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!
Computers And Trains
Mike has a question for readers:
“I have an old computer and I want to use it to run my layout? Where do you find info on this? I need to know how involved it is, is it worth the hassle? What is the price – will it cost a fortune? I am not good with computers, there has to be some hard wiring involved, and where can you find the software?”
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MTH DCS System
Walter is hoping for some help from someone who might know how to fix his model train problem:
“Sometimes, it seems for no reason, my MTH Engines fail to respond to the remote control. Even though the engines (or engine) is on the track, the remote says ‘engine not on track’. This happens when the engines were running correctly and powered down and you come back a week later and this condition exist. I play with wires, the engines, and check the track until it finally responds…but I don’t know what the problem is. This has happened enough times, that I have become very frustrated with the DCS system. I have both Lionel and MTH engines and love the MTH engines more than the Lionel which makes this condition all the more frustrating?”
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Signals
Gord has submitted this question for publication. However, I am sure it would be helpful if he could add some more details to help people give a good answer. Use the green comments link below to add your comments or answers.
Gord asks:
“Can anyone help with a wiring solution for a grade crossing alternating flasher signal.”
Shelf Benchwork
A reader asks:
“What is the best way to attach shelf benchwork to a wall? I will be running brass engines and I am hoping the shelf can be as much as 3 feet wide.”
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Grandchildren Enjoy Trains
Walt wants some ideas for an interesting layout and asks readers:
“I have four grandchildren who love trains, but limited space. I would like to make a setup on a four ft by six ft platform. Can anyone give me a suggestion please?”
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Track Types
Mario asks readers:
"Do I need to be concerned about track types 83 or 100? I believe it refers to the height of the rail? Can 100's be mixed with 83's?"
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Newbie Needs Help
Taf is new to the hobby and asks you for help:
“I have just started to build my first model rail track, but I am short on space. I have a 6×4 space to play with. I would like to have 4 trains running continiously with one long track. The only way I can see it being done is on a two tier system. Can anyone think of a way to go about achieving this? I would also like to have sidings for several carriages, and hopefully a station. Is that possible. Can anyone think of, or come up with, a plan so that it would look authentic? Any help with this would be great.”
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German Coaling Stations
Ian has a question someone might know the answer to:
"Why did German railways have such a cumbersome way of loading their coaling stations? According to the models by Auhagen, Faller, Kibri and Vollmer the coal arrived in open wagons/gondolas, was plucked out by a crane with a clamshell bucket, put into a trackside bin until needed. The coal was then picked up again by the clamshell and dropped into the overhead bunker to be gravity fed to the locomotive tenders.
The elevated coaling towers and ramp loaders used in Australia, Britain and USA would surely have been more efficient."
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Layout Plans
Kobi wants to buy a layout plan for a 2 x 3 meter (6.5 foot x 10 foot approx) layout and asks readers:
“Where I can find help to design a model layouy,2×3 meter (approximately), 3 levels, for HO scale? I want to run 3 trains on it. Thank you.”
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Marklin HO Coupling
Paul is reasonably new to the hobby and is looking for guidance from anyone with more experience:
"I am very new to model railroading and very heavy into Marklin trains,(my first set purchased) however on many occasions I find a nice car I would like to have, but it does not have Marklin couplers. Is there a way to convert j type couplers to Marklin? Thanks."
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Train Noise On Track
Tony would like to hear from other readers on the subject of model railroad noise. Please add your comments below Tony’s posting.
“I constantly read about deadening the noise of the model trains rolling down the track. The ‘clickity clack’. I also read about the authenticity of the layout and being an exact modeler of the era, etc. Has any one really lived next to, or worked on, or near a real RR? I have. Then, in keeping your layout authentic, you must have the rolling noise of the entire train and the track noise. Isn’t that why we have all the other sounds built into the train, the whistle, smoke chugging, air release the brake squeal, smell from smoke oil, etc. for the realism?
Can some one tell me why are some people so intent on deadening the track noise? I have seen entire articles of 2-5 layers of track noise deadening products. I have loved the sound as part of the whole RR modeling venue and real life. So lets get “REAL” here if you are going to promote authenticity lets keep it all authentic. By the way if one person in he family loves model RR usually most in the family do – so usually no complaints. Any thoughts would be appreciated on your layout and your noise or lack of.
