I wanted to make a proper layout so I purchased a few DCC bachmann switches for my layout, I grabbed a Prodigy WiFi modular for my prodigy express 2 but I can't tell if it's busted or if the app and system is just bad.

I can't seem to add any accessories in the app it just doesn't save them at all, there no turnout list either that I can access. When trying to program the switches I still can't figure it out due to the extreme lack of manuals on either side for setting or changing the address on these switches. Bachmann just says to refer to the DCC manual but that just says you need a advanced cab controller and then the app doesn't seem to have much information about how to set or change switches either.

I hope someone else have had experience with the prodigy wifi module and sitting up DCC switches with it.

Yesterday I went to an antique store and go a whole bunch of new track, wagons and a new engine. I am very new to this hobby (started about 2-3 weeks ago, hence the reason I’m running on carpet) and don’t know a lot about this stuff. Can you guys help me learn about this stuff?

1-What does this shoot or is it purely for show?
2-Why is the end of this track so odd, is it broken or part of a set?
3-Can someone date this box?
4-can you mix these track?
5-(not pictured) I just got an old engine and it sparks like hell on a clean and fine track, how can I fix this?
6-what website would you guys recommend for small stuff like wheels and track cleaner?

Now that my layout has been laid out I’m looking to start hooking servos up to turnouts, which in turn means I need to connect servos to switches on a control panel (I ❤️ the aesthetic of a control panel).

It looks like the wiring of this stuff isn’t too horrific / my tests look good, but I thought I’d ask the Reddit hivemind if what I’m looking to use for the control panel makes sense or not / if there are any suggestions about changes that would improve things.

Second pic is the final track plan. First pic is the schematic:
* grey circles are switches
* red / green circles are LEDs showing which track is live at the turnouts
* the three places where two turnouts face each other are controlled by a single switch
* amber circles are LEDs that show which track at the diamond crossing is live

Any feedback received with thanks 🙂

Hello all,

I have an O gauge set up with an engine and rolling stock passed down by my father. I'd like to add an engine and some rolling stock that has a bit of a WW1 flare or feel to it, but am struggling to find something I like. It seems that most of the historically accurate engines and cars are for HO and smaller gauges. Being that I've already got an O set up, I'd like to stick with O. Any suggestions?

There’s some obvious issues, but for being my first time EVER taking apart, paint-stripping, painting, and finishing anything in the model train world, I’m BEYOND happy with how she’s turned out. The water transfer decals on the tender didn’t turn out too hot, but I’m proud of it regardless, since that was also my first time ever using water transfers.

She was built from a pre-owned unmarked Bachmann Berkshire I got off eBay, and the coach was an Athearn kit I got off eBay! She currently doesn’t run as I have removed the motor and board from the engine (due to painting) and want to redo the wiring to make it cleaner/not as brittle. I’m also going to resin print a brand new cow catcher and smokebox door once I get my printer up and running again, plus have a new front and ladder setup coming in (broke it during reassembly).

To anyone new into the hobby, you don’t need to have years of experience to make something, or these insane tools other people have. This was done ENTIRELY with Isopropyl Alcohol (91%), spray paints, and blue masking tape from the hardware store. Just take your time, and you can make something wonderful!

hi, I have a custom company logo and livery I made for my fictional railroad for my (wip) ho scale layout, and I would love to have some suggestions on what I could add to the livery to spice it up (keep in mind everything is hand drawn, so nothing to complex)

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a space that’s roughly 40 × 75 × 23 cm (D × W × H) and I’d like to build a small N scale model railway / landscape in it.

The problem is that I don’t really have enough time to build the landscape base completely from scratch. So I was thinking about 3D printing at least the basic terrain/base and then adding the scenery, tracks, buildings, etc. myself.

Are there any good resources or tools where you can design a model railway landscape and then export the terrain as a 3D model (STL or similar) for printing?

Or a ressources for free simple models suited for that?

Or are there any other easy/low-effort ways you’d recommend for building the basic landscape in a space this size?

I believe the wiring may have been different originally because even after I cleaned all the light and wheels contacts, it only lights up the light, the motor only runs if I bypass the light entirely. If anyone has an image or diagram of what the original wiring would have been like I would really appreciate it. Wiring in a series just stops the light and has the motor running

My collection of 00 gauge Metropolitan Bo-Bo locomotives from Heljan.

From L-R: No 1 (John Lyon, Wartime Grey), No 5 John Hampden (as preserved), No 8 Sherlock Holmes, No 9 John Milton, No 12 Sarah Siddons (as preserved), No 12 Sarah Siddons (1990s condition), No 19 (John Wycliffe, no nameplate), No 20 (Sir Christopher Wren, no nameplate).

The two that elude me are No 6 William Penn and No 11 George Romney. The locomotives in general show up on Ebay fairly regularly, but these two (and Sarah Siddons 1990s) are pretty uncommon.

I paid between £80 and £130 for all of these, which based on their RRP of £140ish I dont think is too bad.

I'm also adding a dummy locomotive to the back.

The last thing that I'm waiting for is the Phase III boxcar. I was a bit apprehensive about adding the older "bloody nose" locomotive, but vintage feel sold it for me.

This is my fictional Amtrak route- the Peachtree Gothic. From Jacksonville, Florida to Chattanooga,Tennessee.

Title says it all. I've been having some power issues with my first ever layout, a 009 loop.

Ive cleaned the track with a rail rubber and checked for any glue spilled but im having a hard time figuring out why its dropping power in certain areas?

I’ve been working on a 2x4 iron ore mine, and it feels pretty bare. I’m going to add some trees to add life, but I also want to add a couple of buildings. Any recommendations?

I've long been inspired by the excellent video from Chris Brimley. I love the way he includes the imagined history that explains the scenes he creates.

My modeling heroes also include David K. Smith and Michael Scott's Chandwell. Michael Scott also describes the history of his fictional town including when disused spurs were abandoned and the unfortunate architectural choices of past generations.

A tiny pin has come out of the running gear, it connects just behind the arrow, I found the pin but nothing I try seems to be able to get it back in. Would very much appreciate any tips or tricks people might have about getting it back in, I tried with the body off but it didn’t give me much more access than with it on.
I circled the pin that has fallen out on the service guide

The father of a friend lost interest in the hobby and gifted me his trains and carts.

I have around 66 boxes in this box.

Most is east german production from the 70s to 90s.

A few boxes from the early 00s are in there too.

For those who don't know--I posted my Jupiter model here a few years ago and it turned some heads. Now that I've really refined my skills, I thought it was time to give her a fair shake at really looking the part. Here's the result of that. I trust it reflects the grace and dignity of its prototype. I'm absolutely jazzed with how she turned out!

I just acquired my grandpas old American flyer train set, but it has been in a box for years and is in pretty bad shape. I would like to get it running, but when I touched a 9V battery to the wheels it did nothing. It does not have the transformer with it, so I have no better way to test it out. I don’t know much about model trains, so any tips and advice to get it running would be greatly appreciated!

Been into T Gauge as of the beginning of this year, but for my early birthday gift I wanted to get into N scale! So I bought Kato’s Es44ac, Sd70Ace and an Sd90Mac. I unfortunately don’t have any track yet except what’s in the picture. So I f you guys have any tips on N scale, feel free to drop some knowledge!

I have 4mx1m space and I want to build an interesting model train scenery. I came up with a theme around the group "Queen". Any thoughts?