A Record number of Model Railroad Questions in this Q & A

[@rwissbaum9849]

Lots of good info, as usual, Jimmy; but I have to respectfully disagree with your offhand comment that "3D printing is the new scratchbuilding." In my opinion, the new scratchbuilding is much the same as the old scratchbuilding, with the addition of more widely available materials, modern tools such as laser cutters and-yes-3D printers, and better adhesives and paints. (Read some of the old articles in Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman to learn how modelers used buttons, aluminum foil, thumb tacks, and all sorts of household items simply because scale parts were not commercially available.) Two excellent examples of scratchbuilding in the modern era can be found on the Boomer Diorama and Chandwell channels.

[@JanHenk-k1b]

5:42 In Europe we had a very mass produced small N 0-6-0 (Not exactly an 0-4-0, but the middle axle is actually raised, so you can remove it and it'll still function as intended) model by Minitrix: the T3. Very cheap and quite easy to find at train shows in Western Europe and, more importantly, online. Although I've seen some people charge quite a bit for new ones because It's quite rare to find these loco's that aren't in used condition. There was also a UK variant produced (N.201 Fowler Dock Tank, 47160) with the same chassis but different body, which might be easier to get if your buying from the US, but at the same time they aren't as common as the T3.

[@kenshores9900]

There is also lots of N scale available on EBay as well.

[@kyleretherford4455]

Drinking Fire Department Coffee. What N-Scale couplers do you use? Everyone seems to have their own take on couplers, Micro-Trains Magne-Matic, Scale-Trains Rivet Counter, Bachmann E-Z Mate, etc etc. How do you manage coupler mismatch? Do you change out your couplers to use a single type?

[@NJEsperantist]

Drinking my morning tea. Red Rose brand in my DLW Sussex Branch mug.

[@mikihill88]

Thank you for answering my question. I have been a real big advocate of the DCC-EX and am excited for the future. I'll keep an eye out for their additions as they keep coming and look amazing‼️

[@davidf9630]

Drinking Macca Green Tea … good morning everyone! Thanks for the INFORMATIVE video Jimmy . They help me start my day! You covered so much today ( great questions guys!) I’m currently working on my garage layout ( no more over/under ) too much flex for my liking. But I’m still working on my train shed (8x12) so… I’m spinning ideas 24/7! Great channel, great source and great host. CMF

[@MacTrom1]

In rep;acing switch-kat; I’m using a digitrax ds52 to power two kato turnouts each for a cost around $10 per turnout. Just a suggestion.

[@bradmarlin6591]

Jimmy, thanks for the awesome content. Just getting back into RR modeling after being away for 20+ years. The advances in N scale are amazing and watching you videos has been invaluable. Looking at an N scale "L" shape layout against two walls of 9' by 6'. Oh, by the way.....Folger's Classic Roast every morning in my 20oz WAWA travel mug.

[@scottjackson3009]

My coffee is Aldi breakfast blend

[@DeadlySpoon12]

Recently scored two brand new Atlas SD40s from eBay but the have different couplers and don’t like my rolling stock with knuckle couplers. What’s the best way to unify couplers on NScale trains?

[@ROCKETKNIGHT-ph7xp]

I live by an active railroad that carries a beautiful train going between my complex and a beautiful golf course. That in itself beats out every model train track in my opinion. That is why it’s hard for me to purchase one at the moment lol

[@Eclipse1988]

Store brand french roast! May be cheap, but damn its strong! Im resurrecting my old trains starting now. Dosing up on caffeine and putting the benchwork together today! Thanks for the motivation, Jimmy!

[@rf64]

Thank you Jimmy for the tips. I don't run my locomotives, for about , well 10 years. So that video about lubrication it will it's a very nice idea. I'm from Portugal, and N Scale rolling stock is hard , almost zero to get( ( The main give up reason). Well is time to start again. I am ATSF/BNST fan.

[@jamessneed8789]

Thanks for your video ☕️

[@philhamsher3977]

thanks for sharing these. Sometimes I don't know I have a question about something until someone else asks it. We don't know what we don't know. ☺

[@modelrailwaybackshop]

I'm ingesting some good ol' Chocolate Raspberry coffee from Super 1 Foods!

