Ask Trains.com July 2024 compilation | Host Cody Grivno addresses a wide array of modeling and prototype railroading questions. The various inquiries for Cody reference the numerous practical uses of isopropyl alcohol; how to model a miniature ice vending machine; insights on a unique NS “research locomotive”; modeling scenery using organic materials; and a deep dive into prototype operations, with help from Model Railroader magazine columnist Jerry Dziedzic!
Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com, or leave a question in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
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Ask Trains.com is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers and viewers are asking.
Special guests can include editors and contributors from Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, Garden Railways and Trains.com.
Questions can be about any railroad or model railroading topic, including on the fan configuration on an SD45. These can include questions about railroad operating practices, railroad lantern manufacturer details, model locomotive details, and toy train transformers, among others.
Trains.com and Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno works through many of these questions, which are posted twice a week, each week, all year! See all our answers to questions online!
I have a diesel engine that I can completely program on the test track or on the main. When I enter a value for a CV, for example, it lunges forward. In other words, it appears to be completely functional. A few days ago, the engine failed to move upon applying the throttle. It still responds to programming, however. What might be wrong? I have an NEC DCC system.
I use it to thin household paint before I use my airbrush, I have my local hardware store keep all of my paint codes and I get more paint for the same price as a small bottle.
To avoid contaminating my bottles of alcohol without having to keep separate bottles, I pour some into a tiny dish, bottle cap or shot glass, or transfer it with a pipette, and do my dirty work from that.
I’ve heard #34 referred to as the “brick” and requires a locomotive to pull the train.
NS 34 is ballasted to elicit a response from the track similar to that of a loaded car or locomotive. An inertial package with a laser/camera system is mounted on one of the trucks to measure irregularities in track geometry and to acquire data on rail wear. A high-resolution machine vision system also acquires data on rail surface and crosstie/fastener condition. The cab was added to house the computers, control equipment, and a GPS system.
It also contains a generator that powers its on-board systems.
” … making India ink washes … ”
I was quite surprised to learn that “India ink” cols in multiple colors, not just black only. These can be used to stain/weather structures and other scenery items and are as easy to use as the traditional black. With different dilutions, these can be used to create some quite interesting weathering and staining. In particular, I have both black and brown; am considering adding both white and green for other special effects. And, ultimately, FWIW, these work as well as some of the commercially available stains, and as good as the commercially available stains are, making your own with the various colors of India ink colors is significantly less expensive and you can determine your own desired strengths.
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