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Robert’s description of how he paints brick on his layout prompted Joao to ask for more information in the Comments area at the end of that article. Robert responded with additional clarification in a follow up comment.

The popularity and comment exchange reminded me that some of the best content here at Model Train Tips is reader feedback shared here. In September 2010 I had posted two articles containing reader feedback from new newsletter subscribers and had intended to continue.

I been sidetracked on this plan, but I’ve continued to receive some great feedback from new subscribers and want to continue sharing it with you here.

Elbert M. has railroading in his blood:

Yes, model railroading is the greatest hobby, especially during winter months.   My Dad and Grandad were railroad engineers in Virginia and North Carolina, and it has always been in my blood.  I’ve had layouts off and on.  But my profession has caused me to move a lot throughout life, and all layouts were temporary at best.  Someday I hope to have a permanent layout that I can develop into something looking realistic.

Paul H. is looking for book or DVD recommendations to help him:

I am a grandfather and a beginner building a set for my grandson who is 3.  My brother gave a “US Navy” (1994) mint set to me to set up for the child in our house for when he visits.  I want to dispose of the “027″ track and build with FasTrack components.

I already have upgraded the 21 watt transformer to an 80 watt and gotten some new track pieces. I am thinking of a 5 foot by 9 foot fold-up (down) table with storage under the 3 foot center of the table (3 foot wings on each side) as a 1st start.

Later, it could be a more “permanent” layout. I want to first check out possible future layouts before I buy any more track/crossovers/switches. Books and DVDs seem to be the best way to learn. Do you have any strong recommendations for them?

If you have suggestions for Paul, please leave a comment for him below.

Charlie D. has an interesting elevated layout:

Thanks for the info – look forward to more info – I want to make a mountain tunnel for g scale- what do you suggest?  Yes I am new to the hobby and have a wall supported 8 feet high track system – need a ladder to work on it – I made the track layout using plywood and 1 x 3 pine.

Thanks: Charlie

Beverly H. and I had met at the Twin City Model Railroad museum while she was visiting from out of town:

HI!

We met at the model railroad museum in St. Paul last summer.  After months of search, I found my son’s N Gauge model trains in the attic and am ready to start a layout.

We have a long loft room, (36″ high “knee-wall” below a dormer ceiling) and I am thinking turn-arounds at each end, and a shelf track the length of the room, so the train gets a good long sweep of distance.  As I work out the plans, I’ll be in more frequent communication.

Bev

I wrote back to Bev and suggested she consider taking pictures of her developing layout to track and share its progress.

Dave L. lost his layout to a flood:

Well I am beginning over again after 30 plus years. My last layout was destroyed by a flood I managed to salvage buildings, locos and rolling stock.

I want to do things right this time. Frustrations are coupling problems or should I say unwanted uncoupling, Locos. I have some favorites but some are having trouble Sluggish, dirty wheels etc Mostly Athearn and from what I hear they are pretty rough to convert to DCC.

I wrote this back to Dave:

Hi Dave. While losing nearly everything in any type of disaster, the good news is that it give you a chance to start over from scratch with the enhanced knowledge you’ve acquired over the years.

Sounds like you have a lot of work, if you can call it work, ahead of you getting things rolling again. Consider creating a picture diary of your new adventure to track the progress over time.

Thanks for writing. -Rick

I’ll share more reader feedback next month.

PS; feel free to share your experiences in the Comments area below.

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I’ve added this tip to the Scenery Techniques page as well as posting it here:

The easiest way to paint brick, even N scale, that I have found is to:

1. Paint the base color of the building.
2. Use flat latex interior paint thinned about 2 to 1 with water and a drop or two of liquid detergent.
3. After the base coat has dried, use a paper towel dipped into the mixture and rub the brick areas.

The finish will generally look great from any distance and resemble “used brick” in your base color. -Robert Herring

Thanks Robert.

If you would like to submit your scenery tips to share with Model Train Tips readers, you can use the contact form at the bottom of the Scenery Techniques page to send it in.

PS; feel free to use the comment area below to expand on, or share your thoughts about Robert’s tip.

Image credit: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The S scale is a term that is interchangeable with the American Flyer brand name of models and railroads.

S scale model trains are a sixty fourth of the size of a real train, putting them between the HO and O sizes of train and track and are available in both AC and DC power types.

The S scale uses a two rail track instead of the classic three rail track which uses the middle rail to provide electricity. There has been an S scale train renaissance in the past twenty years or so, and even people who are not normally interested in model trains are impressed by these sought after items.

