Hello all model railroaders… Issue #105 of the model train newsletter is available at http://howtobuildamodelrailroad.com/model-train-newsletter-105/

In this newsletter we cover…

   1. Which locomotive do you choose?

   2. A video of an amazing LGB layout

   3. Voltage for a 3 way switch

   4. Help for a simple layout

   5. Lighting adjustments

   6. Subscriber photos

   7. Creating orchards

   8. And so much more…

There is something for everyone. If you have any suggestions or comments please reply to this email and tell us.

Enjoy,

Dan Morgan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_B_Morgan

Model trains stores can be expensive, but then you do get what you pay for. If you are a beginner then model trains stores should be your first stop.

Notice I said model trains stores and not hobby shops, because there is a difference. Hobby shops are usually staffed by people that are not experienced model railroaders.

While model trains stores are usually owned by very well experienced model railroaders.

Building a model railway is the most enjoyable hobby in my opinion. There is no other hobby where you can learn and improve a wide variety of skills in one place.

Building a model railroad exposes you to planning, design, woodwork, metalwork, wiring, electronics, kitbashing, scratchbuilding and so much more. But, you don’t need to know it all when you start.

The model trains stores in your area are filled with people waiting to advise you on building your dream model railroad.

So, why is model railroading known as an expensive hobby?

The answer is in the decisions they make. These are the 7 most common model railway mistakes you should avoid:

1 – Not Knowing What You Want

Most model railroad beginners start with an electric train set that comes complete with an oval track, locomotive, some cars and a controller. Often this is because it is cheaper to buy the set rather than individual components, but you get what you pay for.

As soon as you add more track to expand the oval, the problems start.

The power pack in the electric train set may have only been designed to power the oval length of track. When you add extra track, the power pack is now not powerful enough. This results in a voltage drop on the track and intermittent starting and stopping of the locomotive. This can be very frustrating.

2 – Building a Model Railway That Is Too Big

Often the impressive model railroads at the shows encourage beginners to go home and convert their entire basement into a huge model railroad.

Some of the model railway experts at those shows have spent 20 or more years on their layouts and a beginner trying to achieve that level of model railroading from the beginning will be disappointed.

Often the smallest of layouts can be more fun because they get to a level of enjoyable operation quicker. The experience adds up over the years and a small layout is always easy to expand.

3 – Paying Full Retail Price

If you are going to pay full retail price for every part of your model railway then it is going to be an expensive exercise.

Your local train club will have members, with equipment in good condition, that they will sell at a fraction of the new price. Model train experts are a generous bunch and always willing to help beginners.

Dan Morgan is the author of Model Trains For Beginners which should be compulsory reading for anyone considering model trains as a hobby.

Are you looking for a step-by-step guide to avoid the expensive model train mistakes almost all beginners make?

Check out my recommendations at http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com/recommended and learn more about the must-have model train resources I recommend.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_B_Morgan
   

The new Model Train Newsletter has just been published and it's hot off the press…

Go get it at >> http://howtobuildamodelrailroad.com/news101/

Tell me your thoughts… Do you like it? How can we improve it?

We are also looking for model railroaders to contribute.

So, if you would like to write a short blurb or suggest a video about anything to do with model railroading, please let me know at:

www.howtobuildamodelrailroad.com/contact/

Enjoy the newsletter.

Dan

P.S. here's the link again:
www.howtobuildamodelrailroad.com/news101/

Model trains are the best hobby in the world, but if you are going to pay full retail price for everything you buy, it will soon become the most expensive hobby you have ever had!

Here is how to save money on your model trains:

1) Make Sure You know What You Want

A common mistake with beginner railroaders is to start collecting one scale of model trains only to find that there are more accessories in another scale, so they change over.

Do your research first, speak to other railroaders, check how much space you have available, do you want diesel or steam locomotives, will your layout be multi-level, etc.

Think carefully about what you want. Hobby shop sales people love customers that walk in and ask their advice. Most of the sales people are on commission bonuses or incentives, so it is natural for them to sell you what is in stock and preferably the equipment with the biggest commissions.

With the internet it is easy to do some quality research and find the best price. Often model train equipment from different states or countries can be much cheaper, even with postage included.

2) Create Half a Layout

A model train that takes up your whole basement looks very impressive, but the bigger your layout the more money you will spend.

Often beginner model railroaders will see large and impressive layouts at their local model train club and want to build a similar sized layout. They usually do not have any idea what that large layout has cost the owner and how many hundreds of hours have been invested in building the system.

Start off slowly with a half sized layout built against a wall. With clever use of backdrops you can make your layout appear twice as big as it actually is.

A half sized layout is quicker to build and will provide any beginner railroader a good idea of costs and time involved. A half sized layout can always be pulled away from the wall and made twice or three times as big.

3) Buy 2nd Hand

I have bought locomotives off eBay for a tenth of the price of a new one. Model train enthusiasts are generally very careful with their model train equipment, so it is very rare that you will buy a dud.

Unfortunately some veteran railroaders leave us after 30 or 40 years of model railroading. Often complete sets like these can be bought for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Set up an alert on eBay, watch your local newspapers and community boards, keep in touch with your local model train club and ask the hobby shops.

Hobby shops usually only sell new equipment because the profits are bigger, so they will happily keep your details on file should someone come in wanting to sell 2nd hand equipment.

