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!
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?
Add your comments below.
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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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.”
Add your comments below.
New Model Train Poll
If you haven’t already spotted it, there is a new poll for readers to participate in. These polls are always popular, and you will find the latest one in the right hand column.
Locomotive Wheel Traction
William operates an 00 hornby model railway and has a question for readers:
“My question is how can I cure my locomotive from doing a wheel spin? I am not sure if I am attaching too many coaches (ie 3 coaches ) would appreciate any suggestions.”
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Loop Connections
A reader asks for help from others in the hobby and asks:
“I am planning an HO layout which includes a track in which a loop doubles back on itself – that is at the loop connection, the right rail loops back and joins onto the left rail. I have both digital DCC and non-digital controlled locos. What special provisions do I need to ensure no polarity complications at the connections where the right rail meets the left rail – for instance – isolating switch frogs, polarity switching devices, etc. Also is the problem – if any – the same for both my DCC and non-DCC locos?”
Use the green comments link to answer.
Catenary Installation on Train Layout
Graham has a question is is hoping an experienced model railroader might help him with:
“I am a new model railroader and need advice on catenary installation. Is it worth installing, does and donts, pitfalls, what to use etc.”
For those who don’t know the catenary is the system of wires suspended above the track, which supply power to electrically powered trains.
Graham, perhaps it might be helpful if you could click on the green comments link and add some more details to your question, as it might help others to supply you with a better quality answer.
Control Console
Dave has two questions he is hoping someone can assist him with:
Q1 - Hi, I am looking to purchase some blank Printed Circuit Board so I can put my switches and lights all together. Can someone suggest a retail source online? Also does any one know were there might be some photos to look at to get some ideas?
Q2 - I operate my train set from Hornby Transformers and Hornby speed controllers; my problem is that sometimes they cut out and I have to wait some time for them to start again. Do they have cut-outs inside the speed controllers and how could I avoid this happening in the future?
If you feel you have the knowledge and are prepared to spend a couple of minutes helping Dave - please do. Use the green comments link below. I'm sure he will appreciate your thoughts and will write you a thank you reply on this blog.
Unpublished Questions
If you have submitted a question over the past few weeks and it has not been published it may be one of the 42 questions that didn’t meet the editorial guidelines. Here are the main reasons why some questions were rejected:
1. Lacked sufficient detail. (To get a good answer you need to supply ALL the relevant information).
2. Difficult to understand. (Questions need to be very clear and precise for readers to fully comprehend the problem you want them to solve. Most experienced model railroaders will not bother trying to answer a question that is confusing).
3. Poor punctuation and grammar. (We can correct minor errors in sentence structure and spelling, but we do recommend readers check and correct what they write BEFORE they submit a question. We want to make this blog easy to read and maintain a high standard).
4. ALL CAPS. (Some readers submit their questions in ALL CAPS in the hope their question will stand out. We do not publish questions ALL IN CAPS).
5. Use of TEXT language. This is not a mobile phone, so we don’t publish abbreviated words and sentences. Please use proper English.
So, if your question has not been published it probably didn’t meet the editorial guidelines. You are welcome to resubmitted your question again at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/submit-questions.html However, please use the search box to see if your question has been published as we do not publish duplicate questions. Type your first name into the search box.
Please help us maintain a high standard with detailed, easy-to-understand, questions and answers. We want this blog to be interesting and informative, so that everyone in the model railroading community can benefit.
Ideas For Industries On RR Layout
Edward wants some ideas from others in the hobby and asks:
“What industries are possible? I am modeling coal mines and electric generators. I can have empties go in the mine for loading and come out. I have an electric generator station through a tunnel in a mountain and unload coal for the generator and vice versa. What other things can I add and what other industries – lots of ideas please?”
Add your comments below.
American Flyer S scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy
David has a question he should probably ask the manufacturers of Lionel:
“Is Lionel really going to make the American Flyer S scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy available before the decade is over or at all?”
Add your comment below.
HO Engine Speed
Patrick has a question to test readers and asks for help:
“What would cause my HO engine to travel twice as fast in reverse than in forward. If I rotate the engine on the track then it goes twice as fast in forward than it does in reverse?”
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HO Engine Speed
Patrick has a question to test readers and asks for help:
“What would cause my HO engine to travel twice as fast in reverse than in forward. If I rotate the engine on the track then it goes twice as fast in forward than it does in reverse?”
Add your comments below.
Wiring Point Motors
Can some help 85 year old Eric please:
“Can anyone assist me in wiring points on my 45mm g scale railway. I am 85 and cannot remember how I did it in the past. This has occurred due to my having to rewire my layout, which is outside and elevated to about 3 foot 6 inches height. The track is 45 mm ( and points ) but the name of point motors escapes me at the moment which is most aggravating. I am using two wire connection with a mobile brass connector and diodes to each wire in opposite direction. I realize this is a bit vague but hope someone can understand it.”
Add your comments below.
Making Smoke
Jeff has a question about making smoke and asks readers:
“I hope this is not a silly question. My son and I have decided to get out my Fathers and my old HO model trains. The track is up and cleaned and is in very good condition. The engines have been cleaned and are running well. My question is; on my Tyco Chattanooga steam locomotive and New York Central steam engine (my father recived in 1953), I can’t remember how to add the smoke liquid to get the trains to make steam. I would truly appreciate any help.”
Add your comments below.
Connect Electric Switch Track
Ron has a question to test reader’s knowledge and asks:
“Can I connect two elcectric switch tracks together without placing a track in between and still have them work properly? I have space restrictions”
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