(Part 3) Top products from r/modeltrains
We found 23 product mentions on r/modeltrains. We ranked the 130 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
41. Track Planning for Realistic Operation
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
Used Book in Good Condition
42. Basic Model Railroad Benchwork: The Complete Photo Guide (Model Railroader)
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
43. Dcc Projects & Applications (Model Railroader)
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
44. Mountain to Desert: Building the HO scale Daneville & Donner River
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
45. The DCC Guide: How to Select and Use Your Command Control System
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
46. Essential Model Railroad Scenery Techniques (Model Railroader's How-To Guide)
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Used Book in Good Condition
47. Basic DCC Wiring for Your Model Railroad: A Beginner's Guide to Decoders, DCC Systems, and Layout Wiring
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
48. HO Coupler Height Gauge
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
For use with your HO Scale layout.Kadee - Coupler Height Gauge - Kit -- Includes No.5 & #58 Scale Coupler - HO
49. Building a Model Railroad Step by Step (Modern Railroader)
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
50. Greenberg's American Flyer: Track Plans and Operating Instructions
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
51. The History, Making and Modeling of Steel
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
53. The DCC Guide, Second Edition (Model Railroader Books: Wiring & Electronics)
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
54. Planning, Designing and Making Railway Layouts in Small Spaces
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Used Book in Good Condition
55. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in Color, Vol. 1
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
56. Bachmann Trains - Chattanooga Ready To Run 155 Piece Electric Train Set - HO Scale
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Complete Ready To Run 155 Piece Freight Train SetPowered by a 0-6-0 Steam Era Locomotive and Tender with Operating Smoke and HeadlightIncludes; Plug Door Box Car, Open Quad Hopper Car, Single-Dome Tank Car, Off-Set Cupola Caboose, Suburban Station, Signal Bridge, Miniature Figures, Railroad Signs, S...
57. Dremel 199 High Speed Cutter
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
The product is 3/8 Rot SawExtremely versatile cutterHigh-grade steel for durabilityThe tool shapes, hollows, slots, grooves wood and soft metalsPerforms best with soft metals, plastics and woodsAttaches to 1/8" (3,2mm) shanks
58. DELTA 20-621 4-Inch Drill Press Vise
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
Cast-iron construction includes large-capacity jaws for holding work pieces up to 4" wideBuilt-in groove supports dowels up to 1/2" in diameter during drilling operationsUse with wood or metalItem Package Dimension: 10.01" L x 7.0" W x 3.0" H
59. Bachmann Trains - Snap-Fit E-Z Track 9” Straight Track (4/card) - Nickel Silver Rail With Gray Roadbed - HO Scale
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
E-Z Track System - Snaps Together, Stays Together on Floors, Tables & CarpetsSet Up is Quick, Easy and Fun - No Nails, Screws, or Special Tools NeededNickel Silver Rail with Gray Roadbed, Designed to Provide Excellent Conductivity and DurabilityEasy to Use For Both Temporary and Permanent Train Layo...
Model railroading is such a broad topic that has so many facets to it that you can get advice on. Even within scenery and laying track there is so much to discuss that it is dificult to give general advice. Here goes:
These books look interesting for a beginer: scenery. Step by step. If the books are out of print then search Amazon for a used copy or find them at a train show.
Tell us about what your plans are. How much space do you have? Do you have track yet? What kind of track? Are you going to model a specific area or road? Do you have a DCC system? If you give us some specifics we can give you better advice on what you will be building.
I've now built (well, it might be more accurate to say, started building) three layouts.
This switching layout is, by far, the project that has given me the most satisfaction - even more so than my larger basement layout. The scope of the project allows me to make real progress, achieve a level of detail that I'm happy with, and still have an end in sight.
Having said that, I've made a number of mistakes that I could have avoided!
The top thing I've learned - make sure you do things right. I don't mean scenery or building structures, those are easy to repaint, repair, or even replace. But mechanically. Don't cut corners. Use high-end materials (even if that slows your progress, remember, it's still cheaper and quicker to do it correct once rather than twice the easy way).
Build solid benchwork, or if you're using the shelf method I've employed - make sure your brackets are level and your layout is well constructed. Make your wiring bulletproof. Ensure smoothly flowing track.
Start by doing your homework. Pick a prototype and era that interest you. Go from there. Post track plans or ideas on an internet forum (my favorite is Big Blue - http://bigbluetrains.com/), and then get to work!
If you want a comprehensive "how to" guide Lance Mindheim's "How to Build a Switching Layout" is a great place to start. It's self-published, and has a rather low production value to it, but don't be fooled - just because it doesn't have high-end graphic design or professional photos doesn't mean Lance's points are not valid. You can get it from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/How-To-Build-Switching-Layout/dp/1453811346/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409251754&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=lance+mindhiem
I hope that helps!
Could you use Amazon. Im not a steam person so I dont know exactly what your looking for or what "cheap" is for you but I found some if you wanna check them out.
