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Experienced Railroaders Helping Beginners
There are plenty of newbies who could benefit greatly from your model railroad experience. If you can help by answering some of the questions submitted by readers to this FREE blog site – simply click on the GREEN comments link below these postings and post your answers and suggestions to help others in the hobby.
Over the past year or two this FREE blog has proven to be a help to many, but I need your help and suggestions to keep the blog going.
Please join in and contribute your thoughts and together we can help others. Click on the GREEN comments tag below each posting.
Carriage Lighting And Other Questions
How good are you at answering model railroad questions? If can help these three modellers with their questions simply click on the GREEN comments link at the end of this posting. I’m sure they would be very pleased to get some help if you are prepared to share your ideas.
Richard has a question on carriage lighting:
“Hi all; this blog has been created just at the right time…as I have nearly completed my N scale ‘Mid English’ layout. All the buildings are in place, quite a few already with lighting. Can a clever person give me some plain and simple guidelines to wiring for passenger carriages. Locomotives are analog.”
Antonio asks:
“How can I cut in a straight line a sheet of plasticard of medium thickness or more? The ruler is always moving because of the pressure against the knife!”
Rob asks:
“Hi there to all. Can someone tell me who has taken over the Mantua locos? I am looking for THE MANTUA COLLECTIBLE (THE LINDBERGH SPECIAL) to finish the set. I already have the other four. Thankyou. Keep on railroading. THE STATION MASTER.”
Electrical Wiring and DCC
Can you help this reader with questions? If so, simply click on the GREEN comments link below this posting.
Paul has two N scale questions for readers.
“I just bought a Kato EMD SD40-2 diesel loco in N scale, and after bought a decoder for it as well so I can operate it with DCC. The decoder is a Digitrax DN163K1C, and the DCC system that I will use with it is the MRC Prodigy Advance Square. Do your readers think I’ll have any problems with the decoder working with the DCC system I have?”
Paul’s second question:
“I am still building my layout, I am trying to figure out how to wire up just a straight section of track to use to test the locos that I just bought. Since I live in Malta there is no hobby trains shop here and I just want to be able to test if everything is OK. I know I have to put two feeders one on each rail, but I don’t know if I need 4 feeders two on each end of the straight section of track.
Thank you for any help your readers may give me.”
OO DCC Decoders Pose Problem?
Can you answer this question from Trevor about OO DCC decoders.
“I have several old Bachmann UK steam locos. I’d like to install DCC decoders in them. I have a Digitrax Zephyr system. Any suggestions from your readers on which type of decoder to install and instructions on how to do it? Thanks.”
Help With Peco Track on On30 Layout
Can you suggest an answer to Dan’s On30 layout question.
“I have an DCC, On30 layout with Peco track on cork roadbed afixed to two inch extruded foam. One switch in my wye is a little far for me to reach from inside the layout. I also have very little clearence under the layout (in this area). What would be the best switch machine for remote mount to work the switch?”
HO Questions
Can you help these keen model railroaders with their questions? If so, please click on the GREEN comments tag below this posting to suggest your idea or answer.
Edwyn asks this model Railroading question:
“Is there any clean and simple way to separate rail-joiners? The Atlas type come in strips of 4. First you have to separate the strips from each other, then you have to separate the individual joiners. This involves cutting them apart with a clipper of sorts, which invariably leaves an overly long ‘tongue’ and a small flange which on its own, hinders a smooth fitting.
Tracklaying is far from being my favourite pastime and anything that will help to make the job easier would be appreciated. Thanks.”
Bill asks:
“Are Snap in McHenry knucle couplers still being made and where can I obtain a bunch for IHC coaches?”
Daiquiri writes:
“I am working on a project that requires me to model several of the older Amtrak AutoTrain Autoracks. I need photos of these cars. I have learned that they have recently been scrapped. I also have names of modelers that have taken photos of the auto racks some years back however, reaching these guys has been impossible. I’d like to pose this question for anwers from your readers.
Does anyone know of anyone that has taken photos of these older autoracks. ??? Thank you for any resposne that I may receive.”
Experienced Model Railroaders Wanted
If you belong to a model railroad club, or have some experience in the hobby, please DON’T keep your ideas to yourself. There are lots beginners who could benefit greatly from your model railroad experience and expertise.
You can help by answering some of the questions submitted by readers to this FREE blog site. Simply click on the GREEN comments link below these postings and post your answers and ideas to help others.
Everyone has to start somewhere and unfortunately many newbies are put off the hobby, because they don’t know where to go for help. It is a shame to lose people from the hobby when we can all help each other. It is not like we are competing in business and want to keep our knowledge secret. I encourage all model railroaders to join a model railroad club and network.
