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N Scale Layout Planned
It doesn’t sound like Tom has bought my Model Train Help ebook yet… and needs to.
However, in the meantime, perhaps someone would like to give him some suggestions:
Tom asks:
“I have my desiginated space for a layout established, but now where and/or how do I start. I have a list of things I want on my layout, but no idea how to get started. Help!!”
Add your suggestions below.
Can Motors | Flywheels | Dual Flywheels | All Wheel Pickup
Jay has sent in some thoughts on the advances in model railroading:
The newest equipment available today has all of the best perks for good performance:
Can motors:
The big advantage that can motors have is that they are pretty much sealed, and keep out dust and dirt. They also have higher torque at low speeds, and are over all much smoother, and draw a lot less current.
Flywheels and dual flywheels:
Flywheels really make a locomotive run smooth. They will carry you over dirty spots in the track and give the locomotive the effects of “Momentum” starting slower and stopping slower or a bit of coasting.
All Wheel Pickup:
What could be better than having all of the wheels do their part in conducting to the energy in the track? The more the better to get over turnouts, crossings and dirty track. It really aids in smooth operation.
Layout Storage
Chris has a good question and is hoping someone can advise him:
“Can someone point me in the direction of suggestions for storing model layouts. At present I have mine hinged so that it can fold up vertically, but am interested in other ideas.”
Readers can add suggestions below.
Chris might also be interested in reading this earlier posting about Colin’s HO Farrer Siding Foldaway Layout
http://modeltrainsetshelp.blogspot.com/2009/02/ho-farrer-siding-foldaway-layout.html
Experienced Model Railroader With Large Collection in HO, HOn3, and G-scale
Over the next few days I will publish some excellent ideas contributed by Jay the “super tech”. So keep watching this space!
In the meantime here are a few words from Jay…
You touched on a subject near and dear to me, as I have been buying and selling used trains for over 24 years. I do consider myself an expert at repair in most model trains, in fact I like to say that if I can’t fix it, it can’t be fixed. My background is a development engineer in electro-mechanical systems. I spent 18 years at the Hughes Research Center in Malibu Ca.
I buy lots of used train items, and hardly ever pay retail. Even though I try to be careful in buying used equipment, I expect that I may have to fine tune or repair the stuff. I love the old heavy die cast HO equipment, and like to bring it into the modern world with sound and re-motoring etc.
I have entered the DCC/Sound world about three years ago, and love what is out there, great stuff. I use a laptop and JMRI to program my decoders. I have the North Coast Engineering and digitrax systems to run DCC. I also have a very large collection in HO, HOn3, and G-scale including six live steamers in G.
I have installed sound into G, HO, HOn3 & N-Gauge Locomotives using the PBL system the sends the sound signals to the locomotive down the rails.
The PBL system is becoming outdated, but it is an excellent system to use. The real challenge is combining DCC & PBL systems into my layout, as one conflicts with the other, I have a selection switches in order to run both systems. With the PBL system, you can put sound and lighting into a locomotive for around $10 each, not too bad compared to DCC with Sound. I have so many locomotives, that I don’t expect to ever run them all with DCC, but the PBL will allow me to run them at a much lower cost.
Being retired, I do spend a lot of my time working on trains, I still buy, sell, trade and collect trains because I love it, I can’t stop. I will be selling some stuff soon on Ebay, as I decided to thin my collection a bit, under the handle “Jayofto”. Keep up the good work!
Robert comments…
Thanks Jay, for sharing your thoughts with other model railroaders. We need more people who are prepared to help others in the model railroading community. Unfortunately sometimes we are inclined to be secretive and keep our ideas to ourselves. It is a shame, because so many people who read this blog would benefit greatly from the ideas of others. And, I know there are a lot of very experienced and talented model railroaders out there.
Remember, to watch this blog in coming days for some of Jay’s ideas that he has kindly contributed for publication. Share this on Facebook and Twitter using the buttons below.
