Model Trains Layouts » Guide

Guide to Sectional Track for Model Trains

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:42 +0000

Sectional track is great for people who want experiment with their model trains. Users can control the shape of their track layout by adding curves and intersections plus much, much more. The following includes a basic guide to sectional track for Lionel trains.

A good place to start with sectional track is to plan your layout. The simplest designs are circular or oval and more complex layouts may include complex crossings. Consider how much space you have available. Once you have a design planned out for your Lionel trains, take the time to invest in a range of track. You want large pieces as well as small pieces so that you can avoid holes. One of the biggest mistakes is not having enough of the right pieces on hand to build the desired layout.

There are many types of track to choose from. There are of course the basic straight and curved pieces of track as well as more complex options. For example, a turnout is a piece that helps a train enter in one direction and leave on two or three other tracks. Crossings are pieces where you have two pieces of track crossed in 90, 45, or even 30 degree angles.

Some forms of model trains sectional track include roadbeds. These pieces have interlocking tabs that will keep your train running without risk of derailment. With or without roadbed, it is recommended to nail the entire track layout to a piece of plywood. This will prevent carpet fuzz and debris from breaking up the track and interfering with the engine of the train.

To position your sectional track, line up the pieces so there isn’t a gap between them. Be sure the pieces are level: You don’t want one overlapping the other. Do not try and force pieces of track together, especially curved pieces. If you do this, you risk creating a gap or having an awkward section of track that can cause derailment. You want your curves to be tight so that you can run many model trains on your track, but you do not want the curves to be unnatural.

At first, it may take a while to plan and build sectional tracks, even for popular brands like Lionel trains. You may start with an idea only to realize you lack all of the necessary pieces or that its design is larger than you anticipated. Sectional tracks are like pieces of a big puzzle. Assembling the pieces will help with estimating the layout’s dimensions and the necessary supplies needed to for its construction.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about lionel trains toys. Click here to download a free model trains guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Originally posted 2009-11-24 12:08:40. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to Wiring Model Train Toy Track Layouts

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:42 +0000

A train toy is a key piece of any childhood. Thus, it is important to master the wiring of toy model trains to ensure they run as smoothly as possible. This way, your child can enjoy hours upon hours of great fun. Don’t worry: Even if you have little experience with wiring, you can definitely master this with a little practice. The following includes a basic guide to wiring model train toy layouts.

Before you begin, you should know that the larger your model train track is, the more complex wiring and set-up will be. Additionally, you may need to use a heavy gauge wire as a bus for the track and may also have to run a number of feeders. Experts recommend that you fasten your train track to a foundation so that it is as secure as possible. Plywood is generally an inexpensive and effective material to use for this.

One of the keys to wiring model train tracks is to keep track of which wire is which. Using different-colored wire is a great way to keep track of your wiring patterns. For example, you could have the outside rail wires be red and the inside ones white to mark the negative charge.

Most experts agree that the right hand rule of wiring is integral to a successful track layout. Basically, you want the train to travel the track layout to the right or counterclockwise direction from where you stand at the power pack. When wiring, this means that the outside rail would be positive (+) and the inside rail would then be a negative (-) rail. It’s important to keep in mind which rails are positive and negative so that wiring is made that much easier.

You can wire the toy train wires to the model’s track in a number of ways. The most popular way is to solder feeder wires to the outer side of your rail. An 8 place terminal block is a great way to keep track of your wires. For example, you can connect all of the wires here and keep yourself from doubling up wires in a power pack. You don’t want the vibration from the pack to result in loose or frayed wires. Attaching the wires from the pack to the block is easy: all you have to do is strip some of the insulation from the wire, loop it around one of the knobs or screws of the terminal, and match up the charges.

Beginners should start simple so that they can master the basics of wiring and soldering. Once you master a simple model train toy track layout and its wiring, you can start experimenting with more and more complex layouts and their wiring. Soon, you’ll have many trains running on interlocking and reversing loops of track.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about train toy. Click here to download a free model train guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Originally posted 2009-12-30 10:48:57. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to Train Set Power Packs for Bachmann Model Trains

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:37 +0000

So you’ve finally decided which new layout you want for your Bachmann model trains. You’ve carefully planned your train expansion and realize you must now consider expanding your power source. When working with any brand of train set, power packs play an important role.

