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!
Helix Calculations For Double Track
Joe came across the free helix calculator and is interested to hear from anyone who has constructed a double track helix layout:
“Can a helix calculator be used for a double track layout? What modification, if any, would need to be made?”
Add your comments if you have any advice for Joe with the construction of his double track helix.
A link to use a free helix calculator is available for readers under the Railroad Resources tab in the top Navigation Bar at https://www.modelbuildings.org
A Issue With Drooping Couplers or is Couple Height The Problem?
Warren asks readers:
“I have observed that some of my HO Kadee couplers are sagging a bit low on two locos. I notice one coupler shank seems a bit loose in the coupler box and at times angles down towards the rail. Is there a way to fix this? How high should my couplers be? Advice please someone.”
Add you comments below.
Hand-Laying Track
Dale asks readers:
“Hand-laying HO track is fairly easy; simply spike the rails to the ties (sleepers). Does anyone have experience hand-laying N scale, code 80, track? Are the spikes going to be strong enough, or is it better to glue the rails down?”
Add your comment below.
ANZAC TRIBUTE
April 25th Tribute. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign which led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Sadly, due to COVID 19 the normal dawn services held across both New Zealand and Australia on April 25 cannot be held. This year hundreds of thousands of Kiwis and Aussies are likely to stand together at driveways on Anzac Day to commemorate the fallen and those who served their nations.
Below is a photo of an old New Zealand railcar that came into service between 1954 and 1958.
Below is a 1970’s commuter train that operated in Sydney, Australia.
Sadly Most Train Shows Are Cancelled
Unfortunately this dreadful COVID 19 virus has forced the cancellation of model train shows worldwide, and it has forced most of us (depending which country you are) to stay indoors.
Don’t let that stop us…
Unlike so many others, we model railroading enthusiasts, have a wonderful pastime to keep us busy and entertained during these testing times. With that in mind; I’m sure other readers would love to hear what you have been up to, and the progress you have made on your layout. Hopefully this will help inspire others in the model railroading community, and help keep us all positive (and sane) at this time.
Just use the ASK A QUESTION link below to send a summary of what project you have been working on (it doesn’t need to be a question). Even better if you can supply a supporting photo that can be shared on the blog.
If you have a photo, we can advise you how to send it to us for uploading on the blog. The first step is to send in a brief summary of your project, and at the same time if you have a photo just let us know. We will then reply to you by email. I’m sure others would like to see what you are up to.
This photo was sent by a reader who visited the Southwold Model Railway Exhibition organised by Waveney Valley Model Railway Club a couple of years ago. Feel free to send in a photo you snapped at a train show in recent years. Let us know the details using the ASK A QUESTION link, and we will be in touch telling you how to email us your photo.
Using Non-Macklin Equipment on Noch Layout?
David models HO and writes:
“I am looking to buy a used Noch layout from 1972. Can I run standard HO scale equipment which is not Marklin on this layout, and will the Marklin transformers power them? Thanks.”
Submit your question for publication.
Connecting Power Pack Leads To DCC Wired Layout… How? Where?
Rowan asks:
“Hi all, I know my layout I got from my late Poppa is wired for DCC, but he gave away his DCC locomotives a year or so ago to a good friend he had. That’s why I don’t have a DCC equipped locomotive. If I want to test things, how would I hook up an old DC power pack, I have one, on the layout to test the operation of a non DCC equipped loco? I had a go at connecting the two DCC leads to the DC hookups on the old power pack but that didn’t work. How and where should I connect the two power leads from my 12v power pack to my DCC wired layout so I can operate a DC locomotive, as I have a couple? I don’t have a DCC control of any kind connected. I know my question might sound stupid to you guys who know all this stuff, but I am a bit challenged on this to say the least. Do I need a volt meter thingy too?”
If you can assist Rowan, or want to watch the answers as they come in, just click on the COMMENTS link below.
Cheap To Make Cleverly Designed Extendable Buildings
Here’s a way to extend the background scene on a model train layout without blowing the budget. There are several plans to download that are designed to be easily joined together extending the background display. The first two warehouses pictured in this video are good examples. There are several other plans for extendable background buildings available from our blog sponsor https://www.modelbuildings.org
Pete Share Photos Of The Farm House and Barn He Constructed
“Here is a farm house and small hobby barn diorama I have been busy working on during this virus lock down .. hope you like them and feel free to share. I have many more I have done also. This one is what I started with on a base after weathering the buildings and as it progressed. I am going to use them on my free-mo modulus. Although I am an amateur modeler, I try to capture and add as much detail as possible. I hope you enjoy my work so far. Take care be safe.”
David Shares Photos Of His Mid West Layout
David H from Cleveland, Tennessee sent in these photos to share of his wonderful layout and writes:
“I notice a lot of industrial layouts. I concentrate of the rural Mid-America I grew up in. 12ft x 23ft layout with homemade corn and soybeans long before commercial products were available.”
Kit Bashing Kids Toys with Kato
Steve contributed this idea:
“Given all the home time I wanted to share what I’ve done with a Mattel and Fisher Price Thomas trains , I’ve disassembled them , and cut open the frames and installed Kato 4 wheel drives into them so they can run on N scale track. I’ve also done the same with the minis and put Rokuhan drives in for Z scale makes for one of a kind trains that can’t be brought in the store and a good way to get little kids interested in model railroading.”
Running with Digitrax
Lloyd asks:
“I have an HO layout and I have had it up for about 6 years. I have not been able to run it for the last two years. My problem is I can not remember what I have to do to get it running. I have about 10 engines with each having its own number. I am 74 and have not been able to work on it because of an illness. I would like to return to the pleasure of running the trains. Thank you for any help.”
Add your suggestion and view comments below.
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