Ant Infested Trains
Dave has an unusual problem with his HO trains that he is hoping someone can help him solve:
“I have a limited edition Gresley Brittania from Hornby, the Royal loco with the white roof. It, and my other trains have been in storage at my parents place as I now live in Phuket (Thailand) and have not yet had opportunity to bring them over safely. On a recent visit to Australia I went through all my stuff. While in storage the whole thing, especially the electric motor in the tender became infested with ants. Rubber bushes and tyres no longer exists, steel tyres have fallen off the wheels, and more. Is it possible to fix? How would I go about it?”
Comment below.
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HO DCC And Bachman
Kevin is interested in converting to DCC and asks readers for advice:
“I have absolutely no knowledge of DCC. My current small layout is using DC power, but I am thinking that as I want to expand my layout etc. I should look into DCC. What is needed? And, is this a good thought. I only have 2 locos at this stage so to either sell them or convert would not be a major hassle. I would also like to use Bachman track as I do have some at present and like it’s style but find that it is most dificult to locate 3 foot lengths. Do thay make it and where would one be able to check it out.”
Comment below.
Interchanging HO Train Brands
Michael has a question for readers:
“I started with a G scale set but have now realised there are a lot more (accesories) and trains for HO modules. There are some Bachmann and Marklin set I’m interested in buying. My question is can they be interchanged as they are both HO scales?”
Comment below.
Layout Size
Timothy has a question for experienced model railroaders and asks:
“I just retired few months ago after almost 30 years with postal service, I decide to make train model for my hobby. Here is question, I’m going use my old bedroom door, layout size is going to be 36 in wide and 80 in long, what you would recommend size for gauge for that size. Also which train set I should use for first time?”
Add your comments below
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Passenger Car Lighting
Charles would like help from anyone with experience putting lights into passenger cars and asks:
“I would like to install interior lighting in some of my HO scale passenger cars. Is there a set of How To instructions that I could use as a guide in doing the installation of the lights?”
Add your suggestions below.
Bachmann Baldwin Shark
Andy wants guidance from readers to convert his Baldwin Shark loco to DCC. Andy asks:
“I would like to convert my ModelPower Baldwin Shark to DCC. It has a large can type motor with two wires and the headlight wire exposed. I only want power and lighting; I don’t need sound. Any help I can get to do this will be greatly appreciated.”
Pictured is the Bachmann HO Scale DCC Pennsylvania RR Baldwin RF-16 A Unit Shark Diesel Locomotive from Bachmann. The distinctive nose contours of Baldwin’s RF-16 diesels earned them the name “Shark”. These powerful freight hauling locomotives were built in the early 1950s and saw service hauling coal, ore and other heavy loads.
Train Stops On Turnouts
Don would like help from a knowledgeable reader and asks:
“Every once in awhile the train will stop at turnouts. Why is this and how do I solve the problem?”
Add your suggestions below.
Building Walls On Layout
Paul wants advice on building walls:
“Some years ago I bought a railway depot in France and although new to model railways I am trying to scratch build the area as authentically as possible but am having problems building walls – Can anyone suggest a good thorough reference or book dealing with this subject? Scenery building perhaps.”
Add your suggestions below.
Electrical Problems on Ceiling Layout
Ben has a ceiling layout and wants help from an experienced railroader:
“I have a train going around the ceiling. The trouble I get is drop outs along the route as in it stops and goes and at times does run. How do I get flawless power running along the tracks. I had the Engine gone through and cleaned about four years ago. I have cleaned the tracks and still have drop outs. Please help?”
If you can advise Ben, then use the green Comments link below to add your thoughts.
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LNER no. 2001 Cock ‘o the North, Gresley P2 class 2-8-2
Above: Painting by Ian Cook Cock o’ the North on the Forth Bridge in watercolour and gouache. John has sent in this wonderful contribution that I’m sure everyone will enjoy:
The photos were taken by my friend Ian Cook who is making his name as a railway artist. I have seen some of Ian’s paintings and you can almost catch a whiff of that unmistakeable smell of smoke, steam and hot steam oil.
