Getting Started
On30 questions
I have been an armchair modeler for more years than I care admit to but am finally ready to actually start building something. I find MR's On30 Olympia intriguing but before I venture into On30 I have a couple of questions for those of you in the scale.
1. Do the locomotives (Shay, Heisler, Porter) run smoothly at low speeds? A small logging layout interests me but only if the locomotives run well. When I watch videos of the locos it seems then tend to stutter at low speeds. Is this typical?
N Scale Code 55 turnouts
Hello,
I am in the process of starting a smallish N scale layout. I decided to go with Atlas Code 55 flex track and turnouts, but I have been waiting for 2 months and I only have a single turnout. I guess COVID impacted the production or supply chain for these? Does anyone have any insight on when these turnouts may be available? I asked Atlas via the Contact Us form on their website, but got no response so far.
Not sure at this point if I should just wait it out or if I should consider switching the ME turnouts.
Microsoft 10 vs 7
I had all those dire warnings about continuing to run 7 on my computer rather than upgrading to 10.
Then I get this in the mail today,..
Microsoft fixes another 113 bugs this month after patching a whopping 115 last month.
This month's updates are a bulky release. The OS maker has made available patches today for 113 vulnerabilities across 11 products, including three zero-day bugs that were being actively exploited in the wild.
First build in 20 years
Hey guys, new member here and first post on this site. I am looking into building a basic N scale layout with my son. I used to be into HO scale as a kid but I have been out of model trains for 20 years since my father passed.
Fast forward to now, and my son turns 2 next month. He loves trains and I dug out my Father's Lionel O gauge set from storage and he loves it! So I got approval from the wife to have a small train setup. My idea is to build something to go under our glass top coffee table, roughly 2' x 4'.
Headlamp problem
A novice to the hobby, I recently purchased a Bachmann train set that came with the EZ Command module, and 2 no sound locomotives.
I’ve notice when either of the locomotives derails, the headlight flickers, especially as I try to re-rail them. When I have the locomotives solidly railed, nothing - no light.
Resources for Determining Acceptable Grade and Length for Incline
I am working on my first HO layout in years. I have about 72ft2 to work with on one level and was thinking about making it a two-level model.
Does anyone have any guidance or website they can send me to that I can calculate the acceptable percentage of grade and how many feet it would take to rise (or lower) 19 inches?
If it matters, this is a more modern layout running off of the Montana Rail Link (MRL) Missoula to Thompson Falls MT "Gas Line." Therefore I would be running two types of diesel, 10-15 car trains.
Trying to build a layout but need some direction
Building a cool model railroad is complicated! I have read lots of articles, belong to a few blogs, bought most of the how to books and so far finishing my basement was the easiest part. I have a CAD program and have drawn countless drawings and every time I find a new "little thing" that fits better or cut something out because I am trying to get in too much. I have been thinking about my railroad for so many years that I actually worry it won't be built in my lifetime.
island layout lighting
What is the best way to add lighting to an island style (doughnut style essentially) layout? I didn't want to do anything to permanently change the look of the bedroom like drilling holes into the ceiling to mount extra lights because I'm not an electrician. I've also thought of hanging plug in lights but didn't want to see all the ugly cords hanging down, not to mention drilling holes into the ceiling so that I can mount them, that I'll have to patch over later when I sell my home.
Hard Decisions
I would like to release some of my frustrations I've had over the last 6 years in trying to get started in HO scale model railroading. I am a new modeler (I have never completed a model railroad) with limited space constraints; I have two spare bed rooms measuring about 11 x 12 feet.
Does your railroad have a "back story?"
This is one of the best produced and interesting back stories that I've come across in the model railroading world. Mr. Spry starts a century or two back and works his way up to his present day Narraloch Valley Railway. The first dozen or so minutes deal with the history of the area where his railroad is located and the last few minutes have to deal with design and construction issues.
Happy viewing!
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