Hobby Trains http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com Everything about model trains... Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:44 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Input on my plan http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/input-on-my-plan/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/input-on-my-plan/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:44 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/input-on-my-plan/ Input on my plan

So I’m in the design stage of a new 36×78 HCD layout and looking for input. Those familiar will immediatly notice it’s based off of the Scenic Ridge plan. (I recreated it in xtrkcad using the parts list on Kato’s website as a starting point) A small yard has been added at the bottom and the inside curves have been tweaked so they’re not so tight. The bridge will be 2" above the track below which will result in a 2% grade on the left side of the bridge and a 3% on the right. The crossover at the upper left will be a hill/tunnel.

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So fire away gents, where are the problems?

TrainBoard Attached Images
]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/input-on-my-plan/feed/ 0 Show me: Loco cab interiors http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/show-me-loco-cab-interiors/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/show-me-loco-cab-interiors/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:43 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/show-me-loco-cab-interiors/ Show me: Loco cab interiors

I tried to google these to see if there were any kits and came up with very little. Show me your scratchbuilt or otherwise loco interiors. Era doesn’t matter! How to’s are a bonus!
]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/show-me-loco-cab-interiors/feed/ 0 Updated Product: LEGO 6848 Interplanetary Shuttle Classic Space Set 1985 http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6848-interplanetary-shuttle-classic-space-set-1985/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6848-interplanetary-shuttle-classic-space-set-1985/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:06:31 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6848-interplanetary-shuttle-classic-space-set-1985/ Updated Product: LEGO 6848 Interplanetary Shuttle Classic Space Set 1985
Construct a fascinating addition to any lunar scene with this hard-to-find Classic LEGOLAND Space system set. Includes all pieces (some …read more at

]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6848-interplanetary-shuttle-classic-space-set-1985/feed/ 0 Updated Product: LEGO 6895 Spy-Trak I Original 1989 Space Police Vehicle Set http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6895-spy-trak-i-original-1989-space-police-vehicle-set/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6895-spy-trak-i-original-1989-space-police-vehicle-set/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:06:31 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6895-spy-trak-i-original-1989-space-police-vehicle-set/ Updated Product: LEGO 6895 Spy-Trak I Original 1989 Space Police Vehicle Set
Introduced for the original LEGOLAND Space Police I theme in the 80s, the Spy-Trak features the distinctive transparent red elongated …read more at

]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6895-spy-trak-i-original-1989-space-police-vehicle-set/feed/ 0 NP wood passenger car http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/np-wood-passenger-car/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/np-wood-passenger-car/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:06:28 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/np-wood-passenger-car/ NP wood passenger car

This one is sitting near the siding at Hodges, MT on a ranch. It has been modified a bit by the rancher, but even still has the drop steps, trap doors and some of the interior paint! Note the "Gentlemen" sign in one pic. Sure would like to have seen this when new!
TrainBoard Attached Images
]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/np-wood-passenger-car/feed/ 0 Inventory Tracking http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/inventory-tracking/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/inventory-tracking/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:06:27 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/inventory-tracking/ Inventory Tracking




Are you using inventory software, a custom database, or did you create a spread sheet?

What categories are you using for your spread sheet?

I had to create a quick one for the toy train museum from the current chaotic one and used these Column titles, in the order: road number, road name, category, description, color, manufacturer, manufacturer stock number, era, and columns for 2012-2015.

Since this will be a printout, there is no room for photos.

I need to make one for my train collection.

]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/inventory-tracking/feed/ 0 New Product: LEGO 6676 Mobile Command Unit Vintage 1986 Town Police Set http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/new-product-lego-6676-mobile-command-unit-vintage-1986-town-police-set/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/new-product-lego-6676-mobile-command-unit-vintage-1986-town-police-set/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:49 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/new-product-lego-6676-mobile-command-unit-vintage-1986-town-police-set/ New Product: LEGO 6676 Mobile Command Unit Vintage 1986 Town Police Set
Your LEGO Classic Town police force will surely appreciate having this capable van in their motor pool.

This set hails from …read more at

]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/new-product-lego-6676-mobile-command-unit-vintage-1986-town-police-set/feed/ 0 Updated Product: LEGO 6820 Starfire I Classic Space Ship Set Vintage 1986 http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6820-starfire-i-classic-space-ship-set-vintage-1986/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6820-starfire-i-classic-space-ship-set-vintage-1986/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:49 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6820-starfire-i-classic-space-ship-set-vintage-1986/ Updated Product: LEGO 6820 Starfire I Classic Space Ship Set Vintage 1986
This complete Starfire I comes with all 34 original vintage pieces and original full-color LEGO building instructions in beautiful mint …read more at

]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/updated-product-lego-6820-starfire-i-classic-space-ship-set-vintage-1986/feed/ 0 Heritage Loco conversion http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/heritage-loco-conversion/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/heritage-loco-conversion/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:49 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/heritage-loco-conversion/ Heritage Loco conversion

Would anyone have any recommendations as to which decoder to use on a Legacy Kato F7 ( N Scale)? Both A and B units. Is there a data base for reference? I am aware of the requirement for modification of the frame. I assume that the nature of the mod might be dependent upon which decoder might be used. Aztec may be an option if it became too complicated. No sound requirement. Reply direct or to the group.
Doug H in Houston
]]> http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/heritage-loco-conversion/feed/ 0 Wheel cleaners. http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/wheel-cleaners/ http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/wheel-cleaners/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:49 +0000 admin http://hobbymodeltrainsnews.com/wheel-cleaners/ Wheel cleaners.

Looking at possibly adding a wheel cleaner to my tool inventory. The type that the loco is held on top and current is applied to turn the wheels. The only one that I can find at the moment is by Trix which features wire brushes although I believe there are others out there that are similar in operation. Seems like a reasonably good method but I question the wire brush with traction tires. So what are the other products and any pros and cons? And since I’m heading down to a show in Fredricksburg, VA this Saturday I may want to pick one up if there are any available there.
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