Q: Is there a relatively simple answer to the question as to why you find the wheel flanges on the inside rather than the outside of the rail on railroad engines and cars? – Gerald Roberts A: Who knows what thought went into that decision way back when. The real answer might come down to “because […]
Section: Ask Trains
What is the minimum lettering information that’s required on a boxcar?
Cody offers several tips on how to re-create plain leased boxcars in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about painting and lettering freight cars? Or do you want 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 […]
US Government helium car served military airships, NASA rockets
Q: I’ve always liked unusual rail cars — the more unusual, the better. I wonder how many readers might be stumped by the identity of the rail car in this photo? Hint: It’s pretty heavy; otherwise, it might just float away. – Greg Hodges, Powhatan, Va. A: That car’s not so mysterious; its unique appearance […]
What causes an HO scale Proto 2000 GP30 model to make a weird noise?
Cody offers several tips and ideas for locating the problem in this video of Ask Trains. Do you need help repairing your model trains, or would you like to learn more about full-sized railroading? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where […]
How do you create the flickering effect of a campfire on your model railroad?
Cody explains where to find a control/module to simulate a fire on a layout in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about detail parts for your layout, or 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 […]
What was the color and consistency of the ore which the Delaware & Hudson pulled from the mine in Tahawus, N.Y., north of North Creek?
Cody explains where to find the color of the ore in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about full-size railroads, or would you like to learn more about model trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where […]
Which manufacturer currently makes an N scale Shay steam locomotive?
Cody explains where to find an N scale Shay steam locomotive in this video of Ask Trains. Do you need help finding locomotive models, or 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 and Trains.com members, where […]
Why do Vanderbilt tenders have round tanks?
Q: Why do Vanderbilt tenders have round tanks? It seems to me that with the same principal dimensions, a Vanderbilt tender would contain less water than a rectangular tank. – Chuck Moore A: The answer is hydrodynamics. Vanderbilt tenders have round tanks because they have to hold a lot of water. The radial bands of […]
Where can you purchase PIKO America track and turnouts?
Cody explains where to order from in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about sourcing products for your model railroad, or 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 and Trains.com members, where […]
Track laying techniques are not tricky
Q: I’m an HO scale modeler and struggling with track laying techniques. I would appreciate guidance on measuring, cutting, and installing flextrack on curves. I’m always disengaging the rails from the ties, and thus having trouble connecting to the next track. Also, when superelevating curves, is it better to attach the risers under the outer rail […]
What adhesive do you use to reposition figures on a model railroad?
In the past, Cody reviewed a product (some sort of glue) that didn’t permanently bond … Cody explains what product that was in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on adhesives used in model railroading, or would you like to learn more about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… […]
What is the purpose of the louvres low on each side of the nose of both E and F units from Electro-Motive Division?
Cody Grivno explains what the louvres are for on both the E and F units from Electro-Motive Division in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about parts on full-size trains, or would you like to know how to add those details to your model trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… […]
