Model Train Repair: Starts and Stops

#1: Lay down a light colored, ideally lint free towel or cloth over your worktable. When you drop a part or a tiny screw, it won't bounce and you won't lose it.

#2: Have cleaning supplies and tools handy: Many model train problems, derailment issues, etc, are simply caused by dust and dirt on the tracks or in the machinery. If you are working on any piece of your model train set for any reason, it's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning it thoroughly before putting it back into the model train layout. For locomotives, check all parts for dirt and rust, clumps of oil, or loose particles. Use tweezers to remove or unravel fibers. Use a cotton swab and solvent to get all grime off of the parts, and then oil them.

#3: Get a magnifying headset, or a magnifying lens with light attached to your workstation. You will save yourself many headaches by having some magnification, and plenty of light in the space where you will work on your model train repairs.

#4: Get a vice: Attach it to your sturdy workstation table. This makes so many model train repairs much easier as it gives you both of your hands to use, and holds the train or part a lot tighter than you can do yourself.

If you are working with Lionel "post war" trains, as well as some other model train sets, you may find the need for riveting repairs such as knuckling couplers, slide shoes, armature spring rivets, and other small rivets. You will save a lot of frustration by getting a set of tools designed for this task. Many hobby stores or model train sites will sell a compact riveting kit made for the model train scale you are building.

It's best to get a bunch of extra rivets as it is easy to go wrong in this type of repair, and a good riveting job is essential to keep the trains held together and running balanced.

Do NOT hammer your trains, or try to whack rivets back into place, as this is a great way to ruin them forever, so if you are going to bother, get one of these compact riveting sets.

Nothing is more frustrating than watching your model train derail in the same place, over and over again. Finding the cause of the derailment can be tricky, but usually making a repair is not. Go through this handy checklist to determine if one of the following is the issue:

#1: Dust and dirt on the track: Could also be bits of scenery stuck in the track or popping up to affect the train cars as they go by. Clean with alcohol or solvent.

#2: Track fixture: Are the tracks properly secured, and are any joints, connectors, or rails loose? Are there nails sticking up anywhere, even a little? The tiniest issue can cause a derailment so put some pressure on your tracks and make sure there is no movement.

#3: Change cars: The process of elimination works well here. See if one specific car is causing the derailment by switching them out. Run the locomotive by itself to see if it will derail on its own. If you identify a particular car as the cause, clean it thoroughly and check to make sure the couplers are not set too low and touching the tracks.

#4: Check wheels and assembly: The body of each car should be centered correctly and nothing should be touching the wheels. Spin the wheels by hand and make sure they turn freely. If you have springs, they should spring equally to keep the car balanced.

#5: Track curves and dips: A curve that is too steep may cause a derailment in one part of your layout and not in another. Consider both the degree of curve and levelness of the track, as both factors may be contributing to the derailment.

#6: Rail spacing: You should have a track gauge set to NMRA specs to make sure your rails are at the correct spacing, which could be a factor in derailments. If a portion of track seems to be the problem, just replace it or switch it out with a piece of track elsewhere and see if that cures the problem.

#7: Weight: The weight of the cars should be kept within certain standards. Also, it's not recommended to mix light and heavy cars in the same train as the lighter cars may be pulled off on curves. See the table below for the NMRA recommended weight guidelines for cars by model train scale.

#8: Lubricate the Couplers: For couplers, don't use oil, but use a powdered graphite lubricant, which will last a long time and won't attract dirt. Poorly lubricated couplers may be the culprit in your derailments.

Often simply maintaining your model trains and keeping them properly oiled will prevent the need for repairs. However, when it comes to the motor, do no over-lubricate, as too much oil can be as harmful as too little. If you put too much oil you may saturate the wiring or insulating material, and you will attract dirt and dust to your motor, which can affect the electrical performance and prompt other repairs. If oil gets into the commutator, the current between the brush and the commutator will vaporize the oil and create a glaze on the brush, leading to slower performance, strain on the transformer, and wear of the overall system. Also note: In any of your model train repair or maintenance, do not use WD-40... use a quality oil or lubricant made for model train sets.

Bad electrical connections result in greater electrical resistance, which causes the generation of heat. This is bad news for your trains as it can damage the electrical components as well as the trains themselves. Make sure you regularly check your wiring, connections, and soldered joints. Don't be hesitant to re-solder a joint to improve the electrical performance of your model train sets.

The main issue when dealing with your transformer is to make sure you are operating it within its rating. A model train AC transformer changes the 120 volt AC power from your wall into a variable 0 volts to 22 volts AC, depending on which transformer your set has. Each transformer has a maximum load and you should learn what it is and how much of it you are pushing. If your transformer is making a buzzing noise, is heating excessively, or is smoking or odorous in any way, it may be time to have it serviced or replaced. There is a limit to the type of model train electrical repairs you can do yourself, and it's not wise to mess with transformers that may be damaged or worn out.

It is possible to rebuild and repair the motor of a train as long as the armature core is intact. Often it just needs to be rewound and this is typically a do-able repair. If your armature wires look dark compared to other windings then it may be damaged. If your brushes are giving off a lot of sparks, this may also indicate damage to the armature coils. You can have a model train repair professional rewind the armature and possibly extend the life of the motor.

Do not start hammering bent train parts in hopes of putting them back into shape. The most likely outcome of this action will be to further damage the part or to damage some other part of the train or tracks. Use thin pliers to grab a piece and bend it with precision. If you need two hands, use a vice to help hold your model train during the repair. Start slowly and try to just affect the one part that is bent without touching anything else. Try to move the part without twisting it... sometimes just holding it with the pliers for a minute or two will make it "give" enough without forcing it.

The fact is, there is not a lot of great information out there on model train repair because it is such a detailed and varied set of tasks... every problem is different, so the best way to approach it is to develop a greater working knowledge of how your trains work, get the right tools, and then decide what you can tackle yourself and what you might need to outsource or replace.

For advanced advice on model train repair and other improvements, I downloaded an ebook which has lessons and inexpensive or free tricks on repair and development of your system in whichever train scale you are working in. Written by Robert Anderson, a model trains expert, it provides practical and easy-to-follow that is low on the technical jargon and rich with photographs. This is an independent source, so the author is not trying to sell you products or push you into buying materials you don't need. On the contrary, you can save money by using this information to improve your scale model train sets, do model train repair, or just learn more about model railroading.

It is particularly helpful in areas of repair, and power management, to help your set run solidly and prevent derailment issues, and also gives tons of advice on building scenery, painting, model train layouts, and other things.

To check out his best secrets and tips, and also get some free stuff, take a take a look at this site.