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Scratch Built Train Runs On Scratch Built Track
You may have already read earlier postings about Subhash from India. He finds it difficult to access model train supplies, and when he can, they are very expensive. So, his solution has been to make his own trains from any local materials he can get his hands on. He not only scratch builds his trains, he also stratch builds his tracks… and, best of all, they work!
This video shows a first test run of his scratch built Suburban AC/DC EMU train. Subhash’s uncle made an AC/DC adapter from a kit running from 1.5V to 12 V. He is obviously very talented and industrious.
Scratch Built Train Runs On Scratch Built Track
You may have already read earlier postings about Subhash from India. He finds it difficult to access model train supplies, and when he can, they are very expensive. So, his solution has been to make his own trains from any local materials he can get his hands on. He not only scratch builds his trains, he also stratch builds his tracks… and, best of all, they work!
This video shows a first test run of his scratch built Suburban AC/DC EMU train. Subhash’s uncle made an AC/DC adapter from a kit running from 1.5V to 12 V. He is obviously very talented and industrious.
U.S. Military R.R. 0-4-0 Locomotives
Palmer has a question for anyone interested in military trains and scenery and asks:
“I am an HO model railroader and a Civil War re-enactor. I want to add a Civil War tv show battle scene to my layout (the siege of Petersburg). My problem is that I can’t find the color scheme used by the U.S. Military R.R. on 0-4-0 locomotives and rolling stock. Can anyone help me please?”
Add your thoughts using the green Comments & Feedback below Palmer’s posting.
Overberg Modular Railway Club Runs Trains In Aid Of Local Hospice
A member of the Overberg Modular Railway Club in Hermanus, South Africa has submitted this club information for publication:
The Overberg Modular Railway Club HO layout features mainly South African Railways. The HO stock is mainly of a good supply of Lima SAR stock (Blue Train, Trans-Karroo, Goods and Container traffic). There is also a good spattering of Fleischmann, Hornby consists and a lone DCC Bachmann locomotive.
Most of our club members bought trains “for our sons” when they were young (30 + years ago) A fixed-board layout was constructed that worked for a few years and when the son became more interested in the-girl-next-door, the layout was dismantled and the trains etc packed away.
Does that scenario sound familliar?
Well that is exactly how the Overberg Modular Railway Club based nearly at the most southern tip of Africa, was formed.
After getting to retirement age, these boxes that were packed away in the attic or garage, were eventually unpacked, the rolling stock dusted and the old (very badly corroded) tracks, dumped.
A 12 section modular layout was constructed and we had our first public run in September 2008. On 1 May this year, we had another public run at the Showcase of Hobbies here in Hermanus in aid of the local Hospice.
Tell Others About Your Model Train Club Or Upcoming Model Train Show
Here is your chance to promote your model railroad club or upcoming model train show for FREE on my model train blog site.
Tell readers about your Train Club and the projects your club is working on. The best submissions will be published FREE OF CHARGE on my model train blog site. If your submission gets approved, I will even include a layout photo (if you supply one). This is a great way to get some FREE publicity for your club and share ideas with others in the hobby. I get a lot of visitors to my blog site.
http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/train-club.html
Toowoomba Model Train Show
If you live outside Australia you’ll probably never heard of Toowoomba. Well, now you have. The Darling Downs Model Railway Club Inc. is located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Fact is; The Darling Downs Model Railway Club has a membership of over 100 members and is the largest Queensland model train club outside of the National Body AMRA. The Toowoomba club has extensive model train layouts in Z, N and HO scales.
The Darling Downs Model Railway Club is hosting the Toowoomba Model Train Show on Saturday the 13th and Sunday 14th June 2009. The Toowoomba Model Train Show runs from 9am to 5pm and Sunday the 14th June 2009 from 9am till 4pm. The location for the model train show is the Founders Pavilion at the Toowoomba Showgrounds in Glenvale Road, Toowoomba.
Modular Layout Coupling Sections
A member of the Overberg Modular Railway Club in Hermanus, South Africa has sent in this question for readers:
“We are experiencing difficulties getting our modules to connect successfully with adjoining modules using ‘conecting pieces’ of 110 mm (4.5 inch)Atlas track. We usually insert the connecting pieces into each of the 2 mainline tracks on the module and then slide the fishplates (with the assistance of a small flat screwdriver) over to the fixed track.
Is there an alternative or better method of connecting the rails? Thanks to readers in advance.”
To help the club add your feedback using the green Comments & Feedback link below.
