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!
484 Railking Headlight Not Working
Rufus has a question for readers about a railking headlight:
“I have a new railking 4 8 4 passenger car train. Everything is just fine except the headlight is not working. I need help from your readers please.”
Use the comments link to answer.
DCC Locomotives, Signal Lights and Track Problems
Leon asks you for comments on track problems:
“I am running DCC. Several of my engines run rough, (stop go) and I cannot find the problem. Do your readers have any suggestions?”
Don asks:
“How can I get my DCC Diesel locomotive to ‘see’ a signal and activate it when it approaches? Also vice versa, after the train passes turn the signal off?”
Gordon has a DCC question too:
“What should one look for when buying DCC for the first time? My N layout needs 5 Controllers and 84 turnouts and is to be expanded very soon. With that in mind is DCC likely to be expensive?”
To comment on any of these questions simply click on the comments link below.
Bachmann – Split Chassis DCC
Hugh wants to hear your thoughts on Bachmann DCC systems:
“Over the years, I have spent a lot of money building a collection of Bachmann locos. Recently, I moved to a Bachmann DCC system, and seem to have had nothing but trouble.
Firstly, the Bachmann stock which I have all have split chassis. Every retailer I spoke to says that they are not worth converting, because it becomes very expensive due to the man hours involved, and also, there is no guarantee of success, even to the point of wrecking the loco completely.
Secondly, the Dynamis system which I run continually loses the signal to the hand held controller, making ‘run-a-ways’ a frequent event. If I was standing miles from the receiver, I could understand, but under four feet away seems a little silly.
Is the equipment ‘fit for purpose’? Comments from your readers and any help on these issues would be appreciated.”
N Gauge Fishplates
Colin asks you this question:
“What is the best and easiest way of making a good joint on N gauge flexi track and set track. I have noticed if you undo a joint the fishplates spread to much to rejoin and make a good contact.”
Comment on Colin’s posting using the green comments link below.
Hornby A3s Loco Finish Question For Readers
Tom has an OO layout and needs your help with Horby loco paintwork:
“I am renaming and renumbering some hornby OO A3s, from super detail onwards. Does anybody know the best brand, best mix etc of satin varnish to use to best match the manufactured finish?”
Comment on Tom’s posting using the comments link.
Not Enough Smoke With O 27 Marx smokers (666)
Bob is having a problem with engine smoke:
“Does anyone know of tricks or things to look for in making this beast smoke? My loco does smoke, but only with a lot of throttle and then not as much as others I’ve seen on youtube. Not enough current?…smoke unit resistence too high?… wrong type smoke fluid? Please help.”
Bachmann Warranty Query
Thomas wants to hear of your experiences with Bachmann warranties:
“I have many Bachmann HO trains in my collectiuon, many in need of motor repair. How long will Bachmann service these engines and what is the procedure to get them repaired?”
DCC or DC – That is the Question
Andre is thinking about changing from DC to DCC and would like reader feedback:
“I have a DC layout an I want to know if I should change to DCC? I have 8 DC engines. Whats is so good with the DCC? In what ways are DCC and DC similar? Are some things better with DCC? What is the best system to use DC or DCC? I have a reverse loop so should I change to DCC because of that?”
A quick note to Andre – You need to get the Model Train Help Ebook as it answers your questions and compares the advantages and disadvantages of DCC and DC systems.
Signal Systems Information Sought
Dennis has an HO layout and asks this question:
“I Would like information on ‘easy but low cost’ to medium difficulty systems to give lighted block signalling on a small size RR. A lot of what I have seen lately is on computer and/or expensive commercial electronic packages to do this. I am instead looking for a simple way to do this.”
Jon wants your help or comments on signals too:
“I have built a layout and would like to place correct signals (home,distant,shunting etc), but find the few books that I have looked at rather complicated! Is there a clear reference book or similar suitable for even dummies like me! Various kinds of junctions/sidings/stations/loops shown in a clear and concise way. My layout is loosely based on British Southern Railway 1930/40’s.”
Comment on this blog posting below.
5 Quick Questions To Stump Model Railroaders
1. Bob has a question on DCC ready steam and diesel engines:
“Does anyone manufacture a DCC ready HO Steam and/or diesel for the B&M with a paint scheme prior to 1957?”
2. Jim’s model railway question is:
“I am building a large O layout, and have 2 train sets. Can I run them both on the same track and then switch them over to run seperately then run on the same again?”
3. Carlo asks KATO decoder question:
“Is there a tutorial on how to instal a Digitrax SDH104K1A for Kato AC4400; 1 Amp w/28mm Speaker? Where can I find it?”
4. John has 0 gauge and asks:
“Hi, I am looking for a pic of 2021 saddle tank g,w,r can your readers help?”
5. Jack has a question on OO (similar to HO) wiring:
“Have your blog readers got any tips on wiring DCC points and signals? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Jack.”
If you think you can answer any of these questions – click on the green comments link below. Easy!
How Many Cars Per Engine On HO Layout?
