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!
How many cars will a locomotive pull?
First you need to consider the factors that determine the length of the train you can run on your model train layout:
THE DRAWBAR PULL, or traction, of your locomotive is affected by its weight, contact with the rail, traction tires, motor and the power available. This pulling power is measured in pounds and ounces at the rear coupler or drawbar of your locomotive.
DRAG OF YOUR CARS depends on the number of axles, lubrication of the bearings and if there are track pickups on any of the wheels. The weight of each car is also a factor.
RADIUS OF THE TRACK CURVES is another factor to consider. The smaller the radius the more the drag. A reverse curve, without a straight line between, causes even more drag. Also remember that a clean track will reduce the drag on curves.
GRADE OF THE TRACK can be a major factor affecting the pulling power of a locomotive. Grade is the ratio of distance forward compared to the change in height. A forward travel of 100 inches with a rise of one inch is a 1% grade. A rise of two inches is 2%, three inches is 3% and four inches is 4%. You wouldn’t want anything steeper than a 4% otherwise you could experience all kinds of problems. (no more than a 2% grade for garden railroads).
So, the number of cars a locomotive can pull will depend on a number of factors.
As a summary here is are some important guidelines to get the best from your train set: Aim to have a heavy locomotive with adequate power available.If you want to run really long trains then it’s best to have clean track that is level or with only gentle curves. Keep your trains well maintained. The wheels on the locomotive should be keep clean, traction tires clean, bearings lubricated (including side rod linkage on steam). Have the locomotive motor checked regularly. Rolling stock should have clean wheels and lubricated bearings. Couplers should move freely to maintain alignment.
Model Railroad Clubs Prove Popular
Model railroading is a wonderful hobby and great way to make friends. There are numerous model railroad clubs and organizations you can join where you can meet with like-minded people from all walks of life who share your passion for the hobby of model railroading.
As a member of a model railroad club you’ll have the opportunity to share ideas, get expert advice, attend model railroad conventions, build a model railroad as a group project, and even take train trips together.
Model Train Ballast Grades
For rail yards you may want to use a finer grade of track ballast to give the impression of more lightly laid lines, while on the mainline you might want more coarse track ballast.
Railroad Terms – Part 10
I’ve compiled a list of some common railroading terms with simple definitions. You might hear some of these railroading terms mentioned from time to time. The railroading terms I’ve listed here are reasonably universal, but some may vary depending on where you live.
Part 10 in this series includes another six railroad terms:
Draw Bar Forces
The longitudinal forces at the couplers between locomotives or cars. These forces can be draft or buff, depending on train operation.
Dual Control Switch
A switch equipped for power or hand operation.
Dummy Hose Coupling
A device designed to couple unused air hose for protection against damage and to prevent foreign matter from entering the train line.
Effective Securing Device
A device applied to secure a manually operated switch. It is vandal/tamperproof and designed to protect railroad workers.
Electrically Locked Switch
A hand-operated switch with an electrically controlled device to restrict the movement of the switch.
Emergency Application
A reduction in brake pipe pressure at a rate sufficient to cause control valves to move to the emergency position.
Happy Railroading!
Interesting Railway Facts
In 1937 there were an estimated 788,672 miles of railroad in the world.
At least 44 people lost their lives during the building of the New York City’s subway, with thousands of other workers left injured.
The highest speed recorded on any national railroad is 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph) by the French SNCF high-speed train.
Model Trains With Armature Motor Problems
It is possible to have pre war and post war model train motors for many brands of model trains (like Lionel, American Flyer and Ives), rebuild and made to run like new. However, the armature core needs to be intact for an experienced repairer to do the job successfully.
A sign that one of the armature coils may be open circuited is when the brushes on a model train give off a lot of sparks.
A model train motor may need an armature rewind when the motor runs very hot and slows down after a just few minutes of operation.
A tell-tale sign that the armature has been damaged is when the armature wires look dark in color relative to the other windings on the armature.
Another sign that the armature has a problem is when the field winding over-heats. This could be an indication that the current flowing through the series circuit made by the field and the armature has a very low resistance.
US Railway History 1928
1928
The first Diesel-electric passenger locomotive built in North America was a two-unit 2-D-1-1-D-2. It represented a joint effort between Westinghouse, Canadian Locomotive Co., Baldwin and Commonwealth Steel Co. Each unit had a Scottish-built Beardmore V12 12″ x 12″ engine rated 1,330HP @ 800 rpm. Max. safe speed was 63 mph.
Model Railroad With 30,000 feet Of Track?
Flemington in New Jersey is home to “Northlanz”, which has 8 actual miles of HO track and 100+ model trains running at one time. 25 years went into sculpting 35 foot mountains and building 40 foot bridges. It features thousands of handmade buildings and over 10,000 freight cars. Incredible!
Another model railroading place worth a visit is the Pasadena Sierra Pacific Club, located in Pasadena, CA, which operates the Sierra Pacific Lines. This is one of the largest HO Scale operating model railroads in the world covering almost 5000 square feet. The model railroad has over 30,000 feet of hand laid steel rail. The 1700 foot single to quad track mainline with ten cabs allows for operating of up to ten 30 foot trains (up to 60 cars long). Yard panels throughout the model railroad allow for operation of another 15 to 20 model trains. Worth a visit!