Unfortunately, a starter train set is rarely sufficient for your goals and it doesn’t take long to realize how much better the experience will be with a bit of additional power. Even worse is the fact some power packs aren?t even afforded adequate protection against burnouts; which is a risk to your investment. With those thoughts in mind, we’ve put together a few buying tips and general guidelines that will help you decide the best power pack for your own train set.

So what exactly is a power pack’s purpose in the world of Bachmann model trains? Simply put, power packs serve as rectifiers that alternate from A.C. to D.C. and they include transformers that monitor the voltage and incorporate a rheostat that works as a variable resister allowing better control over the speed of the train. Don’t let this overwhelm you- the good news is all of the variables and formulas have already been incorporated into the many power packs on the market. Your biggest task will be selecting the right one for your needs.

Many enthusiasts will suggest incorporating a separate power source for accessories. If your model toys include many of the bells and whistles such as lights and the ability to switch machines, it’s recommended your incorporate one of these separate power packs. It will eliminate the frustrating slowing of your train each time you command your other accessories. Ideally, a two amp power pack will serve the purpose, but at least consider a one amp pack. This will ensure fewer power surges and interruptions.

At this point, you may wish to consider adding a pulse switch. This allows half the A.C. wave cycle to be directed towards a rapidly pulsating D.C. One advantage to incorporating a pulse switch is the ability to better manipulate your Bachmann model train set at lower speeds while helping the motor to overcome friction. It’s important to note despite the advantages of adding a pulse switch, there is always the risk of the motor overheating which might cause it to burn out. Although this isn’t common, it’s important to know the possibility exists. One way to avoid this is to ensure the gears aren’t too tightly wound and sufficient lubrication is in place to avoid overheating.

Finally, as with everything else electrical these days, the world of Bachmann model trains has kept pace with the technological advances of contemporary times. Today?s electronic packs are designed to release a quick first surge of power to get your model train set moving until it’s receiving D.C. at higher speeds.

Originally posted 2009-12-15 10:52:02. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Buyer’s Guide for Model Train Toys

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:36 +0000

Model train toys are a lot of fun but they are not cheap. So before you invest your hard-earned money, it pays to do a little up-front research. This article provides some brief guidelines for to help you get started with buying model train toys.

There is a lot more to this hobby than just buying a couple of train toys to push around on a makeshift track. Instead, you need to consider everything from the materials from which the tracks are made to the locomotives, cars, wiring, power-pack components, and whether or not to purchase complete kits or buy each item separately.

One of the first things to consider is the scale. The most popular scales are O scale and HO scale (half-zero). O scale is 1:48 scale while HO is 1:87 scale. However, smaller and larger scale models are also available. The main consideration here is your availability of space. If you plan to fit your layout on a 4×8 piece of plywood, HO scale is a great choice for that. If you have more space and more money to spend, O scale is a great choice. There are lots of accessories available for either HO or O scale.

Another decision to make is whether to buy a complete kit or individual components. Kits are recommended for beginners because they provide the essential items at an affordable cost. The downside of buying individual components is it will cost more money and take more time to put it all together. However, for more serious model train hobbyists, buying individual components is recommended because it allows you to upgrade and customize your selections, making your set uniquely yours and totally awesome! Kits typically include standard quality items, which are okay for beginners but maybe not okay for more serious railroaders.

For the cars, as long as they are the same scale as your track, you really cannot go wrong. Buy the ones you like the best and have fun collecting unique and interesting cars.

One of the most important model train features is the track. Tracks have rail heads, which are made from three basic materials, brass, nickel-silver and steel. However, there are really just two choices here because brass is being phased out by most manufacturers and is already hard to find in hobby shops. The best and cheapest place to find brass track is in garage sales. So your remaining choices are nickel-silver and steel. Nickel-silver is the easiest to find and most commonly used. It is very popular because it is slower to oxidize, which means less maintenance and less cleaning. Steel has the advantage of looking the most realistic but it has the disadvantage of rusting faster and getting dirty faster. So if you want that awesome look that steel offers, you have to be willing to work harder for it.

When looking for track, look for a code on the track packages. This number relates to the height of the rail. The most commonly used track code is 100 on the HO scale. Model train enthusiasts often use lighter rails or those below 100 as an alternative to achieve a more realistic appearance.