The S scale model trains were given the letter S in 1943 by the Model Railroading Association. The one sixty fourth size scale was specified to be exactly one half of the already available one thirty second size. The scale system is used to let people know about the relation in size between the model and full size.

S scale trains are sometimes referred to as S gauge trains because of the space between the rails on the track. Before the S scale which uses only two tracks, all the trains used three rail track. While newcomers to the model train world will use “S scale” and “S gauge” interchangeably, the main difference between the two terms is that “scale” is used in the states, while “gauge” is used in the United Kingdom.

Ironically, the National Association of S Gaugers is located in America, while the S Scale Model Railway Society can be found in the UK. These were created almost simultaneously in the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1930s.

The renaissance of S scale model trains began in 1980 and newcomers and long time enthusiasts alike began scooping up the delightful “new” line and American based manufacturers demonstrated a marked increase in production.

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It’s important when dealing with model railroad electronics that the transmitter, decoder and power stations you use in the model train set up follow NMRA guidelines so that different tracks and accessories from different manufacturers can be used together.

The model train you choose will depend on the space you have for setting up. After deciding the scale, which may be Z, N, or O, you have to decide on the scenery. For scenery you can use dedicated software or artistically create the scenarios. For the trains to move on the rail tracks, you will require some electronics to be used on the rail tracks and applied to the model train.

You can also get advice from the hobbyist store from where you will buy the model train. They might be able to sell you a set up with electronics included and “do it yourself” instructions. You can read about the electronics required in the model train set up on the web. Join a club to share information with other people like you. Different levels of model train enthusiastic people will require different levels of model railroad electronics in their model train set up.

Different kinds of circuits can be made, namely throttle, train detection, animation, control, and general purpose circuits. For the model train set up to work, and do activity, different kinds of model railroad electronics will be used in the tracks. You can have the following kinds of circuits based on the detector mechanism:

Light activated detector circuits.
Current activated block occupancy detector circuits.
Switch machine control circuits.
Automatic reversing circuits.
Automatic operations circuits.
Signals Circuits.
DC throttles.
DCC circuits.

Some beginner train sets have the model railroad electronics included in them for you to run the trains. Along with the tracks, the engine, you also get a transformer and remote control track set. You might have a level crossing which when connected to the model railroad electronics will make sound and close the gate while the train is passing through. There might be a station which beeps when the train enters the station and when the train leaves the station the station makes a train leaving announcement.

Multi-protocol stations are also available. These stations when attached to the model railroad electronics can control more than one locomotives moving on the track. They even have large color touch screen controllers. The station will represent locomotives in color images on a display unit.

The station can have a built in locomotive database and locomotive card readers. It can have a powerful booster in the station for providing power to the train layout and accessory current. There can be track diagram controller boards and route controllers. Several such stations can be also used in the circuit of the train tracks.

The station could also contain a central stop button. There can be as many as 10 or 15 controllable locomotive functions. There can be keyboards for many solenoid accessories. The built in track diagram control board will help to change tracks. The built in route control along with the shuttle train control can also be present in the station.

Remote control turntable, turntable controller, and turntable extension are also available that can be used on your track circuit. These turntables are used in the stations to change the direction of your engine. Normally if you are buying a model train set for home use you will get all instructions to the joining of the tracks and running of the model train from any manufacturer. If you choose to buy accessories and add them to your circuit then too you should receive some printed material. It is also advised that you contact a professional who knows about model railroad electronics, electricity, and helps you with any connectivity requirements.

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This was a major frustration for me. I would fix one section of the track and the next day the train would derail on another section.

It frustrated me to the point of wanting to give the hobby away..!

A smooth running model train is a dream for most model train beginners. But it is actually quite easy to achieve with a little attention to detail.

Here are 7 ways to stop your model train derailing:

1 – Ensure every joint on your track is level, aligned and properly fitted

Sounds like common sense? But poorly assembled track joints are the worst offenders for derailing model trains.

Slide your finger across the joint. It should feel level with the gap between the tracks kept to the absolute minimum. I solder my joints because this stops any problems with expansion and contraction opening and closing of the joints.

With a small file I am able to create a continuously level track and have a beautifully smooth running model train.

2 – Check your track gauge on joints, turnouts and frog assemblies

Another common problem for model train derailments is incorrect track gauge. A tight track gauge will cause the wheels to climb up and derail off the track.

