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Model Railroads/Questions Answered by Expert Chris Coscia
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Bachmann electric train Ho Sacle | 2/7/2012 |
| Q: I inherited a Bachmann Electric Train Ho Scale from my great grandpa. It is an engine but i am not ... A: You have a model of a diesl EMD F-7 in Santa Fe Railroad scheme. Sadly these have little to no value ... | |
| running consists without dcc | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: Chris, Is it possible to run multiple HO locomotives pulling the same train without having DCC? ... A: The only bad thing that will happen is if the locos run different speeds at the same voltage applied ... | |
| Dcc wireing | 1/1/2012 |
| Q: I just bought a bunch of dc track for my o 27 layout I am going to build and was wondering if you ... A: First, please check with your DCC system manufacturer as to whether or not they allow common return ... | |
| Bachmann suwannee river special | 11/26/2011 |
| Q: My later father-in-law was retired from Southern aka NorfolkSouthern. Going through his estate, my ... A: When discussing model trains, please all provide the scale, HO, G, N, etc. you are inquiring about. ... | |
| Question about 027 track | 10/17/2011 |
| Q: If I understand correctly, 027 track is track designed to create a 27" circle when curve tracks are ... A: This track is O-gauge (1:48 scale), three rail, meaning power is picked up using AC current from the ... | |
| 1978-1979 AHM Complete Ready to Run Set | 8/18/2011 |
| Q: I have the above referenced set. It is in the original packaging, purchased at Two Guys Department ... A: I would suspect if the set is new and not opened you might be able to value the set at $100 to $150 ... | |
| Varney ho trains | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: Needing Help?I have been searching for some information on a collection of over 30 Varney trains ... A: Brock, Without seeing what you have, I have no way to offer you values. I need to see the items, ... | |
| cast iron engine shell | 5/5/2011 |
| Q: Want to say thank you again for the Rivarossi train info. Here is another train that is stumping me ... A: You have the shell of an American Flyer "Atlantic" 4-4-2 loco. This is an S scale loco. I have ... | |
| ID a train | 5/2/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to ID a train, 10" long, 1 1/4"wide and 2" high. The wheel base is 9/16" (inside wheel ... A: It appears you have a Rivarossi or some sort of early 1960s to 1970s built "streamline" passenger ... | |
| yards | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: how close can you get tracks, side by side, in a working HO freight yard?? A: For HO track you can use 2-1/4" spacing (as measured from centerline to centerline of the tracks) ... | |
| 2 x mint condition model trains | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: my name is Daniel and I was hoping you could kindly advise me on two model trains my wife and I have ... A: Your items are certainly collectible. I would start to search eBay for value as I am certain these ... | |
| Locomotive power question | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: I have two Walthers Heavyweights Pullman cars. My current engine can't pull both of them at once. ... A: The Walthers Trainline loco is of lesser quality then the Proto 2000 loco but both are equally up to ... | |
| Belle of th 80's | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: My Great Uncle left me a sizeable collection of train engines, boxcars,tankers etc. After having ... A: I would hope you would not take the whole collection and try to sell it at a garage sale. You will ... | |
| model train outside? | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I had a model train when I was a child and kept it into my teens, but when my parents downsized ... A: I live in the frigid northwest where temperatures well below freezing are common. I would not ... | |
| HO Sets | 12/2/2010 |
| Q: I have an older Super-O Gauge Lionel set from 1963 with the 736 Berkshire etc. It's under the tree ... A: I recommend you visit a real full fledged model railroad store if you have on you can get to. Not a ... | |
| louis and marxs train set | 11/16/2010 |
| Q: i have a 1957-1958 louis and marxs army green train set. its in the original box and has all the ... A: Your set is fairly common. Without seeing pictures of the condition, knowing whether you have ... | |
| Train | 9/21/2010 |
| Q: I have an older Lionel set from I want to say the early 60's. I have the 736 engine with the ... A: Here is a link that discusses your loco: http://www.postwarlionel.com/cgi-bin/postwar?ITEM=736 It ... | |
| athern ho car kit rdc-2a | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: you might be able to help me ive just been given a model railway diesel car it looks like it came ... A: I would need a lot more information regarding what the problem is with the RDC-2. You say it is not ... | |
| value of ho guage train I have had since mid 60's | 9/2/2010 |
| Q: I have had this train since I was a teen,I am 61 now,,it sits as a nice display in my living rm. but ... A: Your train set was probably made in Yugoslavia where labor was cheap at the time. These sets were ... | |
| Bachman n scale issue with track power | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: We are brand new to electric trains so we purchased a complete Bachmann n scale train set with e-z ... A: The more track you add to your layout, the more locations power needs to be attached to the track. ... | |
| Train set | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: I want to get my son his first electric train set. I was leaning towards the Lionel Polar Express O ... A: Not knowing the age of your son, I will recall my own childhood experience. Passenger trains are ... | |
