Biannual new thread edition
Photos, questions, projects, discussion; talk about anything related to model trains in every scale from T to backyard RRs
old thread: >>839846
>>907611
The detached and bent frames seen in the pic is the reason I can't take O scale seriously. So unrealistic looking.
They look fine on straight track, but once they round a curve it loses all credibility.
I've always loved model railroading, but lack of real estate has prohibited me from setting up anything more than an oval around the Christmas tree. This year, however, my old Minitrix Decapod has started to give me some problems. Anything under 40mph and it barely starts, and once it's started, I have to keep cranking up the speed as it starts to slow down every so often. Given the age of the engine, I'm wondering if it's worth the time, money, or effort to fix it/have it fixed, or if I should let it retire and find an engine that was made more recently.
Should I try to fix it/bring it someplace to get fixed; or should I replace it, and if so, who makes a good replacement? I'm not too stuck on it needing to be another Decapod, but I do need it to not be DCC-enabled, and I'd prefer that it be a tendered steam engine. Are there any modern engines that don't come with all the fancy bells and whistles I could maybe look into?
Pic related, if it's helpful in any way. Sorry about the garbage quality of the photo.
>>907660
There are wide curves in O. 042 and up. Gargraves makes track that you can bend in a curve.
>>907680
Ask your local train store or go into a website forum dealing with your gauge.
>>907680
It might just need a bit of maintenance if it spends long periods of time in storage. it could be that the oil is dusty and congealing, meaning the motor has to work harder, or that the brushes need replacing. Wheels can also accumulate dust.
>>907660
I think that's because people try to cram O scale into places where it doesn't belong. The third rail also admits the shit out of me.
It's rare but there are good, 2 rail O scale layouts out there.
If anyone has any I'd love to see them.
>>907777
*annoys not admits
Sweet, got quads.
>>907703
Do you ever plan on upgrading your track and scenery and weathering your equipment?
>>907777
If you want decent looking O gauge layouts then you've got to go to Europe.
>>907786
No. It's getting hard to find tubular track and Fastrack is expensive.
>>907820
Maybe. They won't look as good because I recorded them on a tablet. My camera doesn't want to cooperate with my computer.
>>907887
Depends on your price range and space, really. Semi-scale MTH has the advantage with every engine having DCS. If you're not concerned with command control but you still want a remote, Lionchief engines are a great deal. Generally they're not as well detailed as MTH though.
For the high end stuff I think those two are on about the same footing. MTH has the advantage of two-rail versions of a lot of the models, and if you had unlimited income Lionel's Vision Line has lots of neat details and features.
Williams (Bachmann) has historically been focused on reproductions and semi-scale models, if that's what you're interested in (my GP in the OP is Williams). They have recently been introducing more detailed models like their GP30 and BL-2, so those and future models might be worth looking at.
I don't have a lot of experience with Atlas, but I know they swing more towards semi-scale. They seem decent enough.
>>907871
Other than your filename any other layouts you know of I should check out?
>>908075
Not him, but from flicking through mostly British model rail mags that I have:
>O gauge (7mm scale)
Hassell Harbour Bridge
Ynysybwl Fach
Trebudoc
Haytor Vale
Norfolk Joint Railway
Seabury Town
>Bonus Gauge 1 layout
Hatherleigh Junction
Many are relatively small layouts modelling small country branch termini or industrial areas.
I could probably chase up some more, I had many years of vicarious railway modelling before being able to start myself.
![post-11257-0-48848700-1331492842_thumb[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/rYQNnoS.jpg "post-11257-0-48848700-1331492842_thumb[1].jpg")
>>908302
Bit remiss of me not to include a picture.
This is Hassell Harbour Bridge, obviously on the grandiose club layout end of the scale.
>>907887
Williams. They are basic models with basic horn and bell. They are cheaper than most others and they run with no problem. They are owned by Bachmann.
https://youtu.be/mDGkc7tazzY
https://youtu.be/RVHPWZZH_fk
I want to get back into railway modelling again soon. Got a half finished layout currently stored away in my grandparents house. Just need to find somewhere to set it up.
I went to Mary Arnold toys,the oldest toy sore in NYC. They had Lionel starter sets in there so they get to push the hobby to kids though the $280 price might give pause.
I'm from the last thread asking about G scale
I also said if post my Zillertalbahn when the engine was repaired and here it is.
2071D LGB loco, the postal car in the rear is the newest addition.
Although with a steaming loco with a bunch of lamps in combination with the lighted mail car might be giving my transformer a hard time. It'll run fine for some minutes then power will just cease in the whole track.
>>908577
Hey,they get to play with the trains after the show ends. The one on the right got into better things.
>>908480
The Electric Company? They had trains on that show?