Electronic Steam Whistle
Can anyone help Philip?
“I am looking for a circuit of an electronic steam whistle, perhaps built around a 555 timer.I can find heaps of circuits of train horns but not train whistles. Thank You.”
HO Athearn Genesis
Johnny has an Athearn Genesis and is having problems:
“I have an Athearn Genesis f unit with dc and dcc sound. Everything works great in dc but in dcc I have sound but the loco will not move. I have a digitrax system. I have tried to reset the cv125 to 1 several times to no avail. I even emailed Athearn and they said to reset in dc which I did but all that did was reset the dc only.”
You can add your thoughts and possibly help Johnny by using the green Comments and Feeedback link below this posting.
Wiring HO Layouts
HO Layout Wire Gauge Size
Jim needs help from readers in wiring his HO layout and asks:
“I need help with my HO layout. Can someone tell me what size/gauge of wire do I need to use in wiring my HO layout?”
Wiring HO Turnout Switches
Al needs your help with wiring turnout switches and asks readers:
“I am trying to wire my turnout switches and can only get three to work. I have the control buttons for the switches in one line attached to each other. I can not get them to work. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?”
To help one or both of these keen model railroaders please use the green Comments & Feedback link below this posting.
NOTE TO ANYONE ASKING QUESTIONS
It is in your best interests to add as much detail to your questions as possible. Also, explain the problem as clearly as possible – you can even mention solutions you have tried that haven’t worked.
The important thing is this; if the person answering the question doesn’t clearly understand your problem, or know what you are trying to achieve, it is likely the answer will be incomplete or even inaccurate.
The very kind people who share their time answering questions (and giving feedback) are genuinely trying to help, but sometimes it is very hard to offer any suggestions due to a lack of clear information in the original question.
Also, if you do use this free service to ask a question, it would be really helpful if you could add feedback to thank the contributors. They are helping out voluntarily because they genuinely want to help others in the hobby.
One more thing; if you know the answer to any questions posted by others or can add some feedback to a question – please do. This service will only continue to operate if everyone contributes fairly. So, if you ask a question – have a look through the other postings to see if you can help someone else. We all need to help each other.
Use the green Comments & Feedback link below any posting to add your thoughts.
You can submit your detailed model railroad questions here.
Brisbane Model Train Show Draws The Crowds
The ever popular Brisbane Model Train Show has once again proven to be a huge success.
Dave has kindly given us permisson to publish these photos he took at the 09 Brisbane Train Show held at the Sheep and Wool Pavilion at the RNA showgrounds in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 2nd to 4th May 2009.
The Brisbane Model Train Show featured 110 + layouts and traders with 18 new layouts in 2½ halls over 4400 sq m.
The Brisbane Model Train Show was the 32nd annual show for the THE AUSTRALIAN MODEL RAILWAY ASSOCIATION QUEENSLAND BRANCH Inc (AMRA). The Brisbane Model Train Show is still the largest Model Train Show in Australia.
Thanks Dave for sharing by supplying these photos of the Brisbane Train Show for publication.
Tell The World About Your Model Train Layout Or Model Railroading Project
Tell others in the hobby about your train layout and have your layout featured on this model train blog site.
Don’t keep your ideas to yourself. Others in the hobby will be interested in hearing about your layout and the projects you are working on (they may be able to help and offer suggestions).
There is even the opportunity for you to have a photo (or two) of your layout, or building project, published FREE on my blog site.
The best submissions will be published. Submit details of your Model Railroad Project here.
Decals, Road Signs and Track Signs
John is on the look out for decals and road signs for his RR layout and asks:
“Can someone inform me where I can get European decals, road & track signs (Norwegian) if possible?”
You can help John by adding feedback to his posting.
Also, even if you can’t answer John’s question, perhaps you might like to comment on decals and road signs in general. Maybe you make your own road and track signs, or maybe you can share some tips for applying decals. I’m sure others in the hobby would be very interested in hearing your views.
To comment or add feedback simply click on the green comments link below this posting. Then simply register (you only need to do this once), and then you can add feedback and comments to any blog posting.
I Need Help From Anyone With Experience In The Hobby
Our recent reader poll results showed 75% of respondents thought other model railroaders were willing to share ideas. Unfortunately, 23% thought some people in the hobby could be more helpful, or that many resist sharing their ideas and knowledge. So, here is your chance to prove the 23% wrong!
If you have any knowledge of model railroading you can contribute your ideas to this blog and help others in the process. Without help some beginners may simply give up and leave the hobby through sheer frustration.
