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!
Wiring Turnouts Insulated Frogs
Philip has a question for readers on wiring turnouts and insulated frogs:
“Can someone tell me do I need to isolate my turnouts if they have an insulated frog? I am running DCC and using a bus wire around the entire track with Atlas insulated remote snap switches. Thanks for the help in letting me post this question.”
To help Philip add your feedback using the green comments link below.
Multi-Trrack Reverse Loop
Bob has a question for readers on his multi-track reverse loop:
“If I cut the 7 tracks on the center pass-through yard, does anyone know do I need reverse loop module connection across each?
O Scale 3-rail Layout Wiring A Diorama
Matt has an O Scale 3-rail layout and wants to know about wiring a diorama:
“I built a 4′ x 4′ diorama, which I use to photograph different locomotives and rolling stock. It has two sections, 4 ft long, of track and a 2 ft section with a bumper. Can someone inform me is there a way to wire the track so that I could take pics with the locomotives headlight, or passenger cars with the interior lit. I am relatively new to this hobby so need help from those who have some experience.”
To help this newcomer simply click the green comments link to add your feedback. I’m sure Matt would be very grateful if you could help him.
Motor Magnets
William wants to hear from readers about motor magnets and asks:
“How do I get the magnets on my triang X04 motors to be re-magnetised?”
Automatic Coupler Uncoupling?
Leroy has a question for readers about automatic uncoupling of train couplers and asks:
“My youthful “O”gauge had an uncoupling track, however I haven’t seen any such feature for HO, but metal couplers are available. What have I missed?”
Add you feedback to this blog posting below.
HO 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Table Top Layout
Kenneth is planning a table top layout for his HO 4-8-8-4 Big Boy and wants to hear from readers:
“I have a HO 4-8-8-4 big boy and I am trying to design a table top layout 6’x8′. Does anyone know if this space is large enough, and what radius curves should Iuse? Also, what number turnouts would I need?”
Add your feedback to this posting.
Catnap Waiting For Train
Raymond sent in this photo of his cats sleeping on his layout. It would be interesting to see how they react with a loco suddenly speeding past.
Raymond says his great uncle left him the small layout that he didn’t get to finish. He has had a few problems with using snaptrack and getting it to fit properly. I suspect he might experience some problems with cat hairs too. Anyway, it is a great photo…even if cats and trains don’t usually mix.
If you would like to make a comment or if you have a photo and story to tell you can submit details for publication at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/my-layout.html
New To DCC?
Rickey asks readers:
“What is new in DCC, and who do I need to get started? Also why tools should I buy?”
Help Rickey using the green comments link below.
Going Digital In The Garden
John has a question for readers about digital:
“I want to go all digital and to exstend into the garden. How far will the digital controler send the signal along the track”
Click the green comments link to add your suggestion.
Trolley Or Train Wanted
Art is looking for help to buy a trolley:
“Can one of your readers assist me with a relatively simple project to identify and buy a Trolley(or train) in scale with Hawthorne Villages. It needs a tight turn ability for setup on a Credenza. Looks like smaller than HO – but not sure. I am real amateur at this – but I am looking to enhance our village for the Grandson (Oh all right, me too).Thanks !”
Scratch Built Brick Wall
Martin wants to build a brick wall on his RR layout and asks readers for help:
“Can someone tell me how to make a scratch built brick wall please?”
To guide Martin click on the green comments link and add your feedback.
G Scale Track Layouts
Frank wants to hear from those of you into garden railroading and asks:
“I would like to have some information on G scale track layouts, construction materials for outdoors including bridges, track bedding, wireless DCC controls and the basic construction of outdoor G scale construction materials. Can anyone help me please?”
Frank, you will be fascinated by the 3 Garden Railroad videos in my 42 train videos series.
In the videos experienced garden railroader Colin takes you on a tour of his 650-foot garden railway 18 months into construction. He explains the A, B and C of the design and planning process and reveals 17 important questions about building your own garden railway. He gives some valuable tips and shows you how to avoid problems you may not have thought of.
Colin then continues his garden railway tour explaining how and why he built the elevated track sections. He reveals the two ‘must-have’ features of any garden railway and discusses the effects of climate, lighting and the different train control systems. Colin then demonstrates an electrically operated Baldwin Steam Locomotive and gives some tips on ‘points’ and structure building.
Colin then explains his dug-out steaming bay and power control panel. He gives you a close look underneath the Union Pacific RS3 locomotive and how it operates.
Trolley Crossing And Message On Hand Held Control
Here are two questions from readers for those of you into O model railroading. Can you help either Lynne or Eugene? Click the green comments link under this posting to add your feedback.
