<![CDATA[ - N/Z and Smaller Modeling]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/ Thu, 07 May 2026 11:53:43 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[N Scale rolling stock builds.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10263 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:08:24 +0000 zzrguy]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10263
Hey guys, welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!

In this episode, we take a break from the big builds and dive into a quick N scale project, upgrading a Micro-Trains flatcar with a custom deck, tarp repaint, and simple weathering techniques to bring it to life.

This is a short, relaxing build—but packed with useful tips for anyone modeling in N scale or HO scale.


]]>
Hey guys, welcome back to Jack on Tracks – The Back Shop!

In this episode, we take a break from the big builds and dive into a quick N scale project, upgrading a Micro-Trains flatcar with a custom deck, tarp repaint, and simple weathering techniques to bring it to life.

This is a short, relaxing build—but packed with useful tips for anyone modeling in N scale or HO scale.


]]> <![CDATA[Z scale experiment]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10249 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:53:18 +0000 Royal blue]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10249 Looking at 2 x 8 foot, pic is 4 loops aprox 2 x 3 foot.

.jpg   20260224_102516.jpg (Size: 385.02 KB / Downloads: 106) ]]> Looking at 2 x 8 foot, pic is 4 loops aprox 2 x 3 foot.

.jpg   20260224_102516.jpg (Size: 385.02 KB / Downloads: 106) ]]> <![CDATA[White or Pink Foam?]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10009 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 16:48:53 +0000 GreenDiesel]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=10009
Is it OK to use this white sheet of foam or should we purchase some of the pink or blue foam?

TIA.

Rob]]>
Is it OK to use this white sheet of foam or should we purchase some of the pink or blue foam?

TIA.

Rob]]> <![CDATA[N Scale Controllers]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9826 Fri, 26 Jan 2024 21:52:06 +0000 GreenDiesel]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9826
I have ultra basic Railpower ones but they have an output of 15VDC -- is that still too high? What transformers would you recommend for N scale? 

I live in Canada but our products should be similar to the US's.

Thanks in advance.

Rob]]>
I have ultra basic Railpower ones but they have an output of 15VDC -- is that still too high? What transformers would you recommend for N scale? 

I live in Canada but our products should be similar to the US's.

Thanks in advance.

Rob]]> <![CDATA[Track problems -- short circuit?]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9802 Sun, 26 Nov 2023 04:32:18 +0000 GreenDiesel]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9802
The layout and its wiring it ultra simple. Basically, I have two loops. My outer loop is divided into two halves. Power has suddenly stopped getting to the left-hand half. The layout was working perfectly when a train I was running suddenly stopped on this left half. Basically, the transformer lights up as it normally does when power is going to the R/H part of the layout. But, if I turn on (i.e. have power going to) the L/H side, the transformer light goes out. The transformer also gets very hot.

Again, I had not made any changes to the track, etc. The layout was working fine until this suddenly happened.

I have my wires going to an Atlas switch (terminal #205). Is it possible that switch is failing? I've had it for about 15 years.

Thanks in advance!

Rob]]>
The layout and its wiring it ultra simple. Basically, I have two loops. My outer loop is divided into two halves. Power has suddenly stopped getting to the left-hand half. The layout was working perfectly when a train I was running suddenly stopped on this left half. Basically, the transformer lights up as it normally does when power is going to the R/H part of the layout. But, if I turn on (i.e. have power going to) the L/H side, the transformer light goes out. The transformer also gets very hot.

Again, I had not made any changes to the track, etc. The layout was working fine until this suddenly happened.

I have my wires going to an Atlas switch (terminal #205). Is it possible that switch is failing? I've had it for about 15 years.

Thanks in advance!

Rob]]> <![CDATA[Donnie's Art Shoppe]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9369 Tue, 06 Jul 2021 21:28:46 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9369
I thank my friend profusely, I will do my best to do it justice. I'm doing this in a separate thread mainly because I haven't a clue where this is going, and I hope to at least take some photos as I think my way through to where I hope to wind up.

