| For the Railroad Modeller life can be very frustrating at | | | | to appear a bit confused. To overcome this, treat the |
| times. Electric Model trains, track, rolling stock, scenery; | | | | shiny surfaces with Dullcoat. This is a clear lacquer that |
| everything can go wrong and look wrong. The reason | | | | is gloss free and makes all the components of your |
| is simple; everything is in miniature therefore the | | | | track layout look the same age; just like the real thing. |
| problems are in miniature and often you need a | | | | Beware Do not apply Dullcoat to any wheels or track |
| magnifying glass to see what they are. Here are some | | | | surfaces because the electrical circuit will be |
| tips to solve common problems that seem so obvious | | | | compromised. |
| when they are exposed like this. | | | | 4. Quick Track Maintenance Tip 1: Mirror Image. |
| 1. Quick Locomotive Tip: We have contact. | | | | Use a small mirror to see the parts of the track that |
| Because the current is collected by the metal wheels | | | | are hidden from view, it will help locate discrepancies |
| of the locomotive they have to be spotlessly clean. It is | | | | that otherwise will not be noticed. |
| perfectly possible for your Models to stall through the | | | | It is easy to check rail alignment because it is possible |
| lack of power. | | | | to see the far side of both rails at the same time by |
| Dirt does build up unseen over a period, which means | | | | carefully placing the mirror so that you are looking |
| that the contact could be lost with the rails. There is | | | | along the track. Looking along the track in this way |
| only a very tiny contact point where the rail meets the | | | | often exposes small kinks, dips and small alignment |
| wheel and it has to be kept spotless. The point where | | | | issues. Using a mirror is much easier than stretching |
| the wheels meet the rail is tiny so must be kept clean | | | | over the layout and can be used in all manner of track |
| at all times. Dirt, debris anddust can easily obstruct the | | | | locations both inside and in the yard. |
| locomotive wheel-to-rail contact causing the train to | | | | You can see the reaction of the track when your |
| stall or jerk. Remember, plastic wheels don't conduct | | | | locomotives are running as well and will give you |
| electricity so don't make the mistake of replacing metal | | | | measure if there is any spring in the track. |
| wheels with them, and yes it has been done! | | | | 5. Quick track tip 2: Soapy water. |
| 2. Quick Rolling Stock Tip: Where are the people? | | | | Just as you keep your drive wheels spotless the track |
| Before you buy any passenger cars just d a quick | | | | needs to be clean also. You need some warm soapy |
| check to see if there is seating and passengers | | | | water and a lint free cloth, microfiber is good, keep it |
| because if not the carriage will look like a toy. Don't | | | | tight to you finger and just wipe the track clean. When |
| worry, because there is a solution available to you. | | | | it is dry go over it with a dry microfiber cloth to be sure |
| The simple solution for hiding an empty interior: buy | | | | there are no soap residues. |
| some commercial window tinting film from an | | | | 6. Quick Scenery Tip: leave the tracks. |
| appropriate store; your hobby shop will have some. | | | | Have you ever seen a car or truck drive into a field or |
| Cut it to size and place it on the inside of the windows, | | | | along a gravel track without leaving tracks? So if your |
| this will make it very difficult to see through and at the | | | | layout will support it make marks behind the vehicles, |
| same time keep the realism of glass. Actually looks to | | | | and it will look like they were driven there. Put some |
| be polarised. | | | | skid marks on the road near level crossings to add a |
| 3. Quick Weathering Tip: Kill the gloss. | | | | bit of drama too. |
| Too many shiny surfaces will cause your track layout | | | | |