Don't let your Model Trains get damaged

[@jurigelato4366]

Adding a (transparent) guard on the edges of the layout preventing a drop to the floor especially when the track is close to the edge can save more than pennies.

[@allenkotlan3606]

What material do you use and how to fasten it to your layout edge? Without it getting broken up by operators?

[@DavRBailey]

@@allenkotlan3606I don't have trains currently, but had a big HO layout as a kid. After attending recent train show, I'm now down the deep KZbin rabbit hole, enjoying learning about DCC control, modern train layouts, tips etc. One KZbinr I've recently watched made a series of videos showing his construction of a 2x4 foot N scale layout. Around some of the more exposed edges, he used plexiglass panels, attached to the table with a pair of earth magnets (very strong) so he could just pop the glass in place, but then easily pull it off to access the layout. Brilliant idea.

[@jeffvair62]

Great advice, Jimmy! Over time, I found that my HO trains are more delicate than a lot of the N scale stuff. At first this seems counterintuitive, but when thinking about it, it makes sense. HO stuff simply has a lot more mass (especially engines), and that, coupled with small section handrails, grab irons, and other stand alone parts, makes a big difference.

[@jamessneed8789]

Once you drop it, it becomes a learning experience.☕️

[@Eclipse1988]

When I moved my layout downstairs to grow, anything I no longer had a box for got gently wrapped in bubble wrap (scored some from a construction site I was helping out in) and placed in a plastic moving bin.

[@calvinsullivan5741]

once I bought a nice Athearn Big Boy N scale model locomotive. After I had it only 2 days I was wearing some tennis shoes while playing trains. I touched the locomotive to put it on another track and some static discharge went from my finger to the locomotive. The track was powered on and a little puff of stinky smoke came out from the loco and it never moved again. It is a only a display shelf king now. Lesson learned - do not wear shoes you know insulate you and dont touch the loco while the track is powered on. Oh - I am drinking some HEB Grocery Store French Roast with a bit of half & half this morning. Cheers!

[@JeffDM]

ouch! I have at least three locos that need repair haven't buckled down to figure out the problem. Each one has problems that are unrelated to the others.

[@vivi_t3ch]

My wife and I are going to have a coffee date this afternoon, probably get some Starbucks with the bogo sale going on. I get the having to be careful, I spent the last week carefully upgrading my newest loco, and I learned a few things myself. On the plus side, treated myself to a new soldering iron. Rather I stopped trying to cheap out on it and spent the money for a decent base station one. Making quite a difference having the right tools for the job. cheers Jimmy!

[@davidf9630]

I picked up some 4x6 photo cases at the local craft store on clearance and I found some more at an estate sale. They’re the perfect size for rolling stock

[@cressonshursleverington1940]

Always move rolling stock away from the area when you are vacuuming off some part of your layout. I once accidentally sucked up a hopper and I had to replace the coupler and glue several broken details back on... Not a great time.

[@danotech594]

Don’t forget your vehicles too. I did the same to a 1:87/HO scale Chevy I had on the layout table. Had to tear open my Shopvac bag to retrieve it. Full of plaster dust and nastiness, gave it a good wash and blew it out. Thankful I got it back!

[@sounddude177]

I do a lot of the same. Since a sizeable part of my collection are Kato and Tomix Japanese trains, I have a lot of the bookcase storage cases which are fantastic. I also bought two display units that mount on the wall with a lockable glass door. That way I can safely display 4 - 5 car trains on each of 7 shelves. The shelves have grooves meant for N gauge.

[@SarcasticTentacle]

My layout was originally designed to be stored under the bed, which is a horrid dusty and fluff ridden place for trains at any scale. Putting some thin walls and a lid around and above the layout may make it look a little like a walled garden and limit how tall you can go, but having it be a sealed environment anytime it's not in use makes it so much easier to maintain and make sure that scenery or the track itself also doesn't get damaged. I've kept this up even with it graduating to a desk layout, and the lid also makes for a useful workspace for maintaining your trains. The only problem is if you co-habit you will have to stop everyone else from treating the lid as a dumping ground.

[@WarbonnetTrains]

I too use the foam cradles, I also line it with some plastic ( like the plastic some locos come wrapped in) to prevent the details from getting caught like a net in the foam.

[@scottjackson3009]

This week the wife and I are going to try Barrissimo House Blend coffee. Cheers!

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

I find that a magnetic screw driver (possibly one for glasses repairs) is a must as it makes putting screws back into place easier.

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jimmy. You make some very excellent points in your video. An alternative to the magnetic tray is to use a facecloth with long(ish) fibres - this has the advantage of safeguarding non-metallic items.