Model Train Track Ballast Tip
Quick Model Train Tip:
Ballasted track adds more scenic realism to a model train set layout. However, you need to make sure that the electrics are all sorted out and that all the rail joiners are tight fitting before you start ballasting. Otherwise you may find that after you have ballasted your track, some sections of model train track wont work properly.
Railroad Terms – Part 9
This model train set blog will list various railroad terms over the next few postings. Here are some more:
Demurrage
Tariff charges assessed for detaining freight cars beyond their specified time limit.
Derail
This track safety device is designed to guide a car off the rails at a selected spot. Its purpose is to protect against collisions or other accidents.
Dispatcher
The person in charge of all movements (and issuing Form D’s) within a designated region. Abbreviated as Dspr.
Disturbed Track
A section of track with a temporary speed restriction due to track maintenance or a defect.
Draft Force
Pulling force (tension) on couplers and draft gear during a slack-stretched condition.
Draft Gear
This is a cushioning device that transmits draft or buff forces between the coupler and the locomotive or car.
What is NTRAK Model Railroading?
NTRAK is an international grass roots association of model railroaders which has created a set of standards that anyone may use to build N Scale model train modules, or model train layout sections. These sections join together to form large portable model train layouts.
These modular train layouts have the flexibility to fit into areas of different size and shape, from warehouses to small bedrooms. Modelling small sections enables even those who live in townhouses or apartments to enjoy the hobby model railroading.
NTRAK also connects together with model railroading enthusiasts who follow the NTRAK Standard the world over.
About N-Scale Model Trains
“N” Scale model trains get their name from the rails they run on, which are spaced nine millimeters apart. N scale model trains are about half the size of the more common “H.O.” (half “O”) scale model trains, and only a quarter of the size of the Lionel “O” scale type model trains.
The smaller N Scale model trains allow greater amounts of scenery to be created for a more true-to-life look. Smaller, more portable layouts are easily created with N Scale, and much longer model trains are possible than in most other model train scales.
Model Railroad Club Builds Indoor On30 Train Layout
Ottawa Valley Garden Railway Society members are building an indoor On30 model train layout for winter operations.
Track plans from a number of magazines were searched for ideas to include in an urban switching layout with lots of industry and a waterfront. As early cars and trucks rather than horses and buggies would be preferred, the era of 1920 to 1930 is being considered.
After months of discussion, it has been decided to build the Key Harbour terminal of the LAKE NIPISSING RAILWAY (LNR). The railway is to link its two long established sister companies: the Georgian Bay Navigation Company and the Lake Nipissing Navigation Company.
This photo shows that laying roadbed and track has commenced.
Scenic Railway With Line Through Basement Window
Jim Davis of Kemptville, Ontario started the JPandF Scenic Railway in June of 2000. He and his son Terry laid about 75 feet of Aristo-Craft track on a bed of stone dust, 10 inches wide by 10 inches deep.
The next year, a pond and stream were added and more greenery planted. Over the next three years, a two foot quarry stone wall was built and filled, to allow another 100 feet of track to be laid. Buildings, small trees and home-made, metal bridge were added.
A line through a basement window to a 30 foot staging area was also built. This is to save time setting up and taking down.
The gargen railway is track powered and radio controlled using an LGB power pack and Aristo-Craft trackside Train Engineer. Motive power and rolling stock are a mixture of USA Trains, Aristo-Craft and Bachmann.
Garden Railroad Society Hosts Train Show
In July 2005 the Ottawa Valley Garden Railroad Society (Ontario, Canada) hosted the fourth annual American Invasion of Ottawa. It was a tremendous success with thirteen visitors from six different states taking part.
This photo shows a club member (partly visible on the right with the water bottle) steams the shay with its ore train out of Bell en route to Blue Mountain Mine.
Module Concept Big Hit With Model Railroad Club
As the name implies, the Win N Trak Model Railway Group focus on the hobby of model railroading in “N” scale (1 /160). This Winnipeg (Canada) based model railroad club uses the international modular layout concept developed by “NTRAK”. The NTRAK concept employs standard track locations in order to allow modules built by members to be joined together to create model train layouts of various sizes and shapes.
A “standard” module is four feet long by two feet wide, and with the standard track locations, it is modeled with a miniature scene done to the owner-members taste.
Win N Trak owns several of the key components, such as the “yard”, power sources, and throttles. The yard is an important part of each setup as it allows members to put together and store their trains between runs on the N scale model train layout.
The model train layout takes from 2 to three hours to assemble, including the matching and connecting of the modules, the electrical components, and the cleaning and testing of the completed setup. Teardown, at the end of each show, takes up to one hour.
What is a Module?
Modules are the central concept of NTRAK. A module is a 2-foot deep by four- or six-foot long section of a model railroad. Other dimensions are possible, but these are the most common.
There are three standard tracks on an NTRAK module. The two main lines and a branch line. The main lines are designated (from the front of the module) Red and Yellow. The branch line is designated Blue.