A wide track gauge will also derail your model train as the wheel flanges can not span the track properly. The gauge can be adjusted using a soldering iron to gently heat the rail, moving the rail to the correct position and allowing it to cool.

3 – Check your switch points for sharpness when they switch

Some new switch points can be fairly blunt on the movable section where it strikes up against the stock rails. This can grab on the wheels and cause a model train derailment.

A small file can be used to gently smooth the moveable part of the points to allow a nice smooth transition. Remember to check the gauge in both positions.

4 – Check all your model train couplers

A snagging coupler will cause model train derailments. Some new carriages can come with unpolished couplers which can catch and force derailments.

Clean off any rough edges and adjust the couplers for proper centering. The manufacturers usually provide these instructions.

5 – Add extra weight to your freight cars

I find that most freight cars are too light and sometimes all the wheels do not contact the rails equally. By adding a small amount of weight to the cars your model train will run smoother and you will eliminate derailments, especially on the tight radius’s.

Just make sure you add the weight as low as possible to the car and in the centre, keeping a low center of gravity.

6 – Check all your wheel sets for proper operation

Wheel sets that are out of gauge, not aligned or moving freely will cause your model train to derail. Check your wheel sets and make sure that your carriages are not crabbing and forcing the wheel flanges into the rail, making it prone to derail.

The carriages should rock freely to take up any small imperfections in your track.

7 – Lubricate the squeaks

Sometimes the smallest drop of light oil will cure a problem with your model train derailing. An unlubricated or snaggy wheel, or coupler, can cause a slight tip over, or jar, which usually forces the wheel flange to snag the rail and derail your model train.

Oil attracts dust and can damage paintwork, so make sure you use only the smallest amount required.

Now you have no reason to put up with your model train derailing.

It usually comes down to a small bit of maintenance from time to time. With the quality most manufacturers are producing today, and some ongoing maintenance, you can make model train derailments a thing of the past.

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Pick a Railroad… Any Railroad
Choosing a specific railroad to focus on can make the hobby much more more economical. Your railroad can be modern day like the Union Pacific, BNSF, or Canadian National. Or it can be a “fallen flag”, a railroad that’s been taken over by a larger company. Many modelers choose the railroad whose trains they watched passing by as a child.

Home Is Where You Lay Your Track
A model railroad takes space. Whether you’re playing with toy trains on the floor, building landscaped modules to participate in a club, or devoting your entire basement to a railroad empire you need to decide how much space your railroad is going to take.

I actually think it’s better to play with your trains and track for a while before thinking about building a permanent layout. The experience will help you plan a better layout. A 5 x 9 foot ping-pong table is great for experimenting with temporary layouts to get started, provided its not too flimsy.

Plan Your Layout
Once you’ve selected your scale and identified your available space, you can start planning your layout. There are a number of track planning software packages available to help you design your layout. First you need to decide what kind of you’ll be using.

It’s also helpful to look at layout plans on club and manufacturer web sites. These plans specify the use of a specific brand of track, but if you find a layout that you like on a web site, don’t choose your track simply because the design calls for it. With a little work you can implement nearly any track plan using any brand of track.

Power To The Trains
A packaged train set will usually come with a transformer or powerpack. The photo shows a DC powerpack that comes bundled with Kato track and train sets.

In recent years serious model railroaders are turning to computer controlled trains. Digital Command Control (DCC), the industry standard for digital model train control, is widely available today. Three-rail O scale manufacturers tend to have their own proprietary digital control systems instead of using DCC.

Form Follows Function
Okay… we’ve covered the mechanics of model railroading; now let’s talk about the aesthetics.

Model railroading is as much an art as an engineering discipline. I’ve seen one fellow posting on model railroad forums refer to his layout as a “kinetic sculpture”, and this is a completely accurate description of what we do. A model railroad layout is a sculpture in motion. This is what distinguishes it from most other art forms.

There’s a Time and a Place for Everything
So where exactly is your railroad? The Canadian Rockies? The plains of Texas? Downtown Chicago? What time of year is it? Is it spring, summer, fall, or winter? Is it 1888, 1952, or 2002?. All of these factors influence how you will decorate your layout.

You need to decide these things before investing in any trains, landscaping materials, or structure kits. You don’t want to be running a Japanese 21st Century Shinkansen Bullet Train alongside an 1880s Consolidation steam locomotive that’s pulling Overton passenger cars on an elevated track through downtown Chicago in the 1970s… or maybe you do.

