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!
Resistor Instead of Diodes
Mike has a technical question for those in the know and asks:
“Can anyone tell me how to wire a Tomar drumhead kit using a resistor instead of diodes and a ballast bulb? What ohm resister do I need?”
Add you comments or suggestions using the green Comments link below.
Make Steam Engine Smoke
William is hoping someone with experience of making steam engines smoke will be able to help him. Unfortunately William hasn’t given any details of what he has tried so I imagine any answers from readers will be guess work.
“I would like to know why some steam engines smoke really well and mine do not. Both the steam and the diesel do smoke but not like real steam.”
William if you can provide more details it may help you get a more accurate answer. Use the Comments link to add your comments.
Wiring Up Lights To Houses
Carol has a question about wiring lights on a layout and is hoping some kind reader will give some advice:
“I have purchased street lights, outside house lights and lights that are put inside houses, close to the floor. NOW … how do I wire them to work (safely)?? “
Carol, it might be helpful for others if you used the green Comments link below to add some more details to your question. It is often hard for others to give a good answer without knowing all the facts – especially when safety is involved.
Argentine Yards
Reader Rob sent in this train memory:
In 1955 it was Lead switching in the class yard in snow and the rain. Feeling a tug on my coat one winter night while checking the skates in the bowl yard…it was a flat car rolling silently by…snow covered and all but invisible. Bucking the extra board w/8 hours off and lucking out getting a 11:45 pm transfer…beats lead switching. Having to pull a little waste from a journal to start the fire in the stove for the foreman after making up a train in the eastbound yard.
Doubling over tracks to make up a westbound in the departure yard…with all the cold and snow and sleet…I really don’t miss it all that much.
Broken Coupler
Phil has a memorable train journey to share with others and writes:
My most unusual train experience occurred west of Omaha, Nebraska on the Rio Grande. I had been reading about trains and the importance of a slow start until the slack was taken out of the couplers. At each station I could feel a jerk as the wooden coach I was in started. I wondered whether the engineer was in too big a hurry. Sure enough two stations later we started with a jerk and stopped. After a long wait the conductor told us that we were waiting for a coupler to be repaired.
Multi Train Layout
Ron is asking for help from others in the hobby and asks:
“I am having trouble finding examples of how to layout a multi train layout. I would a layout of three of more trains. Can someone help me please?”
Add your comments below.
Grand Trunk Western
Rick has sent in his memories of the Grand Trunk Western car ferries:
I was lucky enough when I was growing up to have my grandmother be employeed with the Grand Trunk Western as a matron on their car ferries. It always amazed me how the engineer had to work the loading and unloading of the cars from the ship to keep the rail in line. This of course was to keep the factor of derailment out of the picture and also keep the ship from capsize.
The train crew had to know the weight of every car in the consist along with order. But the work they had to go thru with every car once it was on the ship was unbelievable, every cars brakes had to be set plus every single car had to be latched to the rail front and rear. This was all a simple safty requirement due to the fact that if the ship should hit waves the cars could and or would bounce or slide on the rail that could create a great mess crossing Lake Michigan.
This was of great interest and enjoyment to watch as a child, but I believe I would have great difficulty copying it in n-scale!
Helix Construction
Nick wants to hear from any reader who has constructed a helix and asks:
“I want to build a helix, but am having difficulty getting comprehensive information. I have, however, discovered it will need to be a minimum diameter of 5 feet. I have also discovered that hardboard (subfloor sheeting) is the prefered substance to use. There are several schools of thought as to shape, risers, etc. So, the question is – Are there any plans for the construction, or will it BE, mostly trial & error?”
Add your comments below using the green Comments link. Then register if you haven’t yet done so. It is easy and takes just 2 minutes. Then you can participate in future train discussions for free.
Double-Crossover Switch
Leo has a question for experienced readers and asks:
“I have kato track with a doublecrossover switch. I’m trying to run 2 trains in different directions. How would I wire this track up so the two trains would go in two different directions. Someone please help me solve this problem.”
Add your comments below.
Double-Crossover Switch
Leo has a question for experienced readers and asks:
“I have kato track with a doublecrossover switch. I’m trying to run 2 trains in different directions. How would I wire this track up so the two trains would go in two different directions. Someone please help me solve this problem.”
Add your comments below.
Converting From DC To DCC
“I am thinking about going with DCC instead of DC and I would like to know which DCC system is favored for someone just getting into DCC. My layout will be 27′ X 17′ HO with upper and lower levels. What DCC system would others who use DCC recommend?”
Circuit Diagrams
John has a question for those experienced in DCC operation and asks:
“It is possible to wire the rail such that, when selected to do so, a train approaching a station will automatically slow down and stop. Does anyone know where to buy circuit diagrams for this action, or any other ‘special’ action for DCC control can be found? NB. I am a 69 year old retired electronics technician new to this wonderful hobby, designing my first and last 10 steam loco layout.”
Add your comments using the green Comments link below John’s posting. Then Register (if you haven’t yet done so). You can then participate in future model train discussions for free.
Classic Toy Trains
Skip has a question for fellow railroaders and asks:
“In a lost/misplaced issue of CLASSIC TOY TRAINS, there was an article depicting the Lionel Disappearing Train layout. I believe that it was a dealer display with a Scout set. The article went on to show not only the track plan, but also listed the required track pieces and the basic directions to re-create this amusing layout. Could someone please provide, or at least direct me to a source for this plan? I’m sure that I could manage to figure this out through trial and error, but I want it to be done CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for anyone’s assistance in this matter.”
Industrial Siding Layouts
Jim has a question for experienced model railroaders on industrial sidings and asks:
“I bought Robert’s book several years ago and have found it very useful. I need help! Everytime I design a layout I always struggle with industrial sidings. They are very boring and make no sense. I don’t any good ideas on what to design. I am looking for drawings of industrial siding layouts that I can incorporate directly into my layout. Can someone help me please?”
Comment using the comments link below.
Loss of Power to Tracks
Answer below if you can help this reader with his question:
“This may be hard for your readers to answer without seeing a diagram of my layout. I am doing whats called in the book, a ‘Monopoly/Octopus’ layout. Its setup so you can be going one direction, switch to another track and end up going the opposite direction. At one point when the track comes to a ‘X’ crossing, the power stops. If you switch direction on the power supply, it can continue on its way. Why am I losing power at this point? I heard it has something to do with plastic rail joiners in this area, and maybe adding in a switch to cut power. This is confusing to understand for me. Any ideas on what little info I just gave you.”
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Track Base
Jimmy has a question a kind reader might like to answer:
“What is the most effective track base for an ho layout? (including materials)”
Use the green Comments link to add your suggestion. You will need to register first (if you haven’t already done so) and then in about two minutes you can participate in this and future blog discusions.
Making A Lake
Aaron has a question for those scenery experts out there and asks:
“My layout is 8′ x 16′. How can I assimilate lake without cutting a hole in my platform?”
Add your comments below.
DCC Chip
Mali has a brief question for anyone with DCC experience and asks:
“How do I fit a DCC chip to a bachmann 2-8-0 wd Austerity?”
Add your comments below.
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