Edition:
1st
Author:
Jim Volhard
Publisher:
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Published:
1999
ISBN:
0-89024-324-7
Pages:
80
Type:
softbound
This book describes in great detail all the work that can be done to locomotives, rolling stock, track, and the overall layout to keep it all in excellent condition. Probably targeted at the beginner model railroader, the book offers a lot of tips and tricks for the advanced modeler also. Its greatest strengths are the sections on maintaining and repairing engines and rolling stock.
Chapter
Page
Title / Description
1
5
Tools and Techniques
Covers setting up a work area, lists essential tools and supplies, and describes basic techniques (such as filing, soldering, etc.) needed to do the work described in this book.
2
11
Maintaining and Repairing Diesel Locomotives
Describes and labels the exterior and interior parts of diesel locomotives, covers how to disassemble the engines, how the electronics is put together, how to bring wheels back into gauge, how to upgrade and check couplers, how to clean wheels, how and where to lubricate the engines, how to pre-wear-out gears, how to spot gear problems, how to clean the actual motor, upgrading wheels and installing traction tires, and how to do electrical and mechanical repairs on the engines. Note that the text covers both HO and N-scale engines.
3
29
Maintaining and Repairing Steam Locomotives
Describes and labels the exterior and interior parts of steam locomotives, covers how to disassemble the engines, how to quarter the wheels, how to bring wheels back into gauge, how to upgrade and check couplers, how to clean wheels, how and where to lubricate the engines, how to spot gear problems, and how to do electrical and mechanical repairs on the engines. There is also a section on how to cosmetically clean the engine.
4
43
Maintaining and Repairing Rolling Stock
Describes the basic parts that make up a typical car, how to bring wheels back into gauge, how to upgrade snap-on type trucks, how to set up the three-point suspension for better performance, checking and upgrading couplers, how to raise coupler height, adjusting the Kadee trip pin, how to properly weight a car to NMRA specs, and how to keep the wheels clean (discusses the difference between metal and plastic wheels). Concludes with a section on how to have body-mounted couplers while still being able to negotiate the tight curves on layouts. Covers both HO and N-scale rolling stock.
5
61
Maintaining and Repairing Your Layout
Keeping the layout and track clean. The best way to use clipper oil on track. adjusting trackwork and fine-tuning turnouts, dealing with switch machines, and repairing worn-out plastic frogs on turnouts. Also covers repairing solenoid-type switch machines and replacing layout wiring.