Another important component is the locomotive. Here the choices are diesel versus steam engines. Steam locomotives are very fun because of the loud train sounds and smoke but are typically more expensive than diesel. Diesels are typically available as either 4-axle or 6-axle. Your choice here depends partly on the twists and turns of your track layout. For HO track, a 4-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 18 inches while a 6-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 22 inches.

Lastly, consider your electrical needs. You will not only need a power-pack but also wires to keep your train up and running. Different trains require different types of power. Most experts agree that HO locomotives pull between 0 to 15 volts DC at .5 or more amp, though adding extra amps is always a good investment. Invest in colored wires to make wiring that much easier. This helps you to keep track of positive and negative charges so that you can avoid a short.

What began as train toys can quickly become a far more serious but still very lovable model train hobby. This guide should help you get started so you can safely move past the serious issues and proceed directly into the fun times.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about model train toys. Click here to download a free model train guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Originally posted 2010-01-19 10:00:00. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to HO Scale Model Railroad Trains 4 x 8 Foot Benchwork

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:33 +0000

Building bench-work for the first time for your model railroad is an exciting moment! To create a good first layout for HO scale model trains, a great way to start is with a basic plan for 4 x 8 foot bench-work. You are essentially building a table from a piece of plywood and will construct your exciting new layout on that. Below are some instructions for building a good, solid bench-work for your layout, starting with a materials list and moving into instructions.

The materials you will use include the following:
1 4 x 8 sheet of plywood (a good size for HO scale model trains; use 5/8 inch B-C grade plywood)
3 1×4 x8? (for edge supports)
4 1×4 x8? ripped into 1×2 stock (for 5 joists, plus bracing)
1 1×4 x10? ripped into 1×2 stock (for bracing between legs)
1 2×4 x8? ripped into 2×2 stock (this is for the table legs and is enough for a max height of 48 in)
1 box (100) 1-3/4? dry wall screws (will use 72 of these)
8 1/4×3? carriage bolts (for bolting on the table legs)
8

Originally posted 2010-01-14 12:02:35. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to HO Scale Railroad Model Trains Track Layouts

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:32 +0000

There are a few things to remember when designing custom layouts for HO scale model railroad trains. First ? enjoy yourself! There is lots of room for creativity, just stay with in a few basic guidelines.

Some very useful online tools including free software to design your own railroad model layout; search for it ? it is even fun to use. You can also do it the ?old fashioned? way, using pencil and paper with a compass for curves and a ruler for straight-aways. Keep in mind that no matter how exact you are in your design, when it comes to laying the materials, some adjustments will always be necessary.

You can also design your layout right on location, placing track pieces and switches loosely in place to get a feel for what it will look like. You can move things around until you have it exactly the way you want it. This is known as ?going free-lance.?

It?s helpful to deliberately leave openings for later changes and additions. Leave some space for a train yard you might be able to add later, or other details you might not have the time or money for in your railroad model right now. This makes for a rewarding, multi-stage project, growing in complexity over time.

There are several different types of yards you can add. A ?hump? yard has a gentle slope with an uncoupler, allowing uncoupled cars to gently roll away from the mainline. A staging yard is a section of track deliberately hidden from view, where you send your trains to wait. It?s useful to simulate long-distance runs, or simply for storage purposes.

One important guideline to keep in mind is the minimum radius for your turns, which in HO scale model trains is 18 inches for 4 axle diesels and 22 inches for 6 axle diesels. As a general rule, things will look and work best with 24 inch radius turns. For a full circle, this means 48 inches diameter, so you will need slightly more than a 4 foot wide space for such a layout.

Another important guideline is the maximum grade, which for HO scale model trains is 4%. What this means is that you should take 100 horizontal inches to rise 4 vertical inches. And that?s a maximum. Try to keep hills somewhat less steep than that. And test your engines to find out what they can handle and how many cars they can pull up that grade you?re creating.

To simulate greater height, instead of creating a steep climb for the rails themselves, drop the ground level underneath. You can create some breathtaking gorge and valley scenery, or even just send a road or another track underneath.

For getting started with your first layout, it?s probably best to stick with sectional track, which is fairly easy to snap together. More advanced modelers of HO scale model trains prefer to construct their layout from flex track. It comes in bundles, so it?s generally cheaper, and, as its name implies, it is a very versatile option, with greater opportunity for customization. It will make your railroad model look good. You can create small, brief curves with more natural lead-ins as opposed to being restricted to standard radii and straightaways in the snap-together sets.

