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!
Securing Track With Track Nails Or Glue
Ray wants advice from other in the hobby on the subject of securing track and asks:
“I have Kato HO track on my layout which is on plywood with a 30% directly on the plywood while 70% is on Styrofoam, plaster covered risers. I would like to secure at least key places from movement. I would rather not use track nails – Would your readers recommend drilling a small hole through the reinforced plastic and placing small screws into the plywood on some key curves in order to keep the firmness? If I needed to further secure the track on the inclines would they recommend small amounts of hot glue or do they have any other suggestion? I would like to avoid having the permanency of nails (easier to remove screws) and also avoid continuous glue around the entire track bed – just secure enough for good traction and prevent derailments from up/down movement.”
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MRC Decoders and Voltage
Ted has an HO layout and a question about MRC decoders and asks readers:
“I am installing two MRC 0001007/1008 decoders in old brass engines. I think MRC may have failed to include instructions for installing relative to the DC operation. Apparently you unplug the DCC harness and hook up the three loose wires? But what are they and where do they go? Is the green wire for lights, and if so what is the voltage? The other two wires are black and orange. Does anyone have the answer to help me? I sent MRC an email last week, but I guess they can’t find the instructions either!”
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Barrier Strip and Jumper for 3 Track Layout
A reader submitted this question for readers:
“I have a 6×10 model train layout and I have three train tracks. As I understand it, I need a barrier strip and jumper. My trains slow down at the far end of the train layout. If I need barrier strips and a jumper, then how would I hook them up?”
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Banked Curves Question for model-train-help Readers
Ted has an HO layout and wants help from model-train-help readers:
“On a curve, say 24 – 32 inch radius what is the general bank angle for the train on these curves? I am assuming the greater the radius the greater the angle, but I am thinking of a 1/16 th of an inch bank over 1 1/2 inches on my curves on the main lines. Would that be acceptable?”
Answer Ted’s question below.
Rail Power Wire Gauge Voltage Drop
Bill asks readers:
“I am wiring track for rail power and want to know the smallest gauge of wire I could safely use? I don’t want voltage drop. Can I use stranded wire or must the wire be solid?”
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Solder Rail Joiners – Solder Electrical Connections
Gerry has an HO layout and has a question for readers about soldering rail joiners:
“I know I should solder all other electrical connections, but should I also solder rail joiners to track sections?”
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Audio in a Non dcc Locomotive
Krish sends in this question from India:
“I am a retired aeronautical engineer who decided to come down to ground level! I have just acquired bits and pieces to set up a reasonably realistic 4′ by 6′ layout. I am right now trying to understand the various intricacies of setting up a railroad layout- mechanical, electric, aesthetics and so on. Since I am a novice, I may kindly be pardoned for asking what may be a real layman’s question.
My short question is: can I have audio in a non dcc locomotive? I stay in India (Bangalore to be precise) and it would be almost impossible to procure a dcc system at the current prices. Model railroading is not at all prevalent in India and in fact should interest anybody wanting to set shop in this part of the world.”
To advise Krish, please use the green comments link below.
HO Locomotive Repairs
Danny has a question on HO locomotive repairs and asks readers:
"I have a late 50,s or early 60,s ho steam engine that has a gear on the one wheel. The gear is broken on the wheel. It is pressed on. Is there any why to fix it?"
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Building Roads and Crossings On N Scale Layout
Jerry wants advice from others in the hobby about road building and asks:
"I am looking for the best and or easiest way to build roads on my N scale 4' x 8' layout. Additionally, how do you build crossings where the roads intersect the tracks?"
Note: There is an excellent section in the model-train-help.com ebook on road building ideas.
Distance between Tracks HO
Mike has an HO layout and wants to test readers knowledge by asking:
“What is the recommended distance between tracks on a straight and a curve?”
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HO Garden Railroad?
Peter asks readers:
“Is there any real reason I can’t use HO stuff on an outside layout, if I use brass, stainless or german silver track? I ask because there is a huge variety of HO stuff and its much cheaper than O or G scale.”
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Power Pickup Hornby Elite controller
Rod has a common problem similar to many others already discussed on this blog (use search box).
Would someone like to offer some suggestions?
“I have a problem with OO trains not moving when power is applied. They move fine when given a push. What’s the problem? I am using a Hornby Elite controller.”
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Non Electrofrog Turnouts On DCC Layouts?
Brent has a DCC layout and wants to hear reader opinions on electrofrog turnouts:
“Some people suggest electro-frog turnouts should be used with DCC train layouts, whereas other resources say non-electrofrogs are more suitable with DCC operation. Why do views differ?”
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Lionel Icing Station Instruction Leaflet
Rose has a Lionel Icing Station
“I bought an Lionel Icing Station of Ebay. I have questions but no instruction leaflet or directions came for either set up or operation. Can anyone help?”
Rose, I don’t know if it is what you are looking for, but I just spotted an instruction sheet for a Lionel Icing Station on eBay.
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O Gauge Model Train Layout Track and Switches
Paul is working on building an O gauge layout and would like to hear from anyone else with experience in that area. Paul asks two questions:
1. I'm getting ready to set up a new O gauge model train layout. It will be app. 26' x 10' with two tiers. Total of 520 sq. ft. The last time I had a layout was back in 1990. I have lots of new Lionel stuff from that period plus older stuff. I have tons of Lionel O gauge track and switches. Is there another company that makes compatible track with that older Lionel track? I'm more concerned with the height of the track than anything else.
2. I plan to set up a second tier app. 3 feet above the base level to set up a large freight yard and industrial complex. I want to run track around the perimeter of the lower track moving up gradually until I get to the second tier. What is the maximum grade I can use to move a large loco with about 15 box cars? Don't forget, most all of my loco's are new Lionel of that 1990 era. Most of the more expensive ones.
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Turnout LGB Switch
Charles asks readers for help:
“What do others think is the best design to spring power LGB switch (turnout)?”
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wire LGB Stainz loco to LGB Model 2063 diesel switcher
Charles needs help with electrical pickup and asks readers for advice:
“How is the best way to wire LGB Stainz loco to LGB Model 2063 diesel switcher when double heading to improve electrical pickup from track power?”
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WINDIGIPET Digital Control
If my geography is correct, Jacques lives on a small island off the coast of Madagascar (Africa). Jacques operates program a WIN DIGIPET system to control model railroads, using Märklin-Digital/Uhlenbrock/Modeltreno Intellibox components. He has a question for anyone who operates this system and asks:
"I am from MAURITIUS and I am looking for someone who could advise me in entering information and electrical connections for the softwear WINDIGIPET ver 8.1. Awating your readers replies soon."
More info at http://www.windigipet.de/info/en/index.html
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