[@themillrunandwesternmaryland11]

Great video Jimmy! Two questions really... 1: how long have you been model railroading? 2: how do you come up with new material for your channel? Thank you!

[@TonyBurnett1492]

The new DCC-EX store pre-order process is great. The old method required you to race to buy a shield the moment an inventory email arrived. I tried that for a few weeks, but was never fast enough to get a shield. However, as soon as they switched to their own store with pre-order, my shield was in the mail within a week. YMMV

[@paulantoine1696]

Yeah, the move to the ecwid based site made a huge difference! It was quite a lot of work though. I'm now doing the same for my Australian company that services Aus/NZ and APAC countries.

[@GeepSLSF]

Hi Jimmy easy question can you build a layout with both DC and DCC . Now for the rabbit hole can DC and DCC run at the same time on Dual Gauge track ? All my HOn3 locomotives are DC and most of My HO locomotives are DCC or would it be smarter to build a small insulated yard to swap cars and I’m drinking McDonald’s Tea half/half no ice . PS Your AWESOME keep up the great job for the model train community .

[@eurovnik]

I run a mixture or DC and DCC on the same layout using DCC-EX. You can switch each section of track between DC and DCC on the fly. But I can't see a way of running a mixture of DC and DCC locos on the same section of track as they will share a common rail. DCC needs signal on both rails.

[@loispadgett6306]

Some great questions and answers. This are questions I never think of. Are there books for dummies on wiring and DCC? Thanks Jimmy for this series on answering questions. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@chloethompson5649]

Follow. Been wanting to find a good basic book on model rr to sell in our giftshop at Newton Depot

[@BCKammen]

Drinking what ever coffee we use in the office, with lots.... lots of creamer. With DCC++ EX, is there a way to extend the length of the ability, like a relay or repeater that can be put in?

[@robertthompson1698]

2 weeks late....drinking Delta Skyclub Starbucks as I watch while travel!

[@robertrivera9162]

Have you ever recycled house hold items for your model railroad? There used to be a British model railroad competition program and part of the competition was to use a random house hold item on the railroad but do so without its looking like the item originally. Have you heard of pizza module layouts? I am using insulation foam and pizza boxes with T-Trak measurements to make modules.

[@tuglifeHO]

Drinking the local brew... Marlowes. Goes really well with ballasting

[@BriansModelTrains]

Digitrax DS74 ($65) will control 4 Kato turnouts. It can also control 4 Double crossovers. I have used NCE switch-kats and the Digitrax DS74. It would cost @ $16.25 per turnout.

[@dexterdog62]

Too expensive.

[@BriansModelTrains]

@@dexterdog62 It is cheaper than a switch-kat and was in responese posed to Jimmy from a viewer.

[@thomasl.durbin2517]

Can you do a video on taking apart a layout and saving the pieces if you are taking your current layout apart when you build your new one?

[@cloudserph]

I have a question about the possible capabilities of DCC EX. I’d like to model a tram line that starts at a station then terminates inside a tunnel and I want the ability for it to park itself in there as well as trigger another tram, offsite in a different house, to “wake up” and travel outside of its “portal” and stop at the station at the other end of the second person’s tram line. By this point you can guess I’m trying to do a Mr Rogers Neighborhood trolley sort of thing. Would DCC EX, JMRI and pc connection be able to do this for me? I’m curious about what modules I would need to trigger the action I described. Thank you. I just subbed and have been binge watching your channel, haha.

[@possumbayou8238]

Be careful with the newer Atlas nacale diesel locos. The ones that can come with sound. The DC ones only take the decoder that Atlas uses for sound. They are actually sound ready. The old style regular drop in DCC decoders don't work. Those are the ones the DCC manufacturers suggest.

[@thoughtengine]

I got a used N Western loco once, but I can't find anything else to work with it. Is there anything around from the old West in N? Is there a way to buy a DCCEX system assembled, with software, and ready to install, or does it have to be homebrewed? Milk with dinner.