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1880’s Wood Burning 4-4-0 Locomotive and the Royal Hudson 4-6-2
Paul want thoughts and opinions from readers and asks:
“I am presently contemplating beginning work on an HO model train layout. I am interested in two steam locomotives. The first loco is an 1880’s wood burning 4-4-0, similar to the one that pulled the first train into Vancouver in 1886 (#374). The other loco is the Royal Hudson 4-6-2. I also want to keep all my rolling stock within these vintages. I have limited space, so all I may ever do is settle for a static display…but I can always dream. I have contemplated a portable set up. Any help would be appreciated from anyone. Thanks.”
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Cityscapes To Model
Pieter from South Africa wants to model Chicago railroads and would like some advice from readers of cityscapes:
"I have had HO trains for 20 years, but due to my career taking up a lot of time, I did not spend a lot of time with the hobby. I have now resumed it. Since I am from South Africa, have mainly RSA stock. I am also still deciding on what eras and railways I should model. My first ever visit to the US at the beginning of September 2009, took me to the absolute amaizing city of Chicago, which I fell in love with immediately. Needless to say, that is what I want to model. I purchased a book on the history of the Chicago railways, but need some advice and articles on modeling city railroads and would appreciate any help I could get on modeling Chicago specifically. My space is reasonably limited, although that might change. Any advice for both limited space and unlimited will be appreciated"
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Mixing Steam Trains With Diesels
Geoff asks readers for advice on selecting an era to model and about mixing steam and diesel on the same layout. I’m sure some you experienced model railroaders will have some thoughts on the matter to guide Geoff:
“I am new to this hobby and cannot make up my mind as to which era I’d like, my leaning is more toward the steam era but I also like the diesel and electric. Would it look wrong if I were to combine all or should I run them separately at different times? Also if I had The Flying Scotsman, The Golden Arrow and The Mallard together would they be OK running side by side? I hope that you understand what I am trying to say. Please could your readers give me any advice relating to the eras of the trains?”
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New Train Poll
Just a quick reminder there is a new poll for you to participate in. You will see it in the right hand column. We have had really good feedback on past polls and it seems everyone likes to see the results. It is free to participate.
Happy railroading!
Scales and Gauges
Edwyn has a question for readers that has been discussed before on this blog.
“My clear understanding is that Bachmann, for example is HO scale and gauge. ie: HO =. 1/87 Hornby, on the other hand is OO scale and HO gauge. OO = 1/72. What is the relevance of the number of sellers who now list their HO and/or OO scale models (not buildings} as HO/OO. I bristle when I see Bachmann, Athearn and Atlas listed as HO/OO, or Hornby listed as HO. I’ve even had a local retailer get quite abusive and tell me that there’s no difference!”
Robert comments:
A lot of people involved in the hobby of model railroading refer to HO as being the equivalent of OO. It is true that the two scales are similar and a close comparison, however they are NOT exactly the same. OO is more commonly used in the UK and HO in other parts of the world including the USA.
The 2 scales are different, although the closest comparison. HO being 1:87.1 and OO being 1:76.
It can be a bit of a trap when advertisers list their locos and rolling stock as HO/OO. There can be a really noticeable difference in size between 2 items in the 2 scales.
One keen enthusiast emailed to say “I got caught in the early stage of modelling and bought a couple of carriages which were listed as HO/OO when in fact they were OO and much larger than my HO counterparts. I do believe the 2 scales should be treated quite separately and not grouped as one.”
Richard commented earlier:
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Power Supply On G Scale Layout
Gerry has a G scale layout and is having power supply problems and asks readers for advice:
“I am a bit of a novice at all of this. My biggest problem is getting my small (12×16) layout to keep current throughout the track. The farther away from the power supply it gets the slower it goes and I can almost forget about turning on the lighting inside the cars (track powered) and the engine sounds. Has anyone got any clues as to how I can solve this problem?
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British Steam Locomotives
Dave has a question for those readers in the UK and asks:
“Hi Could any one tell me the reason British steam locos didn’t have headlamps as well as the two lamps on the buffers.”
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