Rob has been in touch with some LED lighting:
“Hi Al,
I think some of your readers might be interested in this subject.
I have decided to light up my housing block. Finally? To do it, I want to control the brightness of the LEDs I plan to use. I want to vary the brightness and intensity plus the color emanating from the windows I plan to treat. I will also vary the interior color and add curtains and drapes randomly.
In the past to vary the brightness of the LEDs I have always added or subtracted resistance feeding each one. This is a clumsy method and this time with so many to do all at once I wanted to find a different way.
In my search, I discovered this relatively simple way to get the job done and once the building is lit, I can stand back and tune the lighting effect to best enhance this project.
“Alastair,
Good day! I wanted let your readers know about a wonderful new family of LED strip lighting, called COB, or Chip On Board.
What the the differences from other LED strip you might ask?
Heretofore typical led strip light were only able to be cut in 2” increments, then soldered, and placed into model structures.
But the new COB strips run continuous along the strip, and can be cut in 1centimeter lengths.
This is great news for us N Scalers, with tight spots in tiny, tiny buildings.
See my pictures and video below.
Clark”
Now on to Steve:
“Hi Al
When laying track using glue rather than track pins, you can use food cans such as soup, peas etc to weight the track down while the glue is setting.
I have attached a photo illustrating this.
My track is 00 but I imagine it would work with N or 0 gauge too – as long as it’s not 3-rail!
Regards
Steve”
And now on to Peter.
He’s done what a lot of you do – put old kitchen cabinets to good use:
“Hi Al
I very much enjoy your site and thought I’d send pics of my HO OO project which might be of interest to people.
I decided to build a solid baseboard with plenty of storage underneath so installed some basic kitchen units which provide the perfect height (pic1).
The baseboard itself consists of sheets of OSB board with a top layer of sealed and painted Sundeala. Yes, I know that we are “forbidden” to use this material but there we are, I just wanted to use it to see what happens 🙂
I’ve put together a starting point layout with a DC figure of 8 in the centre with an outer 3 line DCC so hopefully the best of both worlds (pic 2).
Best wishes
Peter”
Now on to Charles – who is asking for a little help:
“Al,
I have a question to post to the group.
This is my first attempt at a prototype from a photo.
I hated to do the deed of destroying a GG1 shell, especially an old Penn Line vintage die cast one. I caught heck from my nephew!
Anyhow, my question is are all HO scale gondolas the same width?
As can be seen in the photos, the cut shell doesn’t fit into the gondola as it does in the real photo.
If you blow up the real photo, you can see that there are five cars loaded with one GG1 that has been scrapped. I plan on making the full load eventually.
I can continue to cut the model to where it will fit on a significant angle, but I wanted to seek more professional level opinions.
I am including an additional photo to see if anyone has any idea as to what I could use to model the brake shoes in HO 1/87 scale, for my next project. To be around my roundhouse maintenance area.
Thanks for any ideas or thoughts from all.
Charles in New Jersey”
And now on to Josie who is also in need of a little assistance – but because I get so many questions like this, that’s why I started the forum.
If you look at the forum, it’s easy to ask or answer a question, and it’s easy to search too. Fingers crossed it’ll grow into a really helpful resource for you all.
Anyhow, back to Josie:
“Hello Al,
I wonder if you might help. My name is Josie and I am planning on building a small model train installation for a BBC programme and I wanted to know what the smallest possible circumference would be for a O gauge train?
Is this something you might be able to answer?
We don’t have a huge amount of space but would like to know how small a simple 360 circle could be.
Many Thanks
Josie”
That’s all for today folks.
If you can help Joise or Charles, please do leave a comment below.
And if today’s collection of missives has inspired you to leave the comfort of your armchair, and join in with the fun the Beginner’s Guide is here.
hat’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.