Making Smoke

Jeff has a question about making smoke and asks readers:

"I hope this is not a silly question. My son and I have decided to get out my Fathers and my old HO model trains. The track is up and cleaned and is in very good condition. The engines have been cleaned and are running well. My question is; on my Tyco Chattanooga steam locomotive and New York Central steam engine (my father recived in 1953), I can't remember how to add the smoke liquid to get the trains to make steam. I would truly appreciate any help."

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Connect Electric Switch Track

Ron has a question to test reader's knowledge and asks:

"Can I connect two elcectric switch tracks together without placing a track in between and still have them work properly? I have space restrictions"

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Marklin M Track

Peter has a question for readers on Marklin M track and asks:

"I have received a Marklin M track starter set with extension kits E(5191) and T3 and I am wanting to expand track layout with other kits T2 and T1 especially the parts 5140L and 5140R. I know that C track has replaced M track but I would like to know where to find other M track along with Locos and freight cars? The sets where purchased in 1982, any feed back would be good thanks. "

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Great Northwestern Pacific Railroad

Dick has sent in these photos and article for publication:

The layout where I am locating the buildings is a large HO layout of about 1850 sq ft and is the product of the immensely talented Chuck Ellis, a published model railroader of 30 years.  It is a somewhat freelanced cross country RR called the Great Northwestern Pacific.  It runs from Duluth, MN to Seattle, WA.  It is set in the 60's and actually owns no motive power but uses UP, Great Northern, Santa Fe, and various smaller roads.  It is an iron ore hauler, a hot shot refer or two, passenger service and lots of local mixed merchandise trains.  The central switching, classification, engine hostelling takes place in Great Falls, MT.


This is the location of the buildings I sent pictures of. I'm also enclosing some pictures of the deep pit ore mine just completed along with the new mountain area which is the home of the Cisco & Taliesin RR, a HO n3 narrow gauge scenic road. The layout is DCC and most of the motive power has sound.  Many of the structures are Fine Scale Miniatures, many are scratch built, and some are contemporary Woodland Scenic already built and detailed structures.


The structures pictured are Downtown Deco kits.  These kits are somewhat difficult to build owing to the fragility of the plaster cast parts.  Easy handling and somewhat tedious clean up process is of primary importance at the beginning of construction.  They are walls are extremely well detailed and accept acrylic washes and accents well. The kit has high quality signs and posters along with a concise instruction manual. This kit is not for beginners, however. One should have some experience with color mixing and weathering for an acceptable  completion of the structure. They are some of the best construction kits available in my opinion.

Layout And Train Inventory Software

Billy has an interesting question some reader might like to help him with:

"Dear Model Railroaders: I have a 1952 Marklin HO train set that I got from Germany with my Dad when I was 15 years old. It still runs! I now have two grandsons who are now interested in trains too. I need your help if you can do it. I purchased Mr. Anderson's e-book and it is great along with all the helpful e-mail updates. I am now interested in HO layouts and train inventory control software. I would like a good Marklin "M" solid third rail track layout software to document the complicated layouts I have used, and also a software program to keep track of all my various track, catenary, trains, and accessories so I can document them for the benefit of the next owners. Ideally, if I could get both in one program that would be perfect. If you can assist me in this I would be most appreciative. I have looked on the various web sites I have stumbled across in Google and I just can't find what I need. Thank you in advance for you time and help if you can."

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Atlas HO Quality Precision Snap Switches

Vince is hoping an experienced model railroader will advise him on snap switches and asks:

"My layout has 10 Atlas HO Quality Precision Snap Switches. When I run a locomotive at low speeds it has a tendency to stop on about 3 of the switches (the same ones). I only need to move the locomotive very little for it to start up again. Maybe it will run over and over the same switches time after time with no problem then the next time it will stop every time on the same switches. If I speed up the locomotive (say another 5 mph) I seem to never have any problems. All the other switches seem to work just fine. It seem that if I run the locomotive in reverse I don't have near the problem. If I turn the locomotive around I still have the same problems. I have put power leads and the end of the switches with no help. Any Ideas?"

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