>>908678
They had a train that showed words placed on the boxcars. The trains were HO by the couplers.
>>908678
By the way the picture is from a Broadway musical they did called "The Me Nobody Knows".
>>908888
Neat, is it any good?
And nice quads.
>>908910
It was based on a book by kids writing letters on any subject:what they wanted to be,how they got along with other people,etc. The kids in the play were from elementary to high school. It was on Broadway from December 1970 to November 1971. Northern Calloway was in it and so was Hattie Winston.
So, I'm building a small N scale 4x1 switching layout. Any tips?
>>908950
Sounds interesting, got a sketch of the proposed layout yet? Anyrail is a good program for that purpose. Also are you using unitrack or placing the rail yourself?
>>908964
>Sounds interesting, got a sketch of the proposed layout yet?
Yep, I've already got a track plan.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzh-FbVlJ0rjRXhWQUp0SEI0UklsaVFsdGNLTFUtV0p3SHpj/view?usp=sharing
I didn't actually make the plan and it's intended to be used with hand-laid track instead of store-bought, but with #5 turnouts and flextrack it should still work according to the author.
>Also are you using unitrack or placing the rail yourself?
I'm using Atlas code 55 flextrack.
I think the thing I'm most concerned about is wiring. I've heard DCC wiring is easier, but I don't know if that's true for a smaller layout like this or for someone who's almost completely new to electrical work. Plus it'd mean I'd have to get a DCC system, which I'm not 100% certain of cost and how to set it up, though I think it would just mean installing JMRI on my laptop or something.
>>909017
Go to a model railroad forum and ask for help. Introduce yourself first and be nice.
>>909021
And be willing to wait a week or more for a response.
>>909024
Better than asking 4channers unless they have layouts.
>>909024
tbqh f a m the one I post to is relatively fast, only in UK hours though
>>909017
really depends on what sort of budget you have
wiring for DC is fairly simple on a small layout, you just need to isolate a few of the sidings, which, depending on what points you use, may be done for you
DCC systems are a large cost imposition for a small number of locomotives
I say fuck it DCC, especially if you plan on doing more with this hobby.
It's easier starting now than trying to redo everything later.
>>909017
I use DCC personally, and I'd say especially with a layout like that, DCC would definitely be beneficial.
The great advantage of digital control is the individual control of multiple locomotives wherever they are on the layout. And you can adjust speed more precisely. Especially if you go slow. A great feature especially on small layouts.
UK O guage layouts have alot of people beat as far as i'm concerned. I'll snap some photos of any that turn to the small show i'm paying a visit to tommorow
>>909722
>>909722
Hey. My dada and I pulled out his childhood marklen train set from the 50s and put it together and made interesting track designs and got the old trains going and one train needed oil so we put oil and I put candies in the cars to add weight and make the train work hard.
Best fuckin day in a while. Was nice to do something like that instead of Internet and angry bird
>>909722
>>909690
>here in the UK you'll find it hard to find a layout that uses standard DC control.
There's loads of DC controlled layouts out there, and still being built. Even at club level. Not everyone has a need for DCC or wants to spend the extra on DCC for every loco.
Mine is DC controlled and still under construction; I've even built my own electronics for it all, because I'm weird and actually enjoy doing the electronics.
>It's meant a lot of people can build depot layouts with minimal space, but still run a lot of rolling stock with a lot less effort.
Yeah...great. Loads of contrived depots with more rolling stock than OOC ever saw at it's peak, all making noise. Woo.
>>909790
Retard right here everyone
>>909980
don't be cunt anon
>>909999
I had the most insane dream about model trains. I don't even know where to start, trying to remember the details.
>>909980
Fuck u & your momma. oh wait, u she died from meth
>trying to plan 2 independent, double-tracked mainlines
Got this bad motherfuck for Christmas. Anyone get anything good? I one day dream on being able to run it on a huge layout...
>>910538
Post some of your designs
I'm making a N scale layout. Do you guys like Kato or Atlas more for locomotives? Do I need to replace the coupler that comes with the Kato if I want to connect Micro Trains rollingstock?
>>910833
In my experience Kato locomotives always work fine out of the box, even old models. Atlas is more hit and miss in terms of quality. It really depends on what you want to model, since Atlas a wider variety of models and paint schemes than Kato does, but Kato produces some models that others don't etc.
More recent Kato locomotives have microtrains compatible couplers, but you have to insert the pins yourself.
>>910836
Thank you very much!
>>910561
>no GER blue version
why live
Sometimes this hobby seems so daunting to get into. I hardly know where to start. And even with a small layout you need a lot more money than you would think.
How did some of you start our when you were taking on your first model railroad?
>>911175
Get a starter set and go from there.