| Tyco track | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I've been modelling railways since I was a kid (I'm now in my late 20's) in the UK. I've recently ... A: Tyco track is code 100 so almost any manufacturer's code 100 track would interchange. I am not ... | |
| 4-12-2 Key 9000 type | 6/8/2010 |
| Q: Chris, I am trying to find out the minimum turning radius for a Key 4-12-2 UP type locomotive which ... A: The minimum radius for your engine is 36-inches. It might take tighter but could be prone to ... | |
| Turn-outs on DCC railroad | 6/4/2010 |
| Q: I am constructing a HO scale model RR and am wondering if there is a such thing as a "DCC friendly" ... A: Most of today's turnouts are now DCC friendly. I prefer the Peco Code 83 Insulfrog turnouts for my ... | |
| 4-6-2 | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: I have a 4-6-2 Fla. East Coast Line eng. I need the b side rails that cononet the vthree large ... A: Try contacting IHC. They were the importer of these locos, made my Mehano in Slovenia and formerly ... | |
| central valley trucks corrosion | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: I have a large amount of central valley and other trucks from a hobby shop that closed in ~1997-8. ... A: I have had the same problem occur to my Central Valley trucks and brass locos. I use a small Dremel ... | |
| bachmann tgv traction tyres or not? | 5/6/2010 |
| Q: I have just purchased an n guage bachmann (orange)tgv model number 51-4002. The problem i have is ... A: If one of the wheels is grooved for a traction tire and it appears missing, I would suggest you ... | |
| Distler Toy Train Set | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: I,m hoping you can tell me the value and anything else about this item. I've attached some pics. ... A: Distler was a famous clockworks toy manufacturer after WWI. They made wind up cars, trains, planes ... | |
| n gauge loco problems | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: On my fairly new layout, some (Atlas)locos hardly run, one Minitrix steam that starts/slows down the ... A: All I can suggest is that there is a lack of continuity in the power to the track. Maybe you do not ... | |
| Athearn Gen Bigboy wiring digram | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: Chris, I am repairing a Gen. Bigboy wiring from the plug into the tender to the locomotive. I think ... A: I recommend you contact Athearn directly. You would need the wiring diagram from them to determine ... | |
| estimate | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: i needed pro. help. can you help me estimate how much all of this is worth? i have had a long set of ... A: Bachmann train set items have little to no value. These generally perform poorly and the serious ... | |
| n guage train engines,,cleaning???? | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: Can I use alcohol....turning the engine upside down..then applying power to make the wheels spin my ... A: Although not my favorite method, you can use alcohol. But be careful not to spill any on plastic or ... | |
| loco does not run smooth | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a new MANTUA 2662T articulated logger-flywheel drive.Programed and ready to run. The first ... A: It sounds like the Mantua 2-6-6-2T needs some cleaning and lube. I would guess that the wheels and ... | |
| RE: Bachmann N-Scale TGV | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: Hey Chris, When Bachmann was an American company, they had some known issues with the plastic gears ... A: The only way to could resolve this is to measure the gears and order replacements from Northwest ... | |
| Brakeman Hat | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me. I have researched to no avail. I'm trying to find out more about a ... A: Well I must admit you have me stumped. I am more of a railroad equipment person rather then hats. ... | |
| Brakeman Hat | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me. I have researched to no avail. I'm trying to find out more about a ... A: I would need a picture or 2 of the hat to make a firm evaluation. But from what you described you ... | |
| Marklin Central Station | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a Marklin 60212 which is hung up. Do you know if there is a way to reset this unit? Thanks, ... A: You have given me very little to go on here. Hung up how? Here are a few Marklin links to look ... | |
| Hornby Dublo | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to fix up my father's old train set that won't run, it is a Hornby Dublo train set, but ... A: Meccano introduced its 00 gauge trains in 1938 under the name 'Hornby Dublo'. The locomotives were ... | |
| Laying track | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: I am in the process of laying HO scale Atlas code 83 track on to the cork type of roadbed. I am ... A: I like straight old carpenter's glue for holding down the cork roadbed to the layout base and the ... | |
| painting | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: can the humbrol railpaint be applied to rolling stock without primer? thx charles A: Almost all paints need a primer to help adhere it better. Primer is designed to a particular type ... | |
| Follow-up Email on N Scale Passenger Cars | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: Chris, Thanks for your response to my email. The two N scale vintage passenger cars, M1600, Lone ... A: You sure stumped me on this and I did some deep research on what you have. These are die-cast cars ... | |
| Lionel 2315W Set | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: Could you tell me estimated value of a Lionel 2513W set? It is complete with all cartons, boxes, ... A: One sold at auction in January 2009 for $680.00. Based on that price, I may have been a bit low but ... | |
| Lionel 2315W Set | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: Could you tell me estimated value of a Lionel 2513W set? It is complete with all cartons, boxes, ... A: A 1958 Lionel #2513W Virginian Rectifier Super O Freight Set with boxes as you describe should be ... | |
