| Recommended Model Railroad Resources |
Knowledge Of Model Trains
The more you know about model trains, the less chance that you'll be taken for a
ride (excuse the pun!). Some hobby shop assistants and internet model train
retailers just want to sell - and others may misunderstand your needs and sell
you the wrong thing for your model train layout. However, in saying that, in
general hobby shop staff have a wealth knowledge and are happy to share their
model train ideas. Also the more research you do, the better you'll get to know
your model train scales, styles and which model train manufacturers you prefer.
The more you know about model trains, the less chance that you'll be taken for a
ride (excuse the pun!). Some hobby shop assistants and internet model train
retailers just want to sell - and others may misunderstand your needs and sell
you the wrong thing for your model train layout. However, in saying that, in
general hobby shop staff have a wealth knowledge and are happy to share their
model train ideas. Also the more research you do, the better you'll get to know
your model train scales, styles and which model train manufacturers you prefer.
Take all the guesswork
out of setting up the
perfect model railroad.
Easy to follow action
steps to quickly and
easily design, build,
maintain and repair a
model railroad you'll be
supremely proud of. All
explained step-by-step
at this excellent model
railroad resources
website.
out of setting up the
perfect model railroad.
Easy to follow action
steps to quickly and
easily design, build,
maintain and repair a
model railroad you'll be
supremely proud of. All
explained step-by-step
at this excellent model
railroad resources
website.
|
| How many cars will a locomotive pull? First you need to consider the factors that determine the length of the train you can run on your model train layout: THE DRAW-BAR PULL, or traction, of your locomotive is affected by its weight, contact with the rail, traction tires, motor and the power available. This pulling power is measured in pounds and ounces at the rear coupler or draw-bar of your locomotive. DRAG OF YOUR CARS depends on the number of axles, lubrication of the bearings and if there are track pickups on any of the wheels. The weight of each car is also a factor. RADIUS OF THE TRACK CURVES is another factor to consider. The smaller the radius the more the drag. A reverse curve, without a straight line between, causes even more drag. Also remember that a clean track will reduce the drag on curves. GRADE OF THE TRACK can be a major factor affecting the pulling power of a locomotive. Grade is the ratio of distance forward compared to the change in height. A forward travel of 100 inches with a rise of one inch is a 1% grade. A rise of two inches is 2%, three inches is 3% and four inches is 4%. You wouldn't want anything steeper than a 4% otherwise you could experience all kinds of problems. (no more than a 2% grade for garden railroads). So, the number of cars a locomotive can pull will depend on a number of factors. As a summary here is are some important guidelines to get the best from your model train layout:
More Of The Tough Model Train Questions Answered It doesn't matter how long a model train enthusiast has been involved in the hobby, most come up against questions that need answers. Trouble is; those answers are not always easy to find. Searching the Internet, although helpful, can prove to be a big time-waster as many model train websites consist of just useless links to other sites. Sheer frustration is what motivated me to write my Model Train Help ebook, as like so many other model train enthusiasts, I found finding answers slow and tedious. I thought to myself, if I'm experiencing these frustrations, then so must lots of fellow enthusiasts. So, I decided to rectify the problem by answering, in simple easy to understand English, many of the question facing model train enthusiasts, both experienced and beginner. I then set about asking model train enthusiasts what their most pressing questions were. Here are some of the questions they came up with - all of which are answered in the Model Train Help ebook:
So, if you need answers to these or other model train questions then have a look at my website for the Model Train Help ebook. Quick Weathering Tip For Freight Trains Weathering (showing signs of wear and tear) can add to the realism of any model train set, but it needs to be done carefully. One, often overlooked, important consideration is the age of the individual freight wagon being weathered. Not all wagons on a freight train are necessarily of the same vintage or have experienced the same weathering conditions. A freight train could comprise a mix of fairly new and considerably old wagons. For example a model train layout depicting a mid 1960's railroad might comprise mainly of wagons built around 1950. That would make most of the wagons around 15 years old. Compare this to a freight train on a modern day railroad layout. Today's freight train might include several brightly colored newish wagons along with a couple of 35-40 year old wagons built around the mid to late 1960's. Weathering of the older 1960's wagons would be different to that seen on the newer wagons. So, always consider that a freight train is made up of several different wagons of different ages and backgrounds rather than all the wagons on a train being constructed at the same time and experiencing the same weathering conditions. Solving Model Train Lighting Problems Model railroaders sometimes experience lighting problems with street lights & other accessories being too dim or erratic. More often than not the problem can be traced to the transformer/power pack. Dim lights are usually a result of too many items drawing power at once. One solution is to invest in more powerful transformer/power pack or to buy an inexpensive unit and use it only for accessories while a second more powerful unit runs the model trains. You'll find more helpful model railroading tips and ideas in my ebook. Happy Railroading! |
| Model Railroad Questions Answered |
Model Railroaders
(beginners and
experienced) were
asked to submit
questions they wanted
answered.
It was like opening the
floodgates! The
questions came in thick
and fast, including a lot
of questions on Analog
verses DCC and
advanced electronics.
Clear concise answers
to all the questions are
laid out in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
(beginners and
experienced) were
asked to submit
questions they wanted
answered.
It was like opening the
floodgates! The
questions came in thick
and fast, including a lot
of questions on Analog
verses DCC and
advanced electronics.
Clear concise answers
to all the questions are
laid out in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
| Sample Of The Model Railroad Questions That Get Answered |
If I install a larger motor
in my locomotive will I
be able to pull more
cars?
