I'm answering ALL of your Model Railroad Questions

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Got a question? Put it in the comments below to be answered next month!

[@brian-te4xs]

What’s your opinion on converting micro trains rolling stock to metal wheels ?

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

In your most recent model railroad show, talked about people sending you videos of their train way out/module but my parents won’t let me, but I have videos of my model train layout on my KZbin channel if you’d be willing to see.

[@rayopeongo]

Does anyone make a sound car that plays locomotive sounds? It would be a box car, hopper car or similar with decent interior volume, and they tend to get hooked on right behind the locomotive anyways. It would presumably be able to play higher quality sounds because it wouldn't have the same space constraints as a locomotive body that is mostly filled with engine. I suppose it would have to have a DCC chip in it so that it responds to sound commands sent to the locomotive. If no such car is commercially available, do you know of any instructions/KZbin videos out there on how to scratch build one?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

@@TheSteamTrainMan I will check it out!

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

@@rayopeongo They sell small sound chips that you can put in a box car that uses one AAA battery that might fit 😀

[@mikihill88]

I ALWAYS look forward to your Q&A segment as I ALWAYS learn something new. Thanks for the videos you share. I blame you for my model railroad addiction. 😅

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Don't blame me haha!

[@NJEsperantist]

Tetley British Blend tea, black, no sugar. Always enjoy these chats.

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

European steam and murican diesels! Thats the way to go! Oh who am i kidding, ill get any locomotive i think odd, unusually, or just plain interesting. Or cool looking ones. My main foreign collection includes a bachmann thomas and james, a handful of fleischmann steamers, and i recently got an LMS Fowler. The thing is older than me, and holy canoli the cab detail is so lovely! When i reworked my layout again i tried using the fowler as a standard setter. The tender derails now and again, but its worth it.

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

Can you do a video showing off all your n scale trains?

[@BetaEngineer]

Very Cool! Once you learn to blink an LED with an Arduino, Pi, etc., it's all downhill from there. I'm using the Pi hardware PWM for an H-bridge motor control - great for DC locos.

[@chiparooo]

Great discussion as always! Thanks for sharing!

[@melkitson]

Another great show Jimmy. Thank you.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Thank you!

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

Hey cool! You brought up my rant on Kato track! I was so frustrated by it because it’s so difficult to get the right angles and lengths when you want a double main line like for Ttrak. Then I’ve been frustrated with learning how the turnouts fit into Ttrak. I’m making progress on my modules though, I’m proud to say. The track is down after some help from others in choosing track lengths and radii. I’ve got ground cover and concrete down and my depot is almost built.

[@petermenningen338]

For the storage of modules I use Bakeries Racks. I have smaller modules so I go with the Costco 4 ft units but one can buy shelves as long as 8' and 2'wide. Uline might be a source. The advantage is that you can mount casters to the legs. The other source could be used grocery store or bakery supplies. They have units that you fill in from the ends.

[@josephpeg8708]

Woke up too damn early for work. Drinking teraform cold brew. So dang good.

[@kenshores9900]

Jimmy: I have bought a number of modules from Klawndyke’s and with the modules I have I should be going to laying track soon.

[@NealWeiss-gj3hv]

Just got DC mode for DCC-EX working using TrackManager. There is no buzzing like with Digitrix ID 0. The loco sits quietly on the track when not running. TrackManager lets you set the A and B tracks to either DCC Main, DCC Prog, DC, DC reverse polarity. No more DPDT toggle switches and DC transformers. Another DCC-EX game changer.

[@Agamemnon2]

Talking of loco sounds, I'm hearing a substantial difference between hearing them live with my own ears and the secondhand playback on places like youtube vids, which I generally dislike since the signal chain from chip > speaker > mic > headphones tends to muddy the sound on media like youtube videos.

[@thoughtengine]

Thanks. Tea Centre, lemon Myrtle.

[@GelatoTaco]

Back to my cold brew habit with some Appalachian Nights from Cast Brew Coffee. Hear they're opening a location in Martinsburg WV soon too

[@modelrailwaybackshop]

Hey Jimmy, Ever thought of trying out the Brass Steam locomotives in N scale yet? I've heard they run really nicely when properly cared for.

[@PaulFotschky]

For those large 8' section storage ideas check out Megapoints controllers.

[@rapcreeperproductions3269]

I bought a Broadway limited n scale p5a locomotive for a 20th birthday and it sounds great. Especially compared to my Bachmann k4 same scale.

