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| Last updated on December 2, 2022
Host David Popp has scores of your hobby-related questions to address in his triumphant return to MRVP headquarters! As he tools around the MR workshop, MR&T layout, and other popular project railroads (several are up for sale!), he tackles inquiries regarding benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, and so much more.
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The Virginian has always been a favorite of mine because it has all the features of what I have been trying to put in my layout. Plus David froze in his garage building the bench work just like I did!
Daniel
David,
Back in the day when I first started model railroading the track was brass. When nickel silver became cheap, we couldn’t wait to replace it because of the better conductivity. My LGB Christmas trainset has had brass track for decades and I have never needed to clean or replace the track. Why is that? Is it the size of the equipment and rails, the composition of the rails or something else.
Thanks,
John Armstrong
Hinckley Southern RR
How do I ask a question ?
Hello I have consistently watched this video series and have yet to actually see a Breaking in of a steam locomotive. In all of the videos concerning breaking in models the steam locomotive is said to be done later (it has yet to be done). Is it possible for you to give a video specifically for breaking in a steam locomotive?
No new content for Ask MRVP in over a year. I would say the series has been canceled. Too bad! It was one of my favorites.
David, the Virginian is not my favorite prototype railroad, I prefer the midwest myself, but I really enjoyed the Virginian series in MRVP. The Virginian and a couple of other of the earlier MRVP projects helped me during the transition from a guy who builds models of RR equipment to being a layout builder. You did a fine job of covering benchwork and basic wiring. The Thin Branch also showed me how a layout could be expanded. So the Virginian will hold a place in my heart. It was well photographed, offered good explanations, and the size was something that can be done by an average model railroader. I still refer back to the Virginian/Thin Branch series on occasion. If I had somewhere to put it I would make an offer on it 🙂
I am a new n-scaler. I found a picture of an early Baltimore and Ohio Steam engine, probably a 4-4-0 with a tall straight stack and a square headlight box coming through the Big Cut in Black Hand gorge in Newark Ohio, which is part of what I’m modeling with my grandsons. I have found an old bachman DC only loco that is similar – how do I get DCC and Sound into it? I’ve done drop in decoders, but never soldered any decoders. I’m reluctant to spend nearly $100 on a DC only engine only to find out I can’t get a decoder into it. Is it even worth trying this on these old Bachman 4-4-0s? I’ve seen suggestions to put the decoder and speaker in the tender, but how would I get the wires into the engine? Is there some way to find DCC equipped versions of these types of locos other than Google searches?
Hi David,
I thoroughly enjoy your MRVP series, keep them coming. Very helpful!!! Have used numerous suggestions on my layout. However, I have A quick question I’m hoping you will help me with. I’m in the process of expanding my HO layout and would like to add the Atlas Supply Co. facility that was in your Winston-Salem Southbound Series. Could you possibly let me know what materials or kits were used to create this build? Any information you could provide would be very helpful.
Woody Eppard
Baker, WV
HI David,
The MRVP series is great when will you be producing more of them.
I have taken a lot of your suggestions and put them into my layout.
Dale Kraus
Hello there, shout out to David and all the rest of the excellent folks who work at Kalmbach Publishing, especially doing Ask MRVP series! I think I have a fantastic question to put forth for the next installment. Can you, David Popp, or any of the guys who know a lot about model railroad technology answer this: Is there a way that trains can now run on DCC and be completely detected WITHOUT putting resistors on freight car wheels to detect all the train, or can we expect to finally have state-of-the art detection on circuit boards so that resistors don’t have to be used? I would like to hear all on this, Thanks.
Is there no more Ask MRVP? That was my favorite series. IMHO, trains.com is a step backwards for model railroaders. Far less content for us and a higher cost. Unless I see a dramatic change, this is one subscriber that won’t renew.
I have to echo other comments on content and the website structure. Under the “Series” listing, you missed “Back on Track” with Gerry Leone, one of my favorites. I tried the search bar and after a couple of tries stumbled onto the episodes. No more Ask MRVP? And the weekly newsletter used to always include a link to some new video, but not anymore.
David, I did as you suggested and tried several different types of plaster in rock molds and found that the “harder” plasters were more stable and the “softer” plasters were more easily modified to fit a specific area, ie breaking off edges that didn’t work with the terrain. And they all took colors the same.
I have to agree with others regarding the content and the way things are “titled”. Very hard to navigate through your website. I have been a MRVP subscriber since the beginning and that website was very easy to find EVERYTHING. From old videos to new it was laid out very good.
I also agree with David Young. Where are the videos of the third version of Olympia and Sandy Creek?? That layout was the best one yet.
Lastly, hope new content comes soon, I’m getting frustrated with the trains.com website not only the way it’s laid out and not being able to find things but also, no new content or at least I can’t find any. Maybe put a tab or icon saying “NEW” that would help us find information quick and easy.
Thank you for your time,
Kurt
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL MAKING DREAM,PLAN BUILD VIDEO SERIE, I HAVE OVER 150 OF THEM AND JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL MAKING DVD
THANK YOU
CORY BOSLEY
Not sure where to post anymore. I see you started a new N scale project layout, which is nice, but what happened to the Olympia and Sandy Creek you started during the middle of 2020? After the turntable project in MRVP underground, that seems to be it. The Olympia and Olympia 2 were my favorite project layouts, and I would ate to have you leave phase 3 of the layout unfinished when I was looking forward to many more videos to see it completed. Please bring it back!
trains.com is not good for the price we pay get your act together charles
David Popp,
Ten months since the last Ask MRVP. Where is the new content? Something must be taking up your time. What is it?
