Jan 31
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Aug 14
This post on Brass HO Trains looks at space planning for your model trains. Before buying a set of model trains or Brass HO trains, it is important to understand the space available in the house or garden, so that one can plan the size and layout patterns. In general, a ping pong table is an ideal size, though the structure may have to be stronger to hold trains, structures and other sceneries. One can also use a licensed contractor to build the storage space and display areas or go for a modular layouts available in the market. If you just want to display your models then look at getting a display cabinet.
Building permanent layouts for Brass HO trains require serious planning of the space and the structures. Once the scale is chosen, the size of the display can be finalized. If a table or similar structure is chosen, careful planning has to be done to keep the track and the accessories within reach. Small scales such as HO or N can be accommodated into peoples den, basement or garage. Apartments can fit in elaborate Z scale models also.
The recent trend is to build large rectangular layouts along the walls of the room. This keeps all the trains and structures within reach and does not take up space in the room. Sceneries can be painted on the walls to merge with the designs of the layout. Usually, two feet wide layouts from the wall in an L or U shape is built with an extension at the end or an island in the middle. More than two feet width would limit the reaching of the trains.
Multi level layouts can also be built along the walls, and can be limited to two sides or even one, if there is not enough space for the trains. A helix or spiral tracks can be used to move the trains along the different levels. This would make the whole display look more complex, but interesting and fun. Constructing railroads for Brass HO trains and model trains and also things like trees, hills, cities and roads need a lot of careful planning and skill too. It is better to refer to various books and other sources of information before building such layouts.
Aug 14
This post on Brass HO Trains looks at why the Brass HO Trains are preferred over other trains. Earlier the garden railroads were more popular and people had them in the yard. Many have also dedicated the whole of the attics, basements or rooms for the perusal of their hobby of collecting model trains of the bigger scales like O and smaller ones like Brass HO trains. However, using bigger models took up a lot of space and people wanted more than a simple oval or a round track. The collectors of the model trains wanted to give a realistic look and add the scenery and landscaping from their imagination.
Thus, HO model trains gained popularity as the size was good enough to provide detailing and big enough for handling. They use standard gauge train tracks that are easily available with many of the hobby shops, retailers and also on the internet. HO basically stands for Half-O, which means that it is half the size of the O scale model. The model HO trains are durable, sturdy and offer a good balance of the detail of the bigger models, occupying lesser space, and also costs less than the bigger ones.
When HO trains were first introduced in 1930s, people found it too small and did not overtake the popularity of the O scale trains until the 1950s. Today more than 65% of the hobbyists prefer this scale. Once the hobbyists found the size to be comfortable in all aspects, more and more people started buying, pressurizing the manufacturers to make them easily available. The manufacturers have now come up with trains, tracks and railroad accessories in all the possible sizes making it possible for a wide variety of sizes and shape of layouts available.
The Brass HO trains is preferred among other materials used because of the rich look and the enduring quality. Unpainted and painted versions of the HO brass model trains are now available and one can also get custom painted ones. Some models are given a coat of rust and mud painting to give a look of wear and tear. With model trains, one can go to any extent of giving life to one’s imagination.
Aug 14
This post on Brass HO Trains is about Landscaping. Landscaping and layouts for Brass HO trains and other model trains can be interesting and fun. A simple base for laying out an E-Z track system can be built on a styrofoam base. The base can be cut into desired shape and size with an electric knife or hack saw blade. The track has to be aligned carefully and the joiners can be pushed inside or snapped together. At this stage, a car can be made to run along the laid out track to check the fixing. It may be difficult correct any mistakes later.
Building a tunnel needs careful planning prior to actually building it. The identically cut stylofoam pieces can be stacked up on one another for the height and styrofoam glue can be used to keep them together. The height will vary for Brass HO trains and other model trains. The shape of the tunnel and the roof part can be a separate piece of the styrofoam. Portholes can be designed one plaster and painted using acrylic paints and fixed using the adhesive. The roof of the tunnel must be made to look like a small hillside, which can be done by using a coat of adhesive and grass, with bulges made to look like rocks.
The rest of the space can be used for buildings such as station, house, freight company and other structures and landscaping. Place the buildings in their respective places and plan out the streets and roads using the permanent marker. Lighting up the layout, placing the lights in particular places gives a special effect to the layout. A “V” shaped groove can be cut to bring in the wire to the upper surface and the same can be run along the desired path. Staples can be used to hold them in place. The wires can be hidden using some light weight spackling.