This is how it looks as I got it, minus the brown paint that I'll probably prime coat over anyway. Icon_rolleyes


.jpg   GoldRush1.jpg (Size: 175.09 KB / Downloads: 827)


.jpg   GoldRush2.jpg (Size: 201.41 KB / Downloads: 857)

Her sign:

.jpg   ArtShoppe sign.jpg (Size: 52.71 KB / Downloads: 846) ]]>
I thank my friend profusely, I will do my best to do it justice. I'm doing this in a separate thread mainly because I haven't a clue where this is going, and I hope to at least take some photos as I think my way through to where I hope to wind up.

This is how it looks as I got it, minus the brown paint that I'll probably prime coat over anyway. Icon_rolleyes


.jpg   GoldRush1.jpg (Size: 175.09 KB / Downloads: 827)


.jpg   GoldRush2.jpg (Size: 201.41 KB / Downloads: 857)

Her sign:

.jpg   ArtShoppe sign.jpg (Size: 52.71 KB / Downloads: 846) ]]> <![CDATA[N Scale Layout]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9202 Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:37:33 +0000 RobertInOntario]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9202 https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9192

I think I can manage to keep it running simply by soldering when & where necessary. I've now got it out of storage and it's running well. I had been just recently using a 00 (HO) switching layout but am planning to improve and add to this British N scale layout over the fall & winter. 

I'm expecting a long COVID period so will have lots of time to focus on this! Does anyone else have any "COVID" railway projects they're planning to work on over the next few months?

Rob]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9192

I think I can manage to keep it running simply by soldering when & where necessary. I've now got it out of storage and it's running well. I had been just recently using a 00 (HO) switching layout but am planning to improve and add to this British N scale layout over the fall & winter. 

I'm expecting a long COVID period so will have lots of time to focus on this! Does anyone else have any "COVID" railway projects they're planning to work on over the next few months?

Rob]]> <![CDATA[How to create or add bus wires to small layout?]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9192 Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:23:46 +0000 RobertInOntario]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=9192 To solve this, can anyone point me to a book or website where I can get clear instructions & diagrams of how to connect several bus wires to the various loops? I've seen a few online but some look complicated. 
Wiring is not my specialty so I want to keep it simple, plus, it’s only a small layout. Do I need, for example, a small wiring hub that various bus wires from the track would connect into?

Thanks in advance, Rob]]> To solve this, can anyone point me to a book or website where I can get clear instructions & diagrams of how to connect several bus wires to the various loops? I've seen a few online but some look complicated. 
Wiring is not my specialty so I want to keep it simple, plus, it’s only a small layout. Do I need, for example, a small wiring hub that various bus wires from the track would connect into?

Thanks in advance, Rob]]> <![CDATA[eco Locomotives]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8926 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 17:33:02 +0000 TJ.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8926
ERIE RR aka Tom


[attachment=30544]

.jpg   ECO's side-2.jpg (Size: 30.16 KB / Downloads: 1056)

.jpg   One of my own ECO's THE ROOF LINE LONG HOOD.jpg (Size: 28.11 KB / Downloads: 847)

.jpg    ECO's side 1 .jpg (Size: 33.49 KB / Downloads: 733) ]]>
ERIE RR aka Tom


[attachment=30544]

.jpg   ECO's side-2.jpg (Size: 30.16 KB / Downloads: 1056)

.jpg   One of my own ECO's THE ROOF LINE LONG HOOD.jpg (Size: 28.11 KB / Downloads: 847)

.jpg    ECO's side 1 .jpg (Size: 33.49 KB / Downloads: 733) ]]> <![CDATA[SD45M's]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8871 Tue, 05 Feb 2019 18:41:14 +0000 TJ.]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8871
.jpg   IMG_0412 copy.JPG (Size: 205.84 KB / Downloads: 572)

.jpg   IMG_0442.JPG (Size: 103.81 KB / Downloads: 573)

Here are my first attempt at a pair of SD45M's these are from a pair of 1960 ERA GP40'S.

ERIE RR Aka Tom]]>
.jpg   IMG_0412 copy.JPG (Size: 205.84 KB / Downloads: 572)

.jpg   IMG_0442.JPG (Size: 103.81 KB / Downloads: 573)

Here are my first attempt at a pair of SD45M's these are from a pair of 1960 ERA GP40'S.

