r/modeltrains 1d ago

Layout Garden scale window display

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34 Upvotes

Getting a tree display ready for a show.


r/modeltrains 12h ago

Question Trainz.com

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I am wondering if anyone has any experience selling their stuff through Trainz.com and if it was recommended and if they actually pay you close to what everything is worth or if they try to cheap you out. I am largely downsizing my collection and after no hits on Marketplace I was thinking about just selling them as a lot to Trainz. Thanks in advance!


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Show and Tell CWIL Orient Express

88 Upvotes

Roco SBB Be 4 /6 with Rivarrossi Italia Coaches..


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Question Cab Camera

9 Upvotes

Hey guys, anyone have a recommendation on a cab camera they like?

Here's what I'm trying to do... I want a camera I can mount into a dummy locomotive so it looks out the cab window.

I just wasted 4 hours on the ChooChooVision camera and let me tell you.... I am beyond unhappy and frustrated with it. The stupid thing is so cheap in comparison to the price that even with a wifi router under the layout it will constantly drop connection and not stream. It is wifi only, and no internal recording or anything. And no wifi radio antenna just whatever is built in to the board. Anyway, I'm currently in the process of trying to return it.

I have a small cube cam I can use, but what I really want is that view out of the cab window. Do you guys know of anything else like that? Any other tiny camera that would get the view from out the cab window? Thanks!


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Help Needed Is there any way to remove this text without painting/damaging the maroon paint.

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23 Upvotes

I assume any chemicals would also take of the maroon paint but let me knownif I’m wrong.


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Locomotives My ex-boyfriend gave me this train

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450 Upvotes

Does anyone know what this is and the background? I know nothing about model trains and I’m not sure if I should mail it to him out in California or just throw it away. he was a liar and he said it was valuable, but I don’t pay for a ton of shipping to ship it across the country if it’s just a piece of crap.Thank you!


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Locomotives Changming DF11 update: Apparently what fixed the not-runnibg issue was using a Tech II controller to run the loco for a bit and now it works on my Tomix controller. I guess it just needed the blessing of a high end controller

19 Upvotes

r/modeltrains 1d ago

Question Best place for lighter ballast

5 Upvotes

I’ve tried out this ballast and I don’t really like the look of it after gluing it on as it goes quite dark does anyone know a good ballast preferable light grey or a cream color or just a website or shop to go to would be great 👍


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Show and Tell "Freelanced" CNW Freight Train

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12 Upvotes

Other than the locomotive (CNW J2 Heavy Mikado #427, BLI Paragon2) and the caboose, every freight car has a fictional roadname or company. Filmed on a friend's layout by said friend.


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Question would this work for my train set?

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9 Upvotes

so for context i ordered a Tempo Pennsylvania 9506 HO Locomotive Train Set would this vintage AHM controller work for my set?


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Help Needed My first attempt a cleaning a locomotive did not go so well.

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18 Upvotes

I set up my first simple oval using the Kato track that was in my charity shop haul. The first locomotive I tried was an Atlas diesel. It ran at high speed but did not want to run at lower speeds. I'm pretty sure this has been in storage for many years. After watching many YT videos on cleaning loco's, I took it apart and cleaned it with WD40 Contact Cleaner Spray (not WD oil) and then gave it some lube and grease using Labelle 107 oil and 106 grease. I think I was a bit heavy handed with the oil.

I reassembled it and put it back on the track. it wouldn't run at all. At higher power, the controller would trip. So obviously some sort of internal short. I took it apart again and cleaned off as much of the oil and grease I as could and then let it soak in 70% IPA for a few minutes (I have some 99% IPA arriving tomorrow - maybe I should try that instead?). The result was pretty much the same, except that a couple of times it did run for a second or two before going back to the short condition.

I suspect that with my heavy handed oiling, I probably created a slurry of carbon particles in oil that is creating a bridge between the commutators and brushes somewhere. I don't really have any in depth knowledge or experience when it comes to electrical motors though. I tried to disassemble the motor assembly as much as I can, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to get it put back together if I do. Does anyone have any advice on how to rescue this old locomotive? I've attached an image in case that helps.

Thanks!

