Model train momentary push button switch

Warren has been in touch with a question about a model train momentary push button switch:

“Hi, Al.

I’m in the planning stage of my 4′ x 8′ HO layout, nearly ready to start laying track and I’ve been pondering: shouldn’t I use a momentary contact electrical switch to provide power to the track switches, or points? It appears to me that leaving the coil energized whenever you activate a switch for a long period of time would be detrimental to the coil.

Is there a downside to using a momentary contact switch? It appears to me that once the rails are aligned, it requires no power for them to remain in that position, but I’m no expert. Oh, I might add, I’m using Atlas switches and track.

I would appreciate the expertise of your many readers on this question.

Thank you so much,
Warren in Alabama
(76 and loving railroading)”

Here’s a pic of what Warren is asking about – a model train momentary push button switch.

push button momentary switch

Please do post a reply below if you can help Warren – as usual, lots of have already with some very useful comments.

Now on to Ed:

“Hi Al this is Ed from Holland.

I thought you might like this tip. Many people have small layouts which means small radius. The first thing that you think of is “big boy” he is definitely out of the question. This is not true and here’s why.

The theory of a locomotive is that it follows the track. If there is a slight difference in the Radius the locomotive will jump the track. To correct the situation change the theory, make the track follow the train. First all tracks should be soldered all joints, then only fasten down the straight track the radius should be movable.

When the large locomotive starts to make the radius you will see some movement in the track that means that the track is going to the locomotive. You can still have ground cover but Take a thin knife and run it under the track. You should use flex track for this process it works on all gauges.

Now your dream can come true of owning a big boy.

Ed”

“You can use some types of seed head if you dry it out and put scatter on for leaves!

You can make hills out of crisscrossed card! Crisscross the card to make a frame then glue paper on to strengthen it.

Iwan”

I get sent lots of videos, and found myself watching this one to the end, so thought you might like it too. Useful if you’re weathering any of your stock at the mo:



Latest ebay cheat sheet is here

A big thanks to Warren for asking about his model train momentary push button switch – please do ask a question if you think the collective can help.

That’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.





Model train tips and ideas

I have another collection of model train tips and ideas today:

“If you use home water filters (Brita style) cut them open for the charcoal – great “coal”)

If you make tea from teabags, dry them after use and save the tea – great “dirt” and ground cover. Coffee grounds work too.

For ballast, buy roofing granules. They come in a 5-gallon pail for about $25, assortment of colors, and you can size them for your scale by sifting through window screen or some other material.

I’ve heard concern about iron in the material that could interfere with electronics, but I have not experienced it.

Mike”

“About the only landscaping tip I can think of is on my former layout I had the tracks rise in elevation.

The way I hid all the blocking was to cut foam rubber pieces ( came from and old couch) 1” thick by about however long was workable.

I would glue to the track bed and then to the table bed.

I would brush or spray glue on the foam and sprinkle grass or dirt ( it came from the vacuum cleaner. Easy embankment.

Wayne”

“Al,

You are no doubt already aware of this but, in case you are not, I printed one of your buildings directly to card stock. By doing this the step of gluing to an empty cereal box or whatever is being used is eliminated and greatly speeds up the process. Further, the card stock accepts the glue far better than cereal boxes and appears to be quite sturdy.

I strive for convenience whenever possible. As the Pennsylvania Dutch say: Ve grow to soont ald und to laid smardt.

Russ”

I keep meaning to move all the print-out buildings in to one place, but I haven’t got round to it yet.

Here’s the first store.

And here’s the second.

Pretty much all of the buildings in the video below are from the first store. Hard to believe they are all made of paper.



Have you seen the latest ebay cheat sheet? It’s here.

Lastly, not long ago, I asked for your ‘best tips’. And some of you posted some wonderful, smart advice. So I thought it worth ‘reprinting’ some none of you miss them – they really are gold:

“When laying track, “that’s good enough” never is. Mutter some select unprintable words and do it again.

Roland”

“Don’t let any one issue bog you down when it cones to scenery. Sooner or later you will come up with a better idea anyway. I have more redevelopment projects than the city of Las Vegas.

Timothy”

“Design your layout so you can always work on it easily, this is a life time hobby enjoy it,have rests from it and even make some changes now and then.Most of all it has to give you a laugh and good times with some mates.

Ian”

And of course, hundreds more model train tips and ideas like this in the Beginner’s Guide.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.





Model train keeps stopping

Ray’s been in touch. He has a problem – his model train keeps stopping.

It’s a question that keeps getting mailed in again and again – so I thought it a good idea to publish.

Please post your answers in the form at the bottom of the page if you can help (lots have already).

“Hi Alastair. I have problem which one of your contributers may be able to help with.

My layout is not digital but has three separate tracks each one having its own power supply, all goes well apart from one track which will run for about half it’s distance then it runs out of power, switch it off for a few minutes and off it will run, again for a short time, very annoying.

I have checked all connections, all flitch plates, made sure all track is clean and that my locomotive wheels are clean.

The other two tracks continue to run fine no problems at all and yes they are all fed from the same supply. I have also changed the transformer to no avail.

Help please

Ray”

If you can help Ray solve the mystery of why his model train keeps stopping, please leave a comment below.

Now on to Frank:

“A short night view of the Layout with a track cleaning car running.

Small New England town with a quarry , lumber yard, farm, oil terminal,

An some night paving no going on.

Still a work in progress .lights,roadbed , etc.

Frank”



That’s all for today folks – thanks for all the comments on the latest print out scenery.

Surprisingly, I got a few mails asking if it really is made from sheets of paper that are printed out.

Well, yes, the clue’s in the name: print out scenery. You just download, print and stick together. Here’s some pics of them:

Today is the very last day for the launch price, so if you want to grab this offer and save $5 you can grab it here.

Here’s the page with more details on the wooden barn and stone cottage.

1. You print them out and stick ’em together.

2. They print out at HO scale. For N scale, reduce by 54%.

3. For O scale, increase by 48% (here’s one of the houses in O scale)

4. Print as many, and make as many as you like.

That’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.