Eric Schrowang wants to know where locomotive crews go to the bathroom. Cody Grivno shows where chemical retention toilets are located on cab and hood units. […]
Where do locomotive crews go to the bathroom?
Tag: Ask Trains
The pros and cons of Belpaire fireboxes
Rick Bowers wants to know the advantages and disadvantages of Belpair fireboxes. Steve Sweeney uses magazine articles and prototype photos to answer Rick’s question. […]
Ask MR: What is dynamic braking and how does it work?
Q: What is dynamic braking on trains? – Mark Kroll A: Unlike a typical diesel-powered car or truck, a diesel locomotive doesn’t have a direct mechanical linkage between its diesel engine and its wheels. These locomotives are more properly called diesel-electrics. Rather than turning a driveshaft that drives the wheels, the engine (or “prime mover”) […]
Are wheels and axles cast as a unit?
Ralph Watkins would like to know if train wheels and axles are cast as a unit or separate. Steve Sweeney is in the studio with the answer. […]
Information on Casey Jones
Anthony Rebaldo would like to know where he can find information on Casey Jones, a historical railroad engineer who died in a train collision. Steve Sweeney has some resources to check out. […]
Ask MR: How can I make a foam tabletop more realistic?
Q: After building a train table with a plywood top, I plan to put down pink extruded-foam insulation board sheets to help keep down the noise. What would you suggest as an affordable option to put over the foam board for appearance purposes? Secondly, if I want to screw or nail anything to the layout, […]
Using an old transformer with newer locomotives
Todd Wynn asked if he needs a fast-blowing circuit breaker when using an old transformer with newer locomotives. Hal Miller is in the studio with an answer. […]
Securing crane hooks
Steve Favale has a number of 25-ton cranes on his layout, and the hooks swing around when he runs them. He’s wondering how he should secure the hooks. Hal Miller shares some photos that may hold the answer! […]
Ask MR: What freight cars would a GP18 or SD45 pull?
Q: I have some BNSF General Electric Dash-9 and GEVO units that pull my double-stack and trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) trains as well as a BNSF Executive train. My question is, what sort of freight cars would be used with GP18s and SD45s in the mid- to late 1960s? – Jim Rohrbach A: If you’re running Dash-9s and GEVOs, […]
How many locomotives can an engineer run?
Lee Ramsburg wants to know what’s the most number of engines an engineer can operate in a train. Steve Sweeney is in the studio with the answer. […]
What’s in Amtrak’s new baggage cars?
Jim Harward writes in to ask what Amtrak carries in its new baggage cars. He also wants to know if employees ride in them and who loads and unloads them. Steve Sweeney did some research, so tune in to learn the answer! […]
Ask MR: Can roadbed material reduce track noise?
Q: Would a subroadbed made of foam board be quieter than plywood? My previous HO scale layout used ½” plywood, and the noise coming from the wheels was so high it interfered with my enjoyment of the sound decoders. Would foam board make that wheel noise less intrusive or is there something else I should […]