Building a module limits the expense and effort required to participate in the model railroading hobby. You can start off with a simple 4-foot module, a locomotive and some rolling stock at a minimal cost. As your interest and skills grow, you can add a module (or modules) or perhaps custom-detail a locomotive or even a whole train! The best part is that you can start enjoying the hobby of model railroading right away!
Model Railroad Club Helps Children’s Hospital
Every year Win N Trak model railroad club in Canada raffles off a small layout to raise funds for the N scale model railroad club. A portion of the proceeds goes to a charitable organization. This year, the club is supporting the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital.
The raffle winner will receive the layout as well as a Life-Like starter set.
This year’s draw will take place on April 17, 2006 at 7:00pm.
Well Made Miniature Trees Add Realism To Model Train Layouts
Many model train enthusiasts make their own realistic miniature trees using a variety of materials including branches and twigs from real trees.
For others however, the option of purchasing ready-made trees is an attractive option. This is where someone like Vance Altman of fsmtrees.com (First in Scaled Miniature Trees) can help out.
This is what Vance has to say, “I supply a top quality sage brush tree armature from mother nature. These allow the modeler to add foliage for a prototype tree or use as is for a Great looking Oak tree for winter scenes or dead trees”.
Vance adds, “Our scaled Sagebrush tree armatures are stand-alone realistic oak trees or add tree foliage for superb model tree scenery. Some have knarly twisted trunks and knots that look like a real natural miniature tree. These Scaled Miniature Trees are natural pieces of real wood Armatures for model train layouts or dioramas”.
Vance supplies quality trees for all scales, N, HO, HOn30, S, O. with delicate realistic branching.
Vance has also kindly allowed me to publish the following tree making tutorial from his website.
Sagebrush Tree Construction
This tutorial will go through a step-by-step process to create realistic looking miniature trees for use in wargames, dioramas, and model train layouts.
Materials:
Sage brush
Poly fiber
AquaNet hair spray
Flock
Clothes pins or small clamp
Straight pins
Side cutters
Description of Materials:
The trickiest part of making this type of tree is finding the correct materials. Sagebrush can be found in several places including specialty hobby shops, online shops, and simply out in nature. Since I do not know of any sage growing in my area, I opted for the next easiest (unfortunately the most expensive) method of obtaining this material. A local hobby shop specializing in trains carries sagebrush for $2-3 per armature. The cost is quite a lot considering there is still a lot of work, which needs to be done to get a tree out of the deal. I do, however, prefer the look of the finished product over anything that can be bought or of any of the other attempts at tree making I have done.
The cheaper the hair sprays the better (usually). What is basically needed is a spray adhesive. Real spray adhesives such as those from Elmer’s should work as well, but I haven’t tried them. I use Unscented Aqua Net hair spray that I picked up from K-Mart and have had good results.
As with my other terrain products I use Woodland Scenics flock to add ‘leaves’ to the trees. I use Burnt Grass Fine Turf as the foundation for the trees with a touch of Green Grass Fine Turf to add a bit of highlight.
A pair of clothespins or a small clamp work well to hold the armature while working with it. When connecting two clothespins in an L fashion they also serve as a convenient stand to keep the tree upright when drying.
At the base of each tree I poke a straight pin in to help hold the tree in place when ‘planted’ on the layout. After the pin is stuck in the end is clipped off with a pair of side cutters.
A simple pair of side cutters or anything else that will cut a straight pin will work just fine.
Tree Construction Steps:
Prepare the armature. Stick a straight pin into the base of the tree to add stability when ‘planted’. Clip the pinhead off after inserting the pin.
Pull a very small amount of poly fiber from the bag. About 1/2×1/2×1/4 inch section will do. The sections do not and should not be exactly the same size -just keep them fairly small.
Pull the piece apart so it is the density of a three-dimensional spider web. Be sure to pull the fiber out in all three dimensions rather than making ‘sheets’.
Starting at the bottom of the armature, place the fiber on a single branch of the armature. Try not to span multiple branches – each branch should get its own fiber.
Continue the process working your way from the inside and bottom of the armature to the outside and top. Continue until all desired branches have been covered with fiber.
Be sure that the fiber is not too dense. It is tempting to have a very ‘full’ looking tree at this point, but after the flock is applied it will be far too thick. Over a bag or in some other environment set up to catch the overshoot, spray the fiber with the hair spray until the spray beads up on the fiber. Be careful not to blow the fiber from the branches – try to spray in bursts instead of one constant stream.
Carefully and slowly sprinkle on the flock. Darker flock can be applied to the bottom side of the fiber then apply some lighter to the top of the tree to give it a bit of a highlight. It is very important not to overdue the flock.
You should still be able to see through the tree after the flock has been applied. Set the tree aside to dry and admire the creation!
Tap off the extra flock into a container. You can use a small pair of scissors to trim offsome of the excess fibers that are sticking out that are out of place.Give the tree another light coat of hairspray to help keep the flock in place. Doing three or four trees at a time can speed up the process a bit and look nice all out together.
This trees making tutorial for model train layouts is kindly supplied with permission of Vance Altman at http://www.fsmtrees.com/
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