The Bottom Line
What’s it going to cost? The real question is, how much do you want to spend? If you want to buy quality equipment you’ll need $350 to $500 to get started in HO or N scale, and more for O scale or Z scale. Of course that’s just the beginning. Whether you’re collecting trains, building and painting kits, or landscaping your layout, like most other hobbies, model railroading will have ongoing expenses. It isn’t about the money; it’s about the pleasure you derive from it.

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Coming in on a Saturday would give me a chance to work with some folks I normally don’t get to work with, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to learn something new. I did learn some new stuff but I also re-learned something I already knew; or so I thought.

It was time to pull one of the freight trains off the main line into the Midland Yard and send out something else for awhile.

There was a young boy watching me work the control panel, and, since I like to engage the public whenever I can, I asked him which train I should sent out next.

He picked the “Yellowstone” engine shown in the picture at right, a massive 2-8-8-4 steam locomotive.

I brought the other train in from the main line and sent out the Yellowstone. While the train was pulling out onto the main line I was distracted by a commotion on the other side of the layout. After I returned to the yard control panel I started moving some of the rolling stock around to set up another freight train to run next.

I was pretty intent on what I was doing in the yard and didn’t notice the small crowd of about a dozen visitors lining up to watch the yard action. As I was happily moving an engine around the yard I heard someone say, “Hey, I think that train is going to . . .” and then CRASH! The train with the huge engine I had sent out a few minutes earlier came crashing into the yard at nearly full speed, rear-ending another train!

I had forgotten to reset the switch that leads from the main line into the yard. Instead of continuing on the main line, the train followed the track back into the yard. Three sidings full of trains were now scattered all over the yard, and in front of an audience of about a dozen people! It would have been embarrassing without the audience, but I wanted to crawl under a rock!

One of the other volunteers helped me clean up my mess and got the train back on the main line. Fortunately, none of the trains were damaged. As we were cleaning up the mess, I ran through my head what had happened to lead up to the crash. In the same way that I was modeling freight yard operations, I had inadvertently modeled a railroad disaster. I had allowed something to distract me from following the procedures that would have prevented the crash.

Fortunately, I don’t have to deal with an NTSB accident investigation and, other than my bruised ego, no one was hurt. I will no doubt, have to endure a little more ribbing from my fellow volunteers at the museum.

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A simple plastic stir stick, available at most fast food restaurants that serve coffee, can be used as shown in the pictures at right to uncouple two cars.

Simply insert the pointed end of the stir stick into the coupler and rotate clockwise until the coupler arms release each other.

The cars shown in the pictures are O Scale cars with Kadee couplers. I haven’t tested this on smaller scale cars, but I’m sure something similar would work for those scales as well.

I’ve used this technique while reorganizing cars in the freight yard on the TCMRM layout; it’s fast and effective.

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I find that reading current magazines helps me stay fresh with what’s new as well as picking up tidbits of useful info. I decided to check to see what’s available today and share it with you.

Since Amazon.com is a great source for books and other stuff (I’ve personally bought not only books but computer parts and even a replacement stylus for my PDA phone) I thought I’d look there. Since we’re communicating via the internet I figure Amazon.com is a good resource.

Here’s what I found (I’m not a proficient copywriter, so I’ll use their product descriptions along with my own comments):

	Model Railroader Magazine Product Description Tips, projects, and photographs designed to help readers improve layouts and keep in touch with the hobby. This is the magazine I am most familiar with and the one I looked for first every time I got the itch to read about model railroading.
	Classic Toy Trains Magazine Product Description Provides information through articles and photographs on collecting and maintaining classic model trains. I picked up a copy of this magazine locally and found the articles useful. It was full of great photos to go with the articles. I also found the ads in this magazine more useful than those in Model Railroader magazine.
	Model Railroad News Magazine Product Description Model Railroad News brings you the best up to date model railroading information each and every month. It provides timely, in-depth coverage of new products, model railroading news, and includes highly regarded product reviews. I’m not familiar with this magazine but I’m including it in the list for your reference.
	Model Railroad Craftsman Magazine Product Description For the model railroad enthusiast, beginner and advanced collectors. Contains information on scale and toy trains, how-to, plans, layouts, new products, books, meets, and photos. I’m not familiar with this magazine but I’m including it in the list for your reference.

I noticed that all of these magazines were available for delivery to US addressess only, but I’m sure there are options available for those of you outside of the US.

Reading current model railroading magazines will help keep you up to date on the latest trends and products available.

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