The locomotive is LNER no. 2001 Cock ‘o the North, Gresley P2 class 2-8-2, a very powerful machine indeed.
Doubtless you recognise the location 
– it is, of course, the mighty Forth Bridge in Scotland. Sadly none of the P2 class were saved although the enthusiasts have begun to build new. The Peppercorn pacific Tornado no. 60163 is the first of these new generation locos and because it uses modern construction techniques like a welded boiler and roller bearings in place of white metal journals, is proving itself a great mainline contender.
As Ian is nearing retirement from his career as a sales engineer (for which he travels Britain and Europe) we must hope that his talent burgeons as he will soon be able to give himself totally to his art. Ian is no longer a railway modeller but is concentrating on railway photography and art. At present he is working on a painting of the Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, the last great work of that doyen of railwaymen, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Ian’s painting is being done in the golden light of an Autumn sunset. This bridge joins Cornwall to England. Perhaps I should tell you that the Cornish consider themselves a race apart and are as elite and separate as the people of Wales.
His photos that I sent you were in fact taken at Pontrilas, just over the border into Welsh Wales coming south from Hereford on the Welsh Marches line from Shrewsbury via Church Stretton, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Pontrilas and Abergavenny to Newport (Monmouthshire). At Pontrilas the line crosses a shoulder of The Black Mountains, links up with the Great Western main line at Newport and then heads into Cardiff.
The sole locomotive in the photos is King class no. 6024 King Edward I shortly to be withdrawn for overhaul. But never fear because no. 6023 King Edward II is nearing completion of a total restoration so our heritage trains will not be bereft of a King for long.
The double headed train seen crossing the viaduct and at the lineside at Pontrilas is hauled by Kinlet Hall no. 4936 (not Hagley Hall no. 4930) and Nunney Castle no.5029.
There is one other King saved and that is no. 6000 King George V. It is kept in the ‘Steam’ museum at Swindon along with no. 4073 Caerphilly Castle. Sadly both are static exhibits and will not run again. It was no.6000 which, when new in 1927 was exhibited at The Baltimore and Ohio railway in the USA. The American engineers found it quite unbelievable that a locomotive which was dwarfed by theirs could be so powerful and free running. King George V was therefore presented with an inscribed brass bell which even today is bolted in position on the front buffer beam. If there is anything else you want to know about the railways, locomotives and rolling stock of Britain please feel free to ask. If I don’t know all the answers, I know a man who does!
There are about eight Halls still running or in overhaul and about six Castles. All will run from time to time when in possession of a boiler certificate. Steam locomotive operation on “Heritage” trains with fare paying passengers on board is a tremendous business now here in the UK. British Rail have realised the earning potential of steam trains and all the old barriers to operation by restored steam have been dropped.
Ian used to own the heritage Daimler bus pictured here.
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Recommend model train ebook.
Track Oxidization Problems
Here’s a good question from Joel on track oxidization. If you can help him please use the green comments link below this posting. Also share this with your friends on Twitter and Facebook. See buttons below.
“I live in South Florida and have a tough time keeping the nickel track from oxidizing. I have an N scale layout with a lot of track, yet before each operating session I have to spend a tremendous amount of time cleaning track. And, with some of the tight spaces on a well detailed N scale layout, that can mean damage. I actually run two track cleaning cars but that’s only good once the oxidaion is removed. Anybody use a good technique to prevent or reduce oxidizing?”
Lubricating Model Trains
Mike wants some guidance on lubricating model trains and asks:
“I have some older trains(N/HO). Is there a basic diagram I can follow: Where to oil and lube (what parts of the engine and cars?).”
Add your suggestions below.
Space Between Track
For the mainline, you can have straight parallel tracks quite close. On a mainline less distance between parallel tracks might cause problems if a train on one track derails – it is more likely to foul the adjoining track and cause any trains running on the adjoining track to derail. In yards and industrial areas it is an advantage to have a little more space between sidings and spurs to allow the removal of cars with your hands without knocking cars on other tracks.
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