[@BK-oo1bl]

Drinking my Folgers and filling the sand tower

[@cbirailroad]

Response to Carlos re Switch-Kats... A cheap and reliable alternative is the Digitrax DS52 decoder, which handles 2 Kato turnouts, and can be found many places online for about $24 apiece. The problem I found with the DS51 is that they require you to open up the back of the turnout to solder connections. I've also found DCC Concepts ADS decoders are also cost effective and easy to program. And if you really want more Switch-Kats, I have 10 unused in my office that I can let you have cheaply. Reply to my comment and we can work something out offline. Ron

[@battlefielddivisionofnorfolkso]

Thank You for answering my question(s). Great info and another Great Video full of lots of “learning material.” Couple of follow-up questions though. Have you tried the DC Function on DCC EX? If so, what are your thoughts? Speaking of the boosters I inquired about, do they go inline? Finally, once I’m setup and going, and my DCC EX is programmed, do I need WiFi to run my trains or will the throttle talk to the DCC EX without WiFi? Sorry, DCC Really Intimidates me.

[@paulantoine1696]

I'll let Jimmy answer some of these, but once DCC-EX is programmed, you use WiFi to connect a smartphone, tablet, or TCS UWT-50/100 type wireless throttle to run trains. Most of the available apps and physical throttles can handle more than one train at a time, but DCC-EX lets you have between 4 and 10 of those wifi throttles connected directly as well. When using JMRI as an intermediary you can have even more Wifi devices running trains to handle lots of users running trains. Don't let DCC intimidate you... just take it slowly and you'll get the hang of it.

[@Core-vu6mc]

I just got 2 of the DS51K1 and tried them on a #4 and a #6 turnout. Both decoders fried themselves. They were not able to flip the switch and burned up. Both turnouts were new so I'm wondering if Kato made the springs in the switch mechanism stiffer. I can flip them with a 12v power supply without issue so the solenoids work.

[@charlielea63]

Good Morning

[@SleeTheSloth]

Jimmy, great video! I do have a question for you. How long will the average DCC decoder hold its programing? What I'm thinking a long of the line of capacitors and battery's and so forth discharge over time. So over time will a DCC decoder that has not been used, will it go stupide on us?

[@paulantoine1696]

They all store their programming in FLASH or EEPROM storage, both of which can readily last a decade without update.

[@OldcampRanch]

Cool video 👍🏻

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid as always thanks lee

[@glrider100]

I recently acquired a new DCC ready steam locomotive. I want to get a decoder for it, but space in the tender is limited. My question, is sound worth it? Do you use sound on your locomotives often? Or do you consider it a 'nice to have' ?

[@robertsolano3572]

Great Information Shared !!! I do have a question or two . . . I have Kato N- Scale Track Systems . . . I Model A Transition Era and My Steam Locomotives , and Deisel's work Great with Kato Trackage . . My Locomotives Are As Follow's . . : Kato , Bachmann , Life Like , Con- Cor , Rivarossi , Arnold , Atlas , And Mini Trix Engine's . . However my Con - Cor , Rivarossi , Arnold , Atlas , and Mini - Trix . . Do Not Function on The Kato Track's , but , Do Work Very Well On My Old Bachmann , and Atlas Track's . . . What Is A Solution For The Kato Track 's and My Beautiful Older N - Scale Locomotives and Deisel's ??? Any help is Greatly Appreciated . Many Thank's !!!

[@skerbs7755]

Quick question about Blunami with DC. Can any DC power pack be used with Blunami or do certain brands work better? I know they only supply the power to the track and the Blunami controls the locomotive. I have an old MRC tech 2 currently. Thanks!

[@jamesboyle473]

What are some good options for expanding a 4x8 HO layout ?

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

That was great show

[@youraveragecanadian4515]

Hey Jimmy. I'm a beginner to model railroading and was wondering, can you add DCC to non-ready DCC trains? I've had people tell me you can and some tell me you can't

[@johnmullins9379]

Hey Jimmy, I'm looking to purchase a 3D printer, would you have any suggestions? Will be used for rolling stock, road signs, buildings, etc. For HO scale. Thank you.

[@bernardc2553]

GROOVY MAN ❤ IT JIMMY

[@thecanadianredneckfarmer]

Hey jimmy question for you. I am building a modular model railroad but I don’t have anywhere to store my Modular’s when they are done and they are really big (8 feet) So I was wondering about any tips you might have

[@politicsandtrains]

Where is the best place to buy traction rubbers ?

