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!

Creating a Peat Bog Landscape for a Layout

Ed models HO and asks:

“Have peat loco. I want to landscape an area of my layout to a peat bog. Does anyone have any ideas to achieve this scenic look?”

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Buying Experience on E-Bay Model Railroad Products

I’m now retired and have been researching everything needed to build an HO layout in a 12 x 9 space. I’m new to this E-Bay thingy.

1] What to look for when shopping for diesel Locos on E-Bay?

2] Any reputable E-Bay store recommendations that anyone can share w/me & others.

I live in Philly, and am not sure whether I have necessary skills to build a complete layout from start to finish, so need recommendations for reputable layout designer/builders on the east coast.

I have many more questions and appreciate any advice given.

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Free Model Railroading Calculators

5 FREE Calculators – Click Here

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How To Reglaze Passenger Car Windows

Neill asks readers this question:

“I have some Atlas passenger cars I bought off eBay, but most of the original windows are missing so will need reglazing. What’s the best way to tackle this as I want them to look more realistic if possible?”

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How to a Wire K-Line Crossing Gate

Charles asks readers:

“I forgot how to wire my crossing gate. It has two bolts with nuts in front of the gate. K-line made it. Everything I try it only does two things.

1. It goes without a train going pass.
2. It doesn’t go down at all.

I even tried to insulate the track outer rail as well as the center rail. Still did the same two things. I lost the paper on them how to wire them when we moved three years ago. Please can I get some help on wiring the O gauge crossing gates – thank you.”

If you have a question you would like to have considered for publication, send it to the Blog Moderator by using one of the “ASK A QUESTION” links on this blog.

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Making a Mining Chute and Old Mining Town

7 Plans for a Mining Town

13 Plans for a Wild Western Town

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Resetting Cab, Decoders

Bryant models Ho and asks readers:

“Every few days my NCE cab quits working (the display is still lit but the buttons don’t work except the Prog/escape) so I can reset it. When I reset the cab and decoder it is back to normal. Why do I continue to need to do this so often?”

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F-45 Engine

David asks:

“Does any company make a F-45 engine? I have one in HO DC, and like to get one for DCC.”

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Switch Tracks Side To Side

Eric models N Scale and asks:

“I was watching a video and I saw a layout that instead of a round table had a table that moved side to side to switch tracks. Does anyone know what this is called and if I can get one somewhere for my layout?”

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Model Train Slide Puzzles #1 to #3

slide puzzles trainsSomething a little different for you this week…

Below is a link to 3 slide puzzles featuring model train layouts. They look simple but will take a few minutes to solve. When you click on a picture square next to a blank square it will move across to fill the blank square. Keep moving the squares until a picture is formed with each square of the puzzle in its right place.

Click HERE to solve the three model train slide puzzles.

Please post feedback using the COMMENTS link. If you think the puzzle idea is stupid, then say so. If you enjoyed having a bit of fun, then that feedback would be welcomed too. Depending on the feedback, there might be some more slide puzzles in coming weeks.

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Shaping People Figures to Fit Different Railroad Scenes

Rick who models N scale has this question for others in the hobby:

“I was wondering if there was an easy way to shape arms, legs and bodies to suite different scenes.  Such as a camp fire sit, or bending to pick something up, etc.”

Add your COMMENT below.

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DC vs DCC? Shelf Layout with One Operator

Wayne has this question:

“I have an HO shelf layout, equivalent a little bigger than 4×8 sheet of plywood. I am using manual controlled switches. One operator. I plan on adding an engine or two, have some inherited old engines would like to run too on occcasion. DC vs DCC?? Which way to go, space limited, don’t plan on bigger layout.”

Add your answer or comment below.

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Laying Flex Track On Incline Risers

Nigel asks readers:

“I am into British 00 gauge-1:76 scale and want to know if you can help me out laying flex-track,on the ‘Woodland Scenics’ incline/riser set. Joining the fishplates to each of the rails, also the best way to open the fishplates wider to fit on the rails. Can some advise please?”

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Track for DCC – What’s Needed?

Steve models HO and asks:

“I am thinking of converting to DCC and was wondering if I needed to change track to be able to run?”

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Track Clean Car – What’s Best?

Francis has this question:

“I need a track cleaning car for my HOn3 layout…if necessary I can easily swap HOn3 trucks on an HO car. What’s best?”

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NCE Power Cab and Turnouts

Jerry models HO and asks readers this question:

“When I started in model railroading I used ez track. I have NCE powercab controller. I was wondering if my turn outs can work with my controller, and if so, how do I do it?”

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G Scale Trains Confusion

Aura posted this question:

“I have an outdoor G scale train. I am trying to organize a nice layout but I find the g scale category all over the place. I would like the buildings the same size and to put cars with it. Would 1:24 scale cars look best or 1:18. Also the train only goes with the engine and it often falls off the track. I would like cars too. I am discouraged as I don’t know all I am doing wrong.”

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3 Way Electro Points Conversion

N gauger Frank asks:

“Can I convert 3 way electro points to run as a insulfrog?”

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