r/nscalemodeltrains

I have a first run Kato Heavy Mikado that I put traction tires on (the ones from Kato) and now it doesn’t run well. It is very jerky, and it stutters a lot. I know that track is clean, as the little steeple cab I have runs fine, and the Mikado used to run great. Any ideas?

Finally got in a few more parts and finalized the design of my first layout in 20 ish years. I ended up modifying the slopes of the elevated track a bit, played around with spacing of everything, and changed the very sharp switch I had for a more reasonable one. I'm pretty happy with this design now, and I'll probably start nailing it down soon, but I'm unsure if I want to put a crossover between the 2 tracks at the front, or keep the separate. I took away the crossover I had initially planned because it didn't work out as well as I had hoped, and was just not very good. I'll think about that a bit and decide, but aside from that I need one or two more switch controllers, and I can start nailing the track to the table and running wires. One thing I was wondering though, is is there a prescribed way to align track sections? They don't all appear to be completely level with each other at the joints, so it's a bit of a rougher ride than I'd like. Should I adjust the connectors? Grind the track slightly? Something else? Really what I'm seeing at the rail joints is one side is slightly higher than the other, so especially longer steam engines sort of go halfway, then tip onto the lower track, if that makes sense. They don't run smoothly on these joints

Got the first of the new structures designed, printed, and painted. Just have to test the FFM print on this one and it will be available along with many new houses coming soon

Since the weather is still decent here I popped open the door to my train room, the sun is at a angle at this time of year where it shines on part of the layout (door has no windows so it's not a daily thing). With a bit of cloud cover to dim the intensity I decided I try a few photos. I had another angel I wanted to use with focus stacking but it didn't turn out as good as I hoped. I shot this with my phone so the quality isn't 100% after editing, but I do like it. Can't beat natural lighting for photos! I've been working on scenery a little bit on this part of the layout and I like what the sunlight does for it.

Hey guys, I picked up this second-hand Kato N scale Japanese steam engine at a local train show, unfortunately there’s no identifying marks on the engine or box so I’m not exactly sure which locomotive it’s based on. Would anyone with a bit more knowledge on Kato and Japanese steam have an idea?

The layout I've been working on will have 4 separate powered sections: three loops and a Yard section in the middle. I've got two loops made up with points on one side, and I've used insulating joiners on the points.

With my model train controller: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/128105933808?_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851 (Mine is green). However, when I switch lines, I obviously need both lines to get power. When my locos pass over the joiners, they're getting power from both routes and act as if I've turned the dial up until it fully passes onto the other line. Would "DPDT" switches fix this? If not, how (In "DC") would you fix this?

On the controller itself, according to the maker, "Rin", it's an "AMPERAGE" controller, not a "Voltage: controller. It uses "PWM" circuit boards.

I'm no expert on this sort of stuff, so the controller might not make a difference, but I thought I'd mention it just in case.

Cheers - Ben

UPDATED IN REPLIES

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you all see my first layout!

I inherited my grandfather’s 4x8 layout this summer, and decided I wanted to modify it slightly. Due to the fact that I had never done any model railroading personally, despite being fascinated with grandpa’s layout and Lionel trains as a kid, I decided the best way to learn was to make one myself.

I’ve tacked all the track down to make sure I had enough to complete something that was interesting to my eyes. I’ve finished things for now, as I’d like to add an elevated section and a turntable in the future.

Grandpa’s layout has cork roadbed laid throughout, and I’m debating wether or not to lay it under my track. I’m not terribly concerned with noise, but do kind of like the look. I’ve never messed with actual ballast either, but that’s also not out of the question.

So the question is do I lay the cork roadbed? Or just leave it and try ballast? This is going to be a work in progress, and I’d like it to look fairly uniform. I’m also curious if you all have any ideas for landscaping, as grandpa’s has exactly nothing other than paint and a few buildings that aren’t mounted. Thanks for the help!

Bought this lovely Chinese n scale locomotive from J-scale recently in what I can only describe as a “fuck it I’ll get something unique” mood, and I must say I am pleasantly surprised the details on this model is simply stunning. From individually fitted pipe work at each end which is painted to the crispness of the printing of the body side writing, and the lovely touch of having the underside of the bogies be detailed with visible traction motors moulded in to the base keeper plate. On to the running and lighting of this model, it is by far the best out of box runner I have ever had on DC it is just incredible it crawls on super slow speeds and it can run like a bullet out a gun. As for the lighting the model is fitted with directional head and tail light, I was disappointed to discover no cab lighting since its moulded exceptionally well. Long and short of it is if you’re looking for something unique and of a high quality and a price point that delivers the highest standard of quality look no further than Changming.

I have a Micro Trains N scale NATX tank car that came with this spare part without any explanation. What is the part for?