Running your Model Railroad on Battery Power and more! Model Railroad Q & A

[@jandreb0324]

Jimmy, thanks for answering my question. I placed an order for that motorshield and I'll send in a few pics of my layout once it's done😊

[@petermenningen338]

Jimmy, for soldering tiny parts in line I go to my 60's training and put an alligator clip on both sides of the wire/ component connection it was called a heatsink and it just protects the temp sensitive component or the insulation on the wire. Also go to a smaller watt raring of iron. Search heat sinks for wiring.

[@JimmyD832]

really great quality videos, dont have any model trains but awesome to watch

[@harrywoodell7008]

3d printing can take over. Good choice pivoting to assets via Patreon.

[@RichsModelingTrains]

Has anyone notice the passed out person sleeping on the curb at 14:24😁

[@sadman68]

Hi Jimmy. Thanks for answering my question. I am drinking Starbuck Sumatra with 2 equals and a splash of almond creamer.

[@robertmyers5269]

Re: Battery backup. I'll often run a NCE PowerCab for smaller setups, both at home and shows. I got a 12V power brick from Amazon. It was $34 had 5 and 12V outputs and will run my PowerCab all afternoon in typical use (6000mAh capacity at 12V). You just need to make a connector from the typical 12V barrel jack to whatever you need. It should work for DC too with packs that have an external power brick like the Kato pack.

[@OklahomaRailfan_Productions]

Can HO scale trains work outside? I never saw there was a Q&A

[@lenmannc1]

What about the Rokuhan RC-03 for HO trains?

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee with donut

[@TB-ModelRR]

Railroader is a fun operating sim. About $30. Question, does anyone know how to adjust (if possible) the chuffing sound when increasing and decreasing throttle on a Paragon 4 (light pacific, specifically. Thanks in advance, take care all.

[@kenshores9900]

Been looking for a cab forward locomotive. Intermountain sells the one I want but apparently have not gotten enough orders. This is such a neet model. By the way I supported Klawndyke for modules. There are sanctions of import of Baltic Birch (raw material for the modules). I have sufficient number of modules to construct an N scale layout. 3/4 of my modules are from Klawndyke. Thanks for the introduction.

[@erichusmann5145]

Add one more order... Thanks for the heads-up that someone is looking at making them, the one up at the California Railroad Museum made a large impression on me years ago.

[@kenshores9900]

@@erichusmann5145 Me as well! It was awesome to sit in the Engineers cab and listen to facts about the locomotive.

[@whitestarHokie]

Gonna ask this here, but I'd be happy for anyone to answer if they know. Jimmy, I feel like you've done a video showing off the layout design of your n-scale behind you, but while I go hunting it down, do you have a graphic of just the little yard section? I really enjoy basic switching, so was wanting to work on building up my own yard module.

[@thomasl.durbin2517]

I'm drinking some Megaladonut Boston Creme medium roast from Bones Coffee Company

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

How should I make a custom brass model?

[@GM-fe5lw]

2mm and 3mm Scale Associations have etched metal kits, wagons and locos. Work joining for manuals, tutorials etc

[@jameschase11]

Hey Jimmy 👋 I was wondering if you had any place that you know of that sells HO scale Dual gauge track? Preferably code 70

[@geekchris105]

I know painting and finishing of locomotives isn't your big thing, but do you have any recommendations for custom waterslide decal printing services? I've printed my own in the past but i need some done with white text which is more specialized. I knew someone who did it a few years ago for military scale model kits but they are no longer offering that service.

[@kenworthcustomlogisticstru8096]

I have 3 4x8 tables in a u shape with a tech 6 mrc DCC controller will it have plenty of power to run All 3 4x8 tables with just the one controller

[@judemcclain]

hi, im a 14 yr old trying to get into the hobby. I already have a kato gevo starter set, and I was wondering how to navigate around Ebay and not get ripped off. I found a bid for a lot of rolling stock, two kato maxi sets, around 50-60 pieces of rolling stock, none in boxes, some are in disrepair, but a ton of random trucks come with it, so I could repair the ones that don't have trucks. it is 25 dollars right now, but there's 6 days left, is it worth trying to bid on it?

[@lenmannc1]

Also use flux before you tin your wires when soldering. Sucks solder better that way

[@dougbuchanan9434]

Jimmy, when and where do I use insulated rail joiners???

[@Erierailfan3977]

What is your opinion on rapido model trains?

