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HO And OO On The Same Gauge Track?
Michael has a question on HO compared to OO and asks:
“I would like to own one of the American Locos but all of the ones I like seem to be HO scale. My question is are HO scale locos compatible to run on a OO DCC track?”
Robert comments – HO (USA) and OO (British) are not the same scale (the difference between HO and OO is 12.5%). Most people would find it hard to spot the difference at first glance.
HO has a ratio of 1:87 and is 3.5 mm to the foot with a standard track gauge of 16.5mm or 5/8″.
OO has a ratio of 1:76 and is 4mm to the foot with a scale track gauge of 18.83 mm.
Most model train manufacturers have made their wheels fine enough to work on HO track.
Perhaps some of our readers could comment on their experience with running OO and HO together and perhaps their thoughts on mixing OO and HO buildings etc.
Add your feedback using the green comments link below.
Switch Problems
Jim is having a problem with switches and asks for reader feedback to help:
“I’ve had O 3 rail before but never had this problem. I am building a new layout powered by and MTH 4000 transformer. When I come out on the throttle enough for the engines to move, it throws my switches (Lionel 042). They are r/c switches, but I do not have them wired in yet, so presently they are being used manually. As soon as I give throttle, they start throwing whatever the opposite direction is from what they were before I throttled up. Does anyone have any idea what’s causing this?”
Help Jim and add your feedback using the green comments link below.
Wiring Reed Switches
Martin wants to hear from others in the hobby who might have ideas and opinions on wiring reed switches and asks:
“I have recently purchased some reed switches I would like some help as to how to wire them to my turnouts and can I activate two turnouts to one reed switch. Thanks Martin from Australia.”
Broadway Limited Blueline Engines With Decoders
Don has two Broadway Limited Blueline engines without decoders and asks:
“I have two Broadway Limited Blueline engines that will not run. They both have sound but no decoder for DCC. The have a plug that is difficult to plug in. I thought that I had not properly inserted the plug but when on a live track you get headlight and rear light according to the direction indicated, but they will not respond. This occurs after installing a remommended decoder. Does anyone have any thoughts on why?”
If you have the experience to comment on this problem you can do so using the green comments link below.
16 Year Old Needs Help With Layout Landscape And Ballasting
Sixteen year old Adam needs some help and ecouragement from others in the hobby and asks:
“Hi, Iwas planning my layout and I have got no idea how to ballast or landscaping at all. I went to a model show a few days ago and watched a fellow modeller landscape but not ballast he used some specialling builder’s plaster but I don’t know what it is called. Its seem pretty simple to landscape but I have had many tries ballasting and I just can’t get it right.
All my locos keep derailing on it. Would any one be able to help me?”
To help Adam you can add feedback using the green comments link below.
The Model Train Help Ebook has many good pointers on landscaping and track ballasting.
Converting DC to DCC
Milton is converting DC engines to DCC and wants advice from anyone who has gone through the process:
“I am in the process of converting all of my DC engines to DCC and I am begining to plan a layout of an early steam era SP freight yard. It has 81 turnouts and a round table that I want to run as a prototypical layout.
I have chosen Digitrak as the DCC controller, but to date, I have found out there is only a mobile decoder for engines and nothing that I have found out to identify rolling stock cars as too layout location or car idenity. Stationary decoders might work but need to have a power source or contact to the track to communicate and power. RFI chips might work but will require censors in the layout specific enough to identify specific track locations.
Finally, there needs to be a last car identity as a consist is built such that every car that becomes a last car identity as they pass through turnouts. Without this identity turnouts will not indicate passage of a consist and a turnout that needs to be switched back to normally closed or normally open.”
Give Milton your feedback. Use the green comments and feedback link below.
N-scale Big Boy Locomotive
John is trying to locate a N-scale Big Boy Locomotive and asks:
“I am interested in purchasing a N-scale Big Boy Locomotive. Does anyone know where I could ask about purchasing one since they are discontinued?”
Electrical Flow Problems
Richard wants to hear from anyone who can help him solve his electrical problem and asks:
“I have a problem. Electrical! To the point, I do not understand and know enough about the electrical flow. I have looked, examined, etc. As you may see, I have made contact points through my ohm meter for continuity between the center of the rear set of wheels and with the center point of forward wheels. The meter pegged out. In my thinking, this should not happen?
Does anyone know? Can anyone help?”
To help Richard you can add your feedback using the green Comments and Feedback link below.
Do You Have Any Experience In Model Railroading?
Do you have some experience in this wonderful hobby of model railroading?
Do you have your own model RR layout or are you in the process of building one?
Do you belong to a model railroad club?
If you answered YES to any one of these questions, then you probably have some knowledge you could share with others in the hobby. Please don’t just keep the information to yourself. There are lots of beginners who need mentoring and guidance from others in the hobby.
You can help by adding feedback and comment to their postings on this blog site. If you think you can comment (or even answer) some of the questions posted on this blog, please add your thoughts below each posting (use the green Comments and Feedback link).
I’m sure we all want this great hobby to continue and grow. If it starts to die off then suppliers will start to disappear too and the selection of accessories will diminish. So, please encourage others, help the beginners and share your experience with others in the model railroading community.
The easiest way is to add your feedback to one or two of the many questions asked on this Model Train Help blog. This blog is read by thousands in the hobby, so you could be assisting a lot of people who have been struggling with the same problems you have experienced (and even solved).
