Q: I was wondering, what regulations govern hauling steel? What are the rules for hauling steel beams, sheet metal, and rolled steel? With steel beams, do they go by the weight of the beam or the thickness? What about sheet metal loads; do they go by thickness or quantity of the load? With rolled steel, […]
Creating your own weathered models that look great? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions 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 […]
What is the best way to secure roadbed to a layout? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for […]
Q: How were steam era water tanks filled? Was special water tank rolling stock used? – Tony Gastler A: No, steam-era water tanks were generally not filled with water brought by train. If that were an efficient way to move water in bulk, steam locomotives would just pull bigger tenders. Water towers were connected to […]
Cutting pliers are an essential modeling tool, and have many uses in model railroading. The most common are for cutting rail, brass stock, and plastic, depending upon the hardness of the steel that was used to make the plier’s cutting surfaces. Hobby cutting pliers are typically labeled for the types of materials they will cut. […]
Looking for help with your model railroad? Looking for a specific article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature […]
Looking for help with your model railroad? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions 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 […]
Parts of an Electro-Motive Division F40PH diesel locomotive The Electro-Motive Division (EMD) F40PH diesel locomotive was the backbone of Amtrak’s fleet for many years. The four-axle unit earned its keep on several commuter lines, too. GO Transit (Toronto), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Boston), Metra (Chicago), and NJ Transit were just some of the places the […]
Q: I have an HO scale plastic bus. I want to cut out a section in the middle in order to shorten it. I’m looking for suggestions as to what tools and techniques will give me the best results when cutting out the sections of roof, sides, and undercarriage. I’m also looking for suggestions as […]
What is the difference between HOn3 and HO scale? Track? Rolling stock and equipment size? What size buildings are used for each? All the interesting steam engines seem to be HOn3. Can they be used interchangeably with HO on a layout? – Jon LaVasseur, Minneapolis, Minn. A: The answer to your question lies in the […]
Q: I was talking to a fellow model railroader about soldering track feeders to the rail. He said to bend the wire, then solder it to the joint between the two rails. Couldn’t I just lay the power wire alongside the rail and solder it that way? Or is there a reason that it has […]
Need to add a DCC decoder to a Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0? Looking for a certain article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask […]
