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!
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?”
Add your comments below.
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."
Add your comments below.
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.”
Add your comments below.
Level Baseboard Construction
Jim asks:
“What is the best way for a beginner to ensure a level, continuous base for the track layout?”
Add your comments below.
DCC Verses Regular DC Operation
Thomas has a question that has been covered several times before on this blog (search DCC on this blog). However, someone might like to make some comment to assist Thomas who asks:
“I have a completed HO layout and considering going to DCC controls what problems will I encounter.”
Add your comments below.
Peco Turnout Motors
Piet is new to the hobby and needs advice (and encouragement) from others with more experience:
“Could some one please help? I am new to the hobby and I am currently building a fairly small layout due to space constraints. I am using peco turn out motors but I am not finding them to be reliable. Why do they only work sometimes? I am using a separate 15v DC transformer. How can I make it to work every time I set the point? It is frustrating when a train derails under a tunnel or a point where it in difficult to get to? Please help!”
Add your comments below.
Derailing On HO Track
John has several question for experienced model railroaders to answer:
“I have just built my first HO layout in the shape of a 1/2 dogbone with the two outside ends being 40″ wide. This limited me to a radius of approximately 18”. I have two Seaboard passenger locos with 6 wheels on each set of trucks and am experiencing problems with the locos de-railing going around only some of the curves. Am I doomed with these locos? What can I do to make them work? Does this sound like I may have an issue with my track at these locations? How can I make my track curves be more perfect?”
Add your comments below.
DCC Sound
Devasis has some confusion over DCC and DC systems. Would a reader like to put him right?
“Is it possible to operate a locomotive equipped with DCC and sound with the operations listed on a normal anlogue dc track? Some manufacturers are offering remote control applications for locos with sound with operations by remote control. Can someone kindly clarify?”
Add your comments below.
Outdoor Trains
Don has a question for those readers interested in operating trains outdoors.
"Can you use any scale outdoors. OR is G scale the only scale that will handle outside conditions?"
Add your comments below.
HO Rolling Stock Weights
Ray asks readers:
“Can anyone tell me the proper weights of HO rolling stock box cars or hoppers?”
Use the green comments link to answer Ray’s question.
Train Set Comes Out Of Box
Thad asks readers for help:
“My train set has been packed for 2yrs. I just started it as my hobby but I move around a lot. Will my tracks need cleaning? If so how do I do that and with what. I put track up and sparks come from underneath the locomotive while it is running. Thanks for any help.”
Thad, the Model Train Help Ebook has lots of useful ideas on track cleaning.
Add your comments below.
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