>>911175
Just find your local sex offender registry and ask one of the guys for advice. Some of them may be moving out to comply with the terms of their parole so you can even score free stuff.
Are there any decent HO scale subway car models out there? Specifically R142's from NYC and 5000 series from Chicago?
>>911213
lol
>>911214
There is a HO company called Broadway Junction that made Redbirds. Also try the Red Caboose and possibly Chicagoland Hobby.
>>910838
Give it time it might happen, It's a very popular model from what I've seen. So glad they decided to model it though, it's my favourite locomotive.
>>911175
you need mad stacks, best you can do is a small OO9 or similar layout, more forgiving for scratchbuilding and kitbashing non-prototypical stuff
or just get lucky with inheritance
>>911214
Shapeways (3D Printing) has a decent amount of interurban/rapid transit type stuff as of late.
My new addition
Love that little engineer action figure. Anymore pics of him?
>>911175
Rich parents was how I started. They bought me all the rolling stock I want, now I've pretty much got everything I need to start modeling the region/ time period I want too. All I need now is a house of my own and knowledge on how the fuck to make a decent looking scenic layout... So yeah pretty expensive
>>911355
The real camelbacks were deathtraps. Furnace too close to the workers.
This is my first time on /n/ and I just wanted to let you guys know you're absolutely adorable
That's all
>>911487
Thank you I guess? Anyways I got this puppy yesterday but the Kato coupler isn't really connecting to the Microtrains coupler. What do /n/? Do I buy a microtrains coupler? Which version?
>>911487
Thanks faggot :3
Got a subscription to model railroader magazine and my first issue just came in! It's been years since I had one since I would get them as a kid. Maybe I'll be able to do something other than wistfully look at others' work.
>>911487
I was modeling a tunnel and used your mom's cunt as a template.
Daily reminder that this thread acts as a scarecrow by warding off newfriends who aren't fucking retarded.
>look at board for first time
>see this display of autism
>360 degrees of dinosaur
Lionel Amtrak MOW train
>>911665
Anything that keeps cancerous bike only posters away is a good thing.
Rate my Christmas train I threw together one afternoon.
>>912290
Simple yet effective. Nice presentation and you didn't go overboard with the scenery and clutter the whole thing up like an autismo. Well done.
>>912290
Are those Lomax houses? Cheaper than Department 56.
>>911665
yeah, I'm sure it's we merry band of autists, not the well post-ironic pedal power fags writing schizoid polemics about murdercagers at every opportunity, however tenuous.
![IMG00237-20120313-1601[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/E5Up0fD.jpg "IMG00237-20120313-1601[1].jpg")
I miss my layout
I lurk these threads but have never posted.
I started making a layout last year. It started with a box set, and I wanted a mountain to run through, so I made one. Then I wanted another track, so I put one in.
Then I wanted some custom box cars, so I painted some and learned how to print custom decals on an ink jet printer.
Then I built a table for my layout, expanded the mountain to more rock scenery, made pine trees using pine tree armatures, and dark green static flock.
Still not done, I don't think I ever will be.
I am probably going to swap out the O gauge for HO, and install some elevation changes.
>>912394
I made a cabin out of wooden dowels and a wooden roof. It isn't finished, but I haven't had time to work on.
>>912395
>>912398
Railroad in the woods. Cool.
![IMG00334-20121024-1951[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/2WR6eOS.jpg "IMG00334-20121024-1951[1].jpg")
![IMG00338-20121024-1952[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/A4tm74e.jpg "IMG00338-20121024-1952[1].jpg")
>>912428
>>912394
That looks good
>>907703
Do you have any E33s or E44s? I want one of those in N-scale.
>>908679
You're right, it's HO scale. The clip I saw had an interesting consist of a B&O steam locomotive with Penn Central, Boston & Maine, Great Northern, and Southern Pacific boxcars and a Penn Central caboose. Morgan Freeman on the left.
Hi anons. I have a lot of model trains my favorites being my LGB G Scale Trains. No room for a layout but I did upgrade the 2080d 2-6-2t to DCC with a lenz decoder. I use a Digitrax DCC controller for control.
>>912848
on a related note
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AyjKgz9tKg
>>912682
thanks man.
>>912953
I'll raise you this.
https://youtu.be/cIiLZfZOMRY
Currently looking at custom building my own wagon model, can't find jack shit for reference pics though.
Anybody got or know where I could find good reference pics for a yellow Union Pacific freight wagon? I can't find anything other than pics of existing models and not even in great detail either.
>>912293
Wow, I was expecting to get eviscerated.
Only thing I couldn't find to add was the small little mirror ice skating pond thing.
>>912368
I don't know what they are. My mom bought them at a dollar store.
I just drilled holes in the plywood so I could put their lights on.