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

What is the best budget model train company?

[@eurovnik]

Can sound ever sound good in locos smaller than G or O guage? I have locos from G to N and reckon that physics and speaker size are the determining factor. G sounds good. HO is marginal depending on the loco size and N is terrible. What are your thoughts?

[@chloethompson5649]

What a good question

[@paulantoine1696]

It is a big issue... speaker volume, enclosure and power/throw of the driver all impact sound quality.

[@kerraedge4006]

Hello Jimmy, Tim Edge here. I would like to know if you have a way or system to keep track of your rolling stock when going to shows so you don't buy something you already have?

[@stanrygula9313]

Pertaining to your series on Block Signaling with Arduinos. If you were going to have 10 blocks on your layout how would you accomplish this using your program. I know you need 10 Arduino’s but how do you define them using this code? Thanks

[@andrewl9191]

I've run out of my Dunkin cold brew coffee! I need to get some more. As it is, I've got some Meijer brand Italian Soda. Why do you/people like Kato so much? It's so expensive. I just spent $200 on enough track for 2 double T-Trak modules worth of track, including 3 turnouts, enough track to have the standard double track with some curves, and a small siding. This would be less than $100 in flex track and peco turnouts, even with the amount of roadbed you'd use, plus glue. It's also so annoying to figure out what size, length, radius, you need, and to sift through all the weird bits like the elevated stuff, or bridge stuff, or all that. I just write this because I've been so frustrated with working on TTrak for my club.

[@paulantoine1696]

It's extremely handy and quick to create a layout, especially for folks with limited track laying skills. In its intended market in Japan people are often only able to set up temporary layouts on a living room floor or dining table, Japanese apartments and housese generally being tiny!

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

@@paulantoine1696I do understand how easy it is, but I don’t understand it for a permanent layout, and my recent…disdain(?) for it has been the Ttrak module. Just finding the right sizes to get to go alongside something else has been annoying. Then if you want to do one of those moves where you east into a curve, you’d really need to figure out exactly what you need. Then I have all these extra pieces left over because they come in sets of 4 or whatever. It reminds me of my son’s Brio wooden track, which is fun, but you’re always like, oh, I need a small curve track, but there are like 5 of them. It’s so nice just to use flex track for something permanent and be able to make it how you want. If you’ve ever tried to use anyrail to plan with Kato track, it’s a nightmare finding which part you need without knowing what they all are first.

[@michaelmoss3803]

Is there an easy way to convert an image from Google Earth into a 3d print?

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

My coffe is Van Houtte Vanilla Hazelnut,

[@TheNorthwestWind]

nice

[@BetaEngineer]

Why is it so hard to find items between 'no stock' and 'preorder only'? Actual in-stock items that I can buy one or more of now. I want some high-voltage transmission towers. Hard to find any more than 1 set in stock anywhere, even looking at multiple styles. What's the average shelf life for locomotives and rolling stock? At least I found the 2 locomotives I wanted at a train show because they were discontinued from the manufacturers.

[@paulantoine1696]

No one really wants to carry inventory any more... it's become too expensive. Also, keeping locos and rolling stock hard to get by limiting numbers drives up demand and prices.

[@mjrinfl]

I'm working on an idea for a new layout and I really want to run a train through a fish tank or something that would look like a fish tank but I want to use actual water I know that dangerous but do you have any ideas on how I can make that work

[@HumancityJunction]

Q: I have a lot of Model Railroading related items. How can I determine if I am a collector or a hoarder? I like to say that the difference is that a colleciton is organized, but am I just fooling myself?

[@paulantoine1696]

LOL... in order to be a collector, one needs to have hoarding tendencies! ;-)

[@Micheals_Trains]

I am a new modeler and I have a question. Can I have that SD90/43Mac I think that that loco is really cool and would go good with my SD70ACe.

[@Coltonhemo-cs9vd]

Black rifle

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

Do you have any interest in trains in countries other than USA?

[@paulantoine1696]

He has shown layouts from folks all over the world... even from where I live ;-)

[@El_Crab]

Hello

[@RayBoebel]

@newagelink - There are quite a few channels out there (mine included) that have done full locomotive maint. Sorry @DIYdigitalrailroad if I over stepped here