Advertise in newspapers and newsletters that you want to buy 2nd hand model train equipment. Most veteran model railroaders have far too much equipment for their needs and usually have had stuff sitting in boxes for years.

Your advert may come at a time when they need some cash.

4) Trade With Other Railroaders

Model train clubs are great places to swap or trade model train equipment.

Often railroaders do not want cash but they may want what you have. It does not mean that you have to swap a diesel locomotive for a diesel locomotive, you could trade your skill in building a pond or painting their model train room.

The ideas are endless and this can be a massive money saver.

5) Always Spend Your Hard Earned Money on Quality Over Quantity

If you have the money and only want new equipment than you absolutely must buy quality over quantity.

Locomotives can cost hundreds of dollars and it can be tempting to buy a locomotive at the lower end of the price scale. Manufacturers have become very good at producing lower priced locomotives that are well detailed and look good.

However they lack in their inner workings. A common mistake is to say you will upgrade later, because the initial money you spent will be wasted.

Once you experience quality equipment you will never use the low quality stuff again.

6) Make It Rather Than Buy It

Model trains will teach skills that you never had before. From working with electrics to creating rivers and ponds to building landscapes and so much more.

It is this skill set that you develop that makes model trains the best hobby in the world. Every part of model trains can easily be learnt by buying an ebook, a book or asking your model train club.

So make it before you buy it.

Buildings can be bought in kit form but it is so much more fun (and cheaper) creating the structure from scrap wood, beads, glue, paint and other bits and pieces.

7) Keep a Journal And Budget

It can be very easy to impulsively buy when being sold by an enthusiastic hobby shop sales person.

If you know what you want and have done your research online you will know how much you need to spend, which will make negotiating easier.

Building a reasonable sized model train layout can run into the thousands of dollars.

If you have $500 to spend then you do not want to even start with this layout. You will end up with a half finished layout until you find some extra money.

As you buy your model train equipment record the date, the details of the item you bought and the price you paid in a journal or notebook.

That way, when you come to sell it 2 or 3 years later, you know what you paid for it and can price it accordingly.

A journal is a great way to record your progress. Keep pictures as you are building your layout and comment on any issues or milestones.

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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:

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.

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.

Check your switch points for sharpness when they switch.

Some new switch points can be fairly blunt on the moveable 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.

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.

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 radiuses.

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

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.

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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Model train beginners need clarity!

Why do model railroaders need clarity?

Because the model train opportunities are endless!

You can build a layout in your basement, attic, shed, garage or garden.

You can run steam or diesel locomotives.

You can have multilevel railways with rivers, dams, mountains, snow… You get the idea!

The opportunities are truly endless in this wonderful hobby.

Some points to consider are:

Where are you going to build your layout?

In my case it’s "Where will my Wife let me?"  

I find that I prefer being in the shed where I am out of the way and can enjoy lots of "me" time. I have a friend who has a large model train layout in his front lounge area.

How much space have you got available?

The entire layout needs to be easily reachable by the operator to correct derailed trains, line faults, etc. "Against the wall" layouts need to be restricted to 3 feet wide.

A layout size of at least 3 feet 6 inches x 4 feet would allow space for a continuous loop railroad in HO scale.

A layout space of at least 6 x 4 feet would be a better option. This would allow room to have a reasonably interesting model railroad.

Which scale are you going to use?

This is largely dependent on the space you have available and how much detail you want. Detail is easier to see and reproduce on larger models.

HO scale is the most common and has the widest variety of accessories available. But if space is at a premium then consider N scale.

You can build an N scale layout in an area about 30% of that area needed to build a similar layout in HO scale.

Will you model a real life layout or create your own?

Most model train enthusiasts will eventually create models of real life systems. It can be challenging to model real life systems, but is very rewarding.

Google Earth provides us with the perfect tool to check layouts, sizes, scenery, buildings and more. Being clear on what you want will make your life so much easier.

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A good quality locomotive will make all the difference…

It can be very frustrating having a locomotive that you need to push to get going, or it suddenly speeds up and falls off the tracks.

A locomotive runs by picking up the electricity from the track through its wheels. The wheels transfer the electricity to the motor, which then turns the gears to drive the locomotive.

A locomotive with poor pickup on the wheels or a poor gear set up will give you lots of problems. As with most things, you get what you pay for… but this is one area you do not want to skimp on. A great operating locomotive is 90% of the way to having a fantastic model train layout.

When buying a locomotive these points are critical:

• 1) The amount of metal wheels that pick up the electricity – the more the better, but definitely more than 1 set.
   
• 2) A good gearing ratio and motor which requires the least amount of electricity to move the locomotive, with a slow but smooth start.
   
• 3) Flywheels at one or both ends of the motor to ensure a smooth take off and smooth stop.
   
• 4) The weight of the locomotive should be just right to maintain a good connection to the track at all times but not too heavy to make the locomotive sluggish.
   
• 5) The length of the locomotive – shorter diesel locomotives are less likely to derail on the curves than longer steam locomotives.

Most hobby shops will let you test the locomotive on their in-house test tracks before you buy.

Test the locomotive forwards and backwards… Check for a nice smooth take off and a nice smooth stop when the power is ramped up or down.

I usually go into my local hobby shop after doing my research online, test the locomotive, and then I know what price to negotiate around…

That tip has saved me nearly 30% of the retail price in some cases…

Buy quality when you buy your locomotives… I guarantee the investment will be well worth it.

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