Confessions of a Model Train Geek
A model train geek, learning as he goes.
I held a solo operating session during the month of July 2018, and recorded the session for your viewing enjoyment. I operated eight trains. The session includes every scheduled non-VIA train on my layout, which includes: CN 214 – a through train CN 403 – works the CP interchange in Georgetown and the Cargill grain … Read moreOperating Session – July 2018
I had a grain car that had a coupler issue. Just a tad low. Nothing that a new Kadee coupler won’t fix! Sorry for the blurry photo. There are a few remedies for low couplers like this. Sometimes you can use a fibre washer or two on the truck bolster to raise the whole body up. … Read moreGood Old Kadee #37
I know I haven’t posted in a long time, so I’m just going to do a brain dump and list some things that I’ve been picking away at. Accomplishments I added fascia to the majority of my layout! I’m pretty pleased by how it looks. Photos to come soon. I bought a bunch of “inexpensive” … Read moreBrain Dump
I listen to a lot of podcasts. Most have nothing to do with model railroading, but a few do. I started out with The Model Railway Show, by Jim Martin and Trevor Marshall. It’s over now but it is well worth listening to the archives. Then I tried The Scotty Mason Show but it’s not … Read moreOne More Year
On a layout based on the Canadian Prairie, you need a lot of grain cars! If you are cheap have a low budget, you might be willing to run the less accurate models for a while. Let’s face it, accurate rail cars are expensive. So you have the choice – do without, while accumulating funds to … Read moreGrain Car Comparisons
I picked up these two Walthers all-door boxcars at a toy show in Morden, Manitoba. I just had a few steps to go through before they were ready for service. This kind of car was used for paper service and most were owned by paper companies, such as Boise Cascade and Weyerhauser as seen here. I paid $30 … Read moreReady for Service
I installed a TCS decoder in a Walthers Proto 1000 RDC today. It was pretty straightforward! The basic process is as follows: Remove the shell (and couplers) Cut traces on the board inside Solder decoder wiring harness to board Tape decoder down Replace shell Program decoder… and play! Here are the steps. Just a generic caution – … Read morePutting a DCC Decoder in a Proto 1000 RDC
I did my first operating session on my model train layout with car cards. I took video with my phone and here are the videos. I broke the video in two because it was too long to upload and I wanted to edit out a few bits where I put the phone down to throw … Read moreFirst Operating Session with Car Cards
I’ve created a new model train store directory to list all of the train stores in Canada. The existing directories on the NMRA and CAORM web sites are woefully out of date, so I decided to “roll my own”. I’m using the Business Directory plugin for WordPress and it seems to work quite well. Please … Read moreModel Train Store Directory
Here are PDF copies of the latest CN and CP employee timetables for my model train layout: CN timetable / CP timetable As you may or may not know, railways issue timetables to their employees that contain a lot of detail of the areas that employees run trains on. Areas may be named differently depending on the … Read moreTimetables, Revision 7