25 Things I Learned About Model Trains 

I learned that I have 30,000 dollars in credit card debt

Somethings I've learned throughout my 8 years of collecting HO/OO models: - steel track sucks - older engines and rolling stock are (usually) cheaper than modern equipment - hornby is foul - hornhook couplings are actually pretty reliable

Once you get a taste of operations (i.e., running trains like a real railroad), it takes the hobby to a completely new level.

As someone who has never collected model trains, I find this is very interesting and informative

This is definitely a good video for a beginner. With me having model trains of my own it takes a lot of work to care for it but 100% worth it.

Some stuff I learned from 5+ years of messing with HO trains: (Mega post incoming) - Try to focus a region, time period, or specific railroad. If you buy everything that looks cool you will have a whole lot of choices and quickly end up with a lot of trains. I did not do this and now I have stuff from the 30's to modern day from all over North America and Japan... - Try to find a local club, will give you people to meet and a place to run, but be wary of drama. - Decide if you want to use DCC (digital) or DC (analog). DCC makes it much easier to run multiple trains at once, but is more expensive. Analog is fine for smaller layouts or single loops. - It is easier to buy a new locomotive with DCC/sound than to install it yourself. DCC/silent is generally not too bad to do yourself if you want to save money, but make sure you get the right decoder! Sound is awesome on steam locomotives! - Digitrax DCC decoders suck. Mine either burnt out or would frequently "run away" and quit responding. I have had good luck with ESU, SoundTraxx, and TCS. - Careful with steam locomotive smoke units, they can melt the plastic around them and cause major damage, especially if they run low on fluid. - Avoid Bachmann, and be careful with older MTH. Bachmann is known for being the most "budget" of train brands, and MTH ignored a lot of industry protocol and did things their own way (often making them way to complicated to operate and work on). - More detail is not always better. They get waaayy more costly and waaaay more fragile. There is something to be said for cheaper rolling stock you can throw in a box and not have all the tiny details fall off. Prototypical is awesome, but runs the cost up. Especially if you are going to be around kids (or cats). I have seen lots of people overpay for very expensive rolling stock or locomotives just to manhandle them and tear them up. - If you ARE picky about detail and prototype, be sure to double check something is accurate before buying it. A lot of companies make "foobies", or will produce one prototype and paint it all kinds of different schemes to sell more. - Rolling stock (North American) usually has a build date AND sometimes a "shop" date. Be sure to check these if you are trying to keep to a specific time period. - Keep the boxes! They make it easier to transport the more fragile equipment, and make it a lot easier to sell if you decide to do so. - Find good retailers. I particularly like ModelTrainStuff and Lombard Hobbies. Other good ones include Overland Hobbies and Hiawatha Hobbies. Broadway Limited has an "outlet store" for refurbished items where you can find good deals. - Be very careful when buying on Ebay to check for damages. Also note that most Ebay retailers will run up the price well above MSRP (you can probably make some profit doing this yourself if you are patient). Ebay sellers will sometimes lie about broken bits or put "stock" pictures up instead of actual ones. - Have fun. Most people who are this into trains are a bit "on the spectrum" and can be sometimes difficult. But if you are having fun that is what matters. If you want Thomas and Percy to pull a mix of 30s wood reefers and modern intermodal doublestacks mixed with mismatching german passenger cars, do that if it makes you happy, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

One thing i learned is that i can't afford it

I wish i had the space to setup my big Märklin set again but unfortunately it has been stored in boxes for years...

Thank you for mentioning the chemical warnings that come with model trains. I think this is a major thing that most people look over. Some cars even have dead weights in them that create lead dust! You definitely should wash your hands after touching your trains, and avoid eating or touching other surfaces before you have done such. A great video, keep up the awesome work!

The one thing I learned that stuck with me, Early HO Diesels by Bachmann, TYCO, and Early Life Like models had Pancake motors often called "China motors" and since then Bachmann Stepped up their game (but they still have a weak chassis) TYCO has left the game, and Life Like created the Proto 1K and 2K which were based off athearn designs and life like merged with walthers in 2009.

Fantastic video - thank you! I am getting back into model railroading after a sixty year lapse and your video ix extremely helpful

This was very helpful as I plan on getting back into model railroading once I have my own place again (been living with friends for the past 7 years). Me and my Dad built a 4x8 0-27 layout when I was a kid but I'm definitely going to be going with HO because I won't be able to afford anything larger scale. Can't wait to get back into it.

Excellent video my friend, I started using Kato rails thanks to you, I also show details of popular locomotives since you hardly find videos like this in my language.

Awesome video, just got into HO trains. This was extremely helpful. TY for sharing. -JC

So glad there was a picture. I got confused when he said Metrolink because there's Metrolink in Missouri too. It's a passenger commute line mostly in St. Louis. I love trying to see these trains because of the new paint pattern they recently put on the trains.