[@KevinsTinyTrains]

Not a question, just wanted to say that it's weird (in a good way) to see so much blue behind you! Love it, it's just very different.

[@skerbs7755]

Jimmy, thank you for answering my question! That makes sense. I will do that next time. Have a great day!

[@richardwest9054]

I am drinking caramel apple coffee blended with Lidl medium roast.

[@jaimegarcia9944]

The day will come when the weights of locomotives will be batteries

[@triadrailfanproductions]

Hey! I’m making a DCC layout how do you work with Athern flex track? Also what DCC system do you recommend I want a dcc system with a controller that I can walk with. Also I’m horrible with tech so it would be helpful to have a system with few to none computer/tech in the system

[@raymondleggs5508]

Anyone who had a Lima Starter set back in the day had a 9v power pack. ran on 2 Square lamp batteries, Later on I think they switched to "C" cells.

[@TheSteamTrainMan]

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee with donut

[@Ryan_The_Railfan]

I have a question for August… Do you need a programming track to program trains or can you use a running track. SECOND QUESTION: Are dcc systems worth it for a starter using KATO UNITRACK and only has two locos…

[@Phantom0507]

in terms of track selection, i am really not a fan of bachmann EZ track it feels low quality compared to kato unitrack, and unitrack is cheaper!

[@danshobbies13]

I don’t know why more companies aren’t putting smoke units and flicking fireboxs on their locomotives. Especially HO. No reason they can’t do it. If they can do it on N scale……

[@kenshores9900]

Been looking for a cab forward locomotive. Intermountain sells the one I want but apparently have not gotten enough orders. This is such a need model. By the way I supported Klawndyke for modules. There are sanctions of import of Baltic Birch (raw material for the modules). I have sufficient number of modules to construct an N scale layout. 3/4 of my modules are from Klawndyke. Thanks for the introduction.

[@anthonya-di8dr]

Do you have any suggestions on connecting Kato uni track to other brands? I have parts of my layout where Kato makes sense and others with specific measurements where I would need to use track without pre attached roadbed.

[@Ryan_The_Railfan]

Question: Do you have any recommendations for a dcc decoder for a Kato es44? (Sound or no sound)

[@meddie79]

With your t trak layout will you be skyboards between the modules or doing full 365mm modules

[@cboylan43]

Talking about running off a battery - my module group uses a solar generator battery to run an entire weekend of a show. It makes it easier to setup as we don't worry about running an extension cord anywhere and we can setup just about anywhere. We have primary station and booster running off it and some accessories. With it being designed as back up power for your house, it has all the US wall plugs, so we don't need any conversions or other work to use. Cheers

[@rigatony6512]

is there any bluetooth other options for dcc controls besides hornby options? lm7000 i think?

[@Yoyle_cakebfdi]

Have you ever made a model train, kitbashed, or 3d printed something? Also what’s your opinion on the BLI B6SB in Ho scale coming out next year? Thanks have a good day!

[@anarsamedi7358]

Bobby Bacala and his fatal hobby approve of this video message.

[@AndrewJohnson-ur3lw]

For those looking at base board kits there are plenty in the UK such as Scale Model Scenery and White Rose

[@jasonminier6782]

I have a DC layout, and I do eventually plan to upgrade to DCC once I move out of my apartment, and into a house. But I was wondering if I bought a DCC locomotive with a keep-a-live capacitor, would it still operate on DC? Thanks Jimmy!

[@erichusmann5145]

Gonna beat Jimmy to the punch here: MAYBE. And it might not need the keepalive. It depends on the decoder. Most decoders have a function to allow DC operation. It won't be as effective, per se, but it'll move. Two things I would do here if I were you: First, buy a DCC-ready locomotive. (Most of them these days are sold that way.) Then when you do upgrade, buy the decoder (and sound if you want to do that), install, and you're all set. Second, DCC upgrades aren't that difficult and don't take that much space--I'm in an apartment and have a DCC layout. (JMRI and a SPROG plus repeater for SPROG.) If it's a question of available cash, sorry, can't help you much...

[@maccoat]

Is an NMRA membership worth it as someone who is a freelance modeler who doesn't care that much about realism and is new to the hobby?

[@davidwilliams1060]

Find out where and when your NMRA Division meets and attend a meeting or two if it’s convenient. If you get trial membership, they should be contacting you about meetings. The NMRA can help you avoid some dead ends no matter what your interests are and they’re generally good people to be with. Thanks for your interest.