Over the past year or two this FREE blog has proven to be a help to many in the hobby, but I need your help and ideas to keep it going. Please add your comments, answers and ideas to help others in the hobby. Please join in and contribute your thoughts and together we can help others.
More Model Railroad Questions For You To Answer
Charles has an HO layout and asks:
“The choice I have to make, as I am going from an ordinary set-up to a DCC system is – Which system is best, and easier to understand: Zephyr or MRC?”
Rod with an N scale layout asks a question about light rail:
“What is the easiet way to lay tracks on a city street (where the ties do not show).”
To add your comments, ideas or answers to these questions click on the GREEN comments link below.
Z scale DCC Question
If you would like to submit a question relating to model railroading, model trains or model railroads go to http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/submit-question.html
Here is a question from Mike about Z Scale DCC.
“I have been looking for books on exactly what DCC is, or how it works. There are no books on the subject that I can find. My question is, exactly what is DCC, and why is it better then normal operation.”
You can answer this question by clicking on the green comments link below.
NOTE: The Model Train Help Ebook includes a complete chapter on DCC advantages and disadvantages.
HO Scale NW2 Phase 3 Question
Can you answer this model railroading question submitted by a fellow model railroader.
“I want to model number 605 CS which was owned buy the Burlington Route. It was a EMD NW2 phase 3 and it held the distinction of being the only nw2 to be painted with burlingtons chinese red and harbor mist gray. Being a phase 3 it meant that it had full length louvers on 6 doors on each side of the body shell hood.
My question to other model railroaders is: Since I am unable to find any HO scale phase 3 nw2s how can I make these louvers on a phase 1 nw2 which has no louvers at all to make it look like a phase 3?”
To answer this question or offer some suggestions please click on the GREEN comments link below.
LED Lights On Model Railway Layouts
LED lights are ideal for use on model railroad layouts and are generally easier to fit than filament lights (incandescent lights). LED’s don’t get as hot, so pose less of a fire risk and are less likely to break than glass lamps. Filament lights however do emit a more natural light. LED’s use less power and can burnout without a resistor to reduce the current.
The major disadvantage is that LED lights can only be connected one way round when using Directional Current (DC). LED’s work with a small amount of current so can be used with batteries and are perfect if a large number of lights are required.
Some model railroaders connect LED’s to an Alternating Current (AC) power supply, but the LED will only light when the current is the correct way round. The LED will turn off and on at the frequency of the AC power supply.
LED’s are available in a range of shapes (rectangular, square, round, and triangular), a range of sizes and colors. LED’s are ideal for building railway signals, railway crossing lights, street lights and inside buildings etc.
Choosing A Generalist Model Railroad Layout or Specialist Layout?
A specialist model train layout is where there’s one major source of traffic. A good example would be a steel mill, brewery or saw mill. When designing a specialist layout you will need to study the subject in order to model it correctly. Specialist model railroad layouts can be very effective and a lot of fun to build especially if you have a keen interest in the subject or location.
A generalist model train layout is where almost anything goes. A sea port for example could realistically be expected to send and recieve almost all kinds of freight cars whereas a specialist layout might have a port specifically for exporting coal. A generalist model train layout allows for flexibilty, which for many railroaders, is a good reason to choose a generalist model railroad layout.
Track Feed Lights
“I have just joined your Blog and find it very interesting. I have a question please. I am building up an N Scale layout for my Autistic Grandson to enjoy and I want to be able to show by lamp on the control panel which way the points are switched by installing lamps in the relevant track sections on the control panel. This is to give him a visual as to what’s happening. I know I can use the Atlas snap relays, but at $15.00 each and 18 sets of point to monitor (yards and mainline) the dollar signs get big. Is there anyone who can help me with an alternate system so that when I push the momentary switch to change the points a light will come on showing which track they are feeding. I want the track indicator lights to stay on when the points selected that track. Any help would be appreciated. Also I have just bought your E-Book and find it very helpful.”
If you would like to offer some suggestions to help this readers Grandson enjoy the model railroad layout, please click on the green comments link below.
Test Your Model Railroading Knowledge
Here are a couple of questions from model railroaders who would like your help. To offer suggestions simply click on the green comments tag below.
Test Your Knowledge 1
“I recently came across a very nice Bachman 4-8-2 Union Pacific Steam locomotive (#7009). It has two plug in connectors from the tender to the locomotive. It runs well on my std HO track. I do not know anything about DCC equipped trains and wondered if this model has that capability? I have looked on the net but cannot find the 7009. (It may be 5+ years old) Can
your readers help me??”
