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!
Climate Control And Computer Control On Layout
Mike from Toronto in Canada is hoping to hear from someone who can help him with two model railroading problems. Mike asks readers:
Climate Control Around Layout
“Please advise the best climate control conditions for a layout in terms of temp humidity and the impact of adverse conditions on rail corrosion; loco damage; decoder damage.”
Computer Control Layout
“Although I have a DCC (NCE) system I would still like to have a computer control layout eg for CTC and to control both mobile and stationary decoders. Which software system would your readers recommend? I am playing around with JMRI but I am concerned about the loss of functionality using the USB interface. Would you recommend the CTI technology or the RailRoad Company (?) for computer control?”
To help Mike you can add your feedback using the Comments & Feedback link below his posting.
O Gauge Layout Problems
O Guage Track Connectors And Signals
Charles has O gauge and would like to hear from others who have some experience with signals and using track connectors. Charles asks readers:
“Is it possible to have an O Guage train operate 151, 152, 153 signals without using track connectors”
Fast Verses Regular O Gauge Track
Larry also has a question for anyone into O gauge railroading and asks:
“Can fast track be joined with regular O gauge track?”
If you think you are capable of assisting either Charles or Larry with their O gauge layouts please use the Comments and Feedback link to add your thoughts. You will need to register first – don’t worry it takes only 2 minutes and then you can participate in future model train blog discussions.
Marx Switches
Larry wants to hear from you if you know anything about Marx switches and asks:
“I have 027 marx 666 & 999 engines that go through marx switches fine but my 333 engine
derails about every 3rd time through. What if anything can I do – does anyone out there know?”
Use the green comments & Feedback link below to register (it takes only 2 minutes and then you can participate in future blog discussions).
O27 Switch Track
Dwayne has two questions for readers and asks:
“1- Does anyone know of an authorized dealer in the NY metro area that will modify the O-27 switch track to operate under TMCC?
2-Is the modification listed on Lionel’s site for the O-27 switch track to operate w/ TMCC’s Switch Controller really necessary? Doesn’t it work ok without the modification? Or, just set up with fixed voltage and keep a panel of toggle switches to control the switches.”
Use the green comments and feedback link to add your thoughts to Dwayne’s posting.
O27 Switch Track
Dwayne has two questions for readers and asks:
“1- Does anyone know of an authorized dealer in the NY metro area that will modify the O-27 switch track to operate under TMCC?
2-Is the modification listed on Lionel’s site for the O-27 switch track to operate w/ TMCC’s Switch Controller really necessary? Doesn’t it work ok without the modification? Or, just set up with fixed voltage and keep a panel of toggle switches to control the switches.”
Use the green comments and feedback link to add your thoughts to Dwayne’s posting.
HO Couplers
Richard has a question for readers with experience on couplers and asks:
“As a new model railroader, I’ve been busy buying a fair amount of rolling stock. Some have knuckle couplers, some Kaydee, some a circle with hook. I’m not interested in magnetic or electrical solutions. So,what is the favorite type of coupler for HO gauge? Thanks”
Homasote
Sy has a question for anyone who wants to help him and asks:
“In my area I cannot find homasote. What would be the best substitute?”
LED, Resistor, DC and DCC
Tim has a question for anyone with experience with LED’s and asks:
“Does anyone know what LED’s can be used for HO engines and what size resistor is needed for both DC and command control operation?”
Loco Conversion
Brian wants help from anyone who can answer his model train question:
“Dear Railroaders, I have a chance to buy a model loco set which is AC powered. My question is it possible to convert this loco to DC power and if so how do I go about it. I appreciate your help with this problem. Regards Brian.”
Click the green Comments & Feedback link to add your feedback and help Brian.
16 Volt to 12 Volt Conversion
Herb also has a question about street lighting and asks readers:
“I need to reduce my voltage from 16 volt to 12 volt for street lights so what resister do I need please? Thank You”
Street Lighting On Model RR Layout
Sil has a question for anyone who has added street or building lights to their layout. To help Sil you first need to register (it takes 2 minutes and you only need to do it once) and then you can take part in future discussions on this Model Train Blog.
“Hello Fellow Model Railroaders. My question is: What kind of lights to use to light up buildings and streets. Im afraid of the commercial ones that look like they would burn out right away. What do you guys use?”
Use the green Comments & Feedback link below to register and add your feedback or answer.
Diodes and Switch Wiring
Richard wants to hear from anyone in the hobby who knows about diodes and asks:
“I thought that I may have seen a way by using diodes in a bridge? I thought that a reversing loop would automatically change the polarity so there was no need to go to the 2 switch wiring. I’m a total newbie so please disregard my total ignorance on what is very basic knowledge. Thanks to anyone who can help on your blog.”
Register (it takes just 2 minutes) and then you can participate in future discussions on this blog. Join in. This is a FREE service for the model railroading community to use.
Digitrax Directions Confusing?
Al has a question on schematic drawings and asks readers:
“Does anyone know where can I optain a basic Schematic drawing on how to install my BD4’s in conjuncction with my DS64. I find Digitrax narrative directions confusing. I need a plan from someone or need to buy one. “
Locomotive Wheels
Can some help this reader with his locomotive question:
“I have a locomotive that is about 25 year old. Only one set of wheels will work. Can one of your readers please tell me what too look for too repair it and make it work. Thanks “
Signals, Resistance and Rectifier
Tony has a question for any helpful reader who is prepared to help him:
“How many signals can I run using a fleischmann signal light switch? What about any other switch because I need to have a resistance and rectifier attached with 2 signals so the train can slowdown. Can I have more signals attached as well. Thanks Tony”
Model Railroaders Need Advice From Others In The Hobby
Here are four short questions you might want to help fellow railroaders with. Add you comments and feedback below this posting.
Gary asks readers about wiring:
Wiring For DCC
“How do I wire my y turn out? it’s a DCC layout, although I do run some DC right now also.”
Train Motors
Zachary asks readers about train motors:
“Train motors that haven’t been used for along time, do they still work?”
Power Supply
Derik has a question on train power supply for readers:
“I got an marklin train set for free, but the loco is not responding to the power, it only makes an clicking sound and the light comes, nothing more, what can be the problem and what should the voltage be?”
Making Trees
Fred want to hear from anyone with experience making pine trees:
“How do your readers suggest a means of making pine trees?”
Analogue (Analog in USA) to Digital
Heinz from Queensland in Australia has a question for readers on digital conversions and wants to know:
“I run Marklin AC Anagalogue and a few years ago acquired a Fleischmann Locomotive for AC, it ran Okay and then stopped. I sent it for repairs, the company fixed it and said they converted it to Digital. Now it doesn’t work at all. Should I get it ‘converted’ again back to Analogue? The company told me it should also work on my Analogue System. Which is True? Please let me know. Thanks to your readers in anticipation.”
Register (it takes 2 minutes) and then you can participate in future discussions on the blog. Use the green comments link to register and comment.
Building a Platform
Beth has a question for readers who have Built a Platform and asks:
“Where do I even begin to find someone who can build a train platform. My husband has 5 sets of trains (the large ones — sorry I don’t know the scale) and he has about 2 sets of the small ones. I would like to find someone or even something that will tell me what I need to do to get one built complete with layouts, etc. I’m trying to surprise him and am wanting mountains, bridges, tunnels, etc. The key (for now at least) is there must be a way for it to be easily broken down and rebuilt (maybe something with hinges that fold, legs that fold or pieces of the base that somehow snap or screw together so that it’s not an act of congress to take down to a new place.
THANK YOU for ANY help your readers can give.”
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
