Can I replace trucks on Walthers HO Horizon cars?

An undecorated silver modern passenger coach

Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to replace trucks on Walthers HO Horizon cars (item No. 932-6073)? — Daniel Kielty A: That part number corresponds to an HO scale Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter car. The Horizon fleet passenger cars, used by Amtrak as well as municipal transit authorities like MBTA, were built […]

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How do I check the DCC momentum settings on my locomotive?

A hand holds a Digital Command Control throttle near a black-and-orange HO scale diesel on a scenicked layout

Q: In your “Ask MR” column “Speed matching DCC locomotives for better consisting”, you suggest to turn off the locomotives’ momentum, because momentum will interfere with accurately measuring the locomotives’ speed. My question is: How do I know if the ESU decoders that came with my locomotives are programed with momentum? I am using an […]

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Where do I get HOn3 track and trains? Can I use N scale?

A steam locomotive pulls an old-time passenger train on an HO scale layout

Q: I always thought N gauge track was the go-to gauge for narrow gauge HO operating equipment. I found out yesterday that is not true. I got a model kit for an HOn3 locomotive. Everything was going smoothly until I discovered the wheels and trucks supplied with the kit are spaced too far apart for N gauge […]

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How do I add a sound module to a layout?

A small circuit board attached to a speaker, activation button, and battery pack

Q: I recently added a Faller carousel to my HO scale model railroad. It is lighted and motorized. Now I would like to add a sound module to the layout to play carousel sounds. Any suggestions where I might find one? — Larry Gaiardelli A:  I couldn’t find a sound module pre-recorded with carousel sounds, […]

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Alcohol stain fogs Dullcote; but what if the stain is dry?

A model of a wood-sided hopper with chalky, faded paint

Q: I’m aware that India ink-alcohol stain fogs Dullcote and similar dulling lacquer products. But I’ve not been able to find anything on the internet that discusses what happens if you spray Dullcote onto something that has previously had an alcohol wash applied, but the alcohol has completely evaporated and is dry. I assume there is no effect, […]

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Why were billboard reefer cars outlawed?

Black-and-white image of a wood refrigerator car with large “SWIFT” lettering on the side

Q: Why were billboard reefer cars outlawed? I recently received my copy of Gerry Leone’s Model Railroader’s Handbook. It is certainly a deep well of information. I came across the “Railroad regulatory timeline” on page 111. Most of the regulations banned older, unsafe technology (arch-bar trucks, truss-rod car construction, etc.) as newer technology developed. That makes sense. But […]

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Why do my trains stop between wiring blocks?

A wiring diagram showing how to wire a simple track plan for dual cab control

Q: I’m experiencing a problem with trains that stop between wiring blocks on my N scale train layout. I have two identical direct current (DC) power packs and am using Kato Unitrack throughout the layout. One power pack runs the main line while the other operates the yards. The problem is that whenever I attempt […]

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