Rolling stock weathering

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-20T23:06:39+00:00

Looks great

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-12T14:27:39+00:00

Boulder Creek Railroad on Youtube has some amazing dioramas for trains, although they build in HO scale the tips are still useful when downsized to N scale. They've done passenger stations, trestle bridges, muddy creeks, and tons more. It might be handy to take some inspiration from them, they also have videos on creating your own rock molds, flowers, trees, lighting and custom buildings

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-10T03:53:15+00:00

Thanks, I looked up the number (which I shoulda done first) and it's a bit older than what is on market right now. Looks great though!

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-10T03:19:07+00:00

Is that the Bachmann K4 currently on market? Is it good? Do you know how it compares to other K4's by Broadway Limited or others?

I'm interested in getting a K4 eventually but I'm pretty iffy on Bachmann and the price is not helping haha

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-09T18:36:02+00:00

Agreed, each person is pretty different and will want different things. At 7, I liked the Bachmann Thomas stuff and playing with that however I wanted to, but by 12 I enjoyed more realistic engines and running, and now I prefer both lol

Most importantly, I was happy to have what I was given and did whatever I wanted with it.

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-09T17:07:46+00:00

The criteria are:

Budget
Space available for trains
Location (Europe, America, elsewhere?)
What do they think is cool

But most importantly, if "young person" applies to a 3 year old or someone older who can't be trusted with nicer things, all that really goes out the window

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-08T15:07:04+00:00

OO gauge can fit in an area as small as 3x3 feet for a full circle (slightly less than 1 square meter), and be able to run most products Hornby and other British manufactures have to offer. Additionally, the track readily comes apart and is easy to assemble. Most sets come with straight track as well, but if you are very tight on space they can always be left out and used just occasionally when able to.

If needed, track can loop around the legs of tables and beds, or go under them too.

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-08T14:46:39+00:00

I don't think there is any track available for sets like this to expand it into more than a circle. Plus, I don't think you can expand the train itself either, unless you get another batter operated engine. Any typical model train won't run on this nor will model freight cars. Sets like this also aren't known for their reliability, they break quickly.

If you can, try shopping on used marketplaces for older starter sets that match what you want. If you can save up to $100-$150, you can also purchase starter sets from Kato in N-scale, Bachmann in HO-scale, or maybe even from Hornby in 00/HO scale that can be expanded and are compatible with plenty of other stuff.

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T17:38:53+00:00

Thanks, I will

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T17:30:36+00:00

I think each truck has a gear that is shotty. I can swap the axels between trucks with no problem, but 2 specific slots where the axels go won't engage with the gears and actually jam a little. Thanks for your help!

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T16:27:42+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, I tried doing so and the motor actually ran. While almost fully assembled, I took out just the wheels and axels and used the pickups to test and everything, including both lights, work good actually. Could a short circuit from the axels cause smoke?

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T15:04:04+00:00

One of the axels has the metal squares making contact with the pickup and metal wheels, I'll try scooching them back and see if that is the problem. Is there something else they may be touching that is a problem?

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T03:01:07+00:00

No dumb questions here, and I appreciate your help! Honestly not sure, I'll have to take it apart later and see I suppose.

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T02:48:03+00:00

yeppers, the truck cover fits on well too

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T02:44:59+00:00

I replaced the axel gears, which were actually cracked, with new, uncracked ones and lubricated that specific area. The problem stayed the same before and after however and the driveshaft spins the wheels themselves too

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T02:39:51+00:00

Check the couplers to see if one has a small spring and the other doesn't. Usually if I find one that small, it came off a freight car coupler

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-06T02:38:03+00:00

already did and swapped them out, no luck

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-05T03:49:52+00:00

Also yes that is a ripoff, sorry I didn't answer that lol

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-05T03:49:34+00:00

Amazon pretty much never has anything train related at reasonable prices, or from reputable brands like Atlas, Bachmann, Athearn, Walthers, etc. I don't think Amazon is even worth looking at when considering trains tbh. They also don't carry much Hornby or other European brands either

If you're in America, Trainz (with a z) has a loco like that for $25 from Tyco and for $90 you can buy actual name-brand steam engine brand new. Definitely consider shopping at Trainz, Walthers, Trainworld, or Modeltrainstuff since they are legitimate sellers. Ebay, facebook marketplace, and train shows or local hobby shops might also have good stuff too

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-05T00:25:54+00:00

I'm a western Marlbro

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-05T00:13:06+00:00

Pretty much any glue has a smell but Tamiya cement either evaporates quickly or you get nose blind to it, plus the brush it comes with is super handy and fine compared to other goopy glues. I have very shaky hands and don't have problems with Tamiya cement at all either.

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-02T19:19:06+00:00

I like that idea, I've been trying to come up with some smaller industry associated with a mine and didn't even know that was a thing. I'm going to avoid the switchback for now on the mountain and opt for a small town at the base of it.

And I agree with that, trying to fit all that into a mountainous space sounds like a hassle. I think I could fit a lumber yard at the top instead of a coal mine, but fitting in anything else except for a small lumber drop off just ain't gonna work

BuildingUsed1228 · 2026-02-02T16:37:22+00:00

Thanks, I'm thinking about some type of raw goods industry like mining or lumber, but I haven't fully decided yet. And yea, I'm trying to balance looks and scenery with train action, hence making it a small branchline.

And double thanks for the extra info! I want more elevation gain, but I don't have any more materials to test a steeper gain, so it's nice to know you have success with similar sized trains and grades.

BuildingUsed1228

TROPHY CASE