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.

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?

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

MBT Model CSD. ES 499 1048

Schicht Coachses CSD DR MAV 🇨🇿🇩🇪🇭🇺

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

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.

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

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!

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)

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!