And you're one to talk, I've seen your crusty set up.
> can't even get the rail count right
Bump for ready-to-run OO9.
Hello anons here is my LGB layout on my carpet. The 2080d is converted to DCC by me while the stainz is analogue still.
>>916383
How big is your house?
>>916383
Never seen a more pathetic layout in my life. I've seen 3 year olds with more interesting Brio layouts than that.
>>916436
KEK
E
K
>>916436
To be fair he has a better layout than I do because I just don't have the room in my terrace house for my 00 gauge stuff.
Though that's partly because I'm using that space for Lego trains.
>>915363
Makes me want to build a modern image welsh layout with a preserved 009 line at the side.
>>916532
Post lego fgt
>>916577
I don't have a camera or I would, but just imagine a 6ftx8ft space of floor with 2 loops of Lego train track with a full length double header Horizon Express, an Emerald Night with a somewhat faulty motor and the 2007 green cargo train running on them.
>>916578
Do you have a cell phone?
>>916580
My phone is 14+ years old m8.
Street scene
Holy shit three quarters of the pictures in this thread are so pathetic. It's great to talk about model trains, but if you feel the need please don't post painful to look at blurry minuscule pictures. Also, don't post fucking massive pictures of nothing like the moron in >>916681 did. Jesus Christ, what are you, like 10 years old?
>>916691
Why are you so mad :^)
>>916726
>Holy shit anon. I'm surprised the battery still works.
To be fair it's debatable if it does, considering how fast it loses charge.
may I throw in another painful blurry picture I took at a model rail-road exhibition
>>916816
Don't be cheeky m8, that's a great picture. The detail is so good I can see the wear on the pantograph indicating that it actually gets it's power overhead. That's so cool.
Where in America or online can I buy Japanese style model trains and brands such as GreenMax, Microace, Tomix, and Kato? Any reputable sources? Thanks in advance anons.
>>917742
Internet Trains.com always has ads for Kato. As for the others,I don't know. Check also Charles Ro,Red Caboose, and Trainworld. They might have just Kato but it doesn't hurt to look. Now another picture.
Posted this shit before but whatever.
Tag's done. Needs weathering now.
>>917826
I remember you! Love the graffiti skills.
I'd rather see you post this every thread than that shit posted by manchild Ithaqua
>>917837
To be honest, anon, the stuff doesn't really look that great up close. I have a lot of pictures I won't post because it looks like shit zoomed in too far. I have a 72' centerbeam finished up too, but I can't remember if I posted it before. I never work on model trains anymore though. Feelsbad. I'm actually going to tear out my layout soon I think.
She's a beauty, but I need to repaint it to bloody nose.
>>917824
Which locomotive is this?
>>917849
>I have a 72' centerbeam finished up too, but I can't remember if I posted it before.
Post it, I want to see it.
Didn't you know this place is a just a repost of a repost of a repost?
Also curious about your layout, tell me more pls.
>>917873
gp38-2. Athearn rtr with some details added after. I also renumbered and redid the decal work on it to better fit my era at that time.
>>917877
>Didn't you know this place is a just a repost of a repost of a repost?
I am well aware of that. I try to post newer stuff when I can, or at the very least not pictures that pop up in every thread. [spoiler]I'm not talking solely about /mtg/ here, but in general the train threads on /n/ are pretty much the same bland stuff posted over and over. I try to add in when I can but my personal collection of prototype pictures is somewhat limited. I have some shots of specific locomotives I want to accurately model though.[/spoiler] My layout was built to be pseudo portable. I currently have it with the legs removed and the pieces leaning up against the wall. All told it is pretty small, probably a footprint of 9'x6' or something like that. The trackplan kind of suffered from me wanting to start laying track and running trains. One main line with a passing siding, a yard track, and a branch that gives access to the on layout industries. As is loosely prototypical for my locale the primary online customer is a cement mill. I have storage silos and an offloading facility to handle deliveries. Loads are delivered in both covered and open two bay hoppers. There is also a small tank farm with petroleum/oil unloading racks, and a small facility to handle lumber. Track is all code 83 flex and turnouts are pico/sinohara. I really need to learn how to handlay turnouts, buying them, especially specialty ones like curved ones gets pretty expensive. All in all I can run a train on the main and have another train working the industrial area. I usually always run trains double headed and on the main with ten or twelve cars in tow.
>72' centerbeam
>I want to see it.
Sorry, I actually don't have any pictures of it at the moment. It's kind of late, and I'm kind of lazy so I'll have to post that tomorrow.
Found this. Whatever.
>>915363
my dad and I are getting a carpenter in to make the cabinetry instead of our cubist attempts, allows me to be a bit more daring with the design so I've decided to go with a bi-level layout.
