Diaphragms are bellows-like connections that enclose the space between cars for safe passage through the train. Passenger cars look naked without them, but they can be a pain in the neck if they don’t let cars negotiate all kinds of trackwork, or if they keep cars from coupling and uncoupling. I took my cue from […]
Common name: Air plant Latin name: Tillandsia sp. Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 Cultural needs: No soil; indirect light indoors or shade outdoors; regular watering; air! Plant size: 2-6″ Obviously they need air but these little air plants also require regular watering and specific amounts of light. In their native South American rain […]
Good rolling stock plays a major role in the operating quality of any layout. On most model railroads, the car fleet represents more potential problems than any other single element, so here’s how I check every car before it goes on my Ohio Southern Railroad, using just a few handy tools, 1. Trucks and wheels […]
Professor Roger Carp discusses the origin and evolution of the vintage Lionel Trains motor-driven coal conveyor accessory. CTT Editor Hal Miller also chimes in with operating insights and helpful tips. Learn even more about this unsung classic in the May 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains magazine. […]
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 […]
The layout at a glance Name: Eagle River Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 17 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Detroit area Era: 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 55 feet Minimum radius: 36” (main), 24” (branch) Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (spurs and branch) Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: sectional Height: 42”-46” Roadbed: […]
The layout at a glance Name: Canadian National Ashcroft Subdivision Scale: N (1:160) Size: 7 x 10 feet Prototype: Canadian National Locale: British Columbia Era: modern Style: around the walls Mainline run: 28 feet Minimum radius: 15” See a PDF version of this track plan by clicking here. […]
It’s important to mount couplers at the correct height and to do so consistently on all cars. Because of their length, passenger cars magnify the chance for unwanted uncouplings when track isn’t perfectly level. Of course, having made the car height accurate, I don’t want to change that, so to adjust coupler height I move […]
In this episode, our host takes up the challenge of selecting the ideal design for his unique, custom-built layout space. Follow along, as Gerry walks and talks you through his process for auditing the wide assortment of plans he created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. […]
Off the Rails host Gerry Leone has re-railed and is gaining traction in this Trains.com exclusive series, Back on Track. From his new home in the Upper Midwest, members can follow Gerry as he walks, talks, and works his way through planning and building an all-new, double-deck model railroad in HO scale. First order of business? […]
On my passenger cars, I use Kadee no. 5 couplers in their own boxes mounted directly to the carbody. As long as your curves are at least 30″ in radius and your turnouts are no. 6 or longer, you can take this simple and direct approach. Forget about mounting couplers on arms connected to the […]
Powdered pastels have long been a popular choice for weathering locomotives, freight cars, and buildings. Several firms offer ready-to-use weathering powders, or you can make your own by scraping pastel sticks with a hobby knife. I started work on this N scale Micro-Trains boxcar by spraying the entire car with Model Master Lusterless Flat. The […]
