I have a GS4 4-8-4 daylight from Lionel/Bachmann. It's very pretty but I no amount of TLC to the pancake motor is making it go as smoothly as I'd really like.

Does anyone have firsthand experience with Bachmann plus and have some idea if it's a noticeable upgrade from the pancake Lionels?

The reason I'm not as interested in a newer or more premium model is because I don't care about sound or DCC

Hey all, some background information. I’m a fairly new model train enthusiast and I have found out I’ll need Z scale if I want to fit my little model where I have space. The issue is I live in Australia and I’ve heard that Z scale is quite rare and not often stocked.

Does anyone know where I can find Z scale locomotives and some rolling stock accompany. Preferably freight or even shunting locos. Thank you so much!

Hello!

Total newbie here. I want to buy the Bachmann HO Chessie Train set for my daughter to put under the Christmas tree. However, I noticed the set comes with a straight piece ( or 2?) of track as you can see in this picture. I want a circle for the tree and not an oval. Can I just remove the straight piece(s) and then just make the track a tighter circle around the tree? I don’t have much space. Thanks!

I have 2 HO engines, one from Kato and other Athearn. They are both DC but DCC ready. I know that the upgrade is expensive and don’t want to burst into the bank. Any suggestions?

I am the one selling off my Dad’s collection of trains.

Someone messaged to tell me that this locomotive is having the following issue:

“The *BL2 Locomotive Monon- The Hoosier Line- HO Scale train- Proto 2000 Series arrived defective and /or damaged.

When first tested, the locomotive hums and doesn t want to run. It ran intermittently once. There is part of the coupler that just barely drags on the track, causing the "low clearance" drive wheels to jump the track. “

Does this sound like a cracked gear, or could the train need some maintenance to make it run?

Any advice on what this is and how to help him fix it?

Thanks for any guidance anyone can provide!

https://preview.redd.it/hlwxikspa44e1.png?width=7584&format=png&auto=webp&s=a6eeddef19105aa3c8b441ca0fa7f25e3f63ef31

My trackplan for my small HO scale switching layout, designed to fit on two shelves for a combined size of 16 inches wide by 79 inches long. I decided to go with this simple plan as this is my first layout and it will fit my needs for cost, size, and operational possibilities. The original design (with proper and accurate measurements) was drawn on paper and then I roughly transferred that drawing to digital for ease of posting.

Hey everyone, can anyone give me instructions for how I can restore one of the three Whistles that had fallen off of my Rivarossi Casey Jones 382 Locomotive? I normally keep it in its box and only have it out during Christmas, but when taking the train from out of its box, the largest of the brass whistles had somehow fallen out of its socket and was in the box. Any ideas and suggestions will be immensely appreciated!

Here are a couple images to show the situation:

https://preview.redd.it/g4933ms4354e1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db8928e792f3f58cc8f46607a54457fa1084a338

https://preview.redd.it/t1axt8k5354e1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aced48a044e6e6b958dbb96897e7c1480b61da68

Received a sd45 locomotive with the cab completely broken off. I don’t think it’s trainz fault. I think it was mishandled during shipping by fedex. Either way im saddened. I tried reaching out to costumer service. Yet to get a response but I just sent the email a few hours ago so.

Anyone else have any experiences with them? With their customer service? What should I expect if I get a response from them?

I’m looking for a model train for my 6 year old. He is interested more in carrying his toy cars and blocks in the cargo train. We tried a couple of hotbee trains but they were very fragile. Also, we wanted to go for electric one instead of battery powered. Plan is to build a layout in our computer room so that he will play under supervision. I was thinking of a HO scale but is it possible to load some small toys in the freight containers and how much weight the loco can pull given its size? If HO is doable, please suggest how to get started. If not, any suggestions in the O scale? Thank you!

So i haven't messed with HO models since I was a kid and now I'm an adult with adult money. The idea is simple. Build a square, make a circle track. Put Xmas tree in middle of it. Add a switch track to "park"my engine.

I purchased 12x 18 radius curves. I have 1 remote turnout. 2 bumpers (only needed 1 for switch track end)

So im headed home to start building this thing tonight. Then I noticed, uhhh crap. No power box. I never looked into it. I was too obsessed with thinking about scenery while I was in the store.

So before I spend more, can yall help me find some every level cheap stuff? I don't plan on running more than the engine and maybe 2 cars. It's a small track.

Id go back to the store but trying to talk to the lady at the counter about trains was worse than a bad blind date at up by mom. She just doesn't know anything about them.

Hey all! New to this community but have dabbled in model trains my whole life. Historically, it’s been a once a year at Christmas thing. I have a Marklin set from my grandpa (~1960?) and a Bachmann Thomas set, and PRR 1880s loco. The bachmann is a mix of ez track and just plain track.

This year, I want to start taking better care of these trains and learn more about how it all works. First thing’s first, my Bachmann track barely works. I don’t think it’s the loco, because both struggle. I’m not sure if it’s a transformer or track problem. The one train has lights and will generally light up but not move. If I gently push it along, it will sometimes go on its own, but almost never from a standstill. Also forget about reversing! None of that works. Is there any way to test?

I also understand I should have been cleaning this track and wheels… how do I go about doing that?