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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.
N Gauge Track Fastened To Homosote Board
Bob writes:
“I have n gauge track fastened to homosote board. When the temperature changes the track will contract or expand to the point where the roadbed is disturbed. Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening?”
If anyone can help this fellow railroader please reply below.
N Scale Derailment on Bachmann EZ Track Switches
Quinn would like your advice if you can help him:
“I am trying to set up a small N scale layout using Bachmann ez track. However I find that the switches when fastened to a plywood deck cause the trains to derail when making the turn (both right and left). I have created HO and N scale layouts previously and have not run into this issue while in germany using Marklin track for N or Atlas trach for HO. I have noticed that the screw pivot on the throw looks large and bulky, and the the engines and cars seem to rise when traveling over the frogs. Can someone advise me please”
Add your suggestions below.
Building Fences
John sent in this suggestion for model railroaders:
"Hi this is john just a quick story and tip for all you in the hobby im working on a scene on my layout that involves a cattle pen/cattle loading area/coral with a house on the property.
I came to a area that I thought would look terrific with a split rail fence,so off to the hobby shop I went. When I arrived I asked the clerk about the fences I was interested in he told "oh yes sir we have a large variety of them", when I asked him for the prices of them my jaw hit the floor I said to him of you misunderstood me this fence is for my ho model layout not for MY house.
I was absolutly stunned of the prices they want for stuff...I dont know about everyone else but im on a fixed income and do this on a budget...so I thought what can I use to make a split rail fence cheaply.
It just so0 happened that day my wife grilled out and made kabobs after eating a few I was ready to throw the skewers away and it hit me. Wow these things would make a great split rail fen!
So I cut some of these skewers about an inch and a half for the posts then hot glued them to the area I wanted fenced in about 5 and a half inches apart then added the rails to them, two rails per section.
After they set up I painted them with some paint I had and wouldn't you know it just so happens the paint I had was called hickory the fence turned out amazing and you can get bamboo skewers at any store for $1.00 for about a 100 try it if you need a rustic looking fence youll be amazed how it looks for almost nothing in cost"
HO | Power Pack
David asks others in the hobby:
“What is a good size power pack to run on a long layout? My track is oval and 26 long and 4 wide. No switches at this time.”
Add your suggestion below.
Modifying Bachmann Track | Dremel Cutting Wheel | Hobbiest Razor Saw
Steve asks others in the hobby for help:
“I have chosen G scale for a large inside near-ceiling shelf run and have a need to shorten both straight and curved Bachmann track. No matter how carefully I make the attempt (either using a Dremel cutting wheel or a hobbiest razor saw), I fail to make a perfect vertical cut needed for perfect track mating. Does anyone have experience doing this and if so can you guide step-by-step through your procedure? Many thanks in advance!”
Add your suggestions below.
Track Cleaning With WD40?
Model railroader John has posted this tip for others in the hobby:
“Hi this is John with a quick tip to try for those of you in the hobby who are wondering how to clean your track. I have tried many commercial track cleaning products in my years of model railroading. They all have there benefits and drawbacks. This is something I’ve been doing for a long time now and have found that it works great. Take a paper towel and wrap it around your finger then take a can of WD-40 and spray the tip of the towel and rub it across both sides of the track rails. If you have really dirty track it may take two applications. You will be surprised to see how much dirt you get off. After the application of WD-40 take a bit of rubbing alcohol and rinse the rails to remove any residual WD-40. Next,rub your finger over the rails and see how smooth and shiny they are. Try it and see how well it works.”
Add your comment below.
Listing of Eras For Locomotives
Jim has a comment/question for readers:
“I’ve been all over the internet and find bits and pieces of information on what locomotives ran in what years, but not as much info in one place that would make it easier for a beginner to figure out what locomotives to purchase and run in the eras that I have for my layout. I just don’t want to mix it all over the place, but would at least be as close to accurate as I can.”
Jim, if you have already assembled lots of info from your search then it would be helpful if you would share it with others please. You can post the information you have gathered as a reply. Thanks in advance.
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