One can cut the foam into rolling shapes to make mountains, valleys, canyons, bumps and rocks. These can be stuck using the white glue. Ponds can be made by using wire brush on the foam to scape the area in desired shape to about 1/4” deep. Brown and black colours can be used. The pond edge and the surrounding area must be brushed up with adhesive and a grass base can be applied, taking care not to spill the grass into the pond. The track has to be stuck to the base using a brush to apply adhesive. Grass and grasslands can be made by applying a coat of adhesive on the foam in the required areas and the bulges that look like hills, and then spreading simulated grass in the area.
The pavements are made using dry plaster powder into gray base paste and brushing it on the roadways. This needs to dry up before applying anything else. The final step is to add buildings, trees and other details wherever necessary. Scattering around the sand, brick pieces and other things will give it a realistic look. The final look comes in when you install a wooden frame around the whole board. The foam gets a support and the wear and tear of the corners will be prevented. The scale of the landscaping will be different for N scale, O scale or Brass HO trains and one needs to consider this too, to keep the whole unit uniform. Check this book out for more info SubTerrain Manual – Constructing a Lightweight Model Layout the Woodland Scenics Way.
Aug 14
This post in Brass HO Trains is about setting up the basics for your model trains. The Brass HO trains and all other scale model trains have four basic components. The locomotive, the cars, track pieces and the power supply. The model HO trains can be powered by a transformer or power pack or a DCC system. A beginner can start off with an oval or circular track that is simple to understand and accommodate inside the house.
The assembling of the track might be a bit tricky. A simple oval shaped track that comes in the beginner’s kit would be a good start. We also recommend getting a book which can take you through the steps (HO Railroad from Start to Finish (Model Railroad Handbook, No 36)). One can find out one’s own easy way of assembling, like getting the curved pieces first, placing of the piers, etc. The feeder and the railer positions must be properly placed to ensure the power supply without the hinderances of the wires. Rerailers can be used at regular intervals so that the position of the wheels get automatically adjusted at frequent intervals. If the train set does not come with a railer, it can be obtained separately. It can be fixed into the rails to roll down a locomotive or car that smoothly gets adjusted into the track. Railing can be done by hand, but is difficult for smaller models like Brass HO trains.
It is important to set the throttle to minimum or zero and clear away any things on the rails before plugging in the power supply. To prevent short circuits, do not use any metal laying across the rails. Some power supplies have a circuit breaker that can be reset and others emit sounds when there is a short circuit and later reset themselves. Once the trains are railed on the track, rise the throttle very slowly and let the train start to move. This will be the minimum throttle. The maximum throttle will be the point where the train is moving at its fastest without compromising on the safety. For each model the minimum or the maximum throttles may differ.
The forward and reverse movements come next. It is different for 2-rail and 3-rail systems. For 2-rail sets, the switch works in opposite polarities of the DC voltage applied to the rails, causing the motor to reverse. For 3-rail sets, the transformers have a direction button and work on AC voltage. The direction button causes the drops in the electric current on the rails and causes the train to move forward or backward.
HO Railroad from Start to Finish (Model Railroad Handbook, No 36)
Aug 14
In this post on Brass HO Trains we look at Power Supplies for Model Trains. There are various types of control system and power supplies for the model trains. Many of the manufacturers like Atlas, Bachmann, Kato USA Inc, Marklin, MRC are the leaders in the control systems. Most of the power packs are specific to the scales, but some may be used for more than a single scale model train. Control and power units for Brass HO trains are manufactured by companies like Model Power, Digitrax, MRC, etc.
The Model Power has two main models of the power packs for HO model trains. Electro is a fully filtered Micro controlled regulation pack. It has useful features like circuit breaker protection, Overload indicator light, Separate on/off switch, Super low speed performance and smoothness, no-screw terminals, Double insulated electric approved casing, etc. This model is powered to operate five trains at once and is compatible in AC and DC tracks. The second one is the Deluxe power pack that suits all trains and racer car sets. The unit is encased in a sturdy black plastic box and has forward and reverse switch and is UL approved. It also has a circuit breaker protection.
