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Train Modelling For Beginners
15 years ago
Friday 13 March 2009
Step by Steps Guide to Train Modeling
There's a site here that offers a guide to the train modelling beginner, and who says he helps you through all the little mistakes that you usually make.
Electric Trains Sets - Quality Wins Out
Are you having problems with your electric train set? Your train goes along and then suddenly stops so that you have to push it? Or it suddenly speeds up and derails, even though you did nothing to make that happen? The fact is that a good quality electric train can make all the difference to your electric train set experience.
You probably know that your electric locomotive works by picking up the electricity off the rail track via the wheels. The electricity is transferred to the motor, and this works through the gears to drive the train forwards. It is therefore obvious that if the train does not pick up the electricity properly from the track then the train will not go at the correct speed, or operate smoothly; similarly a poor set of gears can ruin the smooth running of your model train. If, on the other hand, you take a little care to get a good quality electric locomotive the you are most of the way towards having a fabulous electric train set.
Here are the most important tips when buying an electric train:
Buy quality when you buy your locomotives -- I guarantee the investment will be well worth it.
Do you want to avoid the 7 mistakes beginners always make? Would You Like To Learn All The "Closely Guarded" Model Train Tips, Tricks And Secrets... To Finally Create The Model Train Layout of Your Dreams? Click Here For the Ideal Guide for Model Trains
You probably know that your electric locomotive works by picking up the electricity off the rail track via the wheels. The electricity is transferred to the motor, and this works through the gears to drive the train forwards. It is therefore obvious that if the train does not pick up the electricity properly from the track then the train will not go at the correct speed, or operate smoothly; similarly a poor set of gears can ruin the smooth running of your model train. If, on the other hand, you take a little care to get a good quality electric locomotive the you are most of the way towards having a fabulous electric train set.
Here are the most important tips when buying an electric train:
- The more wheels there are on a locomotive, the better the pickup of electricity and the so the smoother its operation.
- You need a good gearing ratio so that the train needs minimal electricity to get moving -- your train's start is slow but smooth, and it looks more realistic that way.
- If the motor has flywheel at the end (ideally one at each end) that will further ensure your train starts and stops smoothly.
- The weight of your locomotive should be heavy enough to grip the rails and provide a good pickup for the electricity, but not too heavy or else your locomotive will be too sluggish.
- Bear in mind that a short locomotive is more likely to hold on to the rails on sharp curves, so consider your track layout before you buy.
Buy quality when you buy your locomotives -- I guarantee the investment will be well worth it.
Do you want to avoid the 7 mistakes beginners always make? Would You Like To Learn All The "Closely Guarded" Model Train Tips, Tricks And Secrets... To Finally Create The Model Train Layout of Your Dreams? Click Here For the Ideal Guide for Model Trains
Creating the Model Train of Your Dreams
Model Trains Layouts - Are Derailments a Problem for You?
Model trains layouts sometimes give us some bother because our model trains derail from time to time -- often in the same spot. Does this frustrate you just like it did me? Sometimes I would fix the problem in one place, only to have my model train derail in another place entirely! We all want our model train layout to be running smoothly all of the time, but if it doesn't work as well as we would like then you may, like me, have thought seriously about stopping for a while.
It turns out that it is not that difficult for your model train set to run with minimal derailments -- all you need is a little attention to detail, a little patience, and these seven tips:
1. Check that the joints between tracks are aligned, properly fitted, and smooth
Yes, I know this sounds like common sense, and it is -- but one of the worst offenders for causing model trains to derail is poorly-assembled track joints. The best tool to use to detect this sort of problem is the tip of your finger: slide it across the joint and feel for any abnormalities -- the joint should feel level, and the gap between the tracks should be as small as possible. Some people solder their track joints because this avoids any problems with expansion and contraction causing the joints to open and close and hence become misaligned. If you do solder the joints, use a small fine file to make the joint completely smooth. Your track layout will be continuous and level, and your model train should run beautifully.
2. Ensure that the track gauge is correct on joints, frog assemblies, and turnouts
One other common cause of train derailment is if the track gauge is not correct. If the track gauge is light then the wheels on the train will climb up and the train will derail. On the other hand, if the track gauge is too wide then your train could still derail because the wheel flanges are not able to span the track correctly. Your track's gauge can be adjusted with a soldering iron: very carefully heat the rail, move it to the correct position, and then let it cool.
3. Check that your switch points are sharp when they switch
Sometimes a new switch point is rather blunt on the movable section where it hits the stock rails, and this can catch the wheels and make your train derail. Use a small file on the movable part of the joints to smooth it so that the transition will be nice and smooth. When you have finished, make sure the gauge of the track in both switch positions is correct (see point 2 above).
4. Check all of the couplers on your model trains work properly
If one of your couplers is snagging then it can cause your train to derail. Sometimes a new train carriage has couplers that are not as polished as they might be, and they can catch, interrupting the smooth operation of your train and causing a derailment. Correction is simple enough: clean off any roughness on the couplers and adjust them to make sure they are correctly centered (instructions for doing that are usually available from the manufacturers).
