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!
Locomotive Address Change
Troy wants help from experienced readers and asks:
“I have purchased 2 broadway Engines and have tried to change the address but I lose the sound when I do. Does anyone have any suggestions?”
Add you comments below.
Driver Wheels Slipping On Grades
Richard needs help from anyone experienced in wheel traction and asks:
“I have problems with driver wheels slipping on grades when I have more than 4 coaches. Is there any way to increase loco driver wheel adhesion? I have weighted my locos as much as possible. Is there some treatment for the driver wheel surfaces that would prevent slipping?”
Add your comments below.
Insulate For 6 Crossover
Can someone help Donald with his question please:
“I have Bachmann 6 crossover I want to insulate one side from the other. I cut gaps in the turnout rails, but that didn’t do the job. Power applied to any leg powers all legs. I contacted Bachmann. They told me to disconnect the black wire on the back side of the crossover. The black wire was not connected as comes from the factory. he wire is only used to polarize the frog. Can anyone help me solve this problem?”
Add your comments below.
Multiple Switches
Mike has a question but I am not sure what he is asking. Perhaps one of the readers could try and help him:
“I have aquired a train layout with wires that are not connected and multiple switches. It also has a transformer. I was told it could be controled by a computer and it has a telephone connection on it.”
Add your comments below.
Double Throw/Double Pole Switch
Bill has a question although I am a little confused with the last part???
“How do you wire a double throw/double pole switch so I can isolate sections of my track?
Also, I need parts for old locomotives. Are there sites for parts- Trucks for a 4-10-4 Check made engine, typical question?”
Add your comments below.
8 ft x 8 ft Layout Plans
John asked:
“I would like to make a layout for an 8 ft by 8 ft area, HO scale. are there any computer programs or books that have different layouts?”
Cleaned Locomotive And Track
Michael needs some advice from those with experience in the hobby:
“My diesel locomotive was recently cleaned at the local shop. I also cleaned the tracks at home. After an hour of running smoothly the locomotive started to hesitate and eventually kept bucking. At one point it just stopped running. Can anyone advise me as what to do with this?”
Add your comments below
Locomotive Motors
If you have experience with locomotive motors then you might be willing to assist Tom with his question:
“I am new to model railroading and I am looking at various locos. What puzzles me is there are different types of motors used. Can anyone shed some light on this question and explain the differences?”
Add your comments below.
Computerized Railroad Programs
Here is a short question from Steven:
“What is way or best program to computerize my h o train.”
It is a shame Steven didn’t give us some more details about his layout and what he is trying to achieve. However, readers with experience in the area might want to offer some advice.
Use the green comments link below.
Constructing Balsawood Buildings
Pieter wants to buy some plans for constructing buildings and wonders if readers have a supplier they can recommend:
“I am interested in constructing my own buildings using balsa wood (as I know it in South Africa) and then covering it various with printed designs. Can one of your readers perhaps advise me where I can purchase construction plans of various buildings that I can download to work from?”
As regular readers will be aware this blog does not list buy, sell or swap second-hand items, however readers are encouraged to recommend suppliers who sell reliable products.
DCC Upgrade
John wants to hear from the DCC experts out there and asks:
“I have 3 Athern DD40 2 motor locos from the 70s that I would like to set up to run on DCC. As these are older higher current draw motors is there a decoder up to the task? “
Add your comments below.
Track Pliers
Kermit wants to know where to buy track pliers and asks:
“I have am trying to find a pair of Lionel track pliers. The hobby shops around here hardly know what I am talking about. They have a track cutting and reshaping feature which would be very useful in reshaping bent track ends. I live in mid Michigan. Does anyone have any ideas?
Add your comments below.
Wiring of Turnouts
Ken wants to hear from anyone who knows about electrofrogs and asks:
“I have all Peco turnouts in my layout. How can I tell an electrofrog from a insulfrog without removing them from the track layout? Most of my other wiring is complete. All I need to do is the turnouts”
Add your comments below.
Outer And Inner Track Switching
David has a question for readers with a knowledge of switches and asks:
“I have an outer track and an inner track. Trains run well on the outer track. When I add electronic switches to move to the inner track, the switches move one way only. In moving to the other position, it tries to move but bounces back to straight position. If I disconnect the switch and add a straight section on track to hook the power to, the switch will work well. I have checked the voltage and there seems to be no problem. Any thoughts?”
Add your comments below.
Automobiles On Train Layout
Barry asks a question that was covered in a recent blog. Perhaps someone would like to add some comments to help Barry.
“Is there a means to move automobiles in an N Scale train track system by using electricity? I prefer to use (adapting with magnets or whatever) the inexpensive model cars.”
Barry have a look at this earier posting http://modeltrainsetshelp.blogspot.com/search?q=miniatur+wunderland
DCC Setup With Loops
Barry wants to hear from readers with knowledge of DCC setup and asks:
“I am preparing to use DCC in my N scale setup. Does using DCC change the requirements for using turns and loops in the track?”
Add your comments below.
Frame Repair
David wants help for anyone with experience of repairing loco frames and asks:
“I have a lionel 262e with a broken frame. I want to try repairing it with epoxy and wonder which epoxy would be the best. Has anyone had success repairing frames?”
Use the green comments link to help David.
Semaphore Signals
Ralph has a second question this one relating to semaphore signals:
“I see only a very few semaphore signals on the market and those are about $25 dollars or so each. I guess this high price is due to the brass construction. For now I’d take non-working signals as temporary scenic displays. These were such an integrable part of the steam to diesel transition era operation there must be some out there somewhere. Does anyone know where Thank you for your time and attention to my questions.”
Add your comments below Ralphs posting.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
