Do you have installation instructions for the ATH90616 for this type of engine?
2. Bill asks: I am trying to fasten my track to Woodland Scenics roadbed (black foam type). What is the best adhesive for this? I have been trying caulking, plain and acrylic with mixed results.
3. Vincent asks: Where can I buy a H0/00 scale track with an N scale inside the HO/00 scale in other words there are three lines on one track?
4. Ray asks: Does any one know of any company in the u.s.a. who sells tt gauge trains (tt = table top)? Any help out there, if they run tt gauge across the pond, why not here?
5. Sam asks: If N scale is 1:160, then in actual scale, 33 feet would be 1 mile. Is this correct?
6. Henry asks: Does and manufacturer make a New Haven FL9 model in HO scale?
If you can help any of these readers please use the comments link to add your answer.
O scale | Operating a 1045 Lionel Flagman
Nick asks readers for help:
“I have a 1045 Lionel Operating Flagman. Currently I have an insulated piece of 10 inch tubular track with a lockon activating it. I have been advised to use a 1045C contactor switch to operate it. Does anyone have experience with both types of operation and which one works better? What are the advantages and disadvantages?”
Add your comments below.
MRC Controller Short Circuit
Greg is having a problem with short circuits and asks those with experience:
“Hello y’all. I cleaned my N track and when I started to run trains for my Grandson, a short circuit occurred. It’s driving me nuts! The engine ran for a short moment and then just quit. I am using a MRC controller. When it is unhooked from the layout, it powers up. As soon as I touch the wires to the back, the power light goes out. I’ve swept between the tracks with a stiff broom, traced all the wiring, and even ran a magnet over the track in order to pick up any stray pieces of metal that I might have missed. Any chance the power pack may be bad?”
Add your suggestions or answers below.
Marklin HO Analog Wiring
John asks readers for help:
“With isolating parts of the track, as to run multiple trains operations what would be the best way to do this? I am new to marklin and I bought a heap of marklin and some was given to me. I am probably looking to run 8 engines a room 4.9 by 4.4 meters. I am trying to run 8 engines continuously and haven’t got a plan yet, so would like some ideas. Thanks heaps for your help.”
Add your answers below if you know.
HO Electrical | LED Lights | Peco Catalog
Stu has two questions he is hoping someone can help him with:
1. Can someone please send me basic info on working with both grain of rice LED’s and those little round bulbs since I want to use them both to light structures? Can they be used together on the same buss?
2. Other than Walthers please tell me where I can buy products from the Peco catalog? Their fax number doesn’t answer and I can’t find a phone number. Thanks in advance for your help.
Add your suggestions or answers below.
Comment: Grain Of Rice Led’s are so called because of their small size. The color comes from the colour of the bulb or lens not by the filament. Any filament light will produce the light by heating wire, so the bulb can become hot and can on occasions pose a risk of fire. Filament bulbs do produce more natural light. These grain of rice LED bulbs usually come pre-fitted with the wires attached for easier connection to your power source. Members of the online model train club http://www.modeltrainclub.org/club.html who are up to level 4 and above, will have access to some great tutorials on using LED’s.
Wire an Automatic Reverse Loop Module into a Layout
RB has a question for those with knowledge of reverse loops and asks:
“I have already decided on a layout which includes a reverse loop (2) and I have attached a sketch of it.
However I have a question regarding how to wire an Automatic Reverse Loop Module into the layout.
Could you please help me by viewing my layout on the attachment and advising where I need to install track isolators and connect the Automatic Reverse Loop Modules. I believe I have identified as shown where my polarity problem occurs.”
If you can offer some advice to help RB please use the comments link below.
Fitting A Decoder To An HOe Locomotive
Martin has a question for anyone with knowledge of HOe locomotives:
“I am about to fit a dcc decoder to a HOe loco, does anyone have any tips on fitting decoders to a loco in HOe scale?”
Use the comments tag below to add your answer.
Switch Motors | Electrify Peco Turnouts
Bill seeks help from anyone in the hobby who knows about Switch motors and asks:
“I have 38 Peco turnouts on my layout and want to electrify all of them. I will have one control panel. My sub base is 1/2″ plywood with a portion of the plywood covered by 2″ dense foam. I have easy access to the underside of the layout. In researching all of the possibilities, my mind is swimming! Any suggestions from anyone on which direction I should go would be appreciated. I am able to do all of the wiring myself. Thanks!”
You can add your suggestion below.
Engine Noise | 00 Class J94 BR 0-6-0ST Tank Engine
John asks readers for advice:
“I have an 00 Class J94 BR 0-6-0ST tank engine, (bought new within the last 12 monthw) which at anything faster than a slow crawl, has a rather intrusive motor/transmission scream. I was told that when it had a run a bit it would settle down. It hasn’t. I’ve given it a little oil (proper Horby oil) and it is no better. Do these tank engines have this characteristic. I.e., do I put up with it, or is there a cure? (My Royal Scot bought at the same time, purrs along – no scream) Thanks.”
If you have the knowledge to advise John, then please comment below.
Bad Running Steam Locomotive | Precision Craft Models
Joel would like some advice from any with knowledge of Precision Craft Models:
“I have an HO Broadway Limited Import I1sa that was made for Precision Craft Models. It starts out perfect with the sound unit working and moves good from a dead stop but after about 4 feet just dies like the power was turned off but within a couple of minutes starts running and will die again in about 4 feet. Does anyone know what might be causing this problem and how to fix it?”
You can comment below.
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