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!
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.
Illinois Central 2363 Engine With Problems
William is having problems with his Illinois Central 2363 engine and seeks input from blog readers who might be able to help him:
“My Illinois Central 2363 engine will not run. There is voltage to the motors, but I cannot get it to run no matter what I try. Anyone with any ideas will be appreciated.”
Use the green comments link to add your feedback to William’s posting.
Electrical Hook Up
Bob has an N scale layout and asks readers:
“I need to know what is the best way to hook up transformer to my train display. Any good tips or suggestions from someone who knows would be appreciated. Thanks”
To help Bob, use the green Comments and Feedback link below.
Track Wiring Without Taking One Engine Off The Track
Does anyone want to help Harold with his track wiring question:
“I have multi-trains and I want to park one train on a siding and have that train stay while I start a train from a different siding without having to take one engine off the track. Can someone tell me how could I wire this?”
To help Harold use the green Comments and Feedback link below.
Tender Under Frame Causing Problem
William wants to hear from anyone who can help with his model railroading problem and asks:
“Dear One and All; I have asked this question elsewhere but not received imformation that I can make good use of. I have two identical “HO” IHC Southern Pacific style 2-6-0’s to convert. In attempting to install a Kadee compatible knuckle style operating coupler on the Moguls tender I let the truck become disconnected from its usual attachment spot on the underframe of this tender.
Both the tenders have snap on oil bunkers which are easily removable. I want to reattach the rear tender truck to its rightful spot on the tender under frame.
Since the tender wrapper is still attached to this underframe I have a problem in placing my full size fingers into the “HO” scale enclosed space left. Can someone please tell me how to safely separate the tender wrapper from the underframe?
The difficulty comes because two latches must be held aside simultaneously while the wrapper is rotated away from the underframe. I have thoroughly looked for and can only find three screws which go into the tender underframe. Two of those screws are used both to make connections with electrical wires inside the tender and to hold their respective tender trucks against the underframe of said tender. The last screw (a self tapping type) merely holds its end of the drawbar from the engine to the tender underframe.
I plan to install knuckle style couplers on both the engine fronts and tender backends and to add DCC decoders to each engine. Until I get a solution to this problem; I admit I am stuck.”
To help William or give some feedback use the green comments link below.
Laying Track -Straights Or Curves?
Eugene wants your suggestions on track laying and asks:
“Where do I start when laying track? Do I use a long straight edge to start to process?”
1940’s Trains
Nancy has a question about a train from the 1940’s and asks:
“I am brand new to this hobby and have just started a layout. However, my question concerns how to find out what train was running a certain route at a certain time. I would like to know what train ran between Hope, Arkansas and Houston, Texas right after WWII.”
Use the green Comments link below to have your say.
Soldering Clips To Track?
Chuck wants to here from you about soldering clips to track and asks:
“I am building a model railroad in HO scale with a combination of Atlas sectional and felx track. Since the clips do not seem to lock into place, do your experienced readers recommend to solder the clips to the track? If so, do they have any suggestions as to the type of solder to use and any other suggestions to get a good connection and excellent results? Comments are appreciated.”
To help Chuck use the green Comments and Feedback link below. I’m sure he would like to hear your thoughts.
O Gauge Track Difference
Gary has an O gauge question for those who have an interest in Lionel trains:
“I am trying to set up a track layout. Plans call for standard O gauge Lionel track. I have Lionel Fastrack. Can one of your O gauge readers tell me is there a difference between standard and fastrack? If so can I still use the track I have with the plans that I have? I was told it shouldn’t make a difference but I can’t figure it out with the plans that I have.”
Use the green Comments & Feedback link below Gary’s posting to reply to him.
Hiawatha Steam Locomotive
Ray has a question for model train manufacturers and asks:
“When is a manufacturer going to make available the very famous steam loco Hiawatha that exceeded 100 mph? Such a famous loco and no manufacturer has chosen to produce it recently. Walthers has recently manufactured the entire Hiawatha passenger train, but chose to put the later diesel loco upfront. A shame it is not available. Hope someone makes it available soon.”
If you would like to comment on Ray’s posting use the green Comments & Feedback link below.
HO or N Motor Sizes
Marty has a question about motor sizes:
“There are many different engine sizes in real life that drive 4 to 10 axles each with increasing motor sizes. Do any of the models actually compensate in scale for the motor size of the engine?”
To add feedback to Marty’s posting click the Comments & Feedback link below.
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