Tempted to put another deck on top for OO9 though.
>>917851
What's wrong with black widow.
>>917893
World's longest spoiler lol
Thanks for answering my questions.
>>917813
I wish you would get a better camera your trains and layout seem interesting but you have the worst lighting, picture quality, and resolution ever like fuck.
>>918230
Please don't encourage him. His "layout" is below Lego tier.
>>907680
ndszx
>>918841
>ndszx
What?
>>918946
Just some (probably autistic human) postbot that was replying to everything with nonsense yesterday.
>>919251
His entire goal was bumping every other thread to kill the year old electric trains thread. He literally admitted this as though it was a badge of honor that he autistically posted nonsense spamposts in 140+ threads just to kill a year old thread that I guess made him rage autistically by simply existing. He also posted 40 nonsense spam shitposts in said thread to artificially reach the bump limit and kill it off.
>>919252
How absolutely cripplingly autistic. What's the timer between posts, a minute?
>>919252
I remember seeing that.
Talk about commitment.
Hogwarts at Christmas.
>>919545
Stop posting your terrible pictures.
>>919604
Honestly, that isn't too bad when you consider his "layout"
>Bill Murray is so based.
>>919623
>3rail
>on the floor
>admittedly better quality picture than usual
>used to seeing thumbnail sized closeups of some toy train abomination
>>919625
I only gave him a pass for the third rail and being on the ground because of the Christmas tree. That's more Lionel nostalgia.
>mfw I'm defending a pleb namefag
New issue of MR recently arrived. Anyone else subscribe?
>>916816
one more picture I took at a model rail-road exhibition
>>919638
I had a subscription starting in like 2003 until 2010 or so. Up until 2012 I'd still buy the odd issue from time to time. The magazine was nice, but it was super easy for me to spot that over the years I was subscribed the amount of content was constantly decreasing. Articles about different people's articles were always nice to have, but sometimes I felt that the project articles really missed their mark. The reviews were so so, pretty much always the same stuff from big name manufacturers. My problem was that eventually the content just became stale. You'd have the yearly project layout based around some new stuff from Walthers/Athearn or whatever and the same tracklaying/ballasting/weathering articles. In the end I just lost interest in reading the magazine every month. The pike sized passenger train series were goat, though.
I started buying books that are a little more narrowed in scope towards what I like to model. [spoiler]mostly the Southern Pacific Historical Diesels series. Yes, I'm the espeefag[/spoiler]
>>919650
>I'm the espeefag
Better than that Milwaukeeautist.
I know what you mean about the magazine though. I got the subscription for xmas and reading it now as opposed to when I last subscribed as a kid not much has changed.
I think the biggest thing I remember is DCC is more prevalent and the norm, n scale seems more popular and internet content for subscribers.
What I hate is I had an idea similar to paragon's subwoofer system but I don't have the engineering background to do it.
>>919653
I think MR does a decent job as a generalist magazine. I got a subscription when I was like 13 for my birthday. Back then I used to check out issues of MR from my local library. As a kid I liked it because it had a lot of different stuff, and a lot of simple approaches to doing things. Now I'm older and have much more specific interests in model railroading. I don't get very much reading about someone's steam era Pennsy or NYC layout as I do reading about 80s and 90s railroading in California. Sure, the pictures and everything are still cool, but I feel like my interest outgrew the audience MR caters to. Now I pretty much do my own research and find photos I need online or in books.
>I still never posted pictures of the weathered centerbeam for the one anon last week.
Whatever.
>>919638
As a kid I picked up a mountain of them in instalments presumably from a deceased estate in an op shop in a town we passed through on the way to the beach shack.
I look at it these days and it is so thin an anaemic, and I'm not interested in seppo stuff anyway. The British mags are still going strong, more than I can justify buying each month or two, all perfect bound and pretty heavy in content.
>>919545
>>919604
>>919623
>>919625
>>919638
I like the guy, to be honest. Doesn't have a stick up his ass like most people on this board and he at least has some awareness that the hobby is at its core essentially playing with toy trains. At least he enjoys what he's doing, unlike some of the people here who do nothing but bitch and shitpost and think that counts as an original contribution.
Nice SP models, btw.
>>919696
Not to be that guy, but model trains and toy trains are different. In the context of this thread I don't think it matters, though. Posting pictures is fine... Take a look at the thread; it's not like there are many anons posting oc.
>>919545
Those wheels look pretty nasty, I'd not seen recent 3 rail steam, is that uncommonly shoddy looking?
>>919696
Some HO people are like that. That's why they're called rivet counters.
>>919751
That was the Lionel Hogwarts train. It's a starter set so don't be fussy about detail.
