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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.
Powering Turnouts
Philip has a question for readers and asks:
“Does anyone know can I wire my turnouts directly to my DCC bus lines or do I need a seperate power source and if so what kind and voltage?”
To help Philip – you can add your feedback using the green Comments link below.
Converting Decoders And Wiring Lights
Converting Decoders
Sam has a quick question on converting decoders to run on Digitrax and asks:
“How do I convert m.r.c. decoders to run on digitrax systems?”
Wiring Lights
Patrick has a wiring question for readers:
“Can I wire red/green lights to a #541 R/L Atlas remote turn out?”
If you would like to help either Sam or Patrick use the green Feedback and Comments link below to add your thoughts.
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.
Marklin Power Supply
Derik has a Marrklin Train Set without a power supply and wants advice from readers please:
“I got a Marklin train set from my nieghbor, but it has no power supply, and I see there is an type of relay in the train engine. I also don’t have an operating manual, and I have never worked a Marklin train before. Can someone advise me what is the volts supply? What does the relay in the train do?”
To help Derik add your feedback using the green comments link below his posting.
Scale 2-8-2 Mikado
Greg is looking for a Scale 2-8-2 Mikado and asks:
“Would somone know of any New York Central H10a’s or H10b’s on market say between MTH, Lionel up to 3rd Rail or any other Imported Brass version 2-8-2 ($400.00-$800.00). I am looking to model Pittsburgh and Lake Erie’s hand me down Mikados from NYC in 3 rail O-Gauge. Iust missed a beauty on E-Bay (Closed4/10) but. . . she was $980.00 scoots B-4 shipping.”
Kato AC 4400 Ho Scale Engine
Dennis has a Kato AC 4400 engine and asks for help from anyone who has some suggestions to solve his problem:
“I am so glad that I purchased the Model Train Help on line book, it has really helped me alot. I do have one major problem: the handrails on my Kato AC 4400 ho scale engine were destroyed accidentally recently. Kato does not have them and I have been talking to everyone: Cody at MR, Mike at Kato, and various other professional modelers. My last hope is your experienced readers.
Does someone know of anyone in our hobby whom makes these by hand? I know that it is somewhat of a ‘lost art’ but at this point I have so much money into these 2 engines (DCC installation, custom painting 2 times to Texas, plus all the shipping and insurance charges, and putting all the handrails and grab irons etc. on the first time) I would like to get them done correctly once and for all.
Also, my eyesight is borderline poor and I cannot do it myself. This whole situation has been just a wreck. But, we say our prayers and remain thankful for all our given blessings.
If anyone has any ideas, I would certainly appreciate their help.”
Comment on Dennis’s blog posting below.
Cleaning Truck Wheels
Rosemary wants to hear readers thoughts on cleaning wheels:
“What do people suggest is the easiest/best method to clean the wheels? We have some postwar rolling stock that need cleaning. I’ve read that alcohol is one method. Can someone give some advice please?”
To add feedback to Rosemary’s posting use the green Comments and Feedback link below.
Track Gradiants
Charles has a question on G track grades and asks:
“I need to make my train climb about 13 or 14 inches to a higher level then descend back down to the lower level, So, how can I tell my grade and how long does it have to be to climb it?”
Good Model Train Questions Get Good Answers
A reader who has kindly answered a couple of questions on this blog has made a very valid point. Here is his comment:
“Please remind those who are asking questions to be more precise. Many are to general and leave way for too many variables.”
I certainly agree with this comment. If you want good answers (or even any answer), you need to compose a good, well thought-out question. If the question is confusing, then it is likely the answer will be less than complete.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