This blog is a FREE service but we need your help to keep it going.
Note to anyone asking a question. Please ensure you supply plenty of details to help others help you. The better the question – the better the answer is often what happens. So, if you want a detailed, focused answer – make sure you compose a detailed well thought-out question.
Loco Problem
Abdul wants to hear from readers on their thoughts on why his loco is stopping and starting:
“My n scale locomotives starts when I nudge it, then after travelling a bit it stops. I then give it a nudge and the same is repeated. What could be the reason and how to overcome it?
Add your feedback using the green comments link below.
Street Lights On RR Layout Causing Problem
Doug wants your advice on street lights on his RR layout and asks readers:
“Hi all, I have installed 20 – 12v street lights along my street, they all work but after about 2 -3 seconds they go out, I have tried with only 2 connected but the same thing happens. I have tried the transformer unplugged from the controller, with no other items connected, same result.
Any ideas from those in the know please.”
Give Doug your feedback using the green comments link below.
Hobby Glues For Model Railroads
Richard and his son would like some advice from fellow model railroaders on hobby glues:
“My son and I acquired a roundhouse kit for HO that requires gluing. We wanted to know what is, or are, good glues to use and where we can get them?”
Add your feedback on hobby glues using the green Comments link below.
Lionel TMCC Wiring
Tim wants help from anyone who has experience with wiring and asks:
I am so confused on what to buy and how to wire up the various products that Lionel has for TMCC and conventional engines.
I will be starting out with two trains. About a year later I will be adding track and switches for three trains. Then I will complete the layout by adding more tracks and switches, and running four trains.
The two-train layout will have:
- 800 inches of GraGraves track
- 12 turnout or switches
- Two power blocks
The three-train layout will have:
- 1000 inches of track
- 16 turnouts
- Four power blocks
The four-train layout will have:
- 1500 inches of track
- Six power blocks
I will have about 25 building on the two-train layout and do not intend to have any more after that. Most of them do not have lighting.
I have about three decoupling tracks but no other action devices on the layout.
So what do we need to run TMCC and run non-TMCC trains on this layout as it grows?
I would like to see a schematic or block diagram showing how to connect the elements.
This I have found out from some web research I want to use the TPC instead of the Power Master. I am looking at the ZW as the transformer with two powerhouses (to start with) and getting a third or fourth Powerhouse as the layout get bigger. Any help from anyone in the hobby would be appreciated.
To help Jim or offer some suggestions use the green Comments link below. Remember to register first before typing in your answer.
Undertable Switch Machines
John has a question for anyone with experience installing under-table switch machines and asks:
“I’m finally building the railroad I’ve been planning for years and I will have 21 turnouts including 2 “Y” and a double slip. I have no experience with under table switch machines. I would be grateful if one of the blog followers could please go into detail on installation and recommend the most reliable units.”
Keen Model Railroader Seeks Help With 6 Model Train Questions
Leon has six questions for readers to get their teeth into and asks:
Since I am about 60 years away from my first model train, which I am trying to put in operating condition, I have a lot of catching up to do on technical matters! Thus, a number of questions I would to put to experts of this day and age:
1. I have both an S gauge (American Flyer 302 locomotive) and O gauge (Lionel GP7 locomotive). Of course, they cannot run on the same layout. But, can I use the Lionel type 053 transformer (8-17 v. 60w.) for the AF loco , which runs with a 22034 transfo (7-16v)?
2. I also have a newer transfo (EHNO), with what seems to be an AC output of 20v. (0-18v.), and a DC output of 20v. ( 0-18v) : can I use this last transfo for my AF or Lionel trains, with which output?
3. I have an old Triang transfo with an output of 17.5v. AC: is this of any use for my AF loco?
4. What type of transfo do I need for a 2 train operation (AF locos only) ? Would the 60w. Lionel transfo be sufficient?
5. My Lionel loco has an insert compartment on the bottom for a battery: what does this battery operate? This loco also makes a loud buzzing sound: can I correct this?
6. What causes sparks between track and tender wheels for the AF locos? How can I get rid of them ?
To help Leon you can add your feedback using the green comments link below. It might be helpful if you refer to the question number when commenting or answering a question.
Sub Roadbed Support
Bob wants to hear your thoughts on roadbed construction and asks:
“Has anyone ever used styrafoam for a sub-roadbed (ie. the material supporting the track leading up to a tunnel and down). Will it support the weight over time of an HO train?
Add your feedback to Bob’s posting using the green Comments and Feedback link below.
3 Model Railroaders Want Your Help
A reader with an N scale layout is having problems with derailments and asks:
Steam Engine Derailing
“How do you keep the lead four wheels on the track?”
Double Track Bridges in HO
George has a question about double track bridges and asks:
“Where could I find double track bridges in HO? Are there any in curved 18 radius or larger?”
Garden Railways In The Rain
Ten year old William has a Garden Railroading question and asks readers:
“I’m only ten and just starting the hobby, and I would like to know if you can run trains in the rain on a garden railway?”
To help any of these keen model railroaders you can simply use the green Comments link below to add your feedback.
General Steam Locomotive
George wants a source for locomotives and asks:
“Years ago I built a model of the famous General steam locomotive. Can someone tell me are there any sources where one can purchase models of various other locomotives (without motors and larger than HO scale)? “
To help George reply using the green Comments link below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
