This blog is for you the reader. It is your opportunity to share ideas and problems relating to model railroading.

Can one of our readers help with this model RR question from a fellow enthusiast:

“I need non technical instructions a simple minded person could understand about wiring track signals to Kato unitrack switches. I want to make my N gauge train layout operates like a real one. I have Brawa signals with five wires and Kato track uses on two wires. I am trying to use a push button control board and I have figured out how to use diodes to make the kato switches work, but have difficulty understanding the instructions of Brawa book on how to wire the signals, as brawa suggest using a track switch with three wires not two.”

If someone would like to help this fellow model railroader simply click on the comments tag below to submit your ideas and suggestions.

Here is a question for Lionel fans to tackle:

“I’m wondering if your readers can help me on another matter. I’m wanting to find some one or some company that offers a small,inexpensive electronic “module” or circuit board, that can be used with the#154 Lionel twin-flasher signal. There are a couple of other model numbers that it (the module) can be used with also.

You know how irratice the lights flash on the 154 when using the contactorswitch that comes with the unit. I’m looking for something that will allowthe lights to flash sequentially, making it more realistic looking like thereal thing.

I do have one I bought about a year ago off of ebay. It came with a large,stand-up coin bank in the shape of one of these twin red-light flashersignals. When you dropped a coin into the bank, the lights would startflashing and train sounds would be heard.

The unit I bought came with the two red bulbs and sockets, the module itselfwhich appears to be very simple, and a 9-volt adpator. You would use thesame contactor switch that the automatic gate would use, just a simple spst spring-loaded weight operated switch.

Even when the train was stopped, the lights would continue to flashsequentially, making for a very realistic appearance.

I just wondered if your readers have heard of such a thing and might now where to find one.”

If you would like to offer a suggestion to help out this reader, simply click on the green comments tag below.

If you are into Lionel trains, then you might like to help out this reader. To add your comments, or to suggest an answer, simply click on the green comments tag below. Here is the reader question relating to Lionel RailSounds gear:

“I bought two engines, brand new, from a guy on Ebay. My main concern was would the Railsound features work with the old-style transformers. I have 2 KWs and a ZW. I know there’s some features on the Railsound engines that require a special button found on a rather small (80 watt) transformer that was included with the Railsound SETS. One such feature is a bell; which operates when a button on the transformer marked “BELL” is pushed. Obviously, that button is NOT on the ZW or KWs.

The seller wasn’t sure, so I wrote a company called TRAINZ that has a huge website plus sells a ton on Ebay. I had bought from them in the past, and hoped they could tell me if the Railsound units were compatible with these transformers.

They were kind enough to answer, and told me MOST of the Railsound features WOULD work with the old transformers. Other than the bell everything esle should work.

Well, on the Diesel engine, the motor sound works, although it’s not very loud; but the horn doesn’t sound when the button is activated; and the two-way conversation feature between (I assume) the engineer and the brakeman) only works when I slow the train down from a fast speed. THEN the horn blows a short time, and the conversation takes place.

I can live with this, even though it’s not perfect.

But the Steam loco, which has the Railsounds module in the tender, doesn’t work AT ALL. No engine sounds, no whistle at all, no 2-way conversations, nothing.

I’m thinking, since the Diesel did at least work partially, that the tender MAY be defective. I asked the seller and he did say I could return the tender and try another one, but he doubted that it was defective. He thinks the unit just isn’t compatible with the old transformers. But since the Diesel DID work somewhat, it seems the steamer should work….at least “somewhat”.

I just wondered if you’ve had any experience with the Railsounds system and the older transformers. Any info your readers can supply would be greatly appreciated.”