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Readers Submits Easy Model Tree Building Idea
Max has submitted an idea he would like to share with others in the hobby:
“Experimenting the other day I managed to make some not exactly great, but easy and cheap, trees. Buy a nice bunch of grapes and some fluffy pom poms (green for spring, brown for autumn). Eat the grapes and leave the stalk in one big piece. After it dries it will turn brown and will break easily, so bend the stalks at the angles and directions you desire before it dries. After they are dried, rip up the fluff from the pom poms. Strech it out into a thin layer of green and loosely wrap around the outside of the trees. The fluff should stick to the ends of the stalks. You can add more fluff in the thin patches if required. They only take a minute each and I have about 30 of them sitting in the middle of my train set. I have not tried many colours, but the light green I use looks a little unrealistic when the light shines through it.”
Discuss Max’s suggestion using the green Comments link below.
Fixing Rails To Trackbase Board
Gordon want to hear from you if you are experienced in the hobby and asks:
“I am building a new HO set for my grandson and wish to use a 10′ x 4’6″ base board. As this is too big to get through doors etc I was going to cut it in half and then join it together on location. Does anyone have any ideas on an easy way to line up the tracks if I need to separate to remove them from the present room and reset up? Should I work on the basis that the board is permanently in one piece once joined and the rails are fixed? Aniticipating future moves of the board is my problem. The rails are not fixed to the board at this time but I am starting in next couple of weeks.”
Take part in the discussion. Add your thoughts to this posting by using the GREEN COMMENTS link below.
Wiring DCC Loconet
Jean has an HO wiring question for readers:
“What is the recommended wire gauge for connecting a DCC controller to a Loconet (phone line ok?) and to the track at several positions 6 to 10 feet away?”
Take part in discussion on this posting. Use the green Comments link below.
Bachmann 45T Switcher DCC
Jerome operates HO and asks readers:
“Has anyone had any experience installing sound in these DCC switchers? Bachmann says they are designed to have sound added but they don’t give a clue as to what will fit.”
Add your comments below.
Kaydee HO Couplers
Russ asks readers:
“I’ve been away from active modeling for a few years. Somehow I lost track of which Kaydee coupler is best suited for the different brands of RTR rollingstock. Does anyone know where that info is it be found?”
Add your thoughts below.
State Your Scale When Submitting Model Train Questions
Here is a good suggestion from a regular reader who does his best to help others in the hobby. I fully understand his frustration as he wants to provide quality answers that will genuinely help others in the hobby. Here is what he has to say:
“Can you ask the people that submit questions to mention their scale? I have often responded with help/suggestions to many of the questions I see here but without knowing the questioner’s scale it’s counterproductive to the accuracy of my response. I know you have (from time to time) asked for clearer questions on this blog but the message isn’t getting through.
Maybe you should reject any questions out of hand that don’t provide this info (when appropriate). Again, maybe a statement saying that no questions will be posted unless the scale is provided would help this a bit.”
In response to the suggestion Robert replies:
I will add this suggestion to the submit questions link at the bottom of each page.
If you as a reader are going to submit a question please provide as much relevant information as you can.
Here are some tips if you want a good answer:
1. Add as much relevant supportive information to your question as you can. Include details of the scale, operating system, solutions you have already tried, brand & model numbers etc. Remember, the person attempting to give you a good answer is not a mind reader.
2. Don’t ramble. Good questions often get lost.
3. Don’t make your question too short, or too general. For example don’t just say “I am building a layout and want your advice.” We get hundreds of questions like that and they don’t generally get published.
4. Use proper sentence structure, use spell check and don’t use ALL CAPS as questions will not be published.
5. Address your questions to others in the hobby as they will be the ones answering your question.
6. Remember to thank anyone who answers a question. They do not get paid for doing this and they do it because they genuinely care and want to help.
7. Use the green comments link under your posting to add addition information when requested.
8. Submit answers to help others. Don’t expect people to answer your question without contributing your help with other questions. If you can help someone else, then please do so.
We already reject a lot of questions and we don’t want to be unreasonable, but as the reader said “the message is not getting through.” We will start rejecting more questions if necessary.
And remember, if you have skills and experience in the hobby, then please take part in discussions. Please don’t just sit there reading what others have to say – GET INVOLVED!
Use the green Comments link below each posting to participate in discussions.
