How do you keep your rolling stock from rolling?

[GandG_North]

Hi everyone. I've replaced all the wheels on my rolling stock, used the Micro Mark axle reamer on the trucks, brought all the car weights up to NMRA standards, and now I've discovered that most of the track on my layout isn't flat (it's an old-design Atlas layout that uses the deformed plywood method). What method do you guys use to keep stuff from rolling away? Thumb tacks, skewers, pins, working hand brakes on HO cars,...etc?

 

[migalyto]

I have a couple un-level areas as well. I just leave a locomotive hooked up (easy to do as I'm DCC). A little harder with DC unless
you can un-power that track.

The siding on a grade I use a T-pin. Very simple and a Kadee will couple to the shank of the pin.

 

[dennis461]

I have read where some bristles from a paint brush standing up between the rails works. Make it look like weeds...

 

[Rico]

I have a spur that’s level but off a grade that usually sees either a drop or pickup only but when spotting a car on the main can’t be avoided I made a “brake” by mounting a tortoise machine under the layout with a rod that catches the coupler or axle.
I plan to have a warning light installed somewhere close to indicate a no go.

 

[GandG_North]

Thanks for the replies and the ideas!

 

[NH Mike]

I have a couple un-level areas as well. I just leave a locomotive hooked up (easy to do as I'm DCC). A little harder with DC unless
you can un-power that track.

The siding on a grade I use a T-pin. Very simple and a Kadee will couple to the shank of the pin.

That's what I do too. I also place a Kadee uncoupling magnet off to the side to hold the pin when it is not being used to keep the cars from rolling.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Just a couple hair brush bristles on a siding. Drill a small hole, cement them in then trim them to just barely catch an axel. To tall and they may derail a light car.

 

[santafewillie]

I don't have that issue on the current layout (that I know of yet), but before, I used a bristle from a brush like Dennis and Ken described.

 

[Canalligator]

I have two solutions that hold the cars, but are obviously not prototypical. A pin tool that goes into a sunk piece of tubing, and a cut off clothespin that I clip on the rail.

The orange post marks where the tubing is, helpful when you’re moving cars into the spur. I cut the clothespin off square with a razor saw.

I don’t like either method, but they work.

I’ve toyed with some sort of brake on cars, but didn’t come up with any ideas I liked and could afford the cost and/or time to implement.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I forgot to mention, I have the little bristles a few places along the track in the industries so cars can be spotted at several places. Once again, keeping them short so they just touch the axles so the car can be pushed or pulled over them without derailing is important.