Lynne wants your thoughts on a Trolley Crossing and asks:
“Is there a way to run a stop’n go trolley with a 90 degree crossing without colliding with a train on the main track? I have a 12″ x 6″ layout and want to run the trolley past the main line to an outlying town. The tallest car on the train is about 7 inch and the trolley will not climb much of a grade, so a crossover would not work. The tolley would also require too much of a grade for the train to crossover. Any suggestions from anyone out there please? Thanks, Lynne”
Eugene has wants to know the meaning of the m in his hand held control:
“I have the mth system and on my hand held. I have a (m) in the window. Can someone tell me what does it mean and what should it be?”
Wooden Construction On Railroad
Mike has a question for fellow model railroaders to try and answer. If you can help him he would really appreciate your feedback. If you have knowledge and experience please don’t keep it to yourself – help other and keep this hobby alive and thriving.
Mike asks you:
“I was wondering what size lumber to make my frame out of, 4X4 legs and the frame 2X6? Cross members 2X6? Drill 2″ holes into the cross members, and 1/2 inch or 1” particle board for the top, or should I use plywood?
My layout is going to be 18′ X 10′ 3.5′ wide on the long sides and 4′ on the ends, should I use 3.5 all the way around? Should I do my wiring before I put the plywood top on? After I put the top on my frame I should put 1″ foam board on top of my plywood, or a board called Homasote as it makes things quiet when the train is running around. If your readers can answer me I sure would appreciate it.”
Click the green comment link to add your feedback.
Joining Track On RR Layout
Ben, is a newbie to model railroading and would like to hear from those of you who are more experience in the hobby:
“Hi all! I am very new to the Model Railroad Hobby and I am having great difficulty in securing track pieces together especially around any sort of bends. Is it okay to use solder or HD Glue to secure track pieces together. I read an article recently and it appeared to be saying this in so many words. Is this in keeping with the model railway layout. I am in a bad way, and would like help from other in the hobby please.”
Remember this blog is for everyone and is read by thousands of model railroaders worldwide – some readers are new to the hobby and others have an amazing level of experience. If you fit into the latter category, I urge you to please share some of your knowledge with others in the hobby – especially with newbies like Ben.
To be truthful, I get a lot of emails from model railroaders who have had bad experiences in model railroad clubs. Members in most clubs generally work really well together sharing ideas and helping each other, but I get feedback that some newbies feel excluded. One young guy used the words “a closed society” to describe his club. He told me how a couple club members were very protective and didn’t want help or share ideas with anyone who lacked experience. This is very disappointing, because we are all getting a bit older and we need to encourage new people into the hobby – otherwise model railroading might eventually die-out. None of us want that to happen.
So, please share your ideas and experiences. This blog is the perfect way you can do precisely that. It is a FREE service, but I need your help to keep it going. Please add feedback to various postings and answer some of the question that get asked. Use the green comments link under each posting.
O Gauge Lionel 3 Rail Insulating Or Seperate Systems
J.C. would like to hear from those into O Gauge Lionel railroading:
“My pike has two large circles (ovals). The possibilties of two standard trains operating seperatly could be possible if insulating the circles can be done at the switches (connecting the ovals in and out).
I am using fast-trac w/switches.
Question. Can this be done using two transformers (model cw80) I found it to short out when crossing over any seperate insulated section causing the engine to reverse or go to nuetral.
My pike is using over 80 feet of track with 19 switches. I am satisfied it works, so why fix it?
It would be enjoyed a bit more if seperated. I have an old model v 150 volt trainmaster transformer with 4 seperate controls but i cnnnot get the whistle or bell to sound when using it.
Question – What must I do or is necessary to do, to use the more powerful transformer. Lionel railroading is again fun I have been in and out since 1930. Great fun.”
If you can help J.C. please speak out and don’t keep your knowledge to yourself.
Number of Bus Lines On Model RR Layout
Jim wants to hear from others about main track bus lines. If you can help Jim use the green comments link below:
“I have 2 tracks running parallel. Does anyone know, do I need separate main track bus lines for each track, or can I use one set of track bus lines and attach track feeders from each track to it?
Also what about a rail yard with 6 tracks do I need separate main track bus lines? Can someone help me please?”
Please note – this is a free service and relies on readers not only contributing questions, but also contributing answers. To continue this free service we need input from experienced model railroaders. Don’t keep all your knowledge to yourself. There are lots of beginners out there who would benefit greatly from your input. Please share with others in the hobby.
HO Layout Plan Wanted
Stan wants an HO layout plan and asks:
“I am looking for a plan for a 8×15 HO layout with end extensions. Has anyone got one? All I have found so far is cut and paste – not one of my strong points.”
To help Stan click on the green comments link below.
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