September 2019 21For more questions and answers,
watch the video series “Ask MRVP” at
http://www.ModelRailroaderVideoPlus.com.MORE
Q&ABy Steven OtteEditor’s Note: After I sent the above
answer to the reader, he checked his track
voltage and determined the issue was, as
I suspected, overheating – caused by run-
ning a section of his layout on a 16V
power supply, rather than 12V. That’s why
the issue didn’t show up on the techs’ 12V
test track. While his other N scale engines
could take it, that one couldn’t. Don’t try
to run N scale on 16V, folks!
Q What horn, bell, and prime mover
were used on Amtrak 586?
Robert Cronan, South Portland, Maine
A Amtrak no. 586 was an Electro-
Motive Division SDP40F, a locomotive
built for Amtrak in 1973-1974 and pow-
ered by EMD’s 645E3 engine. After a
series of inexplicable but disturbingly
similar derailments, they were traded
back to EMD in the late 1970s and
scrapped. The first batch built were
equipped with Leslie SL4T air horns,
which were unique to these locomotives;
the arrangement of the horns on the sec-
ond order was rearranged, and that horn
was designated the S4T. As for the bell,
those were standard; EMD didn’t desig-
nate them any more specifically than
“12" bell with internal pneumatic ringer.”
Q I’m building a layout using sectional
track. Will there be a problem with the
dissimilar metals if I connect steel alloy
track to nickel-silver track?
Dan Brink, Woodbine, Ga.
A Although the two kinds of metal have
differing chemical, conduction, and ther-
mal expansion properties, none of those
should present much of a problem if you
use them with each other.
Q Years ago I dropped an HO scale
locomotive and just recently got around
to fixing it. I got the motor mounts
and knuckle couplers from my local
hobby shop and put it back together,
after which it ran well. The only
problem is that the couplers are now
too high. Is there a way to lower the
draft-gear box?
Michael Esson, Bald Knob, Ark.
A Since draft gear boxes are generally
mounted underneath a locomotive, if the
problem was with the couplers or their
draft-gear boxes, they would be riding
lower, not higher. So lowering the draft
gear boxes would only solve the obvious
In a three-part series in 1975, our Student Fare column presented a series on
building the Bantam & Cycloid RR, a very small N scale layout designed to store
under a bed when not in use.problem, not the root issue. If your cou-
plers are mounted on the locomotive
shell, it’s likely the shell is not seated cor-
rectly. Take the shell off and check for
wires, circuit boards, or other parts that
may be preventing the shell from fitting
all the way down onto the frame.
But if your couplers are attached to
the body frame, it’s possible you
mounted the trucks incorrectly (or used
the wrong parts), and the entire locomo-
tive is riding higher than it used to. If
that’s the case, re-installing those parts
(or replacing them, if they’re the wrong
ones) should allow you to get your loco-
motive riding at its proper height.Q Regarding your published track
plans, I assume the measurements
inside the tan squares – 0", 2^1 ⁄ 2 ", etc.- are the height of the grade from the
subroadbed. Sometimes those numbers
are in the 45" to 60" range. Are these
measurements up from the floor? Why
the two different methods? Second,
how do I determine turnout size and
curve radius from these track plans?
Jason Hunzinger, no city given
A You’re correct. When we publish the
plan of a layout that’s been built, we give
elevations in distance from the floor.
However, when we publish a plan that’s
only a plan and has never been built, we
give those elevations from an arbitrary
zero point, because a reader who decides
to build the layout could put it at what-
ever height works best for him.
To your second question, you can find
the minimum turnout and minimum
curve radius in a plan’s accompanying“Track plan at a glance” box. We don’t
label the individual turnout numbers or
curve radii on track plans, in part
because it would clutter up the plan, and
in part because the plans are meant to be
inspiration, not instruction. We expect
readers would choose turnouts and
curves to fit their own layout spaces.Q I’m looking for a track plan called
the Bantam & Cycloid RR. I think it was
in a 1975 issue of MR. Might you be
able to help me find it?
Chuck Perrucci, Perkasie, Pa.A You had the right year. That three-
installment series, part of our “Student
Fare” column, ran in our April, May, and
June 1975 issues. Three variations of the
track plan were presented, based on what
brand of track the modeler favored;
above is the flextrack version. If those
magazines aren’t in your back-issue
stash, subscribe to our All-Time Archive
at http://www.modelrailroader.com/archive.Q The edge of my layout abuts a wall
with a sloped ceiling above. Do you
have any tips for laying track, building
scenery, and doing mainten ance on
areas like this where you can’t get
above it to see what you’re doing?
Jack Berlien, Plano, TexasA Sure. Build that part of your bench-
work as a removable section. Lay your
track with rail joints at the edges of the
section so you can wheel it out and take
it to your workbench. Add your scenery
and structures at the workbench, then
reinstall it on the layout when done.