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!
Joining Rails
Harry has a question for readers about track joining. You can comment on Harry’s question by using the green Comments and Feedback link below his posting. Here is Harry’s track question:
“I am not the best when it comes to soldering so I wondered if there is another way to join the tracks and keep them together (epoxy)?”
How To Keep Tracks Clean
Marty has a question on a subject that is widely covered in the Model Train Help Ebook and asks readers to add feedback on his problem:
“Can some answer what is the best solvent to keep tracks clean? How do you keep your rails clean? My layout is in my garage. What solvent should I use and what to use to put it on with? Thanks Marty”
Positioning N Scale Telephone Poles
Jim has a question for you about telephone poles:
“Would some please tell me what is the proper distance between telephone poles on a N scale layout? What are the pro’s and con’s of using thread for wire or not to wire at all?”
Reply to Jim using the green Comments & Feedback link below.
Would You Like To Help This Reader With His Flex Track Problems
Michael has a question for you about flex track:
“I am a first time user and have cork track bed, track nails, tack hammer, glue, etc. I would like some tips from others in the hobby on laying track, acceptable radii for curves, wiring for DCC, compatability with pre-bedded DCC turnouts would be greatly appreciated.”
O scale figurines
Jerry has a question about O scale figurines and asks readers:
“Can someone tell me where can I find O scale figurines that are formed in 1/32 scale size?”
Reply to Jerry using the green comments & feedback link below.
Magnetic Couplers Uncouple?
Dick is constructing his first HO layout and is having troubles with couplers uncoupling:
“I am building my first layout. I have used the Bachmann magnetic uncouplers on my spurs and I’m using standard Atlas 83 track. I cut out the cork roadbed and installed the uncoupler magnets directly under the cross-ties. When I back a locomotive and freight car over the magnet, sometimes they uncouple, most of the time they don’t. I can’t seem to find any help on this and would appreciate ideas anyone has.”
You can add your feedback to this posting using the green Comments and Feeback link below.
DC or DCC? The question that keeps being asked
Samuel faces a decision that many in the hobby decide to make – DC or DCC. Some people have been running DC for years and so it is only natural to fear (or resist) change. If you are comfortable with DC and don’t want to change, then why should you. However, most who are into DCC wonder why others continue to persist with DC. So, it really depends on the individual and whether you are one of those people who embrace change, or prefer you are the type who prefers to stick with what you know.
Anyway, here is Samuel’s question for readers:
“My question is what is the best system to for a train layout…DC or DCC? I am running DC for my layout.”
Samuel, thanks for submitting your question. The Model Train Help Ebook will more than answer your queries as it includes a good section on DC verses DCC and the advantages/disadvantages of both systems.
Before you get around to reading Model Train Help, some other helpful reader my like to add some comments for you.
Great Scale Model Train Show & Railroad Marketplace Maryland
Candis has sent in this information on the upcoming Great Scale Model Train Show & Railroad Marketplace to be held at the Timonium State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland on June 27-28, 2009.
The Great Scale Model Train Show & Railroad Marketplace
- June 27-28, 2009
- Saturday 9-4/Sunday 10-4
- Timonium State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland
- It’s the ONLY major train show in the mid-Atlantic this summer!
- Off-train season bargains
- Up to 400 vendor tables
- Door prizes all day, including “train show cash”
- All scales, from Z to large
- Air-conditioned
- Kids under 15 FREE, Adults $9, Family Pass $18
- Good for BOTH DAYS
- Each paid admission gets $10 in Free Vendor Coupons
Air-conditioned!
Enjoy you time at the Great Scale Model Train Show & Railroad Marketplace, Timonium State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland on June 27-28, 2009.
DCC Beginner
Jacob is new to DCC and wants to hear comments from others who operate a DCC system and asks:
“What do I need for dcc, and what are boosters? Also, how do I know if I need more than one booster?”
There is a whole section on DCC in the Model Train Help Ebook which I’m sure Jacob will find really helpful. In the meantime someone might like to give him some quick pointers.
Use the green Comments & Feedback link below.
Transformer Diagrams
Bill has a question relating to transformer diagrams and asks others:
“I was given a type V Lionel transformer that had been taken apart. There no a diagram made when taken apart. Does anyone know where I can get a diagram of this transformer please?”
To help Bill you can add your Comments & Feedback below.
DCC Z Scale?
Ernie has a DCC question for a helpful reader to answer:
“Can some say how difficult is it to use DCC on Z scale? I have a number of Marklin locos which I would like to retrofit with DCC. If it is possible to do it, who sells this type of equipment?”
Three Quick Model Train Questions
DCC Question
William has a DCC question for others in the hobby:
“Please can someone advise on a DCC system is the commands riding on a fixed DC level.”
Griadient On Layout
Ron has a quick question on track gradients and asks you:
“Can someone answer this O question please? On a 4′ x 8′ layout how much of a grade is necessary and how high can I go.”
Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Train Question
Norbert has a question for others about buying a Thomas Kinkade Christmas Express Train and asks:
“I received an offer Hawthorne Village for a Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Express Train. It would be a collector’s item? What do your many readers think of the train?”
To answer any of these brief questions use the green Comments & Feedback link below.
PLEASE NOTE: Brief questions with limited details are often not published. Detailed questions are usually published as a feature posting on there own.
Engine Power
Roger has a question for readers relating to engine power and asks:
“When consisting multi road engines, is there a general rule as how many cars an engine will pull to be semi prototypical. I’m designing a shelf layout and there will not be over a 2.5% grade, but would like to run more than one engine. I will have a couple of yards and interchanges. passing siding tracks and a lot of spurs to businesses. I plan on buying dcc controllers and sound equip the engines. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.”
To answer Roger’s question use the green Comments & Feedback link to add your thoughts.
Dead Spots On Track
Klaus asks a question that is regularly asked on this blog:
“I do have some dead spots in my tracks. Would someone advise me how I can eliminate them please?”
Klaus might like to do a search of this blog, or if you are able to help him with the answer, please use the green Comments & Feedback link below.
DCC Railroad From Scratch?
James asks readers a BIG question in one short sentence. If you want to help James – you can leave your message using the green Comments & Feedback link below.
“Does anyone know how or what is the smartest way to set up a dcc railroad from scratch from plywood and foam board to railroad empire?”
Backdrop Photos
Daiq wants to buy some photos to use as backdrops. If you have any experience with making backdrops you might like to give Daiq some tips:
“I hope one of the readers can help here. I am in need of some color photographs for backdrops. I need them to be 8.50″ x 11″. Hopefully larger if possible. I will blow them up to the sizes I require. I hope someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks.”
Add your Comments & Feedback below.
Train Layout Platform
Jim wants to hear from anyone who has experience covering a plywood platform:
“I am just starting to set up a new train platform for my American Flyer trains. Can someone with some experience tell me the best material to use as a covering for my plywood platform? I previously used the green grassy paper which looked okay, but continued to shed the grass for many months and I don’t want to have that mess again. I don’t want to paint it either, because I have no idea where roads, trees etc will be until I rearrange the track over several weeks or even months. Help please?”
You can help Jim by adding your feedback to his blog posting. Use the green Comments & Feedback link below.
Reverse Loop
Steve wants someone to give him some tips on wiring a reverse loop and asks readers:
“I am running a DCC layout and have just put in a loop off the main line so that when a train comes out of the loop, its direction is reversed. When the engine comes out of the loop, it dies. Does anyone know how I could wire this reverse loop?”
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