>>920250
>>920251
Dude, what the fuck is this shit supposed to be? Trains on the floor? Are you fucking kidding me? Are you like eight years old? I have nothing against three rail O but these pictures just leave me baffled. Ok, with the trains on the floor at least you're trying to show someone who had their brain transplanted with a rock what a layout might look like, but the random bus station close up with the huge clash of scales between the buses and the fat bitch. Please, I implore you, use your fucking brain before you post next time.
>>920267
Why are you so butthurt dude? He's got some pretty decent engines like that interurban set on the inside track. His photos aren't the best quality but the content is sometimes interesting.
>>920313
*or do they just look matte*
oops
>>920267
At this point you should probably just kill yourself.
>>920267
It's sometimes called a carpet central. It's a Christmas layout or in Baltimore a Christmas garden. Go on Youtube because there are plenty of people who don't have room who run their trains on the floor. Chill out and go look at porn.
>>920425
lol
What's the oldest locomotive you own? How long have you been collecting O scale?
>>920455
Running trains for 20 years. Third layout. Oldest engine:Lionel 2-6-4 NYC steamer.
https://youtu.be/Ix1gj303ZBU
>>920551
Hi Alex
>>920551
is that an anime figurine on the roof lmao
>>920250
A VCR? Seriously?
>>920743
I miss vcrs. When I was a kid. I was the master at tweaking the tracking knob for the best picture.
On my phone otherwise I'd post my nostalgic vcr memes D:
> kids will never know the joy of going to blockbuster and going down the isles picking out movies and then loading up on candy and microwave popcorn
>>920743
I got plenty of tapes. Some movies haven't been moved to DVD or streams. Got a turntable too plus vinyl records. Been collecting 50s records since high school.
https://youtu.be/jh-KaHw0di4
>>920870
Speaking of VHS tapes, I had pic related when I wanted to watch Amtrak trains. But the first DVD that I watched... I never went back. And I think I listened to my first CD in 1997.
My HO scale Santa Fe machine was a powerhouse. Damn thing wouldn't stop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcqy7wLuqMw
>>921071
Cute train. Looks like the Thomas Mauritania train set.
Not trains but these electric bus track systems are pretty neat. They're made by Tomix and are N scale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqwgWR5VHH8
>>921240
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3S3Pc_QtA0
>>921241
these are a great addition for n scale layouts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQNic42CanE
Question about American rolling stock:
The wagons from the 40s to 60s, do they always have ladders to get to the roof?
Is the ladder ever located at the ends and not just the sides?
How about with a livestock van where the sides are full of slits between wooden beams, where does the ladder go on those?
If it wasn't obvious, I'm designing / building a custom wagon for my layout but what to do about this has be stumped.
>>921265
There are lots of pics of older trains with running stock. Google an older railroad or era with boxcars and see what comes up.
>>921324
It's because I wasn't able to find any of a ladder on a livestock wagon that I came here to ask.
>>921327
Not that anon but have you looked into books? Image search can only do so much.
>>921347
I was kind of avoiding resorting to that unless I have no other option, considering it's a single question and somebody probably already knows the answer.
>>921381
You think it's only one question but as you go you may find you have more questions.
It might actually be faster and easier with a good reference book. You'll also learn other interesting things and maybe get ideas for other projects.
>>921414
>as you go you may find you have more questions.
Pretty sure I won't, got literally every other detail planned I'm just wondering if I can get away with putting the ladder on the ends and have it still be historically accurate or if I have to work it into the sides even with the slits there.
Of course if it turns out they are the exception and don't have ladders, that's okay too.
>>907703
North East Regional fan?
>>921419
Don't underestimate the power of a good book.
You missed my other point; that a book may give you ideas and/or help with other projects.
>>920906
I don't think this was ever moved to DVD either.
>>921265
>wagon
>van
You're fucking clueless. Freight cars in the US built after 1966 are required by law to have no roofwalk or high handbrake. Freight cars that were built before 1966 were required to be modified to meet this standard by 1974. Cars like covered hoppers are exceptions to the law because roof access is needed during loading and unloading.
Next time don't be afraid to actually do some research yourself.
>>921449
>wagon
>van
Semantics. Also, this is for pre-1966 given that the train I intend to have pulling it is a 4000 series Big Boy.
>>921453
>wagon
>van
>train
>semantics
Look I get that English is probably not your first language so I'm just trying to help. Given that you're modelling a North American prototype you will get a lot farther referring to things in the way that they are in North America.
>>921457
The name I refer to something has literally zero bearing on how it looks, the time period it is from, if it has a roofwalk or not, etc. So long as we're on the same page and know what's being referred to.
>>921473
Decades of the internet has left me utterly unable to remember which words are British English and Which are American English. I tend to use them interchangeably unconsciously, since I never remember which is which nor care too deeply.
