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!
50 Year Old Lionel Diesel Locomotives
Bob has a question for anyone who can help him with his old Lionel locomotives:
“I just dug out my Lionels from the garage after 50 (that’s right, 50) years. I hooked up my ZW to a circle of old O27 track to test out my GP-7 diesel. I got nothing.
The green power light went on but no juice seemed to hit the rails. The red circuit breaker light not indicate a short. I switched the hook-up wire from the U-D posts to the U-A and got a small spark from the loco’s left front wheels but nothing else. I don’t have a voltage meter to check to see if the ZW is providing any power.
Admittedly the track may not be conducting well after all these years, but I thought I should get some kind of response from the engine which had always performed so flawlessly when I was a kid. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can determine if the issue is the transformer or the GP-7?”
Add your comments below.
O Electrical Wiring
Ronnie is new to the hobby and needs some experienced guidance:
“As I understand it, 027 turn out switches have 3 wires and the trun-out derives power directly from the track – is that correct? How can I wire indicator lights on my panel to indicate Turn or Straight? I have a KW transformer and wonder if I can wire them directly from the 14V post? I need the simplest solution as this is my first layout. Thank you.”
If you would like to give Ronnie some advice, then please use the comments link below. I’m sure he would appreciate it.
Wheel Rims On S American Flyer
Glenn is hoping someone will have some suggestions to help him solve his train problem:
“I own a vintage American Flyer #350 4-6-2 Royal Blue Steam Engine. The drive wheel rims(tires) seem to be loose and when the engine makes a turn the metal frame (on the inside of the wheels) touches the rail and creates a short and pops the circut bearker. The short sometimes happens on the straight tracks because the engine kind of wobbles sometimes. Any suggestions will be helpful to resecure the wheel rims or if I am mistaken on the loose rims please advise on corrective action.”
Comment below.
DCC Reversing
John asks readers:
“With dual main lines parallel to each other, and with the inside main reversable, do I need a reversing module between crossovers? If so how would that work since the crossovers are of minimum length?”
Readers can comment below.
Lionel Kit
Joe asks readers:
“Did Lionel make an airport (not a kit to put together out of plastic)? If so does someone know where one can be purchased?”
Comment below.
S Scale Crossings – Getting The Gate To Stay Down
John is hoping someone will help him with this problem:
"I am reviving my AF layout. What track clip do I need to make the automatic grossing gate accessory STAY DOWN while the train goes through it? The one for the flashing lights doesn't work. Do any of you use anything else like infra-red or some other way to trigger the gate to stay down until the train goes completely through for realism sake? I appreciate any help you can give!"
Comment below.
O-gauge Electrical Question
Al has a question on O-gauge. Please comment below if you can help him.
I am building my first permanent highrail layout using an MTH Digital Command System ( Proto 2.0 ) linked via a star pattern power distribution network with Gargraves track.
1. How do I wire Lionel and Z-stuff signals without having to use the bulky under track contacts?
2. What is the best way to divide the track plan into electrically isolated blocks ? I cannot seem to find any Gargraves nonconductive track pins anywhere.
Many thanks to anyone that can help.
Fleischmann N Gauge Locomotive
Richards wants help with his Fleischmann N gauge tank loco and asks readers:
“I have one Fleischmann N gauge tank loco (7000) which I had chipped by the supplier. I want to buy two more, 703002 and 707001 (also known as 7071 on some sites). There is currently quite a waiting list to have locos chipped in the UK so I want to chip these myself. Are there any particular pit-falls I should be aware of with Fleischmann locos? I plan to use a CT Eletronik chip, possibly a DCX74z.”
Comment below.
G Scale Motor Power
Tapan asks readers:
“How much RPM is required in a locomotive of G – Scale motor?”
Comment below.
Derails On Radius
David asks readers for help and asks:
“I have an ho 4-6-4 with a tender that has 2 , 6 wheel trucks and a 2-10-2 engine with tender. Both are steam. For some reason they both keep falling off track. Is there anyway to adjust them to make them stop derailing? They are running on standard 9 inch rails and radius and they only derail on the turns. Both are bachmann. Can someone please help me?”
Comment below.
Make Your Own Oil Tanks
Here is a tip sent in by Jeremy (a member of the online Model Train Club).
I used some old tins from the kitchen cupboard to make an oil tank depot. I found an old coffee tin and another one that contained drinking chocolate. They were the type that you press shut (not the ones you need a can opener for).
