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 Track Gradient
Would a reader like to help Gary with an answer to his question:
“I have a question for a model railroader who reads your blog to answer please. I am starting to build a board for the layout. I have 2 Lionel train sets with a few pieces of extra track I purchased. What is the angle I may use for elevation of the trains? What rate of elevation can they climb? Does one of your readers know the answer?
To answer this question click on the green comments link below.
MRC 280 Transformer and MRC Power Station 8
William has a question a reader might like to try and answer:
“I am trying to build medium size N scale model. Question is; I have MRC 280 transformer and MRC power station 8. What other electronics are necessary to operate using DCS?”
To give a comment click the comments link below
Scratch Built Locos Made Using Pen Refills
Subhash from Bombay in India scratch builds his own trains and is doing this before he constructs his model railroad layout.
Here is what Subhash has to say:
I have made Mumbai suburban EMU trains. I have a set of 6 cars but I will run only 3 cars. I would like them to run to & fro like real trains. When I build my layout there will be up & down tracks. I plan to have a train come to a terminus and then run on the other track. I want to run around 3-4 EMUs at a time.
My problem is my loco is not functioning properly and I am hoping a reader might have some suggestions to fix the problem. As I said I have made the locos, carriages and wagons myself.
The loco has brass wheels and aluminium track. I have also done my own gear assembly. The trains runs on 12 V supply but not on 6 V. There are lots of jerky movements (the movement is not smooth). Can anyone help me please?
As a matter of interest, I use pen refills in construction. The wire is coiled on a small screw driver to make springs etc. I am even making even the track.
Robert comments: There really are some clever people and hopefully Subhash will send in some photos showing how he scratch builds his locos. If you have some suggestions or ideas to help Subhash please click on the green comments link below and add your message.
Software For Model Railroad Layout Design
David has a question for readers about software for model railroad layout design:
“I wish to use my computer to design my HO scale railroad. What software packages are there to use, and how do they differ? What do the model railroading magazines use to generate those nice designs? Hopefully a reader will be able to guide me. Thanks in advance.”
Locomotives Operating On Code 40 Track
Ian has a question for anyone using code 40 track:
“I have read that several N Scale modellers use code 40 track produced by Micro Engineering to differentiate between main line (code 55) and sidings, loops, dead ends and branch lines. I am doing the same, however, although all my rolling stock will pass over Code 40 track perfectly, being fitted with Micro-Trains low profile wheelsets, the only power which I have found that will do so is that made by Bachmann/Spectrum. Have any modeller colleagues any suggestions as to how I can extend the range of locomotives I can use on Code 40 track?”
To comment on Ian’s posting click on the green comments link below.
Gateway Model Railroad Club Plans Open Day
Nicky from the Gateway Model Railroad Club informs me that the Club is holding its Annual Open House on Saturday January 24th & Sunday January 25th 2009 and again on Saturday February 7th & Sunday February 8th 2009.
The Gateway Model Railroad Club is located at 100 E. Browning Road Brooklawn, NJ 08030.
Opening times are from 10am til 4pm with a $3 donation at the door.
Rookie Model Railroader Explains Layout Construction Progress
Model railroading “rookie” Jim has sent in this progress report on the model RR he is building (supervised by his wife and young nephew).
I wanted to share with your readers the beginnings of my model train set. It doesn’t look like much yet, but I am very proud of how far I have gotten. I started last spring. I built the table 4 x 8. It is still missing the wood molding to further strengthen the legs.
Last summer, the combination of high gas prices and such forced me to work a lot of hours and so I didn’t get back to until recently. My young nephew wanted to come over and work on it after our Thanksgiving meal so I brought him down to mess with it.
I wanted my track to have 22 degree curves to accomadate my 89 car carriers, but I couldn’t do anything more fancy than an oval that hugged the edges of the table.
I had one engine derail and it ended up on my concrete floor so I got very gun shy about running the set until I could find a solution. I went back and forth to the house to dig up all my old 18 degree radius’s and began replacing the 22’s and I remolded the track to look as realistic as possible.
My nephew ran my GP 35 Rock Island that he named “Stanley” up and down the tracks to where I had stopped saying “I am bringing up the work train to help you.” He then backed the engine the other way. I also started cutting the lake out and the river so I could put in a train bridge for my nephew. He enjoyed running “stanley” over the bridge.
Some days later my wife and I went to Lowes to buy a dry wall saw to use with making landscapes (her butcher knives just didn’t cut it). My wife helped me with some of the cutting and she cut up and down. At first, I went back to cut the bank to 45 degrees and then left some of the banks alone because it added a nice effect and variation. I then glued the foam to the board.
I am principally modeling the Missouri Pacific. At first, I wanted to have a small town plus a farm scene, but I don’t think that will work out so I am going to make this a pastoral scene. My only industry will be a grain elevator (Rix products) with a double siding.