John has a couple of questions for readers:
“I have several locomotives and I want to know how many cars should I run per engine. I have three analog engines and four DCC engines (two are Atlas locos.) and at least 60 cars.
I know quality is an issue and you get what you pay for, but I would say most of my locos are towards the cheap end except for the Atlas Locos. Also, what’s the easiest way to clean your tracks?”
To answer John’s questions or comment on his posting, click on the green comments link below.
Wiring Signals, Electrical Accessories, DCC Setup and DCC Operation
Wiring Block Signals On Train Signal System
Jerald has an HO layout and asks readers this question:
“How do I wire block siginals or what do I use from Radio Shack with ‘do it yourself’ hardware?”
Wire Accessories
Sam has an O scale layout and asks for your help with this:
“I want to wire some MTH operating accessories and houses which light up to an electrical source. What do I wire it to? How without DCS and TMCC? How do I make the operating accessories (without the iTAD) operate automatically? Can one of your readers please help?”
DCC Setup and DCC Operation
John has several questions on DCC setup and operation:
“I would like to know what I would need for DCC ie. what do I need to purchase, how difficult to fit , can I run two or more engines on same track, what amps would I need to run say seven engines?”
If you would like to comment on any of these questions, simply click on the green comments link below.
Note: My Model Train Help Ebook includes a comprehensive section of DCC operation and what is required.
Do Model RR Club Members Try Hard To Help Beginners?
I had an interesting email from a reader who wanted to remain anonymous (I’ll call him Jim). He said he was a beginner to model railroading and found a lot of the terms and words used in the hobby were unnecessarily complicated. He wondered if veterans in the hobby liked to keep it that way to stop too many newbies coming into the hobby. Jim admitted to me he was only speculating on this, but he found many simple things were explained in highly technical ways using long-winded explanations.
Jim also mentioned he had joined a local model RR club. Jim found 3 members were really helpful and two were really secretive and didn’t want to share many ideas.
I suggested to Jim that most people I had met in model RR clubs were more than helpful and that maybe some of it comes down to individual personalities. What do you think?
Without mentioning names or clubs, do you think model RR club members are generally helpful to each other… particularly to newbies?
Do you think some model railroading terms are unnecessarily complicated? Can you give readers some examples?
This blog is for you. Have your say and comment using the green comments link below.
Why Do Trains Slows Down And Speed Up?
Jim operates an HO DC layout and asks readers this question:
“I have two tracks runing on a 100 sq. ft. table. The engines slow down when they get about half way around and then they will speed up, what is the problem?”
If you would like to help Jim solve his problem, add your comments to this blog by using the green comments link below.
Can You Answer These Three Model Railroad Questions From Readers?
Santa Fe Paint Job
Frank has a question for you about painting a Santa Fe:
“How to properly paint a lionel Santa fe shell?”
Where to Find Wheel Linkage
Tom has a question on wheel linkage:
“I somehow lost a piece of wheel linkage for a older steam engine. It had been upgraded to DCC and sound. Where would I start to look for this?”
Painting A Backdrop For A Model Railroad
Scott has an N scale layout and asks:
“What is the best user friendly publication for drawing/painting a layout backdrop?”
To comment on one or all three questions, simply click on the comments link below.
U.S. Military Railroad Color Scheme
Palmer has a question about railroad color schemes.
“I would like to know what the color scheme used by the U.S. Military Railroad during the Civil War siege of Petersburg?”
Digitrax Zephyr DCC Confusion
Al has a question experienced model railroaders will be able to comment on.
“I don’t quite understand the ‘slots’ that the loco numbers are supposed to occupy on the Zephyr system. According to the manual, you can have ten locomotives in ten ‘slots’.
Another source which I have read said 12 locos can occupy the ‘slots’.I have tried to pack ten or 12 loco numbers into the system to get a FULL reading; I got to 14 and the display never said FULL.
It seems to me that when you push the ‘Loco’ button to add the next loco number, the previous one is erased from the system. I wish there was a way to toggle between two or three locos that you have running on the track at the same time without having to press Loco, key in the two or four digit address (two in my case), then press Loco again.
My layout is so small that by the time I do all that, the train is halfway aroung the track – and aiming for the back of another train.What am I doing wrong?”
Al has a follow on question:
“The source that I read said that, when you are programming, if what you have written to the CV ‘takes’, the display is supposed to read ‘GOOD’. Never got mine to say that. Am I missing something else here? (At my age, I miss a lot…)”
To help Al, simply add your comments to this blog using the green comments link below.
Problems With Digitrax Shorting Out
Paul operates an HO layout and is having a problem with his Digitrax shorting out. If you have experienced the same problem you might like to tell Paul how you fixed the problem.
“I recently installed a Peco (power routing switch). When I go from my main line onto a track that is gaped and has a Digitrax AR-1 installed my system shorts out. Does this switch need to be totally isolated in order for the AR-1 to work properly? I have also adjusted the trip switch and this did not seem to make a difference.”
Share your thoughts with Paul by clicking on the comments link below.
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