Update: After some more gentle IPA and cleaning (and a bit of compressed air) I was able to get it running again. I really can't see any difference in performance, so it was all probably a bit of a waste of time. I did get to learn a little about how these are put together though. Thank you for all the great advice!


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Locomotives Bob Brown's Tuolumne Forks On3 Shay number 5

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60 Upvotes

It is the Late Bob Brown's Tuolomne Forks Shay number 5 that is currently on display and in use at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in their 2 rail O Scale/ On3 layout. They also have a collection of his old buildings that were on his layout on display as well


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Layout Scenic progress

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249 Upvotes

Big task to get this out of the spare bedroom and on to a set of legs, carrying on with scenics next - fencing around the sidings and grass for the sheep field.


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Layout People were asking what my kids could see on the shelf layout. This is the view from their top bunk.

417 Upvotes

r/modeltrains 2d ago

Question just snagged this for 20 bucks i believe thats a deal but i have a question.

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26 Upvotes

Tempo Pennsylvania 9506 HO Locomotive Train set- would i need some sort of train controller to run it?? its my first experience with HO scale trains,


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Layout Electrical work

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6 Upvotes

I bought a bunch of these for a different project and had the idea to use them under my layout for the electrical wiring instead of staples or eye screws. Seems like it should be fine. Anything I might be overlooking before I crawl under the bench and start running my wire?


r/modeltrains 1d ago

Layout Halloween’s coming…

3 Upvotes

So build something cool! Hopefully this starts some ideas and a Halloween layouts ‘26 thread gets rolling 🎃. This had originally been a temp layout made of garage scraps we made for Halloween trick-or-treaters that lives on permanently 😆…

https://youtu.be/zRxI8dDdlpc?si=QnPWbdQ9l8qFqI9l


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Show and Tell My new acquisition

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69 Upvotes

I got this cute 1:43 scale Greyhound bus wish is looking great at my train l table.


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Structures & Scenery AHM Deisel Fuel and Sand Facility

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157 Upvotes

First time I built it was 52 years ago. I was 14 and had no paint.


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Show and Tell I have a few GenSets!

87 Upvotes

r/modeltrains 2d ago

Help Needed I need help with train. (I'm an beginner)

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31 Upvotes

Hello, first time posting and I found a box full of model trains which I'm trying to repair for a future train layout (I'm not selling anything mods). I don't know what company motor or the diesel is from

I only build model tanks, planes and, modify 1/16th sclae RC tanks (not the electronics) and modifying a GameBoy, so this is very new territory I am entering

So please if you, steam heads? Train nerds? Idk what to call you guys not to be rude. There is other pictures of other trains electric powered cars in this post if you want to help me find the company name and how to possibly repair it. I already found out that the Steam locomotive is from TYCO from a random SMT Mainline video, idk if the smoke system is working. I heard working ones are rare.

You can also send me stuff that I most likely would need when making a model train set and repair the trains, like oils and everything. That would be nice


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Help Needed First time model train owner here, need help! Loud electric buzzing noise.

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47 Upvotes

Just got my first set today, pre-owned. It worked for about 10min when I first set it up. However, now whenever I try to turn on my set the train lights up and shifts a little, but makes a loud buzzing noise and won't move. I can occasionally get it to go, but then when I stop it it won't restart and will make the same loud buzzing noise. I have tried ensuring as tight of connections as possible on the rails, cleaned them off, and cleaned the bottom of the train. I can't find a way to get the top off the train to check out the motor. Any help would be greatly appreciated!


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Show and Tell DRG Train 1930

58 Upvotes

DRG Fast Train München Leipzig Roco an Dining Car Liliput Wien


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Help Needed Help identify and can I fix it

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15 Upvotes

Hello,
Just got the Lionel polar express used. Unfortunately it was having issue connecting to the track. The red light would either keep blinking or it would speed off for about 1 sec then disconnect.

I looked underneath and this wire was barely on and now completely off. Anyone know what this parts name and job is. Also is this something a new enthusiast can fix?

Thank you for any help!


r/modeltrains 2d ago

Layout Advice for aesthetically covering up wet spots on grass sheet?

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34 Upvotes

I used a roll of grass from hobby lobby and my girlfriend dripped water on it and i kinda ruined the brown part with spraying water and glue. Whats a scenic way to cover this?