[@tommynorwood5184]

Jimmy some good advice. I noticed the way you store your locomotives. I store mine in an upright position. I don’t lay them on their sides. I think the grease and oil will stay where it should be in an upright position. Thanks for sharing. Have a good day. 😎😎 👍

[@joeblow5214]

If you already work on small electronics you tend to have small tools. The best set I got for under $80 was from Ifixit for their Pro Tech Tool kit that has pretty much every tool you mentioned, multiple tweezers, files, different screwdriver bits, even a anti-static band, spluger, etc. The case it comes in even has a screw tracking grid built into the lid. The warranty is awesome too. My magnetic screw tray came from auto zone lol. I don't have any coffee of my own RN. My mom likes the Caribou but has been on a Scooters kick. I'm waiting for my Stocking Mill Chocolate blend to come in.

[@jaapongeveer6203]

A rerailer, didn't know about them. Got to get as it will save a lot of hassle.

[@andrewl9191]

Yep, they're great. Some layouts even use rerailer sections as crossings. Just slide the rolling stock over the crossing and it is similar. It's still disconcerting to me to see people just let the car roll down in though and bang into another.

[@Wissenheim]

On each models I've purshased, I've also bought some spare parts of them stored in in walled drawers to geteasy on maintenance because every maintenance must be done after 30 hours of working and some intensive maintenance every 1000 hours so you've do this very often. It is important also to pay attention to lubricant and proper cleaning of gears and moving part to keep itfree from dusts. Currently I'm drinking a coffee called "La Lucie Royal" from Zimbabwe ;)

[@thesheq5023]

Wrap everything in a paper towel if I don’t have a box. Then i put them in small shoeboxes (technically called something else) and packed with enough foam to make things not move around

[@wilzdart]

I found 2 display cases with glass shelves is where I store my locos. Got about 90.00 in both. What I would like to do is add light but another project down the road. You are correct about keeping the boxes if nothing else is you thin the heard it sells better in the box.

[@kenshores9900]

I try to buy locomotives with specific road names. The most delicate locomotive is a set of Life Like diesels. I treat my rolling stock very carefully and in their co trainers. All my rail road stuff is separated but scale and stored on a metal shelving unit. I have had to make rolling stock storage mostly for passenger cars purchased from EBay. Thanks this is another good video.

[@Nscalescenic]

Pick pluck foam case and regular shipping case when I ran out of room

[@GelatoTaco]

Cold Brewed some Starbucks Odyssey Blend. This year's batch of the stuff is a month away and I still have several bags stockpiled from last year so this is all I'll be drinking for a while

[@kenshores9900]

After much effort I bought 4 modules from Klawndyke. Thanks.

[@RayBoebel]

My rolling stock is keep in a drawer system under my hidden yards. Loco's are kept on a shelf over the hidden yards. I do it this way as I'm using a rotating system for trains entering and leaving the layout. I still need to do some upgrading, but it works well.

[@themillrunandwesternmaryland11]

I use bubble wrap and foam pads to package my trains with. Drinking Irish creamer in my dunkin donuts tonight.

[@michaelsmith441]

Yes the boxes are the best for storage however I like to display my locomotives in a large display case.

[@MXTuber3000]

Highly recommend an iFixit tool kit, the Mako Driver Kit comes with 64 different bits and a carrying case.

[@cloudserph]

I wash my hands or use latex gloves before I weather, or repair to keep oils in my hands from damaging the finish or taking down a matte finish. I'm drinking Peet's Major Dickason's done in a pour over.

[@johnecklund8556]

I hear what you are saying I have first Gen kato atlas engines for normal running and use the few Rapido and bowser and last Gen kato handrails and other such engines are my self queens.

[@robertrivera9162]

I recently got into n scale and thanks to your channel I am learning a lot. Before I was a HO guy, still am but now I am making a modular traveling layout in n scale. Using the height of T-Trak modules, I have combined pizza boxes with pink insulation foam to make the modules. Kato unitrack and scenery is placed on the foam and it works great. Have you tried something like this? Have you used an ordinary house hold item for scenery?

[@aaronl_trains_and_planes]

Drinking Death Wish Coffee Medium Roast (I'm out of dark roast) I'm a packaging designer and make my own boxes for my locos. They're large cases with partitions in them that are adjustable to fit large HO SD70ACe's and smaller C420's, C424's and T6's. They also fit a wide variety of rolling stock as well.

[@JeffDM]

2:08 What are your wall baskets like?

[@thoughtengine]

Really need a foam-filled box. Most of my N stuff is used and the original packaging is long gone. May have some milk or something later, but water for now.

[@erichusmann5145]

That's where mine live. I've got a couple of varieties, but all the rolling stock and locos live in one of my boxes, usually with the rest of their train (and in a known running order). It protects them AND provides easy transport. If I just need a test loco, I'll grab the box for that loco and move it over. I'm usually running at the club so transportable storage is a must.

[@andrewl9191]

I've got a plastic box with sections in it and foam placed on top and bottom, but there are definitely some that I don't want to put up against just foam. I've got some Scale Trains Rivet Counter coil cars that I definitely don't want in anywhere besides their own box, as well as some tank cars that have different grab irons.