The Unitrack power pack from Kato USA Inc is used for the Kato Unitrack and locomotives. The unit can be used to control direction and speed, and has a circuit breaker with reset button and turnout control switch with swap-on socket. Products from MRC have features like pressure breaks, proportional tracking control, and monitoring of feedback from the layout to detect sudden changes in loads. One of the products, Control master, is a walkaround model that has hand held control with memory. The products give a 300 degree speed control for the Brass HO trains and other HO and N model trains.
Bachmann has come up with various control units for HO brass model trains. One such product is compatible with N, HO and On30 scales. This is used with DC operated trains and has features like plug-in wiring, power indicator light, direction control switch, and electronic circuit protection. The model has universal track power wire for other track systems with convinient E-Z-Track track power wire. The other model, E-Z Command Power Booster is intended for indoor use and can be used for Brass HO trains, N, O or even larger scale layout. The unit is designed to run many DCC locomotives and the output voltage can be altered to suit the scale for which it is used. There are a lot of safety features like thermal overload protection, and also includes air vents and a fan. The E-Z Command DCC Controller system is a digital system that controls speed, lighting and direction of multiple locomotive in N, HO and On30 scale from any manufacturer.
Aug 14
This post on Brass HO Trains looks at Garden Railways. A garden railroad or garden railway is the arrangement of the model railroad layout outdoors. In general, the G scale is the most popular. The 16mm scale, that runs on a 32 mm track, has been more popular in the UK. Scales of 1:19 and gauges of 45 mm is also seen in the garden railroads. The 1:24 scale, or the half-inch scale, cannot be rode on and other smaller scales and trains like Brass HO trains and the O scale models are less used outdoors. Although the basic working of the garden railroad is similar to the indoor one, there are various factors to be considered in terms of display and maintenance. Protection from sunlight, rain, water, dirt and the living creatures like insects and animals.
The functioning aspect that is to be considered is the reach of the electrical resistance to the far end of the track. For this reason, rechargeable batteries, RC car parts, etc are used for the constant electric supply. Some even use live steam as in a real steam engine, generated from different things like methenamine, sterno-type fuel, coal burners and butane gas. Digital Command Control can also be used for outdoor purposes, if the circuit is well protected from the dust and dirt. Digital sounds in the cars and engines make the whole thing very realistic.
The garden railway does not necessarily mean gardening, although the layout usually consists of very well maintained plants, bushes and even bonsai. Buildings, train stations and freight depots are usually built along the track and care is taken to make them resistant to weather conditions and the exposure to sun, rain and dirt. A loco shed is built where the trains are stored when not in use. Other landscaping like ponds, mountains, boulders and others are also done to complete the realistic look as it is done in the indoor models layouts like Brass HO trains. However, tunnels pose a real problem when it is used as a shelter by small animals like racoons or cats or when a derailment occurs in an unreachable part of the tunnel.
Some railroad modellers may have a railway running in their normal garden as a part of it and they do not have to stick to the scales for growing the plants. This is the other way round, where the gardener may have railroading as an additional hobby. This way, smaller scales like Brass HO trains and the O scale trains can be seen running along their pathways in a garden, when the space inside the house is limited.
Aug 14
This post on Brass HO Trains is about Digital Control Systems. Today’s digital world has found its way to the Brass HO trains and other model trains, to make it more interesting, workable and easy to operate. The most popular control system is the Conventional 12V DC, but the Digital Command control is taking over the trend. This is because the digital systems make it possible to control all aspects of operating as a separate entity. It also uses minimal wiring, along the rails. Digital signals are sent along the rails and control most of the operations including the signals, turnouts, cranes, turntables, level crossings, etc.
The component of a typical control system include throttle, central unit, booster, locomotive decoder, stationary decoder, sound and funtion decoders, feedback bus and computer interface. Each of the component has its own function. The throttle controls the operation of the train and are also known as cabs. They are used to select the train to operate at a given time and also control the speed and direction of a train at a time. The Central unit, being the center of the whole digital system, gets the commands from throttle and sends the corresponding signal to the track so that the commands are executed by the respective parts of the track.
An integrated booster helps amplify the low-power signal that the central unit produces or limits the high current to more tolerable levels as in the case of Brass HO trains and other smaller models. In larger layouts, partition of the track into segments and each will be powered by its own digital booster. Each of these boosters is connected to the Central unit or to the next booster segment to receive the signals to be amplified.
