I've had reason of late to take a couple of HO locos (one all DC, the other DCC-ready) for my DC layout to my local hobby shop for repair. Fortunately, it employs two knowledgeable modelers who can handle just about any DC and DCC problems. Subsequently, I began searching on the internet for do-it-yourself books, which I've found to be essentially non-existent. I've also never seen one in any hobby shop. Cody Grivno's 2017 publication, "Beginner's Guide to Locomotives and Rolling Stock" is a good survey of its titular topic, though it devotes but one chapter to very generic maintenance and repair issues. A good start, but... So just why are there no books with detailed instructions for the layman to learn and practice these skills for model railroading? Rolling stock repair is, of course, much simpler, but the wiring, decoder, lighting, electrical, etc. intricacies inherent with locos present more complex problems. Are the various manufacturers' locos just so different - or even proprietary - as to make such a publication impractical? Decades ago, I taught myself bicycle repair by reading a couple of detailed books on the subject. And as much as bicycle component technology has evolved since then, a book published in the early 1970s and another in the early 2000 are all I need. Without a repair manual in hand, I shy away from trial and error with such pricey equipment as locomotives. And with far fewer brick and mortar hobby shops around today, it can't be just to keep a few in-house technicians busy. Any relevant insights appreciated. Better still, who wants to be the first to write one?!
And Kalmbach, are you out there - along with your wide variety and number of books on just about every other model railroad topic?
Kerry
Well, Kalmbach did have such a book and it was specific to scale model trains (they have or had one for toy trains as well). If it sold well I suspect they'd still have it, or update it.
https://www.amazon.com/Maintaining-Repairing-Scale-Trains-Railroader/dp/0890243247
But remember it is a huge topic. Knowing how to repair a 1970s Athearn blue box diesel is of limited help when the engine at hand is a similar vintage Mantua, or today's Broadway Limited steam locomotive, or Maerklin electric, or for that matter even a 2017 Athearn diesel. And that is just talking HO. And saying nothing about brass.
I have not bought new motive power in years - so I have no idea if they come with exploded diagrams showings parts numbers and such. Back in the day you could learn by doing with Mantua/Tyco and Athearn and similar brands. I have seen a few YouTube tutorials for toy trains and perhaps there are some for scale model train repairs as well.
Today's stuff is such a maze of wires and circuit boards and such that I wouldn't want to improvise a repair based on my knowledge of how trains from a generation ago can be fixed. So I see the need but wonder if anybody is really in a position to meet it.
Dave Nelson
The Jim Volhard book was very useful for me. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in the topic, especially for those who are into steam engines (that are more delicate and complex). However, Dave Nelson has a good point about the variety of engines and situations out there. Volhard's book covers the basics, and focusses on mechanical issues (vs. DCC issues for example).
I find that searches on this forum and the Internet in general are essential in many cases. However, I always prefer to start with a book, with reliable information, when I embark into an entirely new aspect of the hobby.
Simon
Some manufacturers provide diagrams on their web site. You can find some older ones on the HOSeeker site.
Since your hesitant about this I recommend you buy a couple of junkers at a train show to practice on - repair, add DCC, sound, etc.
Good luck
Paul
DCC Projects and Applications Vol 1-2:
https://www.amazon.com/DCC-Projects-Applications-Mike-Polsgrove/dp/0890247749
Vol 3
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12486
DCC guide:
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12488
Dave,
Many thanks for that Kalmbach title - just the kind of book I'm looking for, even if a bit dated. I've never seen it in a hobby shop or on the internet, including a broad search on Amazon recently. It must have been hiding behind the first dozen pages I perused before giving up.
I'm with you, Simon. I too prefer to have a book in-hand. If I need more later, I can hop onto the internet to look for a good video.
Thanks for that site link, Paul. I recently stumbled upon it and need to explore it in more depth.
Good books for those who operate in DCC. My layout, however, is DC.
BMMECNYC DCC Projects and Applications Vol 1-2: https://www.amazon.com/DCC-Projects-Applications-Mike-Polsgrove/dp/0890247749 Vol 3 https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12486 DCC guide: https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12488
These books give you the basics of how DCC works (last one is pretty good for that). Same concepts apply for DC..
You will need a good multivolt meter, I prefer ones that give you an audible "beep" when you have it set to continunity (ohms) and touch the probes together.
A familiarity with how electricity works is good to have, as well as decent basic mechanical skills.
BLI and MTH use proprietary decoders with their own connection methods. Decoder manufacturers make 8, 9 or 21 pin decoders, or direct board replacements or hardwire decoders (which can either be a decoder with a harness or a decoder with wires mounted directly to the board).
Each manufacturer is slightly different (read the instructions, either included or online).
Athearn typically includes an exploded parts diagram or two with their locomotives, as do several other manufacturers. (Athearn Gensis comes with a 20ish page booklet).
The basic mechanical concepts are all the same. Parts are held together with plastic clips or screws. Typically access to the inside of a model can be had by removing the coupler boxes, and sometimes other screws. If you cant figure it out, ask the internet about how to get inside the locomotive. Some Atlas locomotives are especially tricky (GP40-2).
Don't over lubricate (I am convinced that some manufacturers dont get this concept...), grease or oil should not be dripping or oozing out of your model... I cant count how many times Ive disassembled a new in box locomotive to remove excess lubricant (it all comes off and gets replaced with Labelle products as appropriate).
Dont force things....If you find yourself forcing things, chances are you might be doing it wrong (unless it was designed that way).. again the internet knows.
Opinion part...
Contributing reasons why there is no comprehensive book out there for maintenance is
1) the variety of internal configurations
2) proprietary wiring
3) most manufacturers (not all) have in house service people and they would prefer that if you are going to send something in, that you haven't already broken it more
4) fewer and fewer DIY people in the hobby, more RTR types and of those DIY types, many would just look on the internet instead of buying a book.
While I agree with the idea of having a book (or instructions) in-hand, there's lots of knowledge available on forums like this...all ya gotta do is ask.
Wayne
Wayne,
A bonus indeed!
GNMT76 Good books for those who operate in DCC. My layout, however, is DC.
Sorry about all the DCC tips, misread your initial post and then lost power for two days....
Man! How many times have I heard that one before?! Lost power indeed!
GNMT76 Man! How many times have I heard that one before?! Lost power indeed!
http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-news-connecticut-power-outages-20171031-story.html
Worst part is they spent all summer trimming trees out of the power lines.
I'm from the DC area, now living temporarily in MT, and sure miss all those leafy shade trees and real rain storms. But certainly not the power outages. Out here, the rain doesn't much fall and the forests burn. Nasty stuff.
David, welcome to MT! It’s a great state, I really like living here and have been here 25 years. Trains and fly fishing, the 2 best past times in the world and MT is great for both.
Srwill2,
Thank you for the warm welcome!
Glad to be of help, David. That's what the Forums are for.
I'm learning some good basics from the book, though the author leaves out of the photos and graphics a number of loco parts referenced in the text. It's helpful, after all, to know what you're looking at! Should you come across another similar title for DC - maybe updated or a little more detailed - I'd appreciate hearing from you.
dknelson Glad to be of help, David. That's what the Forums are for. Dave Nelson