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!
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.”
Add your comments below.
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?”
Add your comments 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?”
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”
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”
Add your comments below.
Marklin M Track
Peter has a question for readers on Marklin M track and asks:
“I have received a Marklin M track starter set with extension kits E(5191) and T3 and I am wanting to expand track layout with other kits T2 and T1 especially the parts 5140L and 5140R. I know that C track has replaced M track but I would like to know where to find other M track along with Locos and freight cars? The sets where purchased in 1982, any feed back would be good thanks. “
Add your comments below.
Great Northwestern Pacific Railroad
Dick has sent in these photos and article for publication:
The layout where I am locating the buildings is a large HO layout of about 1850 sq ft and is the product of the immensely talented Chuck Ellis, a published model railroader of 30 years. It is a somewhat freelanced cross country RR called the Great Northwestern Pacific. It runs from Duluth, MN to Seattle, WA. It is set in the 60's and actually owns no motive power but uses UP, Great Northern, Santa Fe, and various smaller roads. It is an iron ore hauler, a hot shot refer or two, passenger service and lots of local mixed merchandise trains. The central switching, classification, engine hostelling takes place in Great Falls, MT.
This is the location of the buildings I sent pictures of. I'm also enclosing some pictures of the deep pit ore mine just completed along with the new mountain area which is the home of the Cisco & Taliesin RR, a HO n3 narrow gauge scenic road. The layout is DCC and most of the motive power has sound. Many of the structures are Fine Scale Miniatures, many are scratch built, and some are contemporary Woodland Scenic already built and detailed structures.
The structures pictured are Downtown Deco kits. These kits are somewhat difficult to build owing to the fragility of the plaster cast parts. Easy handling and somewhat tedious clean up process is of primary importance at the beginning of construction. They are walls are extremely well detailed and accept acrylic washes and accents well. The kit has high quality signs and posters along with a concise instruction manual. This kit is not for beginners, however. One should have some experience with color mixing and weathering for an acceptable completion of the structure. They are some of the best construction kits available in my opinion.
Layout And Train Inventory Software
Billy has an interesting question some reader might like to help him with:
“Dear Model Railroaders: I have a 1952 Marklin HO train set that I got from Germany with my Dad when I was 15 years old. It still runs! I now have two grandsons who are now interested in trains too. I need your help if you can do it. I purchased Mr. Anderson’s e-book and it is great along with all the helpful e-mail updates. I am now interested in HO layouts and train inventory control software. I would like a good Marklin “M” solid third rail track layout software to document the complicated layouts I have used, and also a software program to keep track of all my various track, catenary, trains, and accessories so I can document them for the benefit of the next owners. Ideally, if I could get both in one program that would be perfect. If you can assist me in this I would be most appreciative. I have looked on the various web sites I have stumbled across in Google and I just can’t find what I need. Thank you in advance for you time and help if you can.”
Add your comments below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