| Rivarossi Passenger car trucks/couplers | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: I have 3 beautiful Rivarossi pass cars purchased in the 70s.They have been Packed away since 1980. I ... A: Bethlehem Car Works makes a truck as you described. ... | |
| ho engine upkeep | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: I just bought an ho engine and tender on ebay that runs slowly. It is an old brass engine and has ... A: Like anything mechanical, a brass steam loco needs periodic maintenance and servicing. However, I ... | |
| Triang (England) coupler conversion | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a passenger car manufactured by Triang and want to convert it to Kadee type knuckle couplers ... A: Kadee makes numerous offset shank couplers and I am sure there is one that is a close fit to get the ... | |
| HO engine/tender made in Slovenia | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I just purchased this used train engine (needs cleaning) and cars from an antique store and didn't ... A: You have a Mehano produced "2-6-0 mogul locomotive". These are fairly common and command no value. ... | |
| Replacement for HO Tyco Track | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: I received an HO train set (Tyco "Spirit of '76") when I was a kid. (Mid '70s) I am now in middle ... A: Save all the Tyco track for the "train set" value. But what you will want to use now is the track ... | |
| Wiring Bachmann Roadbed Track | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you can wire feeders from the bus to the grey road bed Bachmann track, without ... A: You can solder the wires to the rail joiners and drill a small hole in the road bed next to each ... | |
| Train Repair | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: How do I replace the light bulbs in my O Gauge Lionel Southern Crescent Limited Passenger Car? I am ... A: Your Lionel passenger cars are considered "heavyweight" cars. I have enclosed a link for you from ... | |
| remoter and replacement parts | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I have 10 forty year old Riverossi loco that I had stored now I an going DCC new layout all noters ... A: Yes there are many sources for 5-pole can motors of different sizes that are more or less a ... | |
| My o scale engine | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: about a month ago my son was driving his Marx. When his sister tried to put it up and she dropped it ... A: I do not see an easy way to repair this that will perform reliably. You might consider carefully ... | |
| Lionel 1033 transformer | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: On a Lionel 1033 xfrmr, which of the four terminals is the ground and what are the voltages on the ... A: Look at the name plate and you will see between the post what volts you will get if you use them. ... | |
| Lionel Train identification | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a relatively old Lionel O Gage train (1940/1950ish). The coal car wheel assembly has broken ... A: I Googled Lionel and the road number of each loco as the road number is also the part number and ... | |
| rust on metal | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: i have a 9 year old Athearn layout and I am starting to notice a lot of rust on the locomotive and ... A: Sadly, there is no way to remove the rust easily without lightly sanding the effected areas as ... | |
| Additional Lock-On | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: I recently added another 0 gauge train, running on it's own 0-27 track, to my Christmas scene. It is ... A: Yes, the wires go from the power supply to each Lock-on and not daisy chained to each Lock-on. So ... | |
| Additional Lock-On | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: I recently added another 0 gauge train, running on it's own 0-27 track, to my Christmas scene. It is ... A: A second lock on at the farther end opposite the lock on you have will provide better electrical ... | |
| Value of Marx O/O27 Diesel Switcher | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: Chris, I have a Marx #1998 O/O27 Switcher that is molded in maroon w/Santa Fe markings and I ... A: There are a few of these on eBay and they are closing soon. Looks to be in the $15-$20 range. I ... | |
| Marklin 2902 | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a Marklin 2902 set in box that is stamped 1998 is this a collectible piece? Thanks I can not ... A: There is a Marklin 2902 set on eBay right now: http://tinyurl.com/ycs6buk Although this set is from ... | |
| Lionel | 11/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a 60+ year old Lionel train set. It is in close to mint condition. Last Christmas my father ... A: The modern ZW transformer is made to current UL specs so one would anticipate it to be safer and not ... | |
| Train value | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a new, un opened, in box, Tyco, Bi-centennial single track HO train set. It is the 40" x87" ... A: These sets un-opened seem to currently go for around $110 to $160 on eBay. Many people purchased ... | |
| New Bright Santaland & 2-6-2 #3750 Steam Engines | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: Chris. How can I determine the value of a New Bright train set, if any? I actually have two items, ... A: Unfortunately, as you surmised, these trains are mass produced toys that have little collector ... | |
| bachmann gandy dancer ho | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: i have just bought this when i put it on the track smouldering and smoke came from one brush and it ... A: Provided your power source is 12 volts and only putting out a few amps, all should be fine. I ... | |
| Athearn valuations please | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I am a real railroader and don't care much for the model railroads. I received some HO scale Athearn ... A: There is no hard fast value for these as they do not come up on the market. The models themselves ... | |