A final point to consider in your design is to be sure you will be able to get to all parts of the finished layout for maintenance purposes. Some advanced modelers constructing larger layouts will even make ?access hatches?, large holes covered by a movable portion of scenery, where they can come up from beneath and actually stand in the middle to work on those less accessible portions. Be sure the opening is large enough to comfortably stand and move around in. The scenery on the removable section should be light and durable for ease of handling. You may also want to create a screen of trees or some other visual obstruction in front of the removable section.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about railroad model. Click here to download our free HO scale model trains guidebook filled with helpful tips, ideas and information.

Originally posted 2009-12-22 11:21:38. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to Model Trains Track Cleaning

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:31 +0000

Cleaning your Lionel model trains railroad tracks is a task that should be conducted when the tracks are noticeably dirty or when the train seems to stick and pause during operation. There are several methods that work well and you may want to experiment to find the one that suits you the best. The more you use your model trains, the less often you will need to clean the tracks. Conversely, with seldom used tracks, you may find you need to perform heavier-duty cleaning almost every time you use your toy model trains.

For HO scale trains, you can purchase a track-cleaning car. You fill the car with light oil and the track-cleaning car is pulled around the track by the engine. Be careful that you don?t overfill the track cleaning car, for in doing so, oil may spill over onto the tracks or the scenery. Add oil sparingly to avoid the mess. The cars contain a small tank with protrusions that rub on the rails, cleaning the rails as the train travels the length of the track. The track-cleaning car can be used frequently. If you use a brass track, you may notice oxidation forming. If so, a more thorough cleaning of the track may be necessary.

For heavy-duty cleaning and eliminating oxidation from brass tracks, you will need a product such as Walther?s Bright Boy. It is a hand-held cleaner that looks like a small flat eraser, measuring about 2? x 1.5?. You rub the bar across the rails, allowing the grit to remove dirt, paint, and oil from your model tracks. If you have brass tracks for your toy model, this cleaner will remove most of the oxidation from the tracks. Using sandpaper or emery is not recommended as these products could leave pits in the tracks of your toy model trains.

Once you have cleaned the tracks with the bar, you will want to rub a soft cloth along the tracks to remove any residue left behind from the cleaner. Cleaning your tracks regularly will keep the toy trains running smoothly, giving you more time to enjoy playing and less time cleaning.

One more cleaning option is to use a liquid product that is made for track cleaning. LifeLike is one such product and can be purchased at your local hobby store. Dampen a soft cloth with the liquid and rub the tracks. Keep changing places on the cloth as you go so you are not using the same spot repeatedly. Dry the train tracks as you go. As you are cleaning, inspect your track for signs of damage and repair or replace them as needed.

Once your model trains tracks are clean, you will need to perform regular maintenance to keep them that way. A product such as Pacer Technology?s Rail Zip is a good cleaner to maintain your track?s cleanliness. You squeeze a drop or two on the track in a few places and let your toy model trains run for several minutes. This allows the product to be spread fairly evenly around the track. Additionally, this product will keep the wheels clean. Rail Zip will also restore the electrical conductivity by preventing and reducing sparking.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Lionel trains toys. Click here to download a free model trains guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Originally posted 2009-11-08 12:34:54. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Guide to Flexible Track for Lionel Model Trains

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:22 +0000

What is flexible track? It is the most common form of track used with model trains railways today. Flexible track can be used with Lionel trains and just about every other brand because it is made by the majority of model trains manufacturers. Most flexible track pieces are three feet long and are indeed flexible, yet still fairly rigid. If you bend them one way to begin with, that is the shape that they will pretty much stay in from that point on.

The Super-Flex, however, from Atlas, works in a somewhat different way ? you can bend it in to pretty much any shape you like, but it always spring back; this is due to the fact that the Super-Flex has both one floating rail and one fixed rail. Which style you prefer is entirely based on personal taste, though both have their advantages and disadvantages.

There are four advantages to having some form of flexible track for Lionel trains or any other brands of model trains to run on.

First, there are fewer joints in any given run of track. With just one three foot section of flexible track, you instantly cut out the need for four nine inch pieces of sectional track, thus giving you far fewer connections and a lot less potential for any problems on the track.

Second, you can curve flex track into any particular radius you want. It can also be shaped into a much easier kind of curve for your trains to run on than would otherwise be the case. The curves can also be shaped into the kind of curves you require to fit the area, rather than be stuck with a fixed shape that might not work for the space you have available.

