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!
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.”
Building A Layout
Kathy is new to the hobby and would benefit from getting my Model Train Help Ebook as the questions she asks are addressed in it. However, some of the readers might like to offer Kathy some suggestions and tips to get her started in the hobby:
Kathy from South Africa asks:
“Where does one start with building a model railway set up? Does one design the track and build the scenery around that, or do the scenery first and then the track? And how big should one make your first layout?”
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Surface Coating To Reduce Sound
Several readers will know the answer to Andy’s question and I’m sure one or two will be prepared to share their thoughts so that other readers can benefit too. Here is what Andy asks about finding a suitable surface coating for his O layout:
“I am building a new table and keep getting different opinions about what the top surface should be. One is (A) two inch foam (B) Homasote (C) fake green carpet grass (D)regular plywood. What I am looking for is something that will help with cutting out a lot of the loud sound. The foam and homasote do cost quite a bit. Please help, I want a nice looking table without spending a lot of money. Plus I need a surface where I can glue and screw landscape and buildings, water towers… radar… beacon and what nots… Thanks for any advice anyone can give!”
You can add your thoughts and help Andy by clicking the green ‘Comments, Feedback and Answers’ link below. Simply register (it takes only 2 minutes), then you can participate in future discussions on this Model Train Help Blog.
Drive Gears
Pete needs help from some friendly mopdel railroader who is prepared to guide him. Pete asks:
“Can I buy replacement drive gears to axle/s on engines/locos. Who can tell me if I can get brass to replace plastic/nylon ones? Also, what is the best way to install gears and how are the gears numbered or named? I need help please.”
Dedicated Model Railroaders Share Their Knowledge
If you have submitted an question to this Model Train Help blog and if one of our other readers has kindly answered it for you, then we would like to hear from you.
A lot of readers spend a lot of their time thinking about how to answer questions clearly for those who need help. It would be really good if you would not only thank them for their help and thoughtfulness, but I’m sure they would really like to hear if the solution worked and how you are progressing with your layout.
The people who answer these question are fellow model railroaders – they don’t get paid – they just do it out of a genuine desire to help others in need.
So, please participate in the discussions on this blog and, if you can, try and help and encourage others in the hobby.
To participate in discussion simply register using the green Comments link. I takes just 2 minutes to register and then you can join in on future discussions.
HO Gauge Model of a GM MP15 Dummy Undecorated
Frank want to get an HO GM MP15 and asks readers:
“Where can I acquire an HO gauge model of a GM MP15 dummy undecorated? Athern used
to manufacture it but I am told that Athern does not at this time. Does one of your readers know who may have one?
Loop Tracks And Reverse Circuit?
Mark has a question for readers about loop tracks and asks:
“I have track that goes one way and loops around and back to the same track. Not reverse as back or forth on same track like a trolley system. I need a device to goes one way and loop around and reverse the circuit to continue to other side. Can anyone tell me how to do this?”
You can take part in blog discussions by clicking the Comments & Feedback link below. It takes just 2 minutes to register and then you can participate in all Model Train Help blog discussions.
Motors Running Warm
Lindsay from Australia is having a problem warm motors and asks readers:
“I run the older Triang locos and use feedback (can switch on or off) controllers from Kent Panel Controls. These make the locos run very well, except that the motors run much warmer than with analogue controllers. Does anyone know is there any reason for this and will it harm the motors?”
Add your feedback to Lindsay’s posting using the GREEN comments link below this posting.
A quick note for readers: This Model Train Blog is read by people from all around the world. For the purposes of simplicity I generally stick with US spelling and terminology. However, like in this posting, you will probably spot the occasional variance from this rule.
If you didn’t spot it; Lindsay from Australia used the British spelling of “Analogue” whereas in the USA the spelling is “Analog”. Readers in Australia, New Zealand and the UK also generally use the term “model railway” or railway modeller”, whereas in the USA and Canada the terms “model railroad” and “model railroader” are more widely used. In the USA HO is the most common scale whereas the closest eqivilent in the UK is called OO scale.
Despite the occasional difference in spelling and terminology, most aspects of the hobby are very similar regardless of where you live on this planet.
Converting Analog To DCC Operation
Tom has an HO layout and wants to covert from Analog to DCC and wants to hear from others who have gone through the process. You can share your experiences, views and ideas with Tom by clicking on the green Comments & Feedback link below his posting. It takes just 2 minutes to register and then you can participate in future discussions on this Model Train Help blog. Tom asks:
“I have accumulated a great deal of analog HO rolling stock. Can I convert most, or all, of the engines to DCC, no matter if they are cheap stock or not? What’s the approx cost of conversion kits? Is it a reasonable DIY project, if one is pretty savvy? Can I wire the layout to run both analog, and DCC, at separate times? “
If you can help Tom convert from Analog to DCC operation please add your thoughts using the green Comments & Feedback link below. I’m sure Tom would really appreciate hearing from you.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