[@donlawrence4676]

I'm building / expanding a Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge Layout, are familiar with or have you ever used their Track-Bed product , how does it compare with Cork roadbed? I building / expanding with plywood, can I use Track-Bed on the plywood surface or do I need to use Cork road bead and maybe put the Track-Bed on top of the Cork roadbed? I am also expanding with DCC-EX and Adreno components largely on what I have seen and learned in your videos and when I get everything up and running I plan on sending you pictures. Keep up the great work and keep your videos coming ,I look forward to your uploads every week

[@ajkleipass]

Some comments: Sound quality in smaller scales: Don't expect 1:1 quality sound from 1:48, 1:64, 1:87.1, 1:160, 1:220, etc. It's like expecting a 1 year old to sing like 30yo opera star. It ain't happening. But, if you allow that the smaller the scale the more distant you are from the tracks, then the happier you will be, subjectively, with the sound coming from smaller scale models. Budget equipment: while I do on occasion lament the passing of blue box locomotives for under $20, I do _not_ lament the passing of the cheap toy train brands of models I grew up on. Were they budget-friendly? Yes, but they were also frustrating when they derailed every time you looked at them funny. Locomotives might be reverse wired (running in reverse to everything else on the layout). A "slow crawl" might be an actual 50mph because the motor only had two speed settings: off and Warp 9. Today's default models are far more reliable. While they might not seem budget-friendly, they are in keeping with the competition: video games. More importantly, their reliability means there are fewer reasons for new hobbyists to grow disheartened by crappy toy train models. Many hobby shops offer discounts off MSRP, and a knowledgeable buyer can find good deals on eBay and other peer to peer sales groups. Trains & Fish: a British model railroad competition show - I forget the name, but Kathy Millatt was a judge - had tracks in water as a challenge. Because of the voltages involved, it's more hazardous to the electric motor than to the modeler. But, assuming you don't want wet trains, a custom aquarium maker, or glass speciality company might be your best options. Alternatively, you could build a bridge or trestle over the tank, or build a lighted seen in a shadow box that the tank sits atop.

[@keg1029]

Grounds and Hounds Alpha Dog dark roast.

[@HumancityJunction]

Q: Speaking of swapping couplers, do you have any recommendations for Kato locomotives that would take the MTL 2004 coupler? Come people suggest shimming the 2004 coupler to align correctly. Some say to put a 1015 coupler into a 2004 coupler box. But the 1015 coupler is a short coupler, so with a small radius layout, would you use a 1016 coupler instead. What couplers and how do you swap the couplers on Kato locomotives?

[@4everdc302]

On the recycling front. My large oil holding tanks are an old Maxwell House perk coffee cardboard can cut in half. Gives ya 2✂️🎨🖌🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

Oooh, question, any suggestions for using foam to make mountains with tunnels? Also is there something i can use to fill in empty space on a model to effectivly change its shape? Im thinking of getting a used bachmann Emily to modify her into Tillie from The Little Engine That Could. The 1991 film. The musical score in that was so beautiful!

[@goforitpainting]

Cool

[@mjrinfl]

Thanks foe answering my question! Another one for you. For someone only using one Loco for a layout, that would run around a room, for just a passenger train, no switching, would you say that DC or Dcc would be better?

[@rapcreeperproductions3269]

I wonder if n scale couplers like micro trains would make a decent "scale couplers for ho.

[@MacTrom1]

Hi jimmy. Awhile back I purchased a box of n scale freight cars, but they are just shells with no undercarriages. Is the a source for undercarriages like a 3d printing source? Any suggestions? Thanks. Terry R

[@naeemahmed6494]

JIMMY I NEED HELP. I really want to start a model railroad but I'm not sure what era to model. I want to do Britain in the 1940s-50s and America from the 1920s-50s. The reason why I cant decide is because I don't have a lot of space to work with. For me small British locomotives and stock looks better (opinion) but I really want to run the duplex monsters and the big American diesels and steamers. The reason I can't decide is because I have a small space to work with and I'm worried that those big American engines wont look good on a small layout. Its probbly going to be something like 2x3 foot.

[@NYandAtlantic]

What type of building can be found at the end of a siding tried googling it but to no avail

[@earlfreeman93]

I have an ideal for a TT/TT9 layout is there anywhere that I could buy N gauge locomotive chassis for building locomotive bodies around. I would like to have some TT9 models of the Siemens E40C and Kawasaki EF500-510.

[@manshedrailroad]

Hi Jimmy! How do I add a booster to my DCCEX++ Base Station? I'm planning to run about 300 feet of HO scale track and want to ensure I have enough power to support it.

[@kylebentley1208]

Sorry if you’ve addressed this already, but do you use Kato couplers, or one of the third party couplers? I’ve had a hard time uncoupling my kato rolling stock without lifting up the entire car.

