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!
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.
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?”
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