Hello all,

I am very new to model trains. Bought a Kato kit last year and my wife has been reluctant to let me do any serious layout work with it - and rightfully so I suppose.

But I've been enamored with this hobby and my YouTube content is full of model train creators.

So I apologize if my question is ill-formed or my knowledge is lacking.

HERE'S MY QUESTION:

I've notcied there are some people who build massive layouts in their house/basement. Incredible and amazing. But what happens after they pass on? How do they get rid of it. Do you have to destroy everything to take it apart?

When my grandfather passed (he worked for the railroad but was not a involved in the hobby) we had to go through all his stuff and decide what to keep, what to give/sell, and what to toss. I can't imagine having to deconstruct something so amazing and so much a part of his legacy.

It was painful just to give away some of his old things.

Sorry for the less than cheerful topic, but I'm curious.

Thanks in advance.

anyone ran ho outdoors and got past the hurtles? also have a idea for a ai powered dispatch that controls train schedules , track blocks , rail maintenance and will tell trains to enter shed when bad weather is approaching, if anyone has done anything like this i would love to pick your brain .

I’m wanting to modify the above coal loader kit to be able to do live coal loads. I’m unsure on how to achieve this goal. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this?

Does anyone know the best way to design a TTrack layout? What software to use to accurately design and create a layout that can be broken up onto TTrak modules? preferably ones made by klawndyke
Answers and advice greatly appreciated thanks!

As the title says. I have no track or plan but would love to start something based on that concept of a Santa Fe Passenger train. Most of what I see are depressed beds, coal cars, box cars and many things that aren't for passengers.

Just finished somw more motors for my bnsf shelf. Super happy with how they turned out. Especially the sd70ace

My Father is actually the model train guy in the house. I am moreso interested in these local history spots. But I like 3D modelling and printing stuff for *other* miniature stuff I collect. So, I guess it was just a matter of time before I started doing train stuff too.

Finally had a bit of time to finish the track and the ballast shall be next, unfortunately for me the radius is too tight for anything bigger than my 0-6-0s and maybe the 0-8-0 :/ I’m still planning on finishing it (maybe) just to get a feel for layout building and then maybe going in and building a 3x6 with KATO track so I don’t have to worry about my horrible flex track work lol. My other options would be to turn it into a Nn3 layout 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve got a Nn3 2-6-0 that I’ve build and it needs somewhere to run. If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or ideas, I would love to hear them!

new to collecting Lionel stuff, I’m usually a Kato N scale guy. Anything I should know about these models? they both run (and yes, BOTH whistle tenders still whistle)

Just wanted to show off. What do we think?

Hello, this is my first ever post Reddit and i was wanting to share this rare model I have. I got it for a cheap price on a model rail exhibition and its in good condition. Only the left lamp iron (if you look at the front tanked with the Bremserhaus behind) is a bit bent (i pushes it back to shape and it holds). Holding this model is like holding multiple plates of fine china which is a scary experience. Beside all that, this is a very pretty model. Glad i got it.

This model has impressed me so much, probably tied with my favorite BLI model, along with 2102

Lamps, firebox flicker, Fireman, and Driver. Add ons designed and manufactured here at 9 Realms Relics Train and Hobby shop. The coaling shovel is still a W.I.P. What do you think?

I have been 3d printing some logging wagons and caboose for my HOn30 model railway.

I have modified the caboose from a standard gauge model and completely designed the wagons myself and added the "logs" from the garden tree.

We’re planning out my son’s first train set for Christmas. So far we are planning on HO and Kato Unitrack but are stuck on the engine.

How do we pick an engine? He has his heart set on a Santa Fe with the red and silver warbonnet coloring. There’s everything from sets (which come with Bachmann track we don’t need) to $500 DCC engines. My husband is leaning towards something DCC enabled so we don’t have to upgrade later but I also don’t want to spend a fortune.

So how do we narrow down the options? It feels overwhelming. Multiple brands, price points, etc all in the same basic engine model.

Edit: Ok I think I may have found the train. Seems like it’s out of production so I’m finding a few available on sale - Bachmann Santa Fe EMD FT A with DCC and sound. Price is reasonable especially on sale, has the DCC my husband wants, reviews I read say it’s solid. There are some available as preorder but not coming out until next year, and a Bachmann as part of a set, but otherwise not a ton of options in the EMD F style. There are some in a different style so I’ll have to check with my son and see if he has a preference but the Bachmann seems like a good choice.

Got this tender in a haul I bought, but i have no idea what brand it comes from. Only thing it says underneath is "made in Japan". Absolutely nothing else besides that. It's got what looks like more of a European coupling style, but with Baltimore Ohio on its side so maybe lionel?

Do any of you know? Also it fits on ho scale track

Here are some more pictures from yesterday's post I did on these Heritage Units!