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022 Lionel Switches
Gary who models O scale asks:
“You have probably answered this before. I have an 022 Lionel switch that the track arm will not fully move to the left or right. I have checked and serviced it three times. Any suggestions? I hate to just dump it. Thanks.”
Heisler Drive-Line Short
John asks readers:
“I have an HO brass Heisler with a square rod and tube for the driveline. I think it was insulated at one time but I can’t figure out what to use as it must slide freely. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.”
Weighting Wagons to Represent Prototypical Weights. A Good Idea or Not?
Garry asks:
“I’m not sure if I am wasting my time trying to replicate prototype weights of loaded/unloaded wagons. It might be best to weight them based on feel, the curves, turnouts, and engines I operate? I thought I was being clever trying to make things an accurate representation, but I’m finding this has its problems? Someone with experience advise please?”
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Reed detector
Daniel asks:
“Dear all model train guys, I’ve decided to built up my Marklin HO layout by myself. Big challenge! I am trying to understand digital and electronics, would you please give me an explanation about a Reed detector, how it works and how is connected to the CS 3 or K84? Deeply appreciate your suggestions.”
Z Scale Battery Controller
Phil a Z scale enthusiast asks:
“Is there a way to utilize a Rokuhan Z gauge battery train controller (RC03) to power non-Rokuhan accessories such as street lights and scratch built carnival rides, as well as power the train? Rokuhan does not sell the sockets separately that fit into their accessory power terminal (A016) which links to their RC03 controller…. Alternatively, I require a battery controller for a Z scale suitcase layout I am currently constructing. Is there any other battery controller that would do the job (power train and accessories) that anyone is aware of?”
Building a Display Case for Trains
Ed models HO and asks readers:
“I have a shelf to use for display case? What should I make it out of? I have about 10 foot shelf, and I will display a single train on the entire shelf length. It’s an H O Marklin peat train, Peat locomotive and peat wagons.”
Dimensions For Mountains and Hills
Ron models HO and asks:
“I want to add a small hill in the foreground and some mountains for my trains to pass through further back on the layout. I’m more concerned about the mountains because I will need probably two tunnels and am not sure of the correct dimensions to make the mountains so they don’t overly dominate the scene or take up too much space. I don’t have tall superliners, so working on an average height of 2 inches I thought the tunnel clearances should be another inch. I’m just not sure how tall, wide, and deep to make the mountains bearing in mind I’ll have a bridge crossing a canyon between the mountain tunnels as a feature. What would your readers suggest? I know I will need a couple of hatches to get to train derailments.”
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Constructing Super-Realistic Industrial Silos
Buying ready-made plastic scale model industrial silo kitsets can be very expensive before you even consider the cost and work involved in painting and weathering the kits with an airbrush to achieve a realistic representation of the real thing. The easier, and cheaper way is to download plans to make your own silos without having to do the painting or airbrushing. Plastic models when done well can look very impressive, as can models made from downloaded plans. It just comes down to which type you prefer, how skilled you are at weathering and airbrushing, and the extent of your budget. This video shows some silos you could make using downloaded plans.
3 Switches Without Track?
Gary who models O scale asks:
“I have a situation where I need to put three switches in a row, with no track sections in between. Will this arrangement give me a problem? Due to the design of the layout, I need this setup. Appreciate any suggestions or comments.”
Plaster Crumbling on Rails Inside Tunnel
Glenn sent in this question:
“My late father built his railroad over about 20 years and it is sill set up in the garage and me and my 2 boys get to use it. I am trying to learn some technical stuff for when something goes wrong. When we visited last weekend we noticed some tiny flakes of plaster inside the tunnel. It is old and I think the problem will get worse. I can get my hand inside the tunnel thru the secret door thingy. What should I do to stop more plaster falling?”
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Confused Selecting Feeder and Buss Wires and Suitcase Connectors
Anthony needs help from experienced railroaders:
“I’m underway with my new HO setup. I will have a couple of runs of over 50ft. I don’t want to soldier direct to the rails unless I absolutely need too. I read that suitcase connectors are the way to go but I’m unsure what feeder and buss wires to use and the color connectors to use?”
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Make 13 High-Quality, Super-Realistic Old West Town Structures That You Can Be Proud Of Displaying (Even If You Have Never Downloaded, Printed, And Constructed Your Own Model Buildings Before)
The old wild west US frontier conjures up all kinds of fantasies and wonderful memories of viewing cowboy movies starring the likes of Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, or watching memorable TV series including: Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Virginian, The High Chaparral, Rawhide, Laramie, Little House on the Prairie, Walker Texas Ranger, The Big Valley, How the West Was Won, Maverick, Daniel Boone, The Lone Ranger, Alias Smith and Jones, F Troop, Hopalong Cassidy, The Roy Rogers Show, and even The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin to mention some of the many popular old western series on television viewed worldwide. Phew! That’s a long list and goes a long way to explaining why tales of gunslingers striding down the middle of a muddy or dusty street, dispatching rival outlaws with a bullet from their holstered side arm, encompasses the old wild western legend most of us “oldies” have come to remember. It is understandably a reason why choosing to model old wild western town structures on a scale model railroad has capivating appeal for baby-boomer model railroading enthusiasts.
Now, thanks to https://www.modelbuildings.org there is a expanding library of downloadable model plans displaying old wild western buildings such as a sheriffs office, saloons, Bank, telegraph office, blacksmiths, church, dry goods store, hotel, general store, gun smith, barbers shop, stage depot, and school house. The old wild west town models in this series nicely complement the interesting range of mining town structures also available as downloadable models.
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