[@mrmarkle7088]

A rerailer would have helped in my learning opportunity of putting an athearn genesis tank car on track, I broke a smalle line that goes down the side of it with my grubby fingers

[@jontaylor6068]

I have rule for my n scale layout. I only let my train friends who has model trains handle my layout, and no one else.

[@TrainEnthusiast2]

I got a question. Their is this type of locomotive that can only pull a few cars I’m pretty sure Union Pacific has used one but it’s not a sleeper car.

[@jacko9759]

All good advice. Jimmy you haven't mentioned your G scale lately, are you still working with it? Another thing I wa noticed was the number of views you are getting but not v e ry many thumbs up. Wich you the best of luck in getting more.thanks for sharing your talent with all of us😊

[@philhamsher3977]

drinking some Jakob"s German coffee....watching train videos...

[@randallellison6421]

I keep my newer locomotives in their original packaging when I'm not using them! I keep my higher quality rolling stock in specieal cases made by A-Line. These not only provide protection for the cars, but also makes adding and removing rolling quick and easy, which is especially useful at club events! I've had instances where I would be running trains at a club display, get called for a trip or yard shift, and have to quickly put everything away and leave! With the storage containers, I can have all the rolling stock I brought put away and loaded up in the in a fraction of the time that it would have taken putting each individual car in its correct box! Now, most of the cleanup time is just putting up locomotives! While A-Line does make carrying boxes for locomotives, its still not as safe as keeping those particular models in their original packaging.

[@DavRBailey]

I haven't had trains since I was a kid, but after attending a recent model train show, I'm down the deep KZbin rabbit hole. Lol. Your comment intrigued me, as I'm in fact-gathering mode, and I have to say, the A-Line tote system is pretty cool! I watched his KZbin video too. Such great options available nowadays. My train experience was an HO layout back between 1982-1987, so a lot has changed. Just learning about DCC control was a game-changer. I feel an N-scale adventure may be in my future. 🙂

[@lpclassic60]

I seriously wish that other scales came with jewel cases like N scale does. Heck, at this point I'd settle for locomotives and rolling stock in starter sets coming with their own boxes of any kind.

[@VirgotheDrusky]

Do you have a bachmann n scale hudson? If so have you experienced the valve gear falling off for seemingly no reason after minimal running?

[@allenkotlan3606]

Please do an episode on offtrack storage of all the stuff it takes to build a railroad, i.e. I just built 22 drawers to store my collection of buildings while the layout is Under Now, how to do all the tiny fiddley parts?

[@allenkotlan3606]

Correction injection {under Construction.} Now, how) wish I could edit what eis about to be sent.

[@lumpofcoal1956]

While I like the detail on newer models, compared to the old Athearn "shake the box" kits, there has to be a compromise between detail and fragility. For instance, scale-size brake rods and grab irons should be metal, not plastic. No matter how careful you are, some detail parts are just too delicate to handle at all.

[@Eclipse1988]

Store brand Colombian! It's becoming a "go-to" . The money goes into the layout! LOL

[@4everdc302]

Jimmy is a point with all these tips. But for us savages, mishaps are how we have a parts supply😂🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@Piouhgd-in3kc]

😂 💯. Drinking 50% 48 hour cold brew from whatever beans are cheap at the store, 50% half and half, then a couple ounces ground up chocolate chips.

[@Jan-hx9rw]

Gravity is not only not your friend, but hates everyone equally. That's no consolation, actually.

[@davec8401]

Here is the number ONE tip that wasn't mentioned in the video: NEVER touch your layout when you're drinking.

[@jimmyseaver3647]

Currently drinking a hazelnut from Travellin' Tom's Coffee Truck.

[@gerlandkent6377]

👍

[@El_Crab]

Hello

[@georgemcdowell8302]

Having pets, particularly cats around running trains can be hazardous. They see trains as prey.

[@haasebahn]

I made the mistake of mistreating model trains when I was 10 (or maybe earlier, I don’t remember) even if a lot of them were old tyco and life like cars

[@jimkray5159]

Boy, have I learned that N scale are fragile.

[@IMRROcom]

I'm disappointed with N scale manufactures doing away with the plastic jewel cases. Nothing can be those little plastic boxes. The cardboard box with a plastic vacuum formed insert is not what I call a proper storage box for N scale.

[@BattleshipOrion]

First tip is not not have flagship locomotives, nor highly detailed engines. Cheap engines that get the point across, can be handled with SOME carelessness (such as you aint gonna break the handrails if you breath on it), etc. Tip 2 is not NOT buy engines manufactured by Horizon, they break often, cant be handled, etc. (I had an Athearn GEVO, loved it when it sat, hated it every other time, even when it ran), tip 3 is to not need the advice in this video (hopefully).

[@vernonsaayman9741]

Yes ive seen too many ham fists in the hobby and guys who dont know hpw to use a measurement precisely,