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!
Opinions on Instant Roadbed Please
Ryan has this question:
“I was told about a product called Instant Roadbed, and wondered if it is any good? No glue is needed as it has self adhesive backing, but I was wondering how long this would last? I was told you just lay track and ballast on top and that both can be removed if needed without wrecking things. This sounds good, but I question if the the Instant Roadbed tape might start lifting over time? It does interest me because it sounds easy and less messy and quicker than other methods, but I don’t want to lay my track and ballast with the stuff only to regret it. I guess I could use it for making roads, and sidewalks too? Has anyone used it with success or otherwise?”
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Plans For Finely Detailed House Designs
Downloadable plans for these photo-realistic house plans. Make them to OO gauge, N scale or HO scale. https://www.modelbuildings.org/residential/
Engine Short Circuit
Aiden has this question for readers:
“When I put power to the track one of my OO engines short circuit making me lose power to the track. If I unplug it and wait 10 seconds then plug it back in and try another train that train works. I have Hornby equipment.”
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How To Glue Photo Backdrop To MDF
Walt H posted this question:
“I would like some suggestions for gluing printed photographic backdrops to MDF board? I don’t want any thing that dries to quick as I will need to work the backdrop down in between the substrate and scenery. I will also need time to make sure the edges are plumb. That’s why I can’t use spray adhesive. Ideas from people who have done would be good.”
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Bachmann HO Scale EMD GP40 Locomotive Derails
Trevor W asks readers:
“I’m finding my Bachmann HO Scale EMD GP40 loco derails at different spots along the track and it’s not happening with my other engine. I sense it could be a power or wiring issue as it is a bit sluggish at times. I recently did redo a large portion of my track and the problem has started since doing that, so wonder if that has contributed. What would be my best course of action for resolving this problem please.”
Add your comment or answer below.
Making Tunnel Portals The Easy way
A tunnel is a superb scenic feature for making the eye believe the miniature world is much bigger than it actually is. A tunnel can hide the train for a brief period of time, enabling the eye to imagine that the train has left the vicinity for a destination further away. The point where the train reappears from the other end of the tunnel, it is possible to imagine that the training exiting the tunnel is a completely different train arriving from another location. Let your imagination run wild!
Downloadable plans for tunnel portal. Make them to OO gauge, N scale or HO scale. https://www.modelbuildings.org/walls-tunnels-bridges/
Avoiding Damage When Relocating A Model Railroad Damage
Luc sent in this question and is hoping a reader can advise him:
“I had a model train layout 3m x 4 m all around the room, with hole in the middle a long time ago. I had to take it apart as we moved to another house. Luckily iI only had the tracks installed, placed a house etc, but no scenery yet, so nothing was fixed in place. So everything could be re-used and not much work was required or material was lost. So all my trains are form before 2000 (Roco, Fleischmann) so are non DCC. I have a few with Fleischmann FMZ (I guess worthless today)
Since then I had no spare time to start this up again because I was working on the house , garden etc. Now I am bit older at 62 (more time) and I want to build it up again, with a new track plan, studying about DCC, what is on the market, block system etc.
My question is this – what is needed to make sure that the model train layout is not to be destroyed when one needs to move it again for some reason? (e.g. I die and the kids want to keep it for them or their children, or someone wants to buy it).
It would be a pity if it needs to be destroyed after many years of work, right? How do other people live with this idea, or is breaking down scenery no issue?
This time I will be a symmetrical U shape design, with each leg of the U will around 122cm width and the whole layout fits in 3m x4 m.
I thought I would build the whole thing and make sure that at the junction of each U leg things are double fitted (one on each leg). That way one can saw/cut it when needed with less damage, and cut the tracks there when needed. I would make sure no housing is there, or take them away? I want to keep the damage as low as possible. Also all the wires will need to be cut. So I would cut it in pieces of max 122cm x 244cm (the size of on original wood panel)
The other way is modular as you said, but what does that include from the start? Does it not put a limitation on the track layout (long tracks at a station)? What does one do with the structures and housing, glue them on the scenery? The scenery, the tracks , how to make it modular? Thanks in advance.”
Engine Only Goes in Reverse?
Bill models Lionel O scale 1.48 and asks:
“My engine only goes in reverse. When I put another engine on tract it can go both forward and reverse. Why is this one engine only going in reverse? Looking for remedies. Thanks.”
Add your comments to help Bill below.
Ways To Remove Flex Track and Ballast
Ben posted this question for readers:
“Is there a way of easily and cleanly removing flex track and ballast? I am thinking of replacing my flex track with regular track that I think will look less fake.”
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Plans for 13 Old West Models Now Available
Now you can create your very own old wild western town with these 13 downloadable plans. Make them to OO gauge, N scale or HO scale. https://www.modelbuildings.org/wildwest-mining/
ModelBuildings.org also has a series of old western mining town structures that would fit well the old west models seen above.
Powering Lighting on Layout
James asks:
“How can I use a 9v or 12v to wall adapter to power some accessories especially lighting? Can I use the wall adapter and cut and splice the ends to led lights ? Or splice it to a block and then run from there to my led lights? A little help anyone please. I’ve heard of people using wall adapters but not how to splice them to leads.”
Add your comment below.
Auto Reversing Trolley Track
Bill sent in this question:
“I’m planning a point to point trolley track on my layout, separate from the mainline that would run a DC Bachmann Brill trolley. I’d like the trolley to reverse direction at each end of the track without my intervention. What would be the easiest way to do this reliably? Thanks in advance.”
Fixing Shorts When Locos Power Up
Michael S asked:
“I have an DC analog HO scale railroad and following some work on the layout track I am now getting a short which stops me from fully powering. I only get to about 40%. Anything above this and it shorts out. I can wind down the power so the loco starts to slowly run. Is this problem something to do with a turn out?”
Lift Out or Up Section For Pass Through
Max wants advice from others and asks:
“My plan was to construct a duck-under to make my way to the inner track walkway. The benchwork is approx. 42 inches above the floor, which sounds ok, but right now I have my foot in cast (I won’t bore you with what happened… and you’ll probably only laugh when you hear my stupidity). It made me think though, I am not getting any younger so I should try and make access as easy as possible for an old codger like me, so a duck-under might not be the best option. I thought of using a rolling stool but that’s not great.
Thinking it through, I probably will need to have a hinged section that I could swing or lift up. It will need to be wide enough so I can easily squeeze my way through and past the benchwork some 4 ft. Without reveal my stomach size I will probably need about 14 inches to get by.
The particular portion of track will have 4 tracks so I will need to work out the electrics and make sure the tracks properly align. Obviously I don’t want to mess things up with constant use upsetting the electrics or track alignment. If someone has done something similar I would be interested in any advise – tips?”
Add your comments below to assist Max. Your question can also be published – see below.
13 Impressive Old West Buildings to Download, Print, and Build for Your Model Railroad
Have you ever wanted to create a realistic miniature old western town either for your model railroad, or as a scenic diorama without trains? Look no further, here are 13 old west buildings that can be made as OO gauge, N scale or HO scale buildings. https://www.modelbuildings.org/wildwest-mining/
The site also has a range of old west mining town buildings that would go with the nicely with the above series.
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