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!
Train Control
Tom has a question about train control and wants to hear from others reading his posting:
“Can one of your readers tell me for radio frequency remote control of model trains, what frequency is used? What section of the FCC rules do these operate? What test equipment is used for testing and repairing the transmitters and receivers?”
Where Is Everyone?
I know from answers to previous questions we get hundreds of very experienced model railroaders reading this blog, but I think they must all be asleep. Several question have been posted by fellow railroaders that need answering, but no one seems to want to help others at the moment. I know things are a bit gloomy financially, but it is all the more reason why we should all lend a helping hand to others and try and stay cheerful.
The point is; if this hobby is to move forward we must all help each other… the newbies in the hobby are the ones who especially need help and encouragement.
I have said it before and I will say it again – I get dozens of emails from beginners in the hobby who feel excluded. One guy told me “model railroading is like a secret society” with many in the hobby not wanting to share their knowledge. Although I don’t entirely agree, I have seen some evidence of this attitude, and I must say it saddens me.
PLEASE- If you have can help others, or offer feedback, please add your comments using the green comments link below each posting on this blog. That’s all anyone expects.
This blog gets thousands of readers and I run it free of charge in the hope that as many model railroaders as possible contribute. The problem is that we get lots of questions from people who genuinely need help, but not enough other model railroaders are prepared offer feedback, comments or answers.
So, please help out if you can and prove that model railroaders are a helpful cooperative bunch of enthusiasts who welcome and encourage new people into the hobby.
Enough said!
Terminal Loop Switch G Scale Layout
Tom wants to hear from you if you have a G scale layout and have any tips to help solve a problem he is having:
“I have a g scale track that circles 2 rooms and passes through a central room. It is a dog bone configuration with the 2 loops returning on a common track. In each of the rooms with the loops I have #10151 LGB terminal loop set. The train went into the first room came to the 2nd terminal loop switch and stopped. Now when the transformer is turned on it goes immediately to overload. What am I doing wrong?? Thank you in advance to other blog members.”
To help Tom use the green comments link to add your feedback.
DCC vs DC
George wants to hear from others in the hobby about their thoughts on DC verses DCC:
“If I initiate a layout for DCC can I still run older (non DCC) trains on the same layout with the same DCC controller … in this case the NCE system. Thanks.”
Add your feedback using the green comments link.
Rail Track Sims And Swiss Mountain Scenes
Laz has tree questions relating to rail track sims, so if you can help him I’m sure he would like to hear your thoughts. Add your comments below using the green comments link.
“I enjoyed reading about train travel in Switzerland at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/switzerland-train-travel.html and have some questions for others who are also interested mountain scenarios.
Can someone recommend, or is there a Train sim that does Swiss Mountain scenarios?
Or, can someone tell me or recommend Rail Track sims and Scenery builders that will enable convincing Mountain tracks?
Or, is there a scenery builder for Rail Sim that can read/copy from Google Earth, so I can create reasonably faithful virtual tracks of an actual Train journey, with accurate Terrain?”
Constructing A Winter Scene On RR Layout
Bob is constructing a winter scene on his RR laout and wants your views on including a winter scene:
“I am building a layout using dept56 building, ski slopes, gondola ride, etc. Therefore, the village will be a winter scene. I have decided to incorporate a model train around the village. Has anyone ever constructed a winter scene incorporating a railroad in HO or O27 gauge trains? Mostly all I have been able to find are not winter scenes.”
Add your feedback and comments below.
HO Inclines For Trains
John would like to hear from fellow model railroaders about making inclines:
“Hi this is John. I have been into model railroading for some time now, but always had a problem with making ramps for roads and inclines for trains to rise to a certain height (useally about 3 inches high). To proceed to a higher level on my layout how do others make the transition so smoothly?”
Add your feedback and comments below.
35 Year Old HO Cars
Tim has some 35 year old train cars and wants to hear from others about couplers:
“I have 35 year old cars that have never been out of the boxes. Does anyone know are they worth changing the couplers or just buy new cars?”
Logging Equipment For HO Layout
Ronald is building an HO sawmill and logging layout and would like to hear from others who have built a similar layout:
“I am building a logging and sawmill layout. There are not a lot of suppliers of equipment that I have been able to find. The piece of equipment I am especially interested in is a lumber carrier used in sawmills. It was a machine that drove over the top of the piles of lumber piled off the greenchain, clamped the load and then drove it to varies places. Appreciate and ideas if anyone makes this machine. Thanks.”