You will know from previous postings I always encourage people to join their local model railroad club, and this blog is also a way you can interact with the wider model railroading community.
Your Thoughts Matter
The problem is, I don’t have the time to continue running this free service on my own. I need others in the hobby to step up to the mark and start helping with answers to questions etc.
At the moment this blog is available as a free service to everyone, but one option is to make it for private membership only. That way I could generate some revenue to cover some of the costs of my time spent running this service.
However, my preference is to keep it as free access to everyone, but I need others in the hobby to contribute their skills and knowledge to keep it going. Fortunately, we do have some very generous, regular contributers like Tony P, Hank, Herb Snr and others… but, they can’t be expected to do everything.
The first thing you can do is register as a contributer and blog member. That way, I know you are seriously interested in helping others in the hobby and helping me (and others) to keep this blog as free access for everyone.
Then, you can simply add your feedback and comments to various posting and share your thoughts and ideas with others. We need this hobby to grow and prosper. We need to continually attract and encourage new people into model railroading. Without them, the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers etc won’t do as well… and we all know what happens when people don’t make money.
I am sorry for the lecture, but it is best I speak my mind, rather than just make changes without giving everyone the opportunity to participate.
So please, we can all help each other. We are all in this hobby together. Don’t just sit there, register now and help others!
Click on the green Comments and Feedback link below this posting to register as a contributor and blog member.
Removal Of Train Body From Chassis
Gerry is new to model railroading and it sounds like he is trying to remove the body from the chassis. He will probably need to remove the couplers and squeeze the shell together at the rear and at the front to release the locking tabs. Perhaps someone might like to walk him through the process step by step. Here is his question:
“I need some help getting the shell off a Athearn SD40 model 93567 engine. I am mew to this hobby and need to install a decoder in this and another engine. Does anyone know how to do this?”
Come on! Don’t just sit there. Add your feedback to help this beginner. He needs help and encouragement. Click on the green comments link below and register.
Power Bus And A Complete Continuous Loop
Gerry has a technical question for those who understand model train electrics and asks readers:
“The Internet book has been very helpful with our project … being first timers at this my wife an I have lots to learn. We have completed the train platform/table in an L shape 11 x 7 x 4
feet. We did that so we can access it from all sides. We have been working on buildings for the layout as we waited for the platform to dry etc.
feet. We did that so we can access it from all sides. We have been working on buildings for the layout as we waited for the platform to dry etc.
I purchased a NCE Power Cab DCC controller and am now going to wire the layout. I think I understand the wiring from the Power Cab control panel to the wall and to the hand controller and the two wires to the track.
Here I have a question about the Power Bus that run around the whole track under the platform/table. Is this Power Bus a complete continuous Loop with a connection running to it from it from the control panel. I would think that I just can’t start the Power Bus at one point and run it around the platform without connecting it to where it started.”
Tell Gerry what you think. Click on the green Comments and Feedback link, register and then add your thoughts. If you haven’t yet helped anyone on this blog by answering a question, please do so now. Others want to hear your feedback.
British Graham Farish Locomotives
Michael is new to model railroading and has British Graham Farish locomotives and asks:
“Hi can anybody give me some tips on servicing Graham Farish N Gauge Locos. I am new to the hobby and I could do with some good advice.”
The Bachmann UK website describes Graham Farish models as N scale. Graham Farish locos are “British N Scale”. British N Scale is a little different from N Scale in Europe and the USA. British N Scale runs on 9mm track as do all N Scale Railway models. That is at a scale of 1:160. However, the models themselves are manufactured at a scale of 1:148.
You can help Michael by clicking on the green Comments & Feeback link below and adding your thoughts.
Why Older Model Railroaders Need To Pass On Knowledge To Younger People In The Hobby
Have you got any experience building or operating a model railroad layout?
What can you do to help others in the hobby (especially beginners)?
If you know a little (or a lot) about model railroading, then please join in and add your comments and feedback to the various postings on this Model Train Help blog.
There will be lots of others in the hobby who could benefit from your knowledge and experience. Please don’t just read these postings and think to yourself “I know that answer”, but then do nothing. A little time and effort on your part could hugely benefit several others in the hobby.
We are all getting older and it is critical that experience and knowledge is passed on to younger ones in this hobby.
Please! Please! Share your knowledge and experience with others. We are all in this hobby together. We are not commercial competitors, so what does it matter if someone else knows how you did something and solved a problem? Share your knowledge.
Please help!
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