| Valuation for Lionel Train | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a Lionel .027, HO, super 'O' train set that was produced from 1957-about 1966. It includes ... A: It is hard to value these without reviewing them as wear is a major factor on these including the ... | |
| Lionel 444M Transfomotor | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a Lionel 444M Transfomotor. I have been unable to find any info on this unit. It is a plug in ... A: As with anything else, price is based on condition and originality as well as the Lionel box ... | |
| Repair of Lionel 2046 Steam Engine | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: My Lionel engine worked fine last night, then slowed, then stopped, started up again for a short ... A: There are several good books out there on repairing Lionel locomotives. Greenberg's "Repair and ... | |
| Walthers value | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: My father passed away this past June. He was a model railroader. We are working on selling off his ... A: I have seen these go for around $25 each on eBay. I would suggest taking several good pictures and ... | |
| Repair of Lionel 2046 Steam Engine | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: My Lionel engine worked fine last night, then slowed, then stopped, started up again for a short ... A: How is the track and wheels? This sounds like dirty track and/or wheels. Do not swap the wires. ... | |
| Loinel 027 motor direction switch | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a post WW 2 027 Lionel that I received one Christmas in the early 50's. It hasn't been used ... A: You will need to obtain a wiring diagram for your specific loco. I assume it is a common 2-4-2 loco ... | |
| Decoder wiring diagram for Bachman g gauge 1. | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: I have 2 Bachmann Spectrum Baldwin 4-4-0 engines G gauge(1) which I want to convert to DCC using ... A: I am surprised you cannot contact Bachmann regarding their wiring diagrams. Remember in DCC you ... | |
| Regarding Lionel Power Pack | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: Question. My dad dies and left me a box of "O " gauge trains. Looks to be from the 1960s. In ... A: If the power cord is not damaged or frayed and everything looks in good shape, and their is no ... | |
| lionel train | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a friend with a 8040 Wabash cannon ball still in orig.box.from 1972.was wondering if i could ... A: The Lionel trains of the 1970s are plastic versus the vintage cast metal trains that collectors seek ... | |
| are american flyer full sets, in good shape, worth some good money? | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: I have, but do not know enough about, three sets , with tracks, cars, keys, everything, complete ... A: I recommend you pick up a copy of Greenberg's "American Flyer Pocket Price Guide, 1946 - 2009" by ... | |
| Identifying model RR which I have | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: Underneath it says "Riverzosi - Made in Italy" The engine/cab part is 7" (#1396 lettered on it)and ... A: Does this look like your engine? ... | |
| AHM Train Set | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a AHM train set, the set has never been opened. on the box it says HO Scale twin FM & 5 cars. ... A: Your train set was sold at the discount stores during the holidays in the 1970s. Stores like Woolco ... | |
| Dummy engine | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: I'm a complete novice. My kids picked up an 10 yr old HO train set that was missing one engine and ... A: I would have to see a picture or two of what you are trying to describe. I have never heard of a ... | |
| Locomotive Wheel Corrosion | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I have been experiencing some significant problems with locomotive wheel corrosion on some Broadway ... A: It may very well be a poor wheel batch. You should send pictures of all your wheel sets to BLI. ... | |
| Locomotive Wheel Corrosion | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I have been experiencing some significant problems with locomotive wheel corrosion on some Broadway ... A: I must admit I have never seen corrosion like that on any locomotive wheel sets. The green colored ... | |
| Usable voltage range D.C. motor | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I would like to add transformer to my layout(Vintage Tri-ang).Original transformer output 14V DC ... A: Are you using a home made transformer or an off the shelf transformer from a hobby store made for ... | |
| Bachmann Ho Scale TGV model train set | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I recently received a HO Scale Bachmann TGV train set, item no. on the box is 40-0150. It looks to ... A: Many people have seen how older Lionel (O-scale) items hold some value and assume HO scale items ... | |
Model Railroads
Chris Coscia
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am happy to answer all types of model railroading questions. My specialties are DCC, modeling tips, valuation tips, brass trains, operations, and railroadiana. My emphasis in modeling is western railroading (SP, UP, WP, PE, etc.) but I can help with all areas. I am a lifetime model railroader and a model train business owner. I am NOT an expert on Lionel, Marx, American Flyer, and older tintype trains. I know some values for these but cannot diagnose operational problems via this service. Usually these trains need to be seen in person for servicing. Old plastic HO trains have little value. These are not like Lionel and generally have little value because they are not as well made as modern HO locos.
Experience
I have 27 years in the model train and railroading hobby and have a large network of specialty contacts.
Education/Credentials
Business
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