Add your feedback. Click on the green comments link below.
OO Repair Plans
Mike is a novice to model railways and until recently had a 125 – R317 0580 working well. Mike wants information on the engine wiring and any reader ideas to help him retify the problem. Mike asks:
“Does anyone know where can I purchase a detailed plan of my 125 – R317 0580 in order to try and retify a fault.”
Add your feedback below.
N Guage Switches And Derailments
Gerry is having a problem with switches and derailments and wants to know if others have had similar problems:
“I’m a beginning model railroader, coming back after doing it as a kid. I have a layout planned and all the track and switches purchased… my only problem is with my switches. I can’t get all my locomotives to manoeuvre them without derailing. The biggest heaviest locomotives and cars make it without a hitch, but everything else derails. When I slow down to park the cars in the yard, I am never sure if one or two won’t derail. I’m using Atlas manual switches. I’m sure many of your readers will have experienced similar problems and will be able to guide me towards a possible solution. Their help would be appreciated.”
Add your feedback using the green comments link.
Shay Locomotives
Andrew has an HO layout and wants to hear from anyone who has a shay locomotive or knows something about the history of shay locomotives:
“How many different Shays have been designed, and is Bachmann the only company that has produced Shay models?”
Pictured a LIONEL O GAUGE SHAY LOCOMOTIVE.
The Shay locomotive (named after the late Ephraim Shay of Michigan) was the most widely used geared steam locomotive. Ephraim Shay wanted a new way to get logs to the mill instead of just floating them down a river. In or around 1877, Ephraim Shay invented the idea of an engine sitting on a flat car with a boiler, gears, and trucks that could pivot.
Between 1878 and 1945 the Lima Locomotive Works manufactured nearly every Shay. They were is four classes and ranged from 6 to 160 tons:
Class A – two cylinders, two trucks, 6 and 24 tons.
Class B – three cylinders, two trucks, 10 and 80 tons.
Class C – three cylinders, three trucks, 40 and 160 tons.
Class D – three cylinders, four trucks, 100 and 150 tons.
It was not unknown for Shay locomotives pulling a heavy load to leave the track after failing to respond to a change in track curvature. This was usually before or after an uphill curve.
HO Railroaders Want To Hear From Other HO Railroaders
Converting an HO Loco To DCC
A reader asks:
“Does anyone know how difficult is it to convert a spectrum loco from Bachmann to DCC operation? It is about six or seven years old but has not been used much.”
HO Model Buildings and People
Doug wants to hear from fellow HO model railroaders about their experiences with constructing HO buildings and people and asks:
“Can someone tell me is it best to just purchase HO buildings like barns and stores and weather them or can someone suggest a method for making various buildings? Also, has anyone made models of people… if so how did they do it? I would like to know the techniques”
To provide feedback use the green comments link under this posting.
DCC Switcher Back Lights
Skip wants to hear readers feedback on DCC Switcher Back Lights and asks:
“I had DCC decoders installed in several PK2 SW8 SW9 and S1 and S3 and an Atlas S2 & 4 and they all came back with no operating rear light. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get those lights working? Thanks to anyone who can help.”
Help Skip by adding your feedback using the green comments link below.
Power To Run Trains
Gene is asking a question that many model railroaders experience. He will find help in my ebook. Here is his question:
“I have some problems, and being new with electric trains I thought maybe someone with experience in the hobby might know the answer. The transformer (DC) that came with my Backman train does not have enough power to run the train. I added track and I know that’s the reason. My question is will a dcc transformer provide more power, or do I need something like a booster? Also, is there a special transformer for running accessories, like the lights in my building? Thank you to everyone for any help.”
Add your feedback using the green comments link below.
Gene, you will find some helpful answers and tips in the Model Train Help Ebook.
HO Sparking On Tracks
Judy has an HO layout and asks readers for feedback on sparking:
“Could someone please tell me what causes sparking between the locomotive and the rail and how do you fix it?”
To answer Judy’s question click on the green comments link below.
Train Coupler Preferences
Jerry wants reader feedback on train couplers and asks:
“Do your readers have a preference for couplers? What do they think are the best couplers to use and why?”
Building A Portable Layout
Peter wants information on building a portable layout and asks readers:
“I belong to a local R.R. club. We want to make a portable layout but we are not sure how to make the frame work and the size of each section. Has anyone who has made a portable layout got any ideas for a layout to help us with getting started. Thank You.”
Add your feedback to this posting using the green comments link below.
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