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!
Can You Put a Diode in Series with the LED?
Floyd asks readers:
“I’ve not tried this but am wondering if anyone has put a diode in series with the LED. I think it would convert the power to DC but would probably require some tinkering to get the current correct. Just a thought without practical experience.”
Problem with Old Athearn SW7 Loco
Lonny asks readers:
“I have an HO Athearn SW7 loco I was given. It had been in storage a very long time. When I tried to run it first time it just sat there and the light barely came on an wouldn’t move. I found a site that showed me how to disassemble it. I cleaned all the electrical and disassembled the trucks and cleaned out the old hard grease. I put it back together EXCEPT for the worm gear on each truck. I sat it on the track and the motor spun just fine, the light was nice and bright. I put the worn gears back on and tried again but it barely moved. So the problem is in the trucks, but what it is I can’t figure out. There is no grease in the trucks yet because I wanted to ensure it worked before I greased and oiled it. During reassembly I kept checking that everything moved/rotated and it did. Any insight on how to fix this will be greatly appreciated.”
Restoring Old Marklin Loco’s to Working Order
Ed asks readers:
“I have 15 or more old HO Marklin locomotives in a box in the closet. They are there because I ‘m still starting to build my layout. What do I need to do to get them running? They are stored in their original.boxes.”
Building a New York City Elevated Subway Section
Steve asks readers:
“I am trying to build an N scale New York city elevated subway section and I have only found the viaduct sections in HO scale from Micro Engineering. It seems no one makes any in N scale. Does anyone have an idea how I can either make my own or where I can buy what I need ? This is holding up my layout.”
How to Control a Locomotive Sound Card
Art has a question for readers:
“I guess I’m a dullard. Even with a strong technical background I haven’t figured out what I need to buy to get sound working in a NOS Aristocraft U25B Santa Fe locomotive. I’ve visited various websites – I know about different sound cards but beyond that not much. The last time I messed with model trains was when I kid and that was ages ago. I’m a newbie to G scale. What was a starter set that was just for year-end holiday decor has become a mainline RR.I have a couple of locos, several cars, track and a couple of analog power supplies. I don’t really know what’s needed to control the loco’s sound card or the costs involved. HELP!”
Replicating What Could Be A Real Life Scene
I reality the world is far from perfect, so to look authentic, a scene on a scale railway layout is also likely to have imperfections. This scene captured at the Brisbane, Australia 2015 Train Show is a good example. Notice the little wall surrounding the tall tanks – notice it’s a bit uneven and rough. The surface on the little road leading to workshops is not perfectly edged – in fact it seems to disappear into gravel/dirt. Little details like these can be the difference between an artificial manicured looking scene, and one that looks as if it would in the real world. Worth thinking about? This video has more suggestions for creating authentic looking scenery.
Broadway Switcher Will Not Respond to Throttle
Jerry asks readers:
“I have quite new HO DCC Broadway LTD Switcher with excellent sound and also great movement. It responds forward and back, then suddenly sound remains normal, but I lose all throttle response. I love this little Diesel Switcher. Does anyone have a suggestion to this problem? Thanks.”
How to Install a DCC Chip into a Tamper Track Machine
Jamie asks readers:
“I have just purchased a Hobbytrains N gauge tamper track machine. Does anybody know how to install a dcc chip into it? If you do which one should I use as I have not installed one before?”
Can a DC Setup be Converted to DCC Without Great Expense?
Max asks readers:
“My existing HO set-up is DC. Can this be converted to DCC without great expense? It is a three track oval, where one keeps passenger trains to the normal main line and runs freight around the inner goods loop. Three trains can be run at once.”
How Far Does a DCC Signal Transmit?
Phil sent in these questions for readers:
- How far does a digital signal transmit?
- Are their decoders for track switching?
- How does a DCC Loco get its DC power, onboard or does it require an extra car to carry batteries?
- What are, if any, the benefits with a dual power layout, power to track and power from loco?