Don't worry about the Prop 65 thing in California. We know it's a joke. It's even plastered in restaurants and grocery stores. Just another thing to ignore. 😂

Thanks this was helpful but I still need the rerailer I have N scale😅

Ok, on the topic of rerailers, you don't need them for HO/OO or larger. You DO need them for N scale, especially if you run steam.

a lot of these problems is why i like o scale, it’s only major setbacks is price and its large size, but i feel like a lot of the derailing and defect issues don’t really effect me at O scale

ALLLLL FACTS HERE!!! 😂

I felt the need to show my appreciation for excellent video! Good information, very informative!

Learn something new everyday, didnt realize the F symbol on the locomotive. Great informative video

I just started back in March and I was inspired by Craftyfoxe, thanks!!!

Nice video! I keep my trains in their box to protect them from dust.

Nice!

Informative & organized. Thanks.

Super helpful !😊

Me and everyone thought you want to put candy in the boxes kkkkk

Excellent video ! ! !

Good Video. I do think that you need to get a KCS locomotive before they disappear into history.

Great video sir.

Definitely right on #2 lol. Not discussed as much. I’m about 3 years in and just now getting over it lol. Peeped the metro card, I’m a native NYer myself.

I thought you put the candy in the boxes

I hope you were an N-gauger. I can relate to what you shared. The jargons are killing me. I'll wait for the train anatomy video in case you haven't done any lol.

A really Impressive and highly detailed video - thanks for posting. All the best and God Bless. 🙏❤🇺🇸

another thing, decoders in new units can be defective and burn out even with doing everything correctly.

Number 6 is what always happens to my 2 steam trains!

Really cool! I want to go back to the hobby but the biggest factor is money

At 3:57 I thought you would never end with train companies

I actually bought an Aurora Minatures SD60F, and it runs pretty well.

One thing I learned is that I can’t afford new equipment, I only buy used. Train shows are a HUGE help.

GOOD WORK

That SD70ACU is sooooo clean I love it

I learned a lot from this video

thanks dude

I was into model trains gowning up but sold off everything. Was looking to introduce my boys to it but man the prices are Super high now. Makes going out side with a simple basket ball look very nice lol

9:24 buy your locomotives first hand, when you are buying locomotives second hand you’re taking a chance on it being damaged. First hand for the most part ensures that it will have little to no defects. I would say buy your rolling stock second hand because there is less things to break on them and you can get them for some really good prices.

Do you have any American steam locomotives just curious

Get a switcher/shunter mate!

Ive learned over the years is that if it looks good from 3 ft away then im happy. Also there are some retailers who sell at more then msrp

I only have 1 train, and 1 boxcar, but I mostly use it as desk eye candy (I got the locomotive at an estate sale and it was made in 1951!) I don’t have any tracks, but if y’all have any tips, please let me know!

Do you prefer tabletop or floor layouts? W/ floor layouts I can just change up the layout whenever I want and have more space for trains to run vs 4x8ft table w/ scenery

Dude learned about the dynamic envelope with model trains😂

I have mainly Lionel HO sets, though probably all of the track would need some cleaning to use and I haven't used them in years.

@5:49 i actually played the Densha De D games they dont use switches to drift, they somehow make the front of the unit jump to make it drift sometimes even the back including the front bogey for the coach behind it sometimes ever a 2 wheel bogey drift, where 2 of the wheels are locked on the inner track for if theyre side by side

Hi cool video ❤

i have ho scale back then, it was emd fp7 with Santa Fe livery on it, i usually put the track in circle because there's not enough rooms in my living room. and one day i forgot that my ho scale was in my playbox. and then i see my mom has a box to be donated to charity and i saw my ho scale, and i was devastated. literally.

Bro named literally EVERY MP40 operator except Sounder lmao

If you’re new to the hobby don’t hesitate to buy a few books from Kalmbach to shorten your “learning curve.” There is a great deal to learn about owning, maintaining, and operating model trains that it will take you years to truly learn what you need to know about the hobby unless all you want to do is run a train on a loop of track under a Christmas tree. Be patient and forgiving with yourself because you will make mistakes and things will break or stop working. You may get frustrated. Just relax, take a break. With time you will learn how to repair most problems with your models and feel very proud when you do. And above all else, have fun doing what YOU enjoy doing with your trains!

Cool

Re: Cancer, funniest cancer related thing I've ever seen is I was at Disneyland with my extended family after a wedding down there (in SoCal not at Disneyland) and walking through their outdoor mall/food court area outside the parks there was this sign on a pole as you walk in with that prop 65 warning, so there ya have proof that Disney is cancer

If your trains derail often then you are not doing it well. You must use body-mounted couplers and make sure the trip pins are at the correct height.

You do great Minecraft train animations

I really want an accurate HO model of a Southern Railway Ms class mikado, but the only model is brass, and I don’t buy brass models because they’re too expensive. I understand the problems with modeling a railroad with specialized equipment.

I learned I don't have space for them, and I also wish I had just done N scale. I don't really collect them anymore, but I still have my nicest engines sitting on my desk.

