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!
Best Way to Increase Size of Layout
William writes:
“I currently have a small N scale layout of 2 feet by 3 feet. What would be the easiest way to expand onto another larger board? I was thinking of maybe building a flyway on trestles onto the new board. Might something like this work?”
Running Trains With Larger Wheel Flanges
John L posted this question and is hoping for some help:
“I have a layout which accepted the larger flange on the older models but basically will not look at the finer standards. Should all the track be level horizontally, or should there be some superelevation? The wheel profile should ?? get the train around the curves?”
Add your comment below.
Securing Kato Track in Place
Joseph asks readers:
“I need some help with product screws for securing my N scale Kato track. I don’t want to use glue or nails because somewhere down the line if I want to change the layout screws it will be a lot easier. I tried some but the head interferes with the height of the rail and the bottom of trains hit them. Any thoughts?”
Can I Leave My Digitrax DCC Controller Switched on 24/7?
Victor asks readers:
I have a Digitrax DCS 52 controller without a power switch, but it does have a track power switch . I’m in the habit of unplugging the power cable from the controller after each session, but I have forgotten a couple of times. I am nervous leaving it on over night. Does anyone leave their controller plugged in all the time? Can I just switch off the power to the track when not in use?
Contribute your opinions and answers below using the COMMENTS link.
Printable Paper Models Made From Corflute, Cardboard, and/or Foam Board
Watch how to make this industrial backdrop building from foam board and cardboard. You can also use corflute. This demonstration makes the plan to OO scale, but the plans can also be constructed to HO scale (87% the size of OO), or to N scale. The buildings in this series are particularly tall and are designed for positioning against the backdrop on a railroad layout with model trains in the foreground.
If you would like to download these plans, simply select from the OO/HO, N scale options at the checkout. https://www.modelbuildings.org/tall-warehouses-pack-deal
Construct This Impressively Realistic Scale Model Industrial Railway Background Building From Paper, Card, and Corflute (or Foam Board)
This short tutorial demonstrates the making of a tall background industrial building. The download plans can be built to HO scale, OO scale, or to N scale.
You can download plans to construct this industrial background building for your HO scale, N scale, or OO scale railway here https://www.modelbuildings.org/tall-warehouses-pack-deal
N-Scale Modular Model Railroading – The Options
If you are interested in working with N scale modules, then I want to refer you to an article you will find informative. It discusses the options starting with N-Trak which dates back to the early 1970s and since then there have been some changes to the original system. It then goes on to talk about One-Trak which is basically an offshoot of N-Trak standards utilizing the same size modules and electrical wiring setups. T-Trak is a simple module system using Kato sectional Unitrak. The difference in Modutrak is also discussed in this article on N-scale modular techniques. The article then explains how Free-MoN is different again. Finally, the article touches on BendTrak which has a somewhat similar physical standard to N-Trak with some differences. Worth a read if you are interested. Here is the link N-Scale Modular Model Railroading
Tutorial Constructing A Fire Station Scale Model
In this tutorial we see how a fire station scale model is constructed in OO scale. The plans can also be built to HO scale, or N scale.
Download plans for this fire station model https://www.modelbuildings.org/fire-department-ambulance-police-station-models/
There is also a city fire station that can be constructed as a background building https://www.modelbuildings.org/city-series/
HOUSE ON FIRE Tutorial – Watch Me Construct A Fire Damaged Burned Out House In HO Scale
This tutorial reveals how easy it is to construct a fire damaged scale model. The plans for this fire damaged house model can be constructed to HO scale, OO gauge, or N scale.
Download plans for a burned-out background building and backdrop fire station https://www.modelbuildings.org/city-series/
Download plans for the fire-damaged house model, a fire department building, ambulance station, and police station https://www.modelbuildings.org/fire-department-ambulance-police-station-models/
Mobile Charge Office Used By Police on South African Trains
Peter Field from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa sent in this photo of his layout to share. He writes:
“We are fine just hiding from the COVID 19 but fine so spend a lot of time working on the layout which is 99% completed other than maintenance and doing small adjustments every so often.
Attached is a pic of the mobile charge office as used on many passenger trains in RSA. It has a charge office, counseling room, sleeping quarters for approx. 6 police officers, and small kitchenette, shower, and toilet compartment. The car has 4 cells in the rear with very small windows. It is also used on the container trains as protection as criminals break into the containers every so often. The police patrol the train when stopped at a station if necessary.”
Banking On Curve
Tony models OO gauge and asks:
“I think my 10 inch inside radius 180-degree curve built on a wallpaper paste table needs some sort of banking underneath to prevent the engine and rolling stock coming off at any speed. So my question is how high should the outside of the banking be compared to the inside, which I suspect to be zero?”
What are Droppers?
Following on from the question from Bryan, another Brian posted this question:
“I was just reading a persons question on your site. He mentioned adding DROPPERS to help stop engines from stalling at a switch. My questions are WHAT EXACTLY IS A DROPPER and HOW DO THEY FUNCTION?”
You can add your comments or answers below.
GP-7 Stalls on Atlas #6 Turnout
Bryan has 
this question:
“I have HO with NCE PC. After problems with my Atlas #6 turnout I added droppers and my engines stopped stalling on it – see my drawing. My GP-7 approaches from Kalmanazoo bound for Grand Rapids… no issues… but heading in the opposite direction it stalls. Doesn’t happen with my other engines. I marked it on the drawing where it stalls. It stops then restarts. I have 2 reverse loops.”
Bachmann GP-35 Buzzing
Max writes:
“I got my DCC Bachmann GP-35 out to give it a run after sitting it its box for several months, but the motor is buzzing and humming, and surged when I tried to move it. Maybe the voltage or the brushes are causing it?? I recently cleaned the track and originally got it with the decoder installed if that helps. Any thoughts?”
View or add comments below.
EMD GP40 Factory Settings
Ewan posted this:
“I got a EMD GP40 not brand new but looks hardly used. When I first ran it the engine worked ok, then I removed it from the track to do some minor track adjustments, and that’s when the problem started. It seems to respond to all the controls correctly, but when the power is connected the FT-A starts to move forward very quick. It responds to the emergency stop but not other commands. Is there a way to reset to factory settings, or do I buy a new decoder maybe? I don’t have a programming track to test it on.”
Add your comments/suggestions below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
