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!
Rail Bridge Accident
This type of incident is all too frequent, but fortunately this scene is a model and not a real rail bridge crash. Just as well, because who knows what that brown tank could be storing. Misjudging the height of a rail bridge underpass can be dangerous, disruptive, and costly… but some bridges seem to get hit time and time again despite clear signage.
The scene was filmed last year at the Great Edmonton Model Train Show in Alberta, Canada.
Online Train Club Celebrates 5 Years
The online Model Train Club is about to turn 5, with the membership numbers and resources increasing every month. Some members have been with the club since it started. The club is keeping pace with changing times and recently added a new category of ELECTRONICS for members to access. The club is not intended as a replacement for joining a local model railroad club, however it is like a giant resource library for those who want to access help and advice at home at any time of the day or night, in any location worldwide. Current members are spread across the globe including: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, France and numerous other countries.
Solution To Train Coupler Problems
Phillip has been experimenting with various coupler options and sent in these tips to share.
I had been looking on the internet for Kadee couplers for the NEM pockets for Bachmann coaches and rolling stock, but found it was not that easy to convert due to different heights of the NEM pockets, plus the cost to convert most of my rolling stock.
I found a PECO ST261 setrack decoupling unit which I purchased last Saturday and I have installed six on my layout so far. I now can decouple the locos and coaches and swap the locos around and visa versa.
I had to experiment with them and found that as long as you keep enough speed up and the couplers are tensioned, they do not uncouple while going over the decoupling unit. The tensioned drop down bars on the couplers pushes down on the spring while riding over it. I positioned them on the track between the wheels where the loco stops at the station, and just have to go forward a bit and reverse over the decoupling unit and bingo, they are separated.
I have found that some of the couplers on the four wheeled wagons just ride over the ramp when reversing and don’t decouple. I think the push up bar is just a fraction short. If I raise the decoupling ramp a fraction, the diesel locos bottom out on the axle cover. I’ll be purchasing some more when stocks are available and I would recommend these decoupling ramps as they are great and make my railway operation more interesting.
Also, I have closed up the gap between the coaches by swapping the coupling on one end of the coach with a shorter cranked coupler (36-027). There is no buffer lock with this set up on my layout. If I use two of the short couplers, the coaches will not couple up and both ends of the coaches touches.
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POLL RESULTS: Do you prefer operating freight or passenger trains?
The results of the last poll confirmed what most of us probably suspected:
The Question was – Do you prefer operating freight or passenger trains?
Freight (65%)
Passenger (20%)
I don’t have a layout yet (15%)
Although passenger cars can add greatly to a layout, they are more limited than freight trains in that they usually run the same route with the same cars. Freight trains pull into yards where a lot of switching happens, their loads change, they visit industries, ports, etc – so provide lots of operational possibilities and variations.
“Life-Like” Tall Background Buildings That Take Up Very Little Space – See How To Make Them
Most model railroads include at least one rail yard for very good reasons: they look interesting; they provide plenty of operational options; they avoid bottlenecks that can bring a layout to a stand still; they provide extra storage for rolling stock… I’m sure you can add to this list.
However, having enough space for efficient rail yard operations can be a dilemma without careful planning and effective use of space. That’s where backdrop buildings can be a huge space-saver. Instead of taking up space with “full-sized” 3D buildings, slimmer 3-sided “low-refief” buildings (made from cheap corflute) can be used. These backdrop buildings only need be an inch or two in depth to provide the life-like illusion they stretch full depth. The big advantage is that buildings of this type can allow space for extra yard track. The buildings in this video are a good example.
Find out more on how to make background buildings here
Adding your Comments or Photo to this Blog – EASY!
We’ve listened to the readers who requested a function allowing them to post, not just a comment, but also a diagram or photo when answering a question. Good news! We have resolved the “techie stuff” on how to make it happen, so now this service is available.
To try it out, simply watch this video, because all is explained in simple terms.
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Switching From O Scale to N Scale
Don is about to take a giant leap and asks readers:
“I am thinking about switching from O gauge trains to N gauge because of lack of space. Which brand of trains do you recommend as I know nothing about N gauge trains. By the way train video looks great.”
POLL RESULTS: What scenery theme do prefer to model?
The latest poll asked: What scenery theme do prefer to model?
- Results were as follows:
- Countryside – 28%
- Mountain Range – 21%
- Industrial – 18%
- Urban – 14%
- Woodland – 10%
- Rolling Hills – 5%
- Waterways – 3%
- Desert – 2%
Total Voters: 392
Model Railroad Shipping Container Junction
These days steel shipping containers have a multitude of uses including adapting them to make homes, self-storage units, and even jail cells in some countries. However, they are still mainly used for transporting goods around the globe (by ship) and around the country (truck and rail).
Intermodal containers are a common sight, so fit well into most modern railroad layouts either on flatcars, double-stack container trains, on the back of trucks, stacked up in rail yards, at ports, alongside factories and warehouses, or just stacked up alongside the track as seen in this photo. Fortunately they are cheap and easy to make, and look very authentic if you use these photo realistic downloadable designs.
Critical Layout Building Mistakes To Avoid
This 2 minute video has some important tips for those planning to build a layout. The free report can be downloaded here http://www.modelrailroadhub.com/free.html There is no form to fill in to get the free report…. you can just download it and even share it with friends.
Dampness a Problem in Garden Shed OO Gauge Set Up
George asks readers for advice:
“Hi guys; any suggestions for keeping dampness and your rust of first time track set up in my 8×10 shed? I intend to take in all trains and wagons etc inside for the winter months, but I’m a wee bit concerned about track being out in my shed during the winter. Please can you help? Kind regards. George. P.S. I love reading your model train blog. keep up the good work.”
DCC and EZ Track for Christmas Layout
Jim asks readers:
“I have a Christmas HO layout using EzTrack around the tree and parts of living room.How many feet of track if any, will a simple 1 watt Dcc transformer support without jumper contacts. I will be running a single Broadway Limited Paragon 2 loco. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving to all.”
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