5. Freight cars are too light
It is important that all of the wheels on all components of your model train engage with the track rails equally, and failure in this area can cause derailments. Sometimes this is because freight cars are too light. Simply add some weight to the freight cars, and you will find that your train will run smoother and derailments will be much reduced, especially on tight bends. Just make sure that any weight you add is as low as possible to ensure a low center of gravity, otherwise your freight cars will still cause derailments.
6. Ensure your wheels are mechanically sound
The wheels on your model train have to work properly -- they must be within gauge, they must be aligned, and they must turn freely -- otherwise derailments are almost guaranteed. Check all of your wheel sets to make sure they work how wheels should work! You will not be able to completely eliminate imperfections in your track, and your carriages should rock freely to compensate.
7. Lubrication is important
Sometimes, even after all of the above adjustments and filing, there is still some snagging -- some place where two components do not move together as smoothly as they should. In that case, try a little oil. And I do mean a little -- since oil attracts dust and it can sometimes damage your beautiful paintwork, you don't want to use more than is absolutely necessary. Sometimes even a single drop of oil may be too much, in which case you will have to apply it with the tip of a pin or some such implement.
So that's it! If your model train layout is annoying you because of derailments, you have seven ways to attack the problem. All you need is a little routine maintenance now and then to anticipate the problems we have outlined, and model train derailments will be a thing of the past.
Do you want to avoid the 7 mistakes beginners always make? Would You Like To Learn All The "Closely Guarded" Model Train Tips, Tricks And Secrets... To Finally Create The Model Train Layout of Your Dreams? Click Here For the Ideal Guide for Model Trains
It turns out that it is not that difficult for your model train set to run with minimal derailments -- all you need is a little attention to detail, a little patience, and these seven tips:
1. Check that the joints between tracks are aligned, properly fitted, and smooth
Yes, I know this sounds like common sense, and it is -- but one of the worst offenders for causing model trains to derail is poorly-assembled track joints. The best tool to use to detect this sort of problem is the tip of your finger: slide it across the joint and feel for any abnormalities -- the joint should feel level, and the gap between the tracks should be as small as possible. Some people solder their track joints because this avoids any problems with expansion and contraction causing the joints to open and close and hence become misaligned. If you do solder the joints, use a small fine file to make the joint completely smooth. Your track layout will be continuous and level, and your model train should run beautifully.
2. Ensure that the track gauge is correct on joints, frog assemblies, and turnouts
One other common cause of train derailment is if the track gauge is not correct. If the track gauge is light then the wheels on the train will climb up and the train will derail. On the other hand, if the track gauge is too wide then your train could still derail because the wheel flanges are not able to span the track correctly. Your track's gauge can be adjusted with a soldering iron: very carefully heat the rail, move it to the correct position, and then let it cool.
3. Check that your switch points are sharp when they switch
Sometimes a new switch point is rather blunt on the movable section where it hits the stock rails, and this can catch the wheels and make your train derail. Use a small file on the movable part of the joints to smooth it so that the transition will be nice and smooth. When you have finished, make sure the gauge of the track in both switch positions is correct (see point 2 above).
4. Check all of the couplers on your model trains work properly
If one of your couplers is snagging then it can cause your train to derail. Sometimes a new train carriage has couplers that are not as polished as they might be, and they can catch, interrupting the smooth operation of your train and causing a derailment. Correction is simple enough: clean off any roughness on the couplers and adjust them to make sure they are correctly centered (instructions for doing that are usually available from the manufacturers).
5. Freight cars are too light
It is important that all of the wheels on all components of your model train engage with the track rails equally, and failure in this area can cause derailments. Sometimes this is because freight cars are too light. Simply add some weight to the freight cars, and you will find that your train will run smoother and derailments will be much reduced, especially on tight bends. Just make sure that any weight you add is as low as possible to ensure a low center of gravity, otherwise your freight cars will still cause derailments.
6. Ensure your wheels are mechanically sound
The wheels on your model train have to work properly -- they must be within gauge, they must be aligned, and they must turn freely -- otherwise derailments are almost guaranteed. Check all of your wheel sets to make sure they work how wheels should work! You will not be able to completely eliminate imperfections in your track, and your carriages should rock freely to compensate.
7. Lubrication is important
Sometimes, even after all of the above adjustments and filing, there is still some snagging -- some place where two components do not move together as smoothly as they should. In that case, try a little oil. And I do mean a little -- since oil attracts dust and it can sometimes damage your beautiful paintwork, you don't want to use more than is absolutely necessary. Sometimes even a single drop of oil may be too much, in which case you will have to apply it with the tip of a pin or some such implement.
So that's it! If your model train layout is annoying you because of derailments, you have seven ways to attack the problem. All you need is a little routine maintenance now and then to anticipate the problems we have outlined, and model train derailments will be a thing of the past.
Do you want to avoid the 7 mistakes beginners always make? Would You Like To Learn All The "Closely Guarded" Model Train Tips, Tricks And Secrets... To Finally Create The Model Train Layout of Your Dreams? Click Here For the Ideal Guide for Model Trains
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