![np83058[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/FyYmkTZ.jpg "np83058[1].jpg")
>>921265
Honestly you sound like a cunt but here's a pic a found from just googling "livestock car 1960s."
Like the other posters said, if you actually car about being prototypically accurate, buy a freight car reference book for the specific railroad you want to model in the specific period you want to model. There are plenty of books like that for most of the major NA railroads and they can be purchased for ~$30. There are numerous variations depending on the era, railroad, etc.
>>921481
Thanks for the pic, it's a one-off I'm doing for fun but if I'm going to do it then I'd like it to be accurate.
>Ladders on both the side and the end
I was not prepared for this possibility.
PRR MP54
>>921447
Hope they did the NYC area right. I have a VHS of NYC area trains from Green Frog and they messed up the Long Island town names.
>>921478
After years of internet and watching top gear I do the same. I feel like I'd fit in quickly if I ever went to England. Even the towns there are familiar. I live in New England, everything just carried over from the other side of the pond.
>>920551
Did you have O scale trains as a kid and therefore returned to them as an adult? You have the space, why not build a nice HO layout?
>>922187
Had them when I was a kid. Got rid of them when I was older. I like O because of the heft,the noise,seeing the tracks dip when the train passes. Can't do that with HO.
Oh look, Hornby's posted another profit warning!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35538800
Thinking about getting into model trains. In looking at n scale because of the size, being something I can easily have in my home. Here's what I'm thinking:
I'm considering getting a kato starter set, with train, power pack and unitrack oval, since it's an easy basic set to play around with. Then getting some Atlas flex 55 track for a more permanent set to work on. Anything wrong with this idea? Can I use the kato dc controller on Atlas track? AFAIK kato trains have no problems with 55 track right? Would I have problems converting it to a DCC layout later down the line?
Really, I like the idea of the unitrack starter so I can at least drive straight away, and want a nice, more cost effective track to do a larger project with.
>>922862
>Anything wrong with this idea?
No.
>Can I use the kato dc controller on Atlas track?
Yes, but I'd never recommend using DC over DCC. Especially with the availability of inexpensive DCC systems these days.
It will be more cost effective to use flextrack than using unitrack in the long run. Flextrack is pretty cheap and gives you the bonus of being able to customize everything. No shame in using the unitrack that comes with a starter train, but in the long run you want flextrack for sure.
>>922921
Honestly unless you have a permanent layout DC is sufficient if you just want to run 1 train per track and have 1-3 locomotives on each train (you can run multiple DC units together without problem especially if they're all the same model since they run at the same speed). It's also significantly cheaper per model and non-DCC models are much more readily available on ebay.
I don't have a permanent layout and 2 loops of Kato unitrack are sufficient for my needs. Even if I built a permanent layout I would probably stick with DC since all my models are DC only and unitrack switches/turnouts are power-routing. When I had HO though I did use DCC and used the controller that came with Bachmann's starter set. Bachmann also makes a DCC starter set with EZ-track and 2 locomotives in N scale I believe so that might be another option.
>>922862
That's a good way to start.
And since you're starting from nothing go DCC.
Since all track conducts electricity it will work with everything.
You can get a subscription to model railroader for cheap and then use their online resources.
YouTube is also a great source for info.
Kato is a good brand, you should be fine anon.
>>922862
Oh, since the other anon was recommending dc I'll tell you that for a small layout that you're just starting that's fine.
If you go that option I recommend that you at least get a loco that has a space for the dcc decoder chip. That way if you want to upgrade to dcc you don't have to buy all new locos just the decoder boards.
>>922968
>unless you have a permanent layout
Right, but anon said he wants to use code 55 for something 'more permanent'.
I have experience with both dc and dcc. Unless you're just putting an oval around your christmas tree dcc is 100% the way to go. The customization you get with your locomotives being able to program them is great. Ease of wiring is also there, but on a small layout really doesn't make a big difference.
>being a dc luddite
>>923062
>>923040
>>923038
>>922968
>>922921
Thanks for the feedback guys, it's much more than I could of hoped for. From the sounds of it I'm on the right track (no pun intended).
In that case I'll go with my original plan of a Kato starter to begin with, and when I start working on a permanent setup I'll invest in DCC sooner rather than later. Thankfully, I think most (all?) of Kato's recent trains are DCC friendly and take a drop in decoder (Kato's own kind), but I'll be sure to double check before I make a purchase. One of the reasons for picking Kato aside from them being a reputable brand, was that out of all the Japanese N scale manufacturers they seem to be the most DCC ready.
Thanks again for the help!