Third, flexible track pieces can be cut to any length you require. This helps make your layout work because it can be adjusted to fit into whatever space is available.

Fourth, when trying to find the best layout for your track, it is helpful to mark the lines you want the track pieces to follow before nailing them down. With normal track this can be very challenging to get it right. However, with flexible track it is easy because you can use pieces of flex track as a template to draw around and mark the track locations. There are some tools available to buy that have been specifically designed for this purpose, but you may find they are not entirely necessary ? a yardstick, pencil and a few extra track lengths can do the job just as well and cost less.

The advantages of flexible track are clear and unequivocal. All things considered, flexible track for your model trains to run on is unquestionably the way to go.

Originally posted 2009-11-04 16:50:45. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Buyer’s Guide for Model Train Toys

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:22 +0000

For the cars, as long as they are the same scale as your track, you really cannot go wrong. Buy the ones you like the best and have fun collecting unique and interesting cars.

Originally posted 2010-01-24 09:51:49. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Discover the Worth of Your Old Lionel Trains – Model Trains Collectors Guide

Model Trains Layouts — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:51:18 +0000

Are you counting to trade your old Lionel trains? Possibly you have discovered a goldmine at your neighbourhood garage sale! Or possibly you’ve revealed a box in the attic filled with these old Lionel trains. How do you check their worth?

When it gets down to it, their valued, or their selling cost, will look on whatsoever things, not the least of which is how much the buyer is ready to give you to get it. The most affected buyers will course pay more than someone who is not fanatic about it.

The last someone you want to deal your used Lionel train to is one of those someones who post ads saying “I buy trains!”. These somebodies are in the business of paying the bottom possible price, and then selling as high as manageable. You most likely will not get a good cost presently.

Who you DO want to talk to is proper collectors of used Lionel trains. They are most likely to give you a ordinary cost, and in this group of someones is where you are likewise most in all probability to learn a motivated purchaser. You may have a localized group of collectors in your personalized region. Hobby workshops that deal in old Lionel trains, or supply regions and add-on for them, can direct you in seeing the accurate collectors.

Nowadays that you recognize where to find a purchaser, here are whatsoever hints to help you put a price on your antique Lionel train.

The Train Collectors Association has direct grading banners that are observed by the regular train collectors in discovering valuations. They divide the entire range of conditions into 7 categories, ranging from brand new and unused (mint condition) to rubble, with some useable divisions (poor condition). The 7 categories are: Mint, Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Your train will drop somewhere into one of these families.

In addition, there are 2 quality leads released every last yr that can help you to fix a rate for your old Lionel train. These publishing companies are well honorable in this field, and have been writing these guides for some yr. The two guides are:

TM’s Lionel Price and Rarity Guide – Volume 1 or Volume two, betting on the date your Lionel train was constructed

Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains

There are certain affairs you can do which can make a primary difference in your selling cost. If your train is in mint condition, plus you have the special package, you will get the steepest price possible. So do not ever so cast away the box if you have one. Also, clean your train so that there is no dust, soil, dirt, or old built up oil on it. A clean and polished train that doesn’t move can ofttimes require a high dealing cost than a dirty one that operates. In addition, sometimes just cleansing it up and making minor fixtures can reestablish that old train to a more worthy condition.

You can get an superior guide for fixing your old Lionel train at LionelManuals.com. The guide is actually 2 CDs full of instructions, blueprints, parts lists, and detailed plots for every Lionel train ready-made from 1906 through 1986. It makes reconstructing your train simple, and can easily double or triple the cost you can get for your train. With whatever of these payable trains, doing the uncomplicated restores can actually bring you thousands of dollars more when you sell it.

So you see, there is a lot that goes into committing a rate on your used Lionel train. Your well count to get a good trading price is to do your enquiry on your train, check the established guides, make contact with a collectors club, and show a reconstructed, clean and beaming train to a wild gatherer.

Discover the easiest way to repair and restore used lionel trains with LionelManuals. Learn how to fix and repair antique lionel trains with over 2000 pages and diagrams Be among the rare few to own this lionel trains manual collection previously only available to lionel technicians… Visit the official site now to download a free 1965 vintage lionel catalog.

Originally posted 2009-12-30 10:49:11. Republished by Old Post Promoter