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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.
o Track Setup Table Plans
A reader asks others in the hobby for advice:
“Are their any plans to make a table for my o scale trains? I have looked and can not find one that is big enough.”
Add your comment below.
HO Wiring Problem
Ken asks for readers advice on wiring track:
“My train is about 90% wired or so I thought. The present wiring is such that it does not allow me to wire the left side of the track for another train because it is black (ground). Wiring it now would be direct short. How can I fix what I messed up without starting over?”
Leave your comment below.
ho Track Layout Software
Frank wants advice from those in the hobby with experience using track layout software and asks:
"My grandson, who will be 10 next month, is beginning to expand his knowledge to match his strong enthusiasm for your passion -- and he is especially interested right now in envisioning track layouts. We have been looking for relatively simple software programs for him to design interesting and functional options. Perhaps your readers can offer some good suggestions? Thank you to them in advance for their consideration and in sharing of their expertise. All the best."
If you would like to help Frank and his Grandson, please add your comments below.
HO Polarity On Can Motor
David asks readers:
“Can I assume that housing of the can motor is negative and the internal mechanism is positive?”
Add your comment below.
N Scale Power Supplies And Wattage
Don asks if you can help:
“I am building my own power supply for my proposed n scale layout. I will use controllers to activate blocks of track. I do not plan on using DCC until I can demonstrate old-fashioned operations. Running several diesel headers on longer freight trains, I need to know what the current draw is of the typical locomotive manufacturer. I will start with Bachmann equipment, but want to build the power supply to handle higher quality equipment also. Since wattage is probably the best measure of the electricity needed to drive a locomotive, amperage probably varies as the voltage is manipulated. I would like to create a chart which provides voltage on the y axis juxtaposed against amperage draw on the x axis. Does anyone have these data, or a means to develop them, short of using a VOM or VTVM? As a corollary, do these data change based on load and/or grade, degree/tightness of curve endeavored by the locomotive? Thanks in advance.”
Comment below.
ho On30 Train Sets
Ted asks:
“A few years ago Allied Trains in LA had what they said was the perfect train for Christmas Villages. I saw it in their store but did not buy one. I thought it was very good in terms of scale. Would anyone remember or know the make/model? Can someone suggest the best scale/vendor that has something similar? Thanks in advance for your help.”
Comment below.
HO | QSI Revolution Sound Decoder | Atlas Gold series U30 C Loco
Henry asks experienced model railroaders for help:
“I have a new Atlas Gold U30C with QSI Revolution sound decoder. The Volume cannot be increased to the same level as other QSI locos. Atlas says that this series of U30C locos have these quieter decoders from QSI and they say that’s as far as they will go. This is even though the decoder is distorted and produces RF interference while operating. What are peoples thoughts on this subject?
You can comment below.
Garden Railroad Track Cleaning
Tim would like some help from anyone who has a garden railroad and asks:
“I have a garden railroad and I always have a terrible time keeping the track clean. Should I consider using another source for power or is there a better way to keep the track clean between uses.”
Comment below.
HON3 | Bending Cork Roadbed | N Minitrix
Parker has 3 questions to test everyone’s knowledge:
1. What size is HON3?
2. Is there a trick to bending the cork roadbed around a curve?
3. Is N minitrix a smaller size than N?
You can add your answers below.
Bridge On The River Kwai Model
Jim asks readers:
“Many years ago I REMEMBER seeing an ad for a model of the bridge on river kwai bridge in HO scale Question: Is this model bridge still available? If not do has someone got any information how I might be able scratch build a model of this bridge?”
I have walked over the Bridge on The River Kwai and it was quite an experience. Hopefully someone will have some suggestions to help Jim. Comment below.
Track Cleaning | Loco Wheels | Benchwork
These questions are all thoroughly answered in the online Model Train Club, however readers might like to offer some suggestions to help out.
Richard asks:
“I need to know how to of begin a layout so I can start mine. I need to see how I start, not with a piece flat plywood. I need something else.”
Bazza asks:
“Can someone please advise the best way to clean track and loco wheels? I am new to modeling my layout is oo uk dcc.”
Add your suggestions below.
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