There are two main types of decoders for the devices. The locomotive decoders are fitted inside the locomotives. It receives the command from the central unit via the booster and interprets them to the rails. Thus the changes in speed, direction, etc are sent to the motor to execute. The Stationary decoders are those that are connected to the fixed devices like signals, level crossings and turnouts. They are generally mounted under the layout, where they are less obvious. Many other types of decoders also can be placed for specific functions like controlling headlights, ditch lights and others. The PC sound cards are used as sound decoders. Many sounds of the trains starting and sounding horns are pre-recorded and they are synchronized with the movements of the train. Some decoders come as a single unit and perform the functions of the locomotive control, sound effects and also the function control.
The feedback bus is basically a sensor that keeps a track of the movements of the train and sends the information to the central unit. This knowledge helps the central unit to know when to stop sending signals and when the train has reached its destination, trigger a particular signal or close down a level crossing. Some of the central units are also connected to the computer of the collector. This way, the trains and their movements can be controlled with the help of the computer interface. The digital command control systems are one type of the digital model train control systems. However, in general, they are understood as a generic term for all types of digital systems pertaining to model trains.
Aug 14
In this post on Brass HO Trains we talk about books. Model railroading now is a very popular hobby. There are various celebrities, millionaires and many others, who have been into the hobby of collecting Brass HO trains and other model trains. The interest in collecting the model trains might have arisen out of interest, childhood passion or simply after buying their kid a new set of toy train. We recommend this one to get you going HO Railroad from Start to Finish (Model Railroad Handbook, No 36). Now that the interest has come in, there will be search for information in various libraries and the internet. Although internet is an ocean of information in the topic, specific ideas and techniques have not been shared everywhere. Various books and ebooks have come into the market and people are encashing on passing the information.
There are many books for the beginners, having step-by-step photographic approach, with easy to follow methods to install a sturdy and durable trackwork, laying of the roadbed, sectional or flexible track and finishing the track with lineside details. There are information about turnouts, cleaning and maintaining trackwork. Some books have specific scenery themes like North American mining, refining and agricultural operations that the railroads serve, with the techniques to display the realistic layout of the same. Instructions about the principles and techniques of constructing scenery including structure, scenery and detailing techniques for both urban and rural settings.
Construction of freight yards for Brass HO trains and N scale models are illustrated with photographs along with the operations like receiving, classifying, cleaning, etc. are mentioned in some books that target the HO brass model trains. There are informative books on history, practice, terminology and also advantages of having operative models that perform realistically. Basic information about designing, building, modelling and finishing backgrounds using mountains, hills, trees, bushes, water and even dirt to make the whole thing look realistic.
With such information and great collection of books, one can get a good start for their hobby of collecting Brass HO trains and other model trains. We recommend this one to get you started HO Railroad from Start to Finish (Model Railroad Handbook, No 36).
Aug 14
Yes… here on Brass HO Trains we see that even musicians like Model Trains. The musicians who had been interested in model trains include Bruce Springsteen, Claude Bolling, Roger Miller, Phil Collins, etc. Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of Who is known to have been building an extensive European HO layout in his loft. John Entwistle, also performs for Who and is an adherent collector of HO models. Merle Haggard, the country singer had been an active HO modeller, he recorded an album titled “My love affair with Trains”. Tommy Hunter has a layout built in his basement while Elton John, the rock star has a garden railroad.
Vaughn Monroe, the singer, trumpeter, leader of the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra has yet another addition to his titles as a railroad modeller. He used to relax by tinkering with his model trains and build his own HO scale locomotives. He missed his trains so much that he wished he could carry a small layout during his trips. Johnny Cash, the country music singer and song writer is very fond of Lionel model trains and Frank Sinatra has an extensive Lionel layout in his home. Gil Melle, the Jazz saxophonist was a frequent contributor to Rail Model Craftsman.
Mel Torme was so passionate about his model trains that he preferred his trains to his wife and divorced her. Almost 80% of his collection was vintage lionel or tin-plate and the collection was in near-pristine condition. Neil Young, the rock star, was a part owner of Lionel trains and had a trailer consisting of Lionel layout, which he carried with him in his tours. Rod Stewart, the famous rock star, was rich and bought many brass models for his collection. He was known to have two layouts, one in LA, where the collection of the Pennsy is built and one at his home, Epping, with English East Coast line in British Railways days.
There are many more such famous personalities and others who have been into the collection of Brass HO trains and trains of other models.
