Should I use bottled gas as airbrush propellant?

Canned airbrush propellant, an airbrush, air hose, and accessories on a white background

Q: Is using bottled gas as airbrush propellant better than my Paasche air compressor? And what kind of gas should I use: CO2, nitrogen, something else? – Joseph Zawoiski A: Hi, Joseph. Since you already have an air compressor, I would keep using that. A compressor, equipped with a regulator and a moisture trap, is […]

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Where is the issue where roadbed was tested?

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Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]

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How do you identify Australian reporting marks?

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How do identify Australian reporting marks Are there any books that show and identify Australian railway reporting marks? Using his resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on model railroading or full-size railroads? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of […]

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Questions on decorating Baltimore and Ohio diesels

A blue-and-yellow Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive is seen in 3/4 angle

Q:  I have two questions on decorating Baltimore and Ohio diesels. I would like to know what color the fuel tank, air reservoir, and trucks were on a B&O GP7. Second question, what type of horns did these locomotives have, and where were they placed on the locomotive?– Barry Geiger A: The Baltimore & Ohio […]

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Are you planning an interlocking towers special edition?

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Interlocking towers Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the […]

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What is an abandoned railroad?

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Abandoned railroads In railroad operations, what is an abandoned railroad? If a railroad abandons a part of its line, does it still physically own the right-of-way? But who owns the right away when the tracks go away? Using some online resources, Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions […]

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What color to paint roads on my layout?

A street in front of a commercial block on the HO scale MR&T shows fading, wear, and patches

Q:  In the ’70s I built an HO scale layout for my sons. Not knowing any better, I used flat black paint for my roads and streets. Now my sons are grown up, and I want to get back in the hobby with a new layout. Can you tell me what color to paint roads […]

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Do restored steam locomotives incorporate any computer or modern technology into function and operations?

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Restored steam locomotives We are blessed with an abundance of steam locomotives that are in operating condition today. But do they use modern technology to function? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on model railroading or full-size railroads? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is […]

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What regulations govern hauling steel?

A black coil steel gondola car loaded with five steel coils rolls by a station in a freight train

Q: I was wondering, what regulations govern hauling steel? What are the rules for hauling steel beams, sheet metal, and rolled steel? With steel beams, do they go by the weight of the beam or the thickness? What about sheet metal loads; do they go by thickness or quantity of the load? With rolled steel, […]

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Is there an easy way to reproduce Athearn’s Primed for Grime look on locomotives and freight cars?

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Creating your own weathered models that look great? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and […]

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