I will put up two farms if possible and a road will cross by highway overpass the main line and siding. I have finished all but one of the grain bins and I have started working on the bridge over the rail yard.
At 0400 I cut the first layer of my hill that will hold the bridge up. I discovered that the pier was way too tall so I had to cut it down. In the process, it broke the plastic so I had to start all over. I put together two piers and a 50 foot section of bridge including painting the I beams. While the other project dried, I continued piecing the grain bins and augers together. This morning, I glued the third grain bin to the conveyer leg.
The setup looks very nice so far. I hope your readers enjoy the pictures and I thank you for teaching what you know about the hobby.
Robert comments: To share details, or progress, about your model railroad layout http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/my-layout.html
John Allen’s Timesaver Switching Railroad
Keen model railroader “Guy” has an HO layout based on a drawing from John Allen’s ‘Timesaver’ switching. Here is what Guy has to say:
“Hi folks! This is the first layout I’ve created. It is based on the drawing from John Allen’s famous switching game called Timesaver. The entire track is handlaid on wooden ties with code 70 rail. The five turnouts, the 11 uncoupler magnets and the track lengths correspond to the given instructions from John.
I find it a lot of fun to operate this layout and even at a model exhibition people were interested to follow all the shunting work.
For best operating results, I operate my engines in DC mode with a small controller (faster shunting). For smooth and realistic operation with sound a LocoNet DCC unit is connected.
The turnout is manual control with a pushrod that activates a switch for frog polarity. The switchstand really works and indicates the position.
Wherever you go, this small layout is ready in a few minutes and the operation can be started with one Loco and some cars.”
Oiling Locomotives
Donald is about to test your knowledge and hopefully get an answer to his question about oiling locomotives:
“Can one of your readers tell me how often and how do I clean and oil my locomotives? They seem to run forever, but then I really don’t run them often, a few hours a couple of days a week at best. How do I oil them them, should I oil them at all? How do I do this? With what? Hopefully one of your readers will know the answer.”
To help Donald add your comments using the green comments link below. Simple!
Robert comments:
Yes, oil locomotives, but not usually freight and passenger cars.
In modeling, the primary purpose of oil is to reduce wear and tear on moving parts, particularly those subjected to intense friction. Locomotives are under constant stress to transmit power and will eventually break without proper lubrication applied to the motor bearings and gears. (It is important to use the correct lubricants on those parts for maximum performance).
Too much or too little lubrication can cause damage. Too much lubricant will saturate the wiring, insulating material and attract a modelers worst enemy – DIRT and DUST!
The resulting effect could shorten the life of your trains electrical components and adversely affect performance. Most at risk are the motor bearings, commutator and the brushes.
Damaged to the commutator and brushes can happen when oil reaches the commutator. This is because the electrical current passing between the brush and commutator will vaporize the lubricant and glaze the brush surface. This causes an increase in resistance between commutator and brush, greatly increasing the arching between the brush and commutator. The consequence of a dirty commutator is that higher voltages will be needed to operate the trains.
It is true that freight and passenger cars have friction points too, but they’re generally under far less stress than locos. Modern day models reduce friction by using acetal plastic side-frames and needlepoint axles. Oiling is unnecessary, because when the oil becomes dirty and breaks down, it actually increases the friction.
More about oiling trains and other useful model railroad tips here.
Cean Wheels, Gears and Motor On Train Engine
Here is a question you might like to answer for Jim:
“I am rather new at railroading so my question is awfully basic to you guys but, what is the best way to clean the wheels, gears, and motor on the engine?”
Post your answer using the green comments link below.
Wiring Street Lights On Model RR Layout
Have you ever wired street lighting on a model railroad layout. If you have, then you might have some tips for Pete who is trying to add street lights to his N layout:
“Someone has just bought me some street lights to put on my layout. There are no instructions on how to wire the lights. There are about twenty in total. My question is; can the lights be joined together some how and then go to a power source or do I need to wire each light separately?”
To comment on Pete’s posting click on the green comments link.
Stucco HO Structure
A reader ask for your advice or suggestions for creating a stucco look on buildings:
“I understand you can use Durhams rock hard water putty to stucco a building. Has anyone done this and what is the procedure as far as mix and getting the stucco look?”
If you have experience in this area and would like to help out this fellow model railroader, add your comments using the green comments link below this posting.
Gold Coast Model Railway Club Features Static Displays
Model Railroading is alive and well down-under in countries like Australia and New Zealand. The methods and scales are basically the same as in the Northern Hemisphere, although some of the scenery modeled is different.
Down-under they tend to use the British term ‘railway’ rather than the more commonly used term in North America of ‘railroad’. The Aussies and Kiwi use British spelling so words like modeling (US) becomes modelling, color (US) becomes colour, signaling (US) becomes signalling, DCC controled becomes DCC controlled. So if you read a book and the spelling seems a bit strange, it may just be that it is written in a different country.
Here is some information about the an Australian RR club based on the Gold Coast in Queensland just south of Brisbane.
