Track laying techniques are not tricky

A superelevation ramp made of cardstock and masking tape strips is taped to the outside of a curve of cork roadbed

Q: I’m an HO scale modeler and struggling with track laying techniques. I would appreciate guidance on measuring, cutting, and installing flextrack on curves. I’m always disengaging the rails from the ties, and thus having trouble connecting to the next track. Also, when superelevating curves, is it better to attach the risers under the outer rail […]

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Is removing the flanges from locomotive drivers a good idea?

A short steam locomotive rolls around a curve alongside a water tank in a Western scene

Q: I have a new HO scale 2-6-0 steam locomotive that has trouble negotiating my layout’s 18-inch radius curves. My 4-4-0 locomotive runs fine on the layout. I’ve read that on longer wheelbase locomotives, the center drivers have their wheel flanges removed for tight radius layouts. Is removing the flanges from locomotive drivers a thing to do? Or […]

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Help! My DCC locomotive won’t hold an address

A hand holds a Digital Command Control throttle near a black-and-orange HO scale diesel on a scenicked layout

DCC locomotive won’t hold an address Q: I’ve just gotten back into HO scale trains after years in Lionel. My DCC locomotive won’t hold an address using my MRC Prodigy system. I follow the instructions, but it never changes from the default address 3. The new number is not recognized or remembered. It was easy […]

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Where do you find charts with information on specific locomotives?

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Cody Grivno explains the resources available in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have other questions about full-size trains, or would you like to learn more about your model railroad? 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 […]

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What is the dome for on the Walthers Plymouth diesel switcher?

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Cody Grivno explains what the part is for on this model in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions on parts of model railroad equipment, or would you like to learn more about prototype 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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What covered hopper is on page 8 of the March 2017 issue?

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Cody Grivno walks you through examples of covered hoppers in this video of Ask Trains. If you have questions on prototype rolling stock, or want to know more about prototype railroading? 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 […]

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How do you match factory lettering?

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Cody Grivno answers “Where can I find information on the correct style and size of lettering for specific railroads?” in this video of Ask Trains. Do you have questions about re-lettering your model trains, or would you like to know more about prototype railroading? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular […]

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The steam locomotive The General burned wood, not coal. Why?

An ornate, old-fashioned black-and-red 4-4-0 steam locomotive smokes on a wood trestle

Q: The 4-4-0 American steam locomotive The General burned wood for fuel. Why didn’t it burn coal? – Alexander Brennan A: The ubiquitous 4-4-0 model called The General is modeled after a famous prototype – the Confederate locomotive of the same name, which was commandeered by Union spies in 1862 at Big Shanty, Ga. The subsequent pursuit […]

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