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!
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.
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?”
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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?”
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