David the President of the GOLD COAST MODEL RAILWAY WORKSHOP has submited these details for publication:
The Gold Coast Model Railway Club Workshop has the largest number of static layouts in Queensland. The displays encompass the following gauges :
N Gauge. This is currently being expanded.
HO/OO Gauge ( one circuit of track on either the ‘up or ‘down line = 1 scale mile in each direction ). This contains sections which are representative of America, British Rail and Europe. It is erected in a letter ‘E’ configuration, (but there are four ‘arms’, thus each ‘arm’ represents its own world of modelling.
This layout is being upgraded adding a turntable that will turn a ‘ bigboy’ loco.
0n30 Gauge Digitally controlled and growing in size.
0 Gauge This is incorporated with the 0n30.
G Gauge This is full sound and electronic controlled.
The Gold Coast Model Railway Club Workshop’s exhibition layout is D.C.C controlled and named ‘ United Nations ‘.
It is built from members modules, which are called ‘in ‘ when it goes out to an exhibition. As such it’s size can be varied from small to very large dependent on the venue. The Gold Coast Model Railway Club runs trains/engines which are representative of the world wide fraternaty of model railways.
The GOLD COAST MODEL RAILWAY WORKSHOP located at 16 KENDOR ST, LABRADOR, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA is open to the general public every Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm.
The Gold Coast Model Railway Club would enjoy your company
U.S. Military Railroad Color Scheme
Palmer has an interest in the Civil War and Model Railroads and would like to hear from like-minded people:
“I am both an HO scale model railroader and a Civil War re-enactor. I plan to include a tv re-enactor scene from the siege of Petersburg. This scene will include U.S. Military Railroad box cars as well as cannon armed cars. I have black and white photos of that time period, what I need is an idea of the color scheme used by the U.S.M.RR. for the box cars and troop carrying cars. Can one of your readers who shares my interest in Civil War history please help me?”
Comment using the comments link.
Bridge Plans Wanted
This question is similar to one already published on this blog. If you want to help Joe then click on the green comments link below this posting:
“Last year I visited a local insurance agency whose owner was a model railroader. To my surprise and delight I noticed that he had created a layout that ran around the entire perimeter of his office and was mounted about ten feet in the air. He had skillfully crafted a bridge network that cantilevered off the wall to hold his HO gauge track. The bridge looked very realistic and cantilevered in an “L” type shape off the wall.
I’ve looked for something like this that I could build myself as my wife has agreed to let me build my own layout on our basement walls. Do your readers have any idea where I might be able to get access to these type of bridge plans?
Model Railroad A Family Project
Mike shares some info on the Model RR project he is working on with his two sons:
“I have built a 10′ x 4′ table and used 5/8” sub flooring for the table top, purchased engines and cars and designed my layout to be a Canadian pacific 1900-1950 Era. I have pre made 2% grades far all my inclines and used blue Styrofoam for all the bases. There are some large expanses for bridges and viaducts and a large curved tunnel.
I am at the stage where I have all the foam glued on the table. I have purchased flexible track so that I can make all the necessary curves and will use conventional wiring because I don’t have DDC control. I am not sure exactly what to do next.
I want to have a roundhouse and a large wooden trestle around the mountain. It started out as a project for me and my two boys but I think I am the one with the real passion for this. I would like to hear from anyone with any ideas. My scale is N scale.”
To comment on this posting click on the green comments link below.
Lightweight Base Platmorm For HO Gauge Layout Wanted
Richard is planning to build a suspended RR layout and would like some ideas from anyone who has already built one:
“I need to suspend a base working platform from my garage ceiling rafters. I have no basement, rec. room, attic, or any other readily available space to re-start my model train hobby (I’ve missed it for a very long time).
I have about 8’x10’available for hanging a table/platform from my rafters on pulleys. I’ll have removeable leg supports or saw horses under the table but it obviously needs to be strong. I know that ping-pong table plywood is available & comes in 5’x9′ sheets, but I think it might be too heavy.
I don’t have a lot of scenery, equipment or running stock as yet, but I do want to start setting up my tracks & some previously constructed buildings.
Do any of your readers have any recommendations? Foam-core? Thin plywood w/1″x2″ frameing? Any table design ideas, layout configuration suggestions, pitfalls to be aware of, etc. will be appreciated.
If this question is a published item, I’d welcome any ideas from other modelers.
Thanks in advance for your readers help in this matter. I really want to get started on this project soon. I’ve waited for 45 years to get reactivated in a favorite hobby from my youth.”
Country Scene And Industries In Planned Layout
Marty sent in this drawing of his track plans for the layout he is building:
“I’m planning a bit of rolling country side and may be an industry or two later down the track [you’ll have to forgive the pun]. I still have only just got back to getting the first run of track bed down at this stage.”
If you would like comment on Marty’s plans for give him some suggestions, click on the green comments link below.
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