I screwed the lids to the layout which meant I could easily remove the tanks at any time by just pulling them out from the lids (which stayed fixed to the layout base). I painted the tins and applied some graphics I printed out from the internet. However before I printed them out I used my computer graphics program to add a couple of ladders and some rivets to the design. They look so authentic.
The are lots more clever tips and ideas for Model Train Club members and right now you can get 30 Days Free Access to the Model Train Club with the Scenery And Layout Construction Ideas e-book (see link at the right).
Making Oil Tanks
Here is another tip supplied by a member of the online Model Train Club.
I used some old tins from the kitchen cupboard to make an oil tank depot. I found an old coffee tin and another one that contained drinking chocolate. They were the type that you press shut (not the ones you need a can opener for).
I screwed the lids to the layout which meant I could easily remove the tanks at any time by just pulling them out from the lids (which stayed fixed to the layout base). I painted the tins and applied some graphics I printed out from the internet. However before I printed them out I used my computer graphics program to add a couple of ladders and some rivets to the design. They look so authentic.
Making Putty For Models
Styrene is a popular material to use for scratch building because it is versatile and inexpensive. However, you don’t want to throw all your offcuts away. There’s a product called MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) which is a plastic solvent welder, used to weld parts together using capillary action (another brand is Testors Welder). MEK works with polystyrene (not foam), and is slower drying than polyweld. You can pour some MEK in a glass bottle and then to make a putty paste by dissolve some scraps of styrene to make a putty (paste) to fill holes, imperfections, joints and other areas that could require filling before you start painting.
WARNING: MEK is known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing), so skin protection and good ventilation is absolutely essential.
Humbrol and Revell make liquid polystyrene cements.
Testors also make both liquid and a gel type solvent based styrene cements. The liquid versions come in a small bottle with a long stainless steel needle like stem for easy control and to prevent evaporation.
If you are working in wood you can do a similar thing by mixing sawdust and wood shavings with PVA wood glue. This putty mixture can then be used for planks, wood siding, or for filling gaps or fixing imperfections.
More tips and ideas in the Model Train Club.
Sneak Peek Inside The Model Train Club
My new online Model Train Club is proving really popular and the feedback from members is very encouraging.
Randy has kindly made a video with a quick inside look around the club. I’ve put it on the blog for you to watch. Click here to read more about the Model Train Club.
Make Advertising Signs From Your Computer
You only have to walk or drive up a road to see signs on shop fronts, advertising billborads, on vehicles etc. In everyday life signs are almost everywhere, so that can also add reality to a train layout.
Using your computer is a great way to make signs. Example: If you search google images for “Pepsi” you will get dozens of images of the logo, bottles and more. Select the image you want and save it as a jpeg. If you have a graphics program on your computer you will easily be able to resize the image and print it out. Even a simple graphic program like PAINT (which is free on most PC’s) will do. You can also design your own signs using these a graphics program. You simply choose the font size, style, font color, background color etc.
The next step is to spray a thin sheet of styrene plastic with an artists adhesive and then glue the signs to the plastic. Smooth it out to remove any bubbles. When it’s dry use hobby/craft/xacto knife and carefully cut the signs out.
You can then attach the styrene backed signs to any other plastic surface using styrene cement. You will be able to fit lots of signs on one sheet of paper, so that will save on printing costs. For best results you might want to seal the signs with a dullcoat matt varnish, but test a piece first to make sure the ink doesn’t run. From experience I have found it best to apply a couple of light clear varnish coats rather than one heavy coat which could run or be so thick it looks yellowish.
UK USA Couplers
Kenneth has a question for readers on couplers:
"I hope to purchase an American Bachmann Loco 81811 Passenger Loco DCC Sound on board, which has American Type couplings fitted. Can anyone advise me how I can convert to UK Hornby/Bachmann type or fit the UK Ones. Any help would be appreciated. I am purchasing from a British Dealer."
Comment below.
Point Motors and Switches
John would like some advise, so please comment if you can assist:
“My layout is N scale. I am installing 18 Peco PL-10 Point Motors and Switches, plus 1 CDU. I am wiring the + and – cnnections from the CDU via a Bus to the Motors and Switches. My question is can I connect the third wire which I am using yellow wire for to a separate Bus, or does each yellow wire need to be connected from the switch directly to the individual Point Motor? I have very little electrical knowledge.”
Workbench Extention
Don asks readers:
I have a layout on a 4x8 workbench. I now want to add on to this bench with another 4x6 bench. How do I connect the track so it can be separated if the benches have to be moved? The scenery I can get myself, but the track laying and alignment is something else. And how do you get the track without a gap?
Readers can comment below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
