Search results

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


  1. P

    Bowser hoppers axles short

    I have several Bowser N scale 2 bay B&O hopper cars that often derail. The trucks and wheels are plastic and I couldn't figure out why it was happening. Today I took another look and noticed that the wheel axles had a lot of movement between the side frames, almost coming out. I measured the...
  2. P

    Bowser hopper couplers issue

    I received three sets of new trucks (without couplers) along with three sets of body mount couplers from Bowser last week. I haven't installed them yet but it was nice that they replied...! The original cars had truck mounts.
  3. P

    Bowser hopper couplers issue

    Update....! I wrote to Bowser about the issue and just received an answer back today. They just asked for my address and nothing else so I assume they may be sending me something to remedy the issue. I'll let you know...!
  4. P

    Bachmann track cleaning cars (tip)...

    Best pix I can take. Note four bevels on right image and two on left.
  5. N cleaning pads.jpg

    N cleaning pads.jpg

    • Phoenix
    • Media item
    • Comments: 0
    • Media category: N Scale
  6. P

    Bachmann track cleaning cars (tip)...

    I have two Bachmann track cleaning cars that I run alone behind a set of diesels and had a few problems with them. After watching a video by Mike Fifer I removed the springs from the pads and that helped somewhat. But, I still had an issue with turnouts and the lead car would catch the merging...
  7. P

    Gluing ballast

    That's pretty much how I did mine and it worked great on a 15 foot section of three track main. I checked the turnouts as it dried and found two that the the end of the throw rod bonded slightly to the ballast on the outer edge. They easily popped free and all works well.
  8. P

    Bowser hopper couplers issue

    I thought about doing that so I'll see. I cause half the derailments myself putting a car on the track and knocking the one behind it off :rolleyes:. The ramp works much better when I can find it....!
  9. P

    Bowser hopper couplers issue

    While running a 20 car coal drag to check my newly ballasted main I was having random uncoupling issues. Suspecting the new ballast, I went over everything and found the track was fine. Looking closer at the uncoupling cars I noticed they were all Bowser cars and that the couplers were sagging...
  10. P

    Gluing ballast

    I don't think the soap works that well, especially if you have hard water. If the glue beads up when dropping on the ballast, it needs to be thinner. I just went and checked my work and it looks good. I mix 40 percent glue and 60 percent water in a large Elmer's bottle then add about another...
  11. P

    Gluing ballast

    I'm finally back to getting the mains ballasted and found that adding about 10% Isopropyl alcohol to the 40/60 mix of glue and water makes a big difference. After getting the ballast in place I mist the area with ISOp before adding the glue. With the ISOp also mixed in the glue bottle I get no...
  12. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    Think I figured the noise solution. It's only in the areas where I was learning to ballast a year ago. The ballast is too heavy in those areas and rock hard, hence the noise. The areas where I was careful are just fine...!
  13. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    Yeah, I think it will help. It will be fine..! Always learn something new. 🙃
  14. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    Just went down and ran a train over most of the ballasted areas. Taking a closer look I think I have a few pieces of ballast that are up against a rail in a few places and that's where I get the noise. Guess I need to get the MOW crew out and check, they're not doing anything anyway...!
  15. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    I'm old Ken, don't got no DCC nor sound.... Just plain ole DC :)....!
  16. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    I remember the old Lionel and AF days when the trains were loud and ran 90 mph...lol...! Oh, the layout is open framework so the that will amplify the sound. I think I'm figuring it out!
  17. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    It's a loud hollow growling sound . Actually, I think it may be the tunnels echoing as I have them lined several inches and the ballast goes a short way in. I have some ballasted track that's not in a tunnel so I need to compare the loudness. Actually I think it's mostly the locomotives...
  18. P

    Track noisy after ballasting

    My track structure is 3/8" plywood, 1/2" Homasote, and Woodland Scenic foam roadbed. I ballasted a few areas leading into tunnels and areas I won't be able to reach after scenery is applied. Trains run very quiet until hitting the ballast areas and then the noise level increases dramatically...
  19. P

    Micro-Trains heavyweight passenger cars

    Thanks for your reply..! Actually I have a locomotive with body mount couplers and, after having checked everything else (wheel gauge, etc.) I tried a run. Ended in disaster as they derailed in a tunnel and crashed on the floor below and broke into every piece that could come off...lol...! I...
  20. P

    N scale Geeps no headlight?

    I have several new Atlas Geeps that appeared to have no headlights. Taking them apart I found that they have yellow leds with a 2k resistor in series and barely illuminate. I replaced the leds with a warm white one (kept the resistor in place) and the headlights work great. This is the second...




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top