Add Bluetooth control to your locomotives with BlueRailDCC

BlueRailDCC board, .57 inches by 1.5 inches, socket for connection plug on right

Everything runs on Bluetooth these days, so why not your locomotives? BlueRailDCC from Tam Valley has a solution (BlueRailDCC). This compact board (.57” x 1.5”) supports up to 2A of current, plenty for most HO scale installations. To connect, you’ll need to download the BlueRail Trains app to your Apple iPhone or iPad. Android support […]

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Improve short locomotive wiring in 7 steps

A short O gauge 0-6-0t steam switcher approaches a pair of track turnouts

Some of today’s short-wheelbase locomotives have issues with the prototypical switches and narrow-angle crossings that make an O gauge railroad look realistic. Here’s a quick fix that will allow any locomotive­ ­- even this economical Bethlehem Steel saddle tanker from Lionel – to perform reliably over the troublesome trackwork. THIS IS A PHOTO FEATURE. CLICK […]

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Basic maintenance tips for large-scale locomotives

Large-scale model steam locomotive disassembled for lubrication and cleaning.

  Basic maintenance is the key to reliable operation. Here are several simple things you can do to keep your engines running: Proper lubrication is so important to reliable operation that Bachmann includes a video with many of its locomotives showing how to do it. This is no less important with other manufacturers’ locomotives. Many […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Capacitor for an RS-1, Episode 6

David Popp standing at his basement workbench wearing a santa hat

David Popp pushes the Trains.com Holiday Party to capacity! Follow along as he walks through the steps for installing an ESU anti-stall device into an HO scale Atlas RS-1 diesel locomotive. With these units in place, you’ll never have to worry about dirty track, unpowered frogs, or other track maladies getting in the way of […]

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