What's wrong when a
part of the track will not
work? How do I go
about fixing it?
Should I replace my
horn-hook couplers with
knuckle couplers?
What is rust-busting, a
talgo truck, "head-end"
traffic, a green wave
for freight trains?
What is meant by
"code", as in code 40
track? Is a locomotive
change-over the same
as shunting?
Which rails should I
use - brass, steel or
nickel-silver?
How do I make plastic
buildings look real? Why
do some buildings look
translucent?
Should electric feed
wires be included every
couple of feet or should
I solder rail joiners?
What is a bridge rectifier
and what does it do?
When I buy a track
switch, what is meant
by 'No. 4 turnout' or 'No.
8 turnout'?
Running techniques for
a locomotive on a
reversing loop. What
about stopping the loco
on the loop and
throwing the switch?
What is a decoder and
can I run an analog
locomotive on a DCC
system without a
decoder?
Can I just put a decoder
in my old analog
engines?
Includes hobby information
on: ho model trains, model
train shows, model rr train,
model n scale trains, atlas
model trains, ho model train
layouts, bachmann ho
model trains, hornby model
trains, model railroad
scenery, build model
railroads, american flyer
model trains, kato model n
scale trains, model o scale
trains, athearn model trains,
dcc, analog, tree making,
airbrushing, road making,
structures, benchwork,
wiring, signals, model
railroading terms and more.
Are 'O-gauge' and
'O-scale' the same
thing?
Is there a right and
wrong way to cut track?
If I have limited space
what should I leave out
from my model railroad
layout?
What is a classification
yard and how does it
work? What are the yard
options for my model
railroad?
Should I have a
run-around track and
dedicated lead track?
What's a Capacitor
Discharge Unit and a
Solenoid Motor and
what do they do?
What's the difference
between DC and DCC?
What do I need to start
or convert my analog
model railroad layout to
a DCC system?
What's the difference
between service mode
and operations mode?
Can I control turnouts
with DCC?
What's a booster? Will
the ampere rating of a
booster and power
supply limit how many
locos I can run at the
same time?
What causes a train to
short out on a turnout?
Clear concise answers
to these questions
along with hundreds of
other model railroading
tips and ideas are
included in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
And yes! This model
railroading book also
includes an expanded
section on scenery
building, analogue and
DCC, and a selection of
TRACK PLANS for you
to study and use along
with a comprehensive
list of useful model
railroading resources.
in my locomotive will I
be able to pull more
cars?
What's wrong when a
part of the track will not
work? How do I go
about fixing it?
Should I replace my
horn-hook couplers with
knuckle couplers?
What is rust-busting, a
talgo truck, "head-end"
traffic, a green wave
for freight trains?
What is meant by
"code", as in code 40
track? Is a locomotive
change-over the same
as shunting?
Which rails should I
use - brass, steel or
nickel-silver?
How do I make plastic
buildings look real? Why
do some buildings look
translucent?
Should electric feed
wires be included every
couple of feet or should
I solder rail joiners?
What is a bridge rectifier
and what does it do?
When I buy a track
switch, what is meant
by 'No. 4 turnout' or 'No.
8 turnout'?
Running techniques for
a locomotive on a
reversing loop. What
about stopping the loco
on the loop and
throwing the switch?
What is a decoder and
can I run an analog
locomotive on a DCC
system without a
decoder?
Can I just put a decoder
in my old analog
engines?
Includes hobby information
on: ho model trains, model
train shows, model rr train,
model n scale trains, atlas
model trains, ho model train
layouts, bachmann ho
model trains, hornby model
trains, model railroad
scenery, build model
railroads, american flyer
model trains, kato model n
scale trains, model o scale
trains, athearn model trains,
dcc, analog, tree making,
airbrushing, road making,
structures, benchwork,
wiring, signals, model
railroading terms and more.
Are 'O-gauge' and
'O-scale' the same
thing?
Is there a right and
wrong way to cut track?
If I have limited space
what should I leave out
from my model railroad
layout?
What is a classification
yard and how does it
work? What are the yard
options for my model
railroad?
Should I have a
run-around track and
dedicated lead track?
What's a Capacitor
Discharge Unit and a
Solenoid Motor and
what do they do?
What's the difference
between DC and DCC?
What do I need to start
or convert my analog
model railroad layout to
a DCC system?
What's the difference
between service mode
and operations mode?
Can I control turnouts
with DCC?
What's a booster? Will
the ampere rating of a
booster and power
supply limit how many
locos I can run at the
same time?
What causes a train to
short out on a turnout?
Clear concise answers
to these questions
along with hundreds of
other model railroading
tips and ideas are
included in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
And yes! This model
railroading book also
includes an expanded
section on scenery
building, analogue and
DCC, and a selection of
TRACK PLANS for you
to study and use along
with a comprehensive
list of useful model
railroading resources.
Creating a great model
railroad is both challenging
and fun …especially if you
have guidance from someone
who's been there.
Model Train Help is the perfect
resource for model railroading
enthusiasts who want
answers to everyday model
railroading questions -
including tips, clever ideas and
solutions to model railroading
problems.
railroad is both challenging
and fun …especially if you
have guidance from someone
who's been there.
Model Train Help is the perfect
resource for model railroading
enthusiasts who want
answers to everyday model
railroading questions -
including tips, clever ideas and
solutions to model railroading
problems.
| Copyright © Robert Anderson and Market Leaders Ebooks. All Rights Reserved. |
Help For Model Railroad Enthusiasts
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