Bachmann Trains - Chattanooga Ready To Run 155 Piece Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000ISI1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IObkDbAAW8W6E
Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NHEQWY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yPbkDb778QMPP
Bachmann Trains - Pacific Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RG0LLE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uQbkDbMTKK635
Bachmann Trains - The General Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUA2RA8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pRbkDbBBZ0K1P
Bachmann Trains - Overland Limited Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006KQGF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HTbkDbGYCDSFV
I find HO slightly cheaper and easier to find stuff, but you can definitely pack a lot more N scale into a small space. If you don't have a lot invested in HO yet it might be worth the switch. I was able to find a few model railroading books at my local library to help me out with planning a new layout. https://www.amazon.com/Model-Railroading-Small-Spaces-Railroader/dp/089024295X https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planning-Designing-Making-Railway-Layouts/dp/1847974244/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=35KBCK8HZ5YRXGN2AC2S The second one is British so some of the terminology is different than you might be used to, but it still had a lot of knowledge that is applicable regardless of location you are modelling.
Pelle is from Denmark. I agree, his work is a great place to start if you'd like to get a feel for how to model western US scenery. He has written several books that describe in depth how he creates his scenery, I suggest checking them out. They are not too advanced that a beginner couldn't follow along easily.
This book describes how he built the first rendition of his Mojave themed layout:
Mountain to Desert: Building the HO scale Daneville & Donner River
This book shows some new techniques that he employed rebuilding it:
Rebuilding a Layout from A to Z
This book describes the construction of around 4 dioramas that are each set in a different locale. One of them is a western desert themed one:
Essential Model Railroad Scenery Techniques
There's a book by model railroader magazine (kalmbach publishing) on basic dcc wiring that is a pretty good guide. Most hobby stores have it, and (obviously) amazon does as well. Your local library might be able to get it for you if you don't want to buy it.
My condolences - I, too, caught the bug about 6 months ago. :)
Joining flex track is really easy. Simply slide the joiners onto each piece and solder them from the bottom or outside. You might have to remove a few ties and replace them after you're done wiring your power drops.
DCC power requirements are a bit more complex and wholly depend on what scale you're using. These two books were key to helping my understanding.
If it helps to know, my N scale 12x8 layout runs very well on the 2amp NCE PowerCab starter set. In short, it depends on how many locos you want to run simultaneously. I've run 5 locos at once with no problems.
Here's a table from the DCC Guide that really cemented it for me: http://i.imgur.com/JPzkkJq.jpg
I'd start with the CB&Q Historic society. Also, try to get your hands on a book that covers the region you're interested in. Amazon has several, but you may not get them easily/economically on Amazon - try eBay, Ron's Books or a local train show. https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Burlington-Quincy-Color-Vol/dp/1878887327 Learn about what sort of industries were served, how they operated and what equipment was commonplace in the era you are interested in. Sketch a track plan in the space you have. Start with John Armstrong's "Track Planning For Realistic Operation" (try to get a first or second edition).
So EZ track refers more towards this stuff which has a plastic roadbed. There is similar track that does not have the plastic roadbed and must be connected by separate rail joiners. This is called a lot of different things, but I call it sectional track. You would need a cork or similar roadbed for it, and you could ballast/paint it to look nice.
Back when I was a kid all we had was the horn hook couplers. Earlier this year when I got back into model railroading I bought a new locomotive. I was really surprised to find out it came with knuckle couplers. I then went and switched out all the couplers on my old stuff to knuckle couplers. Totally worth it. You can get a coupler height gauge like this. Set all your couplers to the same height and they shouldn't unhook.
I highly recommend this book. Even if you aren't set on trying to recreate the prototype, it has a lot of tips on how to make things actually work. For instance, you may not want to build a big yard, but the principles put forth here will allow one of you to run the yard while the other operates trains on the mainline without interfering with each other.
https://www.amazon.com/Track-Planning-Realistic-Operation-Armstrong/dp/0890245045/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502762138&sr=8-2&keywords=track+planning+for+realistic+operation
This book has everything you need:
https://www.amazon.com/History-Making-Modeling-Steel/dp/0964705095
I would say people are the "obscure little thing" most people forget about when they build large industries. A steel mill takes a huge crew to make work, and you are talking around the pinnacle of American steel production. Even if you shrink structures to fit, they will still dwarf your figures.
I used a Drill Press Vice to hold the frame steady, and a Dremel with a High Speed Cutter bit to work away at the frame. I just made lateral cuts until the speaker fit, then used a polishing bit to clean it up. For the plastic fuel tank, try it without holes first to see how it sounds for you. On one model, I poked holes through it with a hot soldering iron tip to try and get more sound, but I'm not sure it helped.
American Flyer is the dominant brand of S gauge, so yeah. Any commercially-available brand of S gauge track will work. There's nothing wrong with the track you already have, and if you look around you should have no trouble finding more used. I have very strong opinions on American Flyer track.
Another question. Will these two pieces of track not match up? They seem to be different colors.
one
two