Q: Can you provide a simple procedure for pairing locomotives in a consist? One locomotive is pulling or pushing the one in front. – Stephen J. Szypula A: An important part of making your consist work is speed-matching the locomotives so they don’t fight each other. If your locomotives respond to the same throttle speed step […]
Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Click the link to order a downloadable copy of the August 1979 issue, “Kansas City Southern and Amtrak.” Do you have a question? Would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature […]
If there is no opening on the bottom, how are wood-chip gondolas unloaded? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have a question? Would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers […]
Q: I’m planning a reversing loop on my layout. Must isolated sidings inside a reversing loop be part of the reversing section? Or can they be part of the main power bus? – R. John Kohlbrand A: There are three potential ways to wire up separate sidings and spurs that connect to a reversing section […]
How do you find specific models in certain paint schemes? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Click to see a review of the Bachmann Trains HO scale Siemens ALC-42 diesel locomotive. Do you have a question? Would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com […]
Do you need help controlling the main body and the cab while painting? Cody shows viewers how to fashion paint handles out of everyday items found in your home in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about tools for model railroading? Would you like to learn more about prototype trains? Send us […]
Q: I would like to add a speaker to a decoder in my Atlas locomotive. But I plan to run it on a DC analog system. Can I still put the speaker on or can I not? – Zachary Chevalier A: There are such things as motor-only and function-only DCC decoders, so to know if yours […]
How do you find specific curved end railings? Sometimes it can be hard to find a commercial part for the prototype’s specific details. Cody shows viewers how to make their own curved end railings in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about specific details for your model trains? Would you like to […]
How to repair or replace broken/missing couplers? Cody shares ways to take care of couplers in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about model railroading? Would you like to learn more about prototype trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers […]
Q: Years ago, I used Liquitex Gloss Medium to create the water in two rivers on my layout. Now, I’ve noticed that they’re not as glossy as they once were. I periodically use a Woodland Scenics Dust Dabber and a wide, soft paintbrush to remove dust from the surface. How would you recommend that I clean the […]
Q: After carefully measuring and cutting rail, too often there is still a gap between the rail ends that some of my N scale cars don’t like. I’ve been trying some different fillers, but it’s a challenge for N gauge. Any suggestions for a gap filler? – Steven Simmerman A: Hi, Steven. Some rail gaps […]
Not all tank cars have these. Cody explains what this particular part is used for in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have other questions about modern freight car components? Or do you have a question about something on your model railroad? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of […]
