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Non-Specific Locomotive Bodies
Barry asks:
“A question from Victoria in Australia. I am returning to the hobby after far too many years and have started to acquire some HO locos and rolling stock before I get started on a layout. I have an SD40 loco all decked out in the BHPBilliton livery so am wondering if there are any non-specific bodies available for this model? BHPBilliton was the company that ran ore trains in Western Australia so not really appropriate for my planned Victorian-based layout. Appreciate any suggestions.”
Locomotive Runs then Stops Dead
Phillip has O scale and wants advice:
“I’m new to model railroading and starting with basics. Fasttrack, CW-80, and a Lionel 8042 were all sold as working properly. Loco and coal car only makes about 5 trips around (40″ x 60″ oval) then stops. When I add a car, it runs a trip then start to slow. Add another car and it hums but won’t budge. I feel like I am not getting enough voltage. How do I test that?”
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Curve Radius For Pacific 4-6-2 Engine
Bruce writes:
“I just got given a nice Pacific 4-6-2 engine HO scale. Q: what curve radius should this engine be able to negotiate? Q: How would this compare to a Spectrum 2-6-6-2 USRA engine which a mate has? Thoughts please.”
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Converting Analog Bulb To LED
Len models HO and asks:
“Three of my locos have led driving lights, but I have a small switcher engine that still has an analog bulb. Can the switcher bulb be converted to LED, and can I do this without making the LED too bright?”
See the comments below.
Replacing Square Couplers With Magnetic Couplers
Nathan posted this question:
“I recently picked some old rolling stock (N-scale) cheap, but the cars have the older style square hook couplers, so how difficult would it be to replace them with the magnetic couplers?”
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Two Cars Shorting On New Track
Ian posted this question:
“I operate DCC and just finished laying track and wiring a yard section, siding, and an extension to my mainline. I did this all before getting started on the new scenery and structures. I thought that was smart!! My locos run well on the new track, but I discovered 2 cars caused a short and breaker trip. No problem with the other cars. It happened on the new section of main and the yard, so it’s not down to metal on the track, and it’s the same 2 cars. I got an occasional faint reading on the meter when testing the wheels, so will probably need to replace the Kadee trucks and/or the wheels too. Not sure. Those cars haven’t caused a problem on the existing track, so I am a bit bamboozled why this is this happens. Have others had this problem?”
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How To Deaden The Sound on EZ Track
Simon writes:
“I am past the planning stage of my layout and actually have a few scenery elements in position. My track (I’m using EZ track), is already down, it has been since July, but not fastened in position yet. I don’t 100% like the look, but I will try and hide the ugliest sections if someone has any ideas. I don’t want the added cost of changing to a regular track. That said; I would like to know how I can reduce the noise caused by the big empty space. I went off the idea of expansion foam in case it lifted the track. What do people suggest fill the empty space and deaden the noise?”
Peco Electrofrog Turnouts
Stan asks:
“I have DCC and plans for 2 reserve loops, and to replace my #6 custom turnouts with #8 large radius turnouts. Will I need to cut the wire to the wing rail and solder power feeders to the rail and points, or can I just use insulated rail joiners? I want to do it just once and do it right, so would like to know why other guys do. Thank you.”
Motor Not Spinning on Armature
John models N-scale and posted this question:
“My Bachman Spectrum C&O 2-6-6-2 locomotive has a seized (won’t turn) motor. All mechanisms work but the motor won’t turn. It had been running fine but I was wondering if a Digitrax DCC Zephyr 52 power pack running a DC locomotive may have caused overheating? Does anyone have a solution please?”
Stalling Locomotives
Russ has this question you might want to comment on:
“I have a 10’x20’ HO layout and I use an NCE doc system. I usually run two trains each with two locomotives running in a consist. With both trains running at the same time they run flawlessly but if I should stop one of them the other one will stall briefly (and frequently) and start up again. As soon as the stopped train is put into motion the stalling stops. Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon and if so any ideas to correct the situation?”
N-Scale DoodleBug With Lights But No Drive Power
Paul writes:
“I picked up a supposedly never used N-scale DoodleBug the DCC version. After just a short time on the track, it abruptly stopped. The lights are working but there is no drive power. I am unsure what to check for. Any suggestions would be great thanks.”
Please add any suggestions below if you can assist Paul.
Locomotive Pulling Power Formula
Orjan is hoping someone can assist:
“A friend mentioned a formula I could use to calculate the pulling power of my OO trains, but he couldn’t remember the exact details of how it worked. He said it based on weights, number of cars, gradient percentage and some other factors he couldn’t recall. Does anyone out there know the details and how to use it? I would just like to know. Thank you.”
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