Check out the recap of our monthly Track Talk Live with model railroad experts and long-time train enthusiasts Steve Doyle and Doug Hodgdon. Steve and Doug answer your model railroad questions live on the air in this fun, interactive, and informative Q&A.
Feel free to submit questions live during the broadcast by writing in the comment box below!

There are lots of videos and books about track planning and about building benchwork. But how do I transfer a track plan to plywood/MDF sheets to cut out the sub-roadbed to match the positions of my L-girder risers? It’s pretty expensive to cut a sheet and find the curves don’t match my risers, then have to do it again (and again and…). Alternatively, the sub-roadbed will be much weaker and take a LOT more time if I have to cut each piece between risers individually. HELP!
I want to modify the arrangement of domes and bell on a die cast O gauge Williams by Bachman 4-6-0 steam loco. The die cast boiler shell is practically indestructible. How would you recommend doing this?
Electro frogs vs non electro frog turnouts for DCC. I’m building a new layout. What are the pros and cons?
I was hoping model railroad academy would be first to a full review of HO Intermodal
nobody else has ever done this it would be great if this can be done
kind regards
Teady HO Intermodal
TRRJOHN of the Timber River Railway is aboard.
I model N scale, and after many years still consider myself a beginner. I recently ballasted my layout. Although the final result is acceptable, it took a long time to get it “right”, even when using a ballast spreader. I’m wondering if other modelers view ballasting as difficult or is it just me.
I have flat plywood for my layout top. What are some good methods to get terrain elevation and variations? I’m not trying to get too steep of a grade over short distances. If I used pink foam board, what are good methods of tapering it to slope gradually?
I enjoy your efforts and comments.
Enjoy the live talks.
Are there any new developments in model railroading that you’re excited about?
sorry I am late just finished dinner with friends.
need help making compromise joints between different size rail, code 125 and 100.
Thanks that was a fast answer, I will try it in the AM. Pete
ok
Why does my dcc engine suddenly have a brief burst of speed? 3 rail O gauge MTH Commander base unit as controller.
Hi Brent. Firstly, I would make sure that your track is clean and that you have adequate track feeds. There could be a loose connection inside the locomotive or as a last resort, your decoder may need to be reprogrammed or replaced.
video was extremely poor quality. I would not put it out there for the world to see if I couldn’t do better than that.
Hi Steve. Thank you for your feedback. I will forward this on to the proper department. We appreciate your comments.
I’m new my space is 16 x 16 I have been purchasing a lot of O gauge trains and track and I want the two outside tracks to go around the double U shape I haven’t built the tables yet and I have no clue what the heck I’m doing Can you help?? I also have a turn table and a round house for 5 to 8 engines that I want to use.
Hi Steven. I would need more information, but to get a decent curve radius, you will probably need to do an around the wall layout.
Live long N-scale. Had stroke 3 years ago while starting a new layout.
I’m a new member and I have a question on ElectroFrog wiring. I’ve followed the directions I found In Model Railroad but I have a section of the turnout which is electrically dead. I think I need to solder in wiring across a gap in the frog but hate to wreck a good turnout if I’m wrong. I have a photo I can submit to show the problem. How would I get someone to answer me?
I was able to resolve my wiring issue. Hope I didn’t cause a problem. Please close my ticket