The plastic wheels on low end model trains (like the ones I had as a child) will quickly foul the track and cause conductivity issues. Tyco and LEGO trains don't seem to be effected by this as they pick up power with the wheel flanges and the side of the rails do not get as dirty.

Beautiful layout and models , I can only afford n scale tho

[I, have been doing model rail road for 59 years now ho scale. I, own many brass cars and freight as well]

#7/#8 - be glad you're buying US prototypes. Australian prototypes - particularly the narrow gauge stuff is super expensive or just doesn't exist.

Hey CraftyFoxe can u get a steam locomotive next😂😂

Hello, I am looking for a train set for my grandchildren (10 & 12) and I. They come over every weekend and I thought it would be a fun project. I am 100% new to model trains. Here is what I am looking for, please point me in the correct direction. Looking for: *To spend $2000 or less (little leeway, I want the best I can afford) *O Scale *Freight cars *Something with low maintenance (I am not a tinkerer) *A tried and true work horse that won’t break down with reasonable use. *Metal wheels on cars, no plastic stuff. Looking for something to last. *Starter kit but if companies don’t offer what I am looking for in a set, I will buy them separately *Durable low maintenance track (plan to have 4x8 set up) **Knowing what you know about trains, what set would you buy for your grandchildren? Thank you!

I feel like having a fell bent pieces gives it character

So funny thing rotating bearing caps and fans have been in the o scale market for years. Also Over in the land of o we have a boat load of extra features mainly smoke lights etc and o scale trains are much less likely to derail due to their weight

Most modelers who have been at it for awhile dabble in different scales and that opens a whole new can of worms.

dude the rail runner was my most favorite train when I was like 3 years old.

One thing id like to add is the 3 foot rule. If you cant see it from 3 feet away those details dont mater as much. I say that as a fine scale modeler. Dont get me wrong I love seeing fine details up close, but as someone who models Japanese late steam, and theres not always good options for a lot of stuff Id want, sometimea you gota think about what you can and cant see at speed on a layout

Did you fix your csx ditch lights? I know that 777 had a broken ditch light and thats similar

I found that cleaning the wheels of the loco is at least as important as cleaning the track.

I learned that I always caused a similar derailment to East Palestine everytime I go full speed on my curves

Ok, so... prop 65 and model trains... in this case, it's due to the heavy metals in the frames and the lubricants used in the bearings and gearboxes. None of which should be of much concern, but it's listed because prop-65 is an extremely broad-reaching law that was originally created to protect people from particularly toxic chemicals but is now just used to bully small businesses.

@CraftyFox can you tell me where you got the containers that open?

bro this guy was my childhood for his minecraft train tutorials on minecraft

Do model trains even have brass or styrene cause I’ve never encountered this unless it’s a Bachmann thing or something

At 4:30: I get the same thing with my Hornby 00/HO scale "Flying Scotsman" with a detachable tender. Anyone got a good fix?

Lombard hobbies is the best

6:27 unstoppable

FYI Prop 65 warnings is based on a list of chemicals that were proposed for testing for cancer causation. In other words, any chemical that has ever been suspected. As you can imagine, this means the list is almost entirely composed of materials that do not cause cancer. :D Isn't California greeaat?

The Acela is made to coupled to another Acela that is why it is so high when you had it being pulled by a diesel electric locomotive

I definitely no stranger to buying the wrong model and it's always the scenario of comparing the model to what I'm looking for and realizing I bought the wrong type. It's so damn annoying and now I have to sell it off to regain my losses. The fact that model railways is a very small market (particularly OO) where I live makes it more difficult for people to be interested

The very first one about just because it’s on a siding it’s safe is because it is in what is called the dynamic envelope which is the distance around the track needed for that turn or straight if something is in it the Tran will hit it

You should run all of your train cars that you have in a video

I learned the hard way to nail down track, because I had a sd70mac that flew off my table and broke.

Control stand? That's an electronic handbrake that you showed in the video

As a Novice to this whole Model Trains game is , #1 if you want to go with HO and larger you need a whole lot of space ! #2 A train set on its own does nothing for me . Its how you set up your Diorama setting to go with the train , to tell your story , #3 I still dont know after lots of research , which train brand is the best in the long run and if all HO train sets are compatible ? #4 It seems you need to be a part time electrician to wire your set up ? Please enlighten me ?

is it common for a new locomotive to have defects? i just got my first engine with no track to test it on and i am worried that it has a defect that i won’t know about until i run it for the first time. would athearn be willing to fix even a few months/years later?

The pipe that is on all this American cuplers like the Kadee, that can come in contact with tracks etc…..canyon just cut it with a sidecutter? Or a at least make it shorter? In Europe we don’t use them.

For crafty or anyone who knows where did you buy your NS engines from

8:29 The website below is blocked by Windows defender because the website might be harmful or malicious or self-harm and endpoint antivirus would also block it if there's a computer virus and it would say the access to this website has been blocked your computer is safe now

The only thing I learned about model trains are the sized between HO & N scale…

The msrp part made my laugh cause if you buy directly form Lionel you will pay their price, all ways go to a trusted retailer.