ERIE RR Aka Tom]]> <![CDATA[The rebirth of the Canyon State RR]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8868 Sat, 02 Feb 2019 12:39:20 +0000 ezdays]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8868
Here are a few photos of my old layout, like most layouts are, it was a work in progress. I hope I can reuse most of the structures that I was able to save, especially the scratchbuilt ones:

Main St., Mar. 2006


.jpg   Main st.jpg (Size: 175.13 KB / Downloads: 1423)

Chapel, Aug. 2006


.jpg   Chapel4.jpg (Size: 157.03 KB / Downloads: 1328)

Pond, Dec. 2010


.jpg   Pond.jpg (Size: 113.59 KB / Downloads: 1333)

Denny’s, June 2013


.jpg   Dennys left.jpg (Size: 107.71 KB / Downloads: 1385)

Fuel Depot, Sept. 2013


.jpg   Fuel dep4.jpg (Size: 125.65 KB / Downloads: 1384)
]]>
Here are a few photos of my old layout, like most layouts are, it was a work in progress. I hope I can reuse most of the structures that I was able to save, especially the scratchbuilt ones:

Main St., Mar. 2006


.jpg   Main st.jpg (Size: 175.13 KB / Downloads: 1423)

Chapel, Aug. 2006


.jpg   Chapel4.jpg (Size: 157.03 KB / Downloads: 1328)

Pond, Dec. 2010


.jpg   Pond.jpg (Size: 113.59 KB / Downloads: 1333)

Denny’s, June 2013


.jpg   Dennys left.jpg (Size: 107.71 KB / Downloads: 1385)

Fuel Depot, Sept. 2013


.jpg   Fuel dep4.jpg (Size: 125.65 KB / Downloads: 1384)
]]> <![CDATA[Cure "Exploding" N-Scale Accumates]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8736 Thu, 05 Jul 2018 11:43:15 +0000 hminky]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8736
Have a "What-I-Did" at:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/...xplosions/

[Image: 0008000.jpg]

Thank you if you visit
Harold]]>
Have a "What-I-Did" at:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/...xplosions/

[Image: 0008000.jpg]

Thank you if you visit
Harold]]> <![CDATA[Build a T-Trak Track Aligner]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8735 Tue, 03 Jul 2018 16:30:52 +0000 hminky]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8735
http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/t-trak/aligner/

[Image: DSC_0011.JPG]

PDF version at:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/...ligner.pdf

Thank you if you visit
Harold]]>
http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/t-trak/aligner/

[Image: DSC_0011.JPG]

PDF version at:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/...ligner.pdf

Thank you if you visit
Harold]]> <![CDATA[Atlas to buy Walthers locomotive tooling]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8725 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 18:43:05 +0000 Brakie]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8725 -----------------------------------------

That does not surprise me at all seeing Walthers was never all that interested in  N scale. Sad

Atlas has excellent  N Scale track record so,I can't wait to see the drives under the EMD switchers.
Wonder if Atlas will release those beautiful 0-8-0,2-8-8-2  and 2-8-4s? Thumbsup]]> -----------------------------------------

That does not surprise me at all seeing Walthers was never all that interested in  N scale. Sad

Atlas has excellent  N Scale track record so,I can't wait to see the drives under the EMD switchers.
Wonder if Atlas will release those beautiful 0-8-0,2-8-8-2  and 2-8-4s? Thumbsup]]> <![CDATA[Best transformers for N?]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8498 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 03:25:19 +0000 RobertInOntario]]> https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=8498
These two transformers generally work well, although I think the Railpower one might be "dying." Recently, I've heard that some other transformers might work better with N. Is this the case and, if so, which ones would be best? FYI, I'm mainly running British N, but that shouldn't make any difference. I'm always trying to maximize smooth low-running operation. And I think I read that some transformers, specially geared for N, might help with this.

Thanks for any feedback.

Rob]]>
These two transformers generally work well, although I think the Railpower one might be "dying." Recently, I've heard that some other transformers might work better with N. Is this the case and, if so, which ones would be best? FYI, I'm mainly running British N, but that shouldn't make any difference. I'm always trying to maximize smooth low-running operation. And I think I read that some transformers, specially geared for N, might help with this.

Thanks for any feedback.

Rob]]>