Dan also sent in this comment which I guess leads to a question:
“I am very interested in converting from DC to DCC. I hesitate only because of potential wiring issues and/or not being able to run my DC equipment.”
Using Felt as Track Underlay?
Bill asks readers:
“Thanks for the tips. I painted my baseboard green… thinking grass. I am trying to build my layout using self-made parts as much as possible. Cork underlay for the track is expensive, so I’m going to try felt and spray it with a pva/water 50/50 mix. I can cut it to shape and glue to the baseboard? Comments?”
DCC – Where trains will do as they are told!
Article kindly submitted by Model Train Club Member Roger W.
Despite DCC being around since as early as the late 1980’s, many model railroaders are still happy operating the older analog DC systems. From my limited 14 year experience in the hobby there still seems to be some confusion with how DCC works, especially among some of the veterans, and those ‘newbies’ who we desperately need to attract and encourage into model railroading.
Although the purists in the hobby might not approve of my following explanation of how DCC works, I’ve written it in very simple terms for everyone to understand. After all, for this hobby to continue successfully into the 21st Century, we need to encourage youngsters and ‘newbies’ into the hobby, without frightening them off with unnecessarily complicated terminology. When they get comfortable with the basics, they’ll hopefully progress to understanding the more intricate stuff. So here I go with my explanation of …
How DCC works
Basically every locomotive operating on the DCC controlled rails will have a small decoder fitted inside. The data commands will be transmitted to all locomotives at the same time. However each loco will have its own unique digital address, and when the digital signal is transmitted along the rails to a specific locomotive, only that loco will respond. The other locomotives on the layout will ignore any commands for the other loco, and continue operating in accordance with the last instructions that were sent specifically to them. So, if a loco had previously been told to “STOP”, or if the loco has not been given any instructions since turning on the DCC system, the loco will remain stopped.
It is a bit like when you have children – you assign each child a name, and they will (hopefully) respond when their name is called. However, unlike a child, a decoder will always do as it’s told.
So, a decoder will do “precisely as instructed”, immediately it receives specific commands… and, it will ignore commands sent along the same rails that are intended for other decoders.
DCC is not just for loco operation
DCC can be used for operating various devices and accessories (signals, sounds, lights, points, motors, etc), as well as for locomotive operation. Data will be sent to a specific decoder instructing it to act upon a command – be it turning on a light, starting an engine, or activating a whistle. Once the command has been given, the device will remain on that setting until it receives another unique command.
I gave the analogy earlier of decoders being compared to children; however instead of being given separate names, decoders are given separate address numbers to identify them. The advantage is that the operator can send different commands to each loco by calling up the address number of each loco, just like a parent would call out to each child by name.
Operating separate locomotives and accessories at the same time
Hence the great benefit of DCC – several locomotives can be operated on the same track, at the same time, just by calling up an address number and issuing specific digital commands. One loco might be told to move off, while another loco will remain stationary until it is instructed to do otherwise.
In practical term; a train can be set to operate on the main line, and then another locomotive (with a different decoder address) can be sent a signal instructing it to begin a shunting task on a siding. The train on the main line will continue operating uninterrupted whilst the other loco completes its tasks.
In another example; a loco could be stopped at a station platform and a second loco could be moved into position behind it (and even coupled to it) without the first loco moving, or needing an isolating track section. The two locomotives can even be coupled together to pull a heavy load by using a temporary address number. Both loco motors would be set to be controlled by that one temporary address number.
Depending on the system, there is generally an ‘ALL STOP’ button on the console or controller in case of an emergency. Activating this will stop everything, to allow for the problem to be fixed. Usually each loco is started again in turn.
In summary; several locomotives can operate at the same time thanks to DCC. The system can also be used to control train lighting, points, signals, and even ‘on-board’ effects like whistles, horns and chugging sounds. DCC provides more flexibility and control so increases the variety of possible functions on a model railroad.
Thanks Roger for taking the time to write this article and for allowing me to share it with the 10,000 weekly readers to this blog. Your contribution to the hobby is appreciated.
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