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!
HO 5 Trains
Jo asks readers:
“I drive a show train on a siding, unhook the cars and drive the engine onto the turn table and then into the roundhouse. Then I an reverse the procedure, but the problem is I want to do this with 5 trains. Is it going to be possible? How do I set up the track to run them all on one track afterwards, one behind the other, all being show trains. I have 3 other working trains.”
Comment below.
U.S. Military Railroad Colors
Palmer asked a similar question on Jan 25 (search civil war in search box) and Ken had a go at answering his question. Maybe someone else would like to contribute an answer to Palmers latest question:
“I am an H.O. modeler I want to make a Civil War scene as a part of my layout. I want to include a period loco and several U.S. Military Railroad cars. I have not been able to find out what color were used by the U.S. MRR. during the Civil War on rolling stock.”
Comment below.
Notice to all Questioners – please remember to thank anyone answering questions. They don’t get paid and are genuinely trying to help. Use the green comments link to add comments, suggestions, answers etc.
Cleaning Loco Wheels – Peco Lube pl-64 – Grime and Track Dirt
John has a question on cleaning locomotive wheels and asks:
“Could a reader please tell me, what is the best way to clean loco wheels, both diesel, and steam? Also Peco advise that you use their power lube pl-64 on the track after cleaning. Would this not attract dirt and grime to the track?”
Comment below.
Tender Drive Flying Scotsman Locomotive Decoder Installation
Edward wants advice on a DCC conversion and asks:
“I have a tender driven oo Scotsman with only one black pick up wire to the motor. I think its 5 pole and looks like the motor in the hornby chip conversion diagram but has only one black wire to the right motor conection.Look at the link. http://www.hornby.com/digital/guides/tender-drive-flying-scotsman-decoder-installation,123,HAR.html I would like to convert it to dcc, its a good runner and looks good. Can someone help please?”
Comment below.
22 1/2 Radius Curves and Truck Mounted Couplers
Ned is hoping someone with experience in the hobby will help him and asks:
“I’m working on passenger car kits of 85′ streamliners. Unfortunately, my layout has 22 1/2 radius curves. I understand truck mounted couplers can lead to derailments. Is there a body mounted coupler that will do the trick? If the truck mounted coupler is my best bet, which one should I use? It’s for a Union Station kit.”
Use the green comments link below to take part in the discussion.
OO / HO Track Radius Confusion
Paul has a question for readers:
“Can someone tell me why the manufactures of the different tracks like Hornby, Lima, Triang do not use a similar code which would help get my layout together? How can I know what the radius is if the code on the track is different from one manufacturer to the other?”
Comment below.
Platform Access Problems
Jack wants to hear from anyone who has built a platform and overcome access issues:
“I plan on building a 9 feet wide and 7 feet deep platform. The back and left wall are solid and the right side is fixed window. I don’t want to crawl around on the platform, but how do I get to the back? I plan on mountains along the back but while I can crawl under I don’t want to see an opening or have a trap door that is visible or crosses tracks. Any help out there?”
Comment below.
Buy Train Couplers for Aristocraft, LGB and RailKing
Steve has a question for readers on train couplers for LGB, Aristocraft and RailKing and asks:
“In the past I have purchased only LGB, however my taste is changing and am looking for more contempory trains. I have purchased several deisels and cars from Aristocraft and am looking at products from RailKing and USA Trains. Since all these manufactures use different couplers, I would like to zero in on one type of coupler that will work on my set up. Can anyone recommend one brand that crosses all manufactures? I would like to mix and match my train combines.”
Comment below.
Laying Track Curve – Track Radius Measurement
David would like guidance from those in the know about track radius and asks:
“Another newbie here. Can someone please tell me where the radius of a track curve is measured too; ie is the measurement to the inside rail, the middle of the track, or the outside rail. There seems to be a wide range of ideas on this subject, but no specific answer I can find.”
Comment below.
Wiring Track for Power Continuity On Layout
Eric is having a problem with wiring and seeks help from someone more experienced in the hobby:
“My question is how many power connections do I need on my 027 4×8 layout? Where should I locate them? The layout consists of a figure-eight within an oval within an oval. The figure eight connects to the outside oval on the bottom and to the inside oval at the top, approximately. Six remote switches and one 90 intersection allows this to work.
I can wire the outside and center rails at intervals for the outside oval. My question is if I need to wire power to the inside oval or figure-eight, which rail is now the same outside rail as I wired when I did the outside oval?”
Comment below.
No Power To Track
Larry wants advice from readers and asks:
“Try as I may it seems like I can’t get my HO trains to run. I have bought a new power pack, but I don’t seem to have the juice throughout the system. Man its frstrating. I have taken down my layout and then put it up again many times due to family needing the spare bedroom. Maybe that is part of the problem?”
Readers can advise Larry by using the green Comments link below.
Electrofrog Turnout versus Insulfrog Turnout
Jack asks if a reader can “please help me understand the advantage of using an electrofrog turnout versus the insulfrog turnout or vice versa.” If you think you can advise Jack, then please use the green comments link to answer his question.
N Scale 4 x 8 Layout Planned
Carl has submitted this layout construction question for publication, but it might be useful if he could supply a little more information to help anyone trying to answer his question. Carl maybe you could enlighten us as to the type of scenery, cars you already have and what you have already done. What would you like to do?
Carl asks: “I am limited on space, I have collected scenery, some cars and so forth, but what can I get away with? I have an area 4×8 to start with but that would put it in a corner.”
Add to this posting below using the green Comments link.
HO Train Outside?
Peter asks a question that has been asked before (use search box):
“Is there any reason I can’t make an HO layout outside? I know I have to use aluminum or stainless track. My house is too small and I’ve got lots of stuff to use. I know I have to keep the locomotives inside. HO stuff has much more variety and is very much cheaper…hence my question.”
To answer this question use the comments link below.
HO Scale NY City Subway Layout with Underground Girders
Marty is about to start a new model railroad project and is looking for guidance from those in the know.
“I am just startng an HO scale NY City subway layout. I am looking for suggestions on what to use for the underground girders and other supports for the tunnels. I wish to make it look realistic with a plexiglass top which will have city street scene on it.”
Offer suggestions below.
Steepest Rate of Incline on Bridge
Bob wants help from readers and asks:
“I have a limited area for my model set up of 8×9 feet. I want to add an incline to a bridge and would like to know what the steepest rate of incline can be over the shortest distance and still work properly?”
Comment below.
Hard Insulation Board and Track Clearance on N Layout
Darrell is building an N scale layout and is hoping someone with experience will offer some guidance and words of wisdom:
1. I plan on using the hard insulation board to raise my track. Is there a preferred thickness, brand and type?
2. How do I cut the board for the slope?
3. It has been recommend 2″ clearance for bridges over other track. Is that from top of lower track to bottom of bridge or is that from top of track to top of track? Using the 2″ thick foam board or doubling the 1″ would give me the 2″ But when I add the cork roadbed I loose some of that clearance.
4. What is the best way to attach the track to the cork roadbed and the cork roadbed to the foam board or the plywood decking?”
To advise Darrell, use the green Comments link below an add your comments after registering (it takes about 2 minutes if you haven’t yet done it.)
DCC Decoders for Accessories
Dave wants to pick reader’s brains and asks:
“Does anyone know of a source to purchase accessory decoders for my N scale railroad? I have tried searching the internet in as many ways as I can but so far all I have found are sources for locomotive decoders. Any help would be appreciated.”
Comment below.
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