ITS OVER MODEL TRAINS ARE FINISHED
http://www.wsj.com/articles/end-of-the-line-for-model-trains-aging-hobbyists-trundle-on-1455157546?mod=videorelated
>>923158
These days most of the big name manufacturers models are easily converted to dcc. A lot of stuff has either an eight or nine pin harness already in the model, so all you need to do is drop a decoder in. Some of the 'non dcc ready' models might require a little bit of soldering and need a different type of decoder but the process is not difficult. To start with you only need basic 2 function decoders. I'd recommend either NCE or Digitrax. Consider getting a book about dcc once you make the upgrade. You can do a lot of cool stuff once you know what you're doing and having everything nicely explained is a great reference. The Big Book of DCC is my go to when something goes awry.
>>923206
Am I seeing the diner in front of the baggage car? Boy, you ain't right.
>>923301
>not recognizing an RPO
One of us isn't right, and it's you.
>>923249
>Death of model railways predicted, film at 11!
It's predicted roughly once every five years, for the past 5 decades. Young people who drop out of the hobby in their 20's & 30's tend to get back into it once they're older and have more time and disposable income.
>>923249
Go read forums in O Gauge and HO forums. Slowing down but not dead yet.
>>923335
some pics. damn the exactrail mill gons are nice.
>>923424
picked up two because why not? no clue what im going to do with them
got like 12 of these. weathered up a couple of them.
another random 100 ton greenville. lightly weathered
turned out ok. too tedious to tag up the entire car side so i usually just put one or two pieces of graffiti
>>923430
didn't really do anything to the roof. it looks bad as it is so i'll have to work on it more.
>>923430
Love your work anon.
Question to you and just in general: anyone model bird shit?
It popped into my head looking at the white on the gondola.
I could see it being used on a big building in the city or for lulz on some character.
>>907611
You guys are fucking great. I remember the contractor that did work on my family's country house was big into model trains. He constructed this winding tunnel in his basement that had the tracks on both sides and he must have put a 100k into it. It was goddamn beautiful in motion though I must say. His wife ultimately left him because of the trains. Sad stuff.
>>923455
>His wife ultimately left him because of the trains.
Top Kek
Got any pics?
>>923384
>Not that anon but what?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_post_office
>>923453
>anyone model bird shit
Nah. I don't think there would be too much bird crap on something. Most equipment isn't going to sit around long enough to build up noticeable amounts of it. I'll get some more pics up if I work on anything this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2C6d-EgtEs
>>924192
Equipment destroyed and weird car placement. No wonder cat was bugged.
>>924228
>Ithaqua
>criticizing anything model train related
Your "layout" is literally Christmas tree tier
>>924587
I don't have a cat. Let's see yours, booboo.
>>924588
What the fuck does a cat have to do with anything?
And no, I don't have cat. I fucking hate those little shits.
>>924587
Don't encourage him. Everyone with functioning eyes can see how far below shit tier his 'layout' (I hesitate to use the word layout to describe that abomination) is. Just ignore everything he posts since it is 100% garbage anyway.
>>924673
Rather have 100 Ithaquas on this board than 1 of you tbqhwy.
>>924676
Why is that? You like his 'contributions' to the thread?
>>924677
You haven't shown your layout plus you bash mine. The whole purpose of model railroading is to do your own thing with what you have. Even if it's a carpet central.
>>924684
>3 rail O
>model railroading
>pick one
>>924724
>you
>shitposting
Pick two.
>>924744
Nope. It's a legitimate statement. He's trying to make the claim his non scale toy three rail O trains qualify as model trains. They do not. Therefore what he does is not model railroading. Model railroading requires the use of scale models. 3 rail O is tinplate/toy train. Nothing wrong with that, but it is not model railroading.
Looks like you're the shitposter. Just go back to whatever bike thread you came from and dilute that discussion instead.
>>924724
Pick none. People do not feed the rivet counter.
My father has a 3N scale Diesel ALCO 1800 series locomotive that doesn't work well, maybe for its age.
Anyone knows where can I find 3N scale models? Also, I love that loco, so if someone has one and is kind enough to share pictures...
>>924812
What is 3n scale? I have never heard of that before. Do you mean n? It's hard to guess what might be wrong with the locomotive when all you know is that it doesn't work. How is it powered? In theory you could just replace the drive mechanism completely but there may also be a simpler fix.
>>924816
He probably means On3, i.e. narrow gauge O.
>>924838
Narrow gauge diesel? Don't think so. It is also totally unclear what an alco 1800 is meant to be. To me it's looking more and more like a case of anon being too lazy to do any research of his own.
>>924684
Thank you based O-Bro.
BTW what's your favorite model?
>>924847
There is no such thing as an alco 1800 diesel. The closest thing would be the rs11 with an 1800hp prime mover. The rs11 was never built in narrow gauge, however. Again, probably just some moron hoping to be spoon fed information here.
