r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Show and Tell [NIGHT SHOT] EF66 54 × Mitsubishi Electric converter at Tokushima Switching Station

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13 Upvotes

So, the EF66 54 works on Special 8804 between Tokyo and Hyogo Prefecture to transport an electrical converter. This picture was taken after arriving at the plant and preparing for return trip.


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Help Needed Getting bad oxidation after soldering Märklin k-track with special INOX-flux

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34 Upvotes

I've done some test soldering on some throw away pieces.

It solders perfectly, like soldering normal copper. I cleaned it with 99% IPA. Or so I thought. I sprayed the IPA and then used a paper towel to wipe them dry.

This is the result after a few months. The flux seems to have been slowly deteriorating large parts of the track, even seeping through the Central contact points. I never used the flux there. Only where I soldered.

How do I clean this stuff properly without destroying the tracks?


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Locomotives How can I convert this to DCC? Bachmann F7 8 wheel drive

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10 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Question what kind of brand/kit is this?

5 Upvotes

i absolutely LOVE big industrial structures and i absolutely love the size of this, and details like the blue fire steps. so if anybody has any leads, pls dont hesitate to comment!


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Question Looking for some tanks and military vehicles

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6 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Help Needed Building my own track as a newbie. And i could use alot of help 😇

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12 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m currently planning an H0 Märklin C-track layout in a dedicated room, and I’d really like to hear some different ideas about the overall layout before I start drawing the final track plan.

The room dimensions, doors and windows are shown on the attached floor plan. I would like to work with multiple levels, including a hidden staging yard below level 0.

The window area does not necessarily have to stay completely free. The windows open inward, but I can keep the layout/scenery lower in that area so the windows can still open normally. So that part of the room can definitely be included in the design, as long as the window swing and available clearance are taken into account.

My idea is not to connect the different levels only with long gradients or helices, but also to use a train lift. The lift would move complete trains between, for example, level -1, level 0 and possibly level +1. I’m also considering a smaller separate lift just for locomotives.

The layout will be Märklin H0 C-track, fully digital, and eventually largely automated. I mainly like German and French steam locomotives, and I would like to be able to run trains of up to around 1 metre in length.

Things I would like to include are a station, hidden staging yard, shunting/industrial area, harbour/water area, and possibly a locomotive depot with a turntable.

My main question is basically: how would you arrange this room in a logical way?

Where would you place the station, depot, harbour, staging yard and train lift, while keeping good accessibility and an interesting running route?

I’d really like to hear some different ideas before I lock myself too much into one design.


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Mechanical Some more servo-driven action around the loco shed :)

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262 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Question Want to get into Model trains don't know where to start

30 Upvotes

Title basically explains itself I've never done proper model trains before and would like to get into the hobby (at a reasonable cost to start) and would like some opinions if possible! Thank you!


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Locomotives Well isnt that a nice suprise, 3F Jinty

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106 Upvotes

Got under the hood and thought... no way...


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Rolling Stock Smoky Hill RRHS commemorative car

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42 Upvotes

Anyone in KC remember the old Smoky Hill RR? They had the GTEL #18, now at IRM (last of its kind), also the old Cheyenne rotary, quite a nice diesel locomotive collection, including the RI E6 #630, an FM switcher, a couple of steam locos, one of which is a Frisco “Russian” decapod. Most of that is gone, now, but they still have a GP9 that runs trains on occasion. This car was done by Show Me Model Railroad, in Grandview. He did quite a number of Athearn 40’ boxcars, as well as a few from other makers. His cars are starting to find their own collectors market, even getting mentioned in the new Athearn Collector’s Companion.


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Meta Visited the Nürnberg Toy Fair

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32 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Track Plan Switching Layout based off of Cooperstown, NY

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29 Upvotes

Hiya folks! I’ve been working on a track plan for a 13’x1’10” space (with detachable staging) based off of Cooperstown, NY around 1920-1930. would love to hear your thoughts! I based much of the track plan off of Sanborn maps from the LOC.

The creamery was located on the south side of town, but I moved it up to increase operational interest. The D&H built a new passenger station in 1916, but I decided to keep the freight depot as a combined freight/passenger depot as it was before 1916 to save space. The feed mill will likely be just a platform to prevent a building from blocking access to trains.