Eric
really like the lift up bridges goin need a coupe on y new layout
Been away for awhile, so I have much catching up to do. Trying to find stuff on the new Trains.com site is a little challenging… but so is any new product with growing pains.
Waiting for the return to normal, always looking forward to ask MRVP.
Question what are Classification lights used for on Locomotives and are they still being used today, also what color are they when in use?
Really enjoying the Tips & Tricks David. Keep’em comin’. I am building my first layout using Woodland Scenics Subterrain Risers and Kato N Scale Unitrack. I would like your recommendation on how to attach the track to the riser so that if I want to make a change in the future. Obviously, nothing is cast in stone so I assume changes will be make. Relatively easy removal of the track is probably essential. Thank-you.
Not sure if David ever replied. I’ve used Unitrack on foam for a layout I built for my nephew.
Easiest method is to use a little silicon on the two stanchions on the bottom of the track (normally where the track pins go when attaching to plywood).
You can just slide a putty knife under it if you ever need to lift the track.
Thanks David for those great answers and tips. Two thoughts, on the 2″ foam board which indeed is hard to find in warmer climates, remember that 1″ foam board is an HO scale 7′ high and 2″ foam board is a scale 14.5″ high. When using those in HO scale scenery the 7′ looks good for a stream bank and the 14.5′ looks better as a rock cut. . The second thought is file cleaning; I recall that Harbor Freight actually sells a file cleaner with steel bristles, mine works like a champ on needle files. Thanks David.
To fill gaps in rail and keep them insullated, I simply apply a few drops of nail polish into the gap. I got this tip from an episode of “Off the Rails”. After the polish dries, I lightly scrape or file off any excess from the top and inside of the rail.
I, too, would like to see dates assigned to videos. This would be most beneficial when products are mentioned, so I don’t keep looking for stuff that’s no longer available.
Randy
Nashville, TN
Hopefully at some point ask MRVP returns from sabatacle.
My question for David is is there a way to fill in rail gaps ? When I laid my track I didn’t notice some gaps and they are causing some issues with both rolling stock, esp longer wheelbase cars and some issues with some locomotives. It’s an issue I really have to correct and I’d prefer not to have to remove the track and relay new
Gordon
Rochester NY
Hopefully at some point ask MRVP returns from sabatacle.
My question for David is is there a way to fill in rail gaps ? When I laid my track I didn’t notice some gaps and they are causing some issues with both rolling stock, esp longer wheelbase cars and some issues with some locomotives. It’s an issue I really have to correct and I’d prefer not to have to remove the track and relay new
Gordon Lennox
Rochester NY
I need to replace an apparently shorted original motor in an Athearn GP-9 locomotive. I purchased the engine from E-Bay, converted it to DCC with a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 decoder and the motor has developed a short. What canned motor with associated flywheels would fit this engine and the existing truck drive shafts? I believe the the engine is from the 1980’s.
Roger A Eakin
rogeraeakin@aol.com
1. Track, insulated joiners. If you cut the rail, be sure you file off any burrs, especially under the rail. Also, a little chamfer at the filet where the web meets the base. Helps the plastic joiner slide on.
2. David: In the segment about track power, the RR Ampmeter display doesn’t show up clearly. On my screen, all I see are 888 and 888. Maybe a little tilt to the meter might clear the view? Other than that, great segment.
3. Foamboard. You could have mentioned that 1/2″ foamboard is an easy to use stackable material as well and might be more readily available.
With those insulated rail joiners, can you install them after the track has been laid? In my case, I cut the gap for insulation after laying the track, so I would need to install the insulated rail joiners after the track has been laid. (Until I saw you using these insulated joiners, I had intended to simply insert a piece of styrene and super glue it in place.)
On new Trains.com, How do I find or tell what is a new video?
Thanks David, Helps me a lot.
Ok I’m blind. Project Layouts is still here. I just didn’t see it the first time I looked.
Problem is, they all aren’t there. I hope we are getting a credit as this is messed up
I agree with all the comments about paying for videos we’re not getting. But I do have a question. What happened to project layouts? It’s not in the series subcategory and I can’t find it anywhere else.
When we see some more “Ask MRVP” videos?
Hi
Sorry to use this forum to complain, but I’m getting very frustrated with MRVP and this new set up with Trains.com
I’ve been a subscriber to MRVP since it began and previously a MR magazine subscriber for many years, but now I’m getting, ‘You have gone beyond your 6 video’s permitted’ (or words to that effect) on messages when I attempt to view some videos. I appreciate the teething problems you are having, but considering the minimal output in recent times and now this, I don’t feel I’m getting much value for money spent here.
Again, sorry to complain on this forum but where else do I go?
Barry
A question for the next ask MRVP
I’m having trouble with the wire supplied with tourtous switch motors throwing the turnout. Any suggestions
Gordon
What’s going on here Guys? Been 7 Months since the last Ask MRVP. No New Videos for pretty much anything. Seems Like we should be getting credit for all these months that we haven’t gotten any new content toward our “Renewals”. Got more Content at the Height of the pandemic last Summer,. Sorry Disappointed, really reconsidering Renewing.
Mike
I’m in complete agreement!… In the past year, I believe there’s been maybe 3 new episodes of MRVP. It appears this new and “improved” website is consuming all company resources.
I have to pile on. So far TRAINS.COM is a big disappointment for the model railroader. The site has lost function, there are many fewer videos being posted per unit time. Lots of TRAINS stuff, but little or nothing for the modeler.
On Jones Island, why didn’t you solder and drop the track feeders in while you were laying track? Why wait til everything was down, then solder in feeders?