Test Your Knowledge 2
“Is the somewhere I can find foliage that drapes over a wall and hangs down or can your readers tell me how to make some? I have made the ground cover as you describe in your Model Train Help ebook and it looks great, thanks. “
China Gets 217mph Bullet Train
In time for the 2008 Olympics, China gets its first high speed bullet train service. The new bullet train runs from Beijing to the Olympic co-host city of Tianjin. The trip will reduce journey times by almost one hour taking only 30 minutes to travel the 68 mile route.
The chinese built trains costing 20 billion yuan (approx USD$2.9 billion) will travel at 217mph compared to the Japanese bullet trains 186mph and the French trains at 198mph.
There will be 47 daily bullet train services.
Attention N Scale Railroaders
Share your experience with others in the hobby by helping them solve their model railroading problems. In this blog I am giving everyone the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions.
Here some questions from a newbie in the hobby about his N scale layout. To offer help simply click on the green comments tag and type in your ideas or suggestions.
N Scale Question
“I have just started with model railroading in N scale to accommodate the area I have. I will be using Atlas, Code 55 track. I will have a main line, branch Line with a small yard and industrial spur . I will be using #5 turnouts. While working on my yard design I am not sure what is require to transition from the turnout to parallel tracks.
At the throat of the yard, yes, I should use turnouts, however, should I use ship switches or turnouts when switching is required in the yard area?
What type of curve should I use between the turnout and strieght track?
Maybe a 10 inch radius full or half section?”
Type in your answers by clicking on the green comments tag.
Model Building A Bomb Scene
Here is a question from a reader interested in creating a scene depicting war time bombing. He is interested in hearing from any reader who has experience in construction burnt out buildings. Here is the question and if you want to offer a suggestion, simply click on the green comment tag to submit your ideas and thoughts.
“We’ve planned the idea of late World War 2 Great Britain (say 1943-44), so we’ll have a mixture of American and British military mixed with civilian items, in a coastal port setting.This should include the preparations work for the invasion in June 1944 of occupied Normandy.
Something I’ve been pondering on is the inclusion of bomb and fire damaged buildings and roads around the port area. Technically these would be more challenging than whole buildings, since the exposed interior and rubble needs to be modelled accurately.
Has anyone experience of this type of model building.”
Submit your answer below.
Internet Model Trains And Hobby Stores
The more you know about model trains, the less chance that you’ll be taken for a ride (excuse the pun!). Some shop assistants and train retailers just want to sell you something, and others may misunderstand your needs and sell you the wrong thing. However, in general hobby shop staff have a wealth knowledge and are happy to share their ideas.
The more research you do, the better you’ll get to know your model train scales, styles and which model train manufacturers you prefer. Toy stores sometimes carry train sets, but often they specialize for the lower end, or battery operated, model train set market.
Hobby stores are generally more specialized and cater more for the experienced model railroading enthusiasts. Hobby stores generally sell more challenging electrical model train sets and offer choices from more train manufacturers than do most toy stores.
Specialist model train hobby stores usually carry a full range of model train accessories, as well as railroading books, magazines, DVDs and train videos to help you get started. The other advantage is that model train hobby shops typically service what they sell. Although there are exceptions, model train hobby stores generally have shop staff who are knowledgeable about model trains.
Buying Trains And Train Accessories On The Internet
There are several well known Internet train sites offering extensive ranges of model trains and accessories. Well known Internet train sites include: http://www.internettrains.com/ www.internethobbies.com/ http://www.ncphobbies.com/ www.wholesaletrains.com/ Please note: by mentioning these sites we are not necessarily endorsing or recommending these Internet train retailers. They are just examples of Internet train retailers – and you will need to make your own decisions as to where you buy your train accessories.
The important point to note: when buying model trains and train accessories online you can also get some excellent deals. However, you do need know what you are looking for, because when buying on the Internet you can’t pick up the item and examine it. Depending on which Internet site you visit, you may not be able to get detailed information about individual products. So, do thorough research before buying any trains or accessories to avoid disappointment.
Research the specifications to ensure what you are buying meets your needs.
Before you purchase your model train set think carefully about where you’re going to display and built it. Select a space where your model train set won’t get damaged – and where you have room to enjoy the model train set – and work on – and operate the trains with ease. And, if possible, room enough to expand onto your model train layout. Yes, that’s something to consider – is it going to be permanent, or is the model train set going to put away after each use?
My Model Train Help Ebook includes a list of resources to help you avoid mistakes when buying trains and accessories.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