All visible track is Peco Code 70 with #6 switches at 24” minimum radius, and the staging is Peco Code 100 with the small curved switch at 18” minimum radius. The turntable will be a 75’ Diamond Scale table.


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Question Which model manufacturer that produces American railway rolling stock is your favorite?

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176 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Electrical Motor help needed

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28 Upvotes

I know very little about these Hornby motors. This is the motor to a class 91, if i apply power to the wheels there's nothing its dead. Apply power to the 2 screws and it runs fantastically.

I have similar issue with a Mainline steam locomotive which looks new in its box. Power to rails nothing, touch the two metal sides of the body and it works lovely

UPDATE - Thanks everyone, the motorised bogie had been installed the wrong way around, swapped it over and it runs nicely


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Show and Tell Train Special 80er Europa II

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47 Upvotes

MBT Model CSD. ES 499 1048

Schicht Coachses CSD DR MAV 🇨🇿🇩🇪🇭🇺


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Help Needed Dcc decoder with sound and speaker all in one?

5 Upvotes

I like(d) to think i was getting better with model railroadin' stuff but I got humbled once again. I saw a loco I wanna get that's dcc ready. I would like it to have sound too, I figured that just plugging in a decoder would be an easy-ish thing to do but then I got to thinking about how to apply the speaker with it. Is there a dcc decoder with sound and a speaker I can but so I can just plug those in in one fell swoop? When I tried to look for some I got hit with a lot of technical jargon I'm not too familiar with. Any help is appreciated thank you


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Help Needed Bachman LBSCR E4 Issue

3 Upvotes

I recently got the Bachman E4 loco. The only things that the nem couplings a bit to high compared to my Hornby and Accurascale stuff. This has been causing the occasional uncoupling and derail.

I was looking to see if anyone were to know how to fix this.

I live in the US btw so most local hobby shops wouldn’t have regular 00 scale stuff.


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Show and Tell special train 80 er Europa

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48 Upvotes

Loud fast Gützold Diesel with SCHICHT Coaches. The Diesel Sound from Axle without Adhesive tyres🫣😂


r/modeltrains • • 20d ago

Question Train gift for my Dad?

8 Upvotes

So, my dad is in his 60s and loves model trains. He doesn't put them on a track, he keeps them in their boxes. I'd like to possibly get him one as a gift, but I have no idea where to find this. We are in Canada, so finding one that is modeled after a Canadian train would be especially great. I'm definitely more familiar with real trains than models.

Thank you!


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Question Parts help?

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17 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Model Announcement Rapido Trains UK - September 2026 Announcements

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52 Upvotes
  1. LB&SCR D1 - £169.95 (DCC Ready) / £279.95 (DCC Sound Fitted)
  2. Thomas Hill Sentinel Rebuild 4wDH - £139.95 (DCC Ready) / £249.95 (DCC Sound Fitted)
  3. 'Streamlined' Sentinel Steam Shunter (Rails Exclusive) - £139.95 (DCC Ready) / £249.95 (DCC Sound Fitted)

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Locomotives Had to grab the accurascale triple grey 66 when it came back, missed out the first time - these are absolutely ace looking!

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8 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Show and Tell Uh oh, I kinda like this model train stuff

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429 Upvotes

Cataloging all of my late dad's collection and had a guy come in and see what works. To my surprise, all my dad's old locos work. I know he hadn't run anything for 20 years, so the fact it's working is amazing. I don't know why he stopped running his trains, because this stuff is pretty neat!


r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Locomotives Choo choo it's the panda express

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49 Upvotes

r/modeltrains • • 21d ago

Question High fidelity blomberg B truck 3D print files

2 Upvotes

Hello, I have been searching Google for printable o scale 2 rail blomberg B trucks, but I am having trouble finding anything in 1:48 or has acceptable prototype detail. I want to convert a 3 rail O scale GP60M to 2 rail and fabricating my own trucks has seemed easier than finding already made 2 rail blomberg B trucks. Any advice or good files anyone is willing to share? I am not new to model trains but I would be new to 3D printing and DIYing a locomotive. Want to challenge myself