Locomotive running with sound on Analog
Anton wants advice from readers for buying a steam loco with sound and asks:
“I have a 9′ x 5′ layout with 3 parallel elevated lines (ANALOG). At present I possess an Engine (SD40) running nicely with sound on this Analog layout. I am interested in buying a Steam locomotive with sound. Can anyone advise me what is the suitable Steam Locomotive (with sound) that can run on my Analog layout?”
Participate in the blog discussion. Use the green comments link.
Install A DCC Decoder
Dave wants ideas from those who know how to install a DCC decoder in a locomotive and asks:
“I want to install a DCC decoder in a small HO gauge model switch engine that does not have much room. Can I use an N gauge DCC decoder that might be small enough to fit?”
Add your comments below.
Pictured above is a Bachmann E-Z Command DCC Decoder – HO Scale
MTH and Lionel Train Gear
I think readers may need some more detailed information to offer any advice to help James. Readers can give ideas and suggestions by using the green comments link below.
James asks: “How do I plan a O gauge layout? I have Lionel tube and fastrack and have a 8′ x 12′ table. I have the Hell Gate bridge and the over/under MTH mountain. I have some carnival music boxes, a NYC building area and want two or 3 sidings long enough for a passenger set each. Should I go with the new digital stuff? Years ago it was simple, now I got MTH and Lionel stuff and things seem more complicated.”
James you can add more information to your posting by using the green comments link below. Readers can use the same link to discuss the topic.
OO/HO Track Choice
Dave is soon to start his 'dream' model railroading project and asks readers:
"I am about to begin my 'dream' layout which will be on a grand scale (I hope). I am torn between PECO 100 or Finescale 75 guage track. I realise that fine scale is no doubt more realistic, but am worried about reliability as some of the track will be hard to access behind scenery. What do others think I should do?"
Comment below.
Bent Track On Layout
Jerry has track problems and wants help from readers:
“The track I installed has a kink in the track. What should I do to get the kink out? Is there a tool I can buy to take the this kink out?”
Add your comment below.
Lionel Fastrack Electrical Setup
Herb wants some wiring help from others in the hobby and asks:
"It has been many years since I last set my train up. I will be using the new Lionel Fastrack and I need help with the wiring. What or were can I get some help?"
Comment below.
Bachmann 4-8-4 Northan w/52′ Tender
Louis asks for information from readers:
What time frame applies to this train?
Where was the train used?
How can I find out about this train and its reputation?
If you can answer those brief questions please use the comments link below.
Height Of Benchwork – Baseboard – Platform
Buzz has a question that has been asked before on this blog (use search box to see previous postings on the subject). Readers are welcome to give their thoughts on the most appropriate height:
“Can some please inform me what is the finished height from the floor to the platform for ho scale. I am now in the process of putting the legs on my frame.”
Add your comments below.
Homasote, Cork or Rubber?
Barrie has a question for readers to try and answer:
“As a beginner in the model railway hobby I am just about to begin to lay track. The person who sold me my 36″ track also suggested a ‘rubber’ type of underlay. The difficulty that I have is that the underlay does not bend around even slow corners without crinkling on the inside of the bend. Is there a way to rectify this or is cork a better article for curves?”
Add your comments below.
Lionel 4-8-4 Daylight Loco On eBay
Richards wants to hear opinions from readers on buying Lionel 4-8-4 Daylight locos and asks:
"What do people think of Lionel 4-8-4 Daylight locos? I just bought one for $36.00 dollars on Ebay. It is supposed to be in good working order. I had read that Bachmann had some trouble with this loco so I am avoiding them. Did I make a good buy or am I wasting my time and money?"
I am sure readers will have varied opinions on different brands. Have your say. Use the comments link below.
DCC Decoder Installation
Mike is a beginner to DCC and asks readers:
“Are all of the decoders that are installed the same with all the functions, or are there different classes, and how do you tell the difference?”
Add your thoughts below.
30-11012 and 30-1104 Parts by RailKing
Mike is new to the hobby and is hoping someone can guide him:
“I am new at building a model train layout and I am about to install crossing gates and flashers. The part numbers are 30-11012 and 30-1104 respectively made by RailKing. I need to know what ITAD is opposed to TAD. I want to use the rail power to activate these devices on the single line where they cross a road and the instructions that come with these assume that the reader knows all about it. Can someone help me with this? How I am to hook these up?”
Add your comments below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
