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!
Old Train Track
Ronald asks readers:
“Five years ago I have received a complete dismantled NN model train track from my late father. The locs (10) has not been worked for over 15 years. The rails are dirty and has been dismantled without cleaning etc. My main concern are the locs, do I have to dismantle them, are the EM and bearings still OK I do not know. What I can do?”
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Benchwork, Styrafoam, and Wiring
Mark is planning a DCC layout and wants to hear from anyone who has DCC and layout building experience:
“I am re-entering the hobby after a few years. I am going DCC, and looking at using foam rather than plaster – better for the system. What I don’t understand is the use of foam and wiring through it. Should I put down a plywood base, then add 2″ of foam? How do you anchor the risers on top of all of this, and how difficult is it to run wiring through the foam?”
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Dead Spot On Track
Mike is hoping for some free advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“Why do I get a dead spot on one of my tracks? Its only half a section, and the Locomotive light will go off. If the train is going fast enough, it plows through and gets a live wire…but if its going slow enough it will come to a halt. Obviously, I checked the rail and connectors.”
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Track Ties
Joe asks readers:
“What is the best way to tie tracks together from table to drop leaf?”
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Walkersville Southern Railroad in Maryland
I have a 17 x 29 foot layout in the basement but only work on it for about one or two months out of the year. The rest of the time I am an engineer at Walkersville Southern Railroad
in Maryland.
The guy on the caboose coming across Routre 355 is me as Fireman before I became an engineer. We run an EMD40, Devenport four wheel gear shift, A 44ton center cab switcher and another Davenport four wheel automatic. I also am one of three people with the Friends of the Warrenton Caboose in Warrenton, Virginia.
I also helped lay the ties and put the rails in to include a #10 switch that came from the Potomac Yard in Arlington, VA. This was given to us from NS Railroad, they also gave us the caboose and were there for the dedication. We also were told it looked better than when it was new.
I also do about 11 module shows a year with the Potomac Module Crew MidEastern Divison of NMRA. We are part of the three HO groups on the East coast that hold the record for the largest HO module layout in the North Eastern part of the states.
If you would like to tell others about your model railroad layout and share one (or two) photos, please go to http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/my-layout.html and submit your details.
Isolated Fast Track Section
Philip is hoping an experienced Model Railroader can help him and asks:
“How do I create an isolated fast track section? I can’t figure out how to block the power transmission through the middle track section. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.”
To help Philip, you can add your comments below.
Two Train Wiring
Leon wants some free advice from others in the hobby and asks:
“Can anyone help me wire this layout for 2 train operation? Here is my layout. On the plan, each square is 12 in. by 12 in. The actual size of layout is 8 feet N to S, 7 feet E to W, at widest points. Colour code: green is lower level; orange is up and down grade; red (pink) is upper level. Scale is S, American Flyer, old type track.”
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Converting Thomas The Tank Engine to DCC
Norwood asks readers:
"I want to convert some of Bachmann's Thomas-The-Tank-Engine locomotives to DCC. Has anyone done it, and are there any tips, wiring specifics, space limitations, etc. that someone could share?"
DCC & Magnetic Couplers
Rob has a question on DCC operation which is all explained in simple terms in my Model Train Help ebook. The extended chapter also covers the advantages and disadvantages of DC verses DCC operation. Rob asks:
"I have been quite a few years since I operated model trains. Starting a new model completely from scratch. My question is, what exactly is Digital Command Control and Decoder? How does it work and what does it control? I also have a question about Magnetic couplers for trains and cars. How does this work, and where exactly on the track would the magnets be placed?"
73 Miles (117km) By Train In 30 Minutes
A quick note to wish everyone in the hobby a very merry Christmas and a safe 2010.
It has been a tough year for everyone and fortunately I have been able to keep this blog going, as well as my free newsletters. However, I do need your support to continue.
If you haven’t yet got my Model Train Help ebook please do. It would be a big help to me and my family as I need to earn an income too. I know you will thoroughly enjoy reading the ebook, as it has over 200 pages of quality information, tips and ideas. Treat yourself and download Model Train Help today. You won’t be disappointed.
High Speed Rail At 217mph (350km/h)
Here is a little snippet of information sent in by John:
The fastest maximum operating speed (MOR) of any segment of any high speed rail line, currently is 350 km/h (217 mph), a record held by China. It is Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail which links Beijing to neighboring Tianjin (117 km in 30 minutes). The trains have shown an unmodified capability of running 394 km/h in tests, and thus have been set to run 350 km/h in normal operation. That rail line went into operation on August 1, 2008
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE! TAKE CARE!
Train Stopping On 40 Feet Of Track
Mike asks for help with:
“I have a layout that is about 40 feet long, I have the power source hooked up in two locations. I have cleaned the track several times. My problem is that the train will run a few feet and stop, if I push it it will again run maybe half way around the track. I have checked the power in the track at the location the engine stops with a tester and it shows the same power as the transformer, but the train will not run. I also have cleaned the wheels on the engines.”
If you are an experienced Model Railroader and would like to share your experience, please help by answering Mike’s question.
Helix Construction
Ron asks:
“I am making a double helix and am not sure the best way to support the rise and turn around?”
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HO to N Conversion
Jon is new to model railroading and is hoping someone can advise him:
“I am just getting started in the RR hobby. I saw a beautiful layout in HO scale that I would like to use in N scale. The table shown was 10×5. How would it fit it on a 4×8 base and how do I convert the track needs from HO to N? Thanks for any help possible from any of the blog readers.”
Add your comments to help Jon below.
Electric Motors
John needs help from others in the hobby and asks:
"I have a United PFM 4-6-2 that runs for a while then slows down to a stop. My power supply does not indicate a short and other loco's run fine on the same track. It looks like the motor brushes are not making good contact due to spring tension. Is there a replacement motor or brushes available for these old engines."
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Prewar Yankee Will Not Pull Load
Bruce wants help from more experienced model railroaders and asks:
“Hi, I bought a prewar yankee 616w which I have up and running. The engine runs well but it will not pull the 3 cars. It runs great on its own and will pull a car, but each additional car slows it and three cars will not move. The wheels spin but it does not seem to have the traction. It has a whistle which works but I do not know if it is original. My one thought was that maybe the whistle was too heavy and off loading the engine wheels. I do not know if there was ballast or weights to add traction. Any advise would be appreciated.”
Tarnished Train Track
Mike wants to clean tarnished track and asks readers:
“After nearly 50 years in storage, I decided to show off my Lionel Santa Fe to my 7 year old Grandchild. Upon opening the box, I was disappointed in finding all the tracks were tarnished. Using a wire brush, I began to grueling task of polishing or maybe one would say burnishing them up. The dozen or so I did looked pretty good… not new… but much better then when I started. I couldn’t imagine repeating this for the other 30 or so tracks.
I tried a variety of concoctions such as oven cleaner, oxi clean, navel jelly and chrome cleaner but to no avail.
Can someone give some suggestions as I have been away from this hobby for many years and not sure if there isn’t a simpler solution than a wire brush. Thank you to people in advance.”
Problems Ballasting Track
Gordon is having problems ballasting track and asks readers:
“I am putting the ballast down on my tracks. Every time I spray it with the wet water the ballast is thrown all over the place. I tried moving farther away from it but still the same thing happens. I use a sprayer I got online for this job. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? I am new to modeling and would like my first layout to look the best it can. Thank you if you can help me.”
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Level Baseboard Construction
Jim asks:
“What is the best way for a beginner to ensure a level, continuous base for the track layout?”
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