[@Micheals_Trains]

Honestly that Question with the 90/43MAC was a joke, But do you know anywhere to get KATO Unitrack for cheap because I need to start laying track on my layout.

[@rickhuber440]

Hey Jimmy have email address?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Yes! [e-mail]

[@StevesTrains]

We have a 75 gallon acrylic fish tank....I bet the fish would enjoy a train running through their home....hmmm. lol

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Now I know what you're next project will be

[@billschneck9107]

Can I just say that both of you guys are my favorite model railroad youtubers, and I love that there's crosstalk between the channels?

[@StevesTrains]

@@billschneck9107 Thanks! Jimmy is a great guy in general and a great resource to the hobby. He helps a lot of us out in one way or another.

[@Eyrrll]

They probably would not be a big fan of the voltage however.

[@petermenningen338]

Steve you could go to a plastics supplier and purchase a length of 3" or 4" cast acrylic tubing. you could use a hole saw to make the holes and then glue the tubes to the existing sides of the tank. Make sure the tubes extend with a short length beyond the tank. On the inside reinforce the seal with some aquarium safe silicon calk to guarantee a good seal.

[@bernardc2553]

Hi yah Jimmy, BLK.Rifle my go to Mud, Question with all the new motorshields & Arduino products whats your go to shield & 5 amp or larger, track pwr supply ( 6 or more heavy trains In HO..

[@mollythedog6742]

Jimmy question:- Is it still true that there are no frog juicers for DC layouts - which I believe is due to the low voltage on DC layouts or at least voltage drops when running loco's - surely by now there must be some clever electronic gismo?; and following on can frog juicers work when running DC engine on a DCC layout - PS: great vids etc - great inspiration!+

[@sadman68]

Green Mountain dark again with 2 equals and splash of vanilla cream. Another great Q&A. I just started with my HO layout with Kato unitrack, but I saw a great deal on quite a bit of Atlas code 100 track on Facebook so I bought it. Is there a way that I can connect them together or do they have to be separate on my layout?

[@splicetape9435]

I like that Menards has been making the hobby more accessible for people as the closest hobby store to me is about two hours away, but I do wish they would expand their ho selection. Their taconite cars would be perfect for my layout. It would allow me to obtain a good number of them without spending a fortune. It always seems like I can find them as a single pieces at a premium or 50+ in a bundle, while i am looking for only about a dozen.

[@salvatorenatale]

What is the radius of your main line on your current N scale layout? I know HO radius differences on what’s desired on different types of cars and want to know what’s recommend in N scale? I run passenger cars a lot and know they generally like a larger radius.

[@RichsModelingTrains]

For me with N scale sound all of my volumes are turned down to 60% to 70 % of the factory settings. And I also set Function 3 to reduce the volume down to 30%

[@rf64]

Can I use Kato track with other traks, for example Piko ?

[@MacTrom1]

I use Kato for my main track due to limited vision it’s easier to hook up and maintain. But I also have some atlas and peco for yards and special turnouts that connect with the Kato conversion track piece.

[@rf64]

@@MacTrom1 Ok thank you.

[@Abrahams_stuff]

What's a good DCC system that doesn't involve computers for someone that has no experience with DCC

[@kevinbarry3066]

I was trying to find build HO but, I watched another channel and he doesn't cut the ties off he just cuts the little holders for the rail and just slips the joiner under the rail hope I splained it 😅

[@petermenningen338]

You mentioned your arduino signal system. Would your code work with the nano or pro mini versions instead of the uno. Both for side and cost.

[@juergenamlinger4410]

Sum one should do video on railroad problems and how to fix so people that are building there dream railroad and don't walk away from it .

[@vivi_t3ch]

in regards to your Menards point, love getting special stuff from them, especially when they have their 11% back rebates. Also it is good to note that they carry HO scale as well as O, which is awesome. My wife ended up getting me an HO scale saturn V rocket from there for christmas last year, I totally look forward to rigging it in later. I do have to build a module for my Sprecher brewery first that I've got there. I even got an engine repair shed from Menards that is all included in my yard layout, really handy with the 2 sets of track within it. I'll have to send in some pictures when I get a chance

[@RailRide]

Many of Menards' O scale structures have HO counterparts. Their freight cars and locomotives are only in 'O' so far.

[@OldcampRanch]

Awesome, way cool!

[@El_Crab]

Hello

[@billschneck9107]

Folger's breakfast blend, black

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Classic!

[@richardwest9054]

Really like your videos. QUESTION: For freight and passenger cars, plastic wheels or metal?