FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

H&R Trains is located on the central west coast of Florida in the Tampa -St. Petersburg area. We are on an acre of land at the corner of US Highway 19 North and Haines Road in Pinellas Park, Florida. We are easily accessible from all Florida west coast locations. Just 15 minutes from the Tampa airport, 15 minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, and only one hour west of Walt Disney World.

Driving directions from Florida east coast or central Florida locations. Take Interstate (4) west bound from Datona Beach or Orlando area.Upon reaching Tampa join Interstate (275) west bound towards St. Petersburg. After crossing Tampa bay on the long bridge watch for exit #15 (Gandy Blvd.) exit towards Pinellas Park westbound on Gandy Blvd. Go about one mile and Exit Gandy Blvd from the right lane at U.S. Highway 19 (just before the overpass). Turn left under the overpass (South Bound) onto U.S. U.S. 19. Turn left at the next traffic light (70 th. Ave. N.). Go to the Stop sign and turn right on (34th. St. N.) We are about 200 ft. on the right . You will be entering our parking lot at the rear of our store.

Driving directions from south Florida locations. From Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Take Interstate (75) west across Alligator Alley, and north from Naples, Ft. Myers, Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton. after passing Bradenton watch for Interstate (275) towards St. Petersburg. Join Interstate (275) and continue over the Sunshine Skyway bridge to St. Petersburg. After passing downtown St. Petersburg, and the Tropicana Field Baseball dome, Watch for exit 14B and exit westbound on (54th Ave. N.) go to the second traffic light and turn right on (Haines Rd.) After passing two traffic lights at 28th. St., and 62Nd. Av. N. we are on the right about one half mile past 62nd. Ave. just before Haines Rd. joins U.S. Highway 19

From Pensacola and Tallahassee, go east on Interstate (10) to Interstate (75) and go south.

From Interstate (!0) go south on Interstate (75). Just North of Tampa Join Interstate (275) south For Tampa and St. Petersburg. After crossing Tampa Bay on the long bridge watch for exit #15 (Gandy Blvd.) exit towards Pinellas Park westbound on Gandy Blvd, go about one mile and exit Gandy Blvd from the right lane at U.S. Highway 19 (just before the overpass). Turn left under the overpass (south bound) onto U.S. Highway 19. Turn left at the next traffic light (70th. Ave. N.), go to the stop sign and turn right on (34th. St. N.). We are about 200 ft. on the right . You will be entering our parking lot at the rear of our store.

These two terms can be confusing to a new model railroader, but there is a difference, and it is quite simple.

Gauge – The distance between the inside edges of the rail heads. Most real railroads in North America and Europe are built to a standard gauge of 4’- 8 1/2" . Narrow gauge means rails with a width less than standard gauge.

What size transformer or power supply do I need ?

The main purpose of your power supply is to run your trains. To run your train your power supply must supply energy for your locomotive, smoke unit, sound system , and any lighted cars. You may also need power for accessories like switches, street lights, building and house lighting or any other accessories.

Your TOTAL POWER REQUIREMENTS depends upon the number of locomotives or motors, and ALL OTHER items that require electricity. The length of the track is not a factor. Supplying adequate power to large layouts is a matter of wiring for even power distribution.

The power supplies included with starter sets are adequate to run only the included locomotive. If you plan to add additional locomotives and or accessories a more powerful transformer or power supply will be necessary.

How many cars will my locomotive pull?

Let us look at the factors that determine the length of the train you can run on your layout:

THE DRAWBAR PULL, or traction, of your locomotive is affected by its weight, contact with the rail, traction tires, motor and the power available. This pulling power is measured in pounds and ounces at the rear coupler or drawbar of your locomotive.

DRAG OF YOUR CARS depends on the number of axles, lubrication of the bearings and if there are track pickups on any of the wheels. The weight of the car is also a factor.

RADIUS OF THE TRACK CURVES is an important factor. The smaller the radius the more the drag. A reverse curve, without a straight line between, causes even more drag. Clean track reduces drag on curves.

GRADE OF THE TRACK makes a great difference. Grade is the ratio of distance forward compared to the change in height. A forward travel of 100 inches with a rise of one inch is a 1% grade. Two inches-2%, three inches-3%, four inches-4%. 4% is usually the steepest grade recommended for model railroading. From our experience with garden railroads, we recommend a grade not to exceed 2% for an Outdoor Garden Railroad.

As you can see there are a number of factors that determine the number of cars that can be pulled. The longest trains can be operated on clean track that is level and has gentle curves. The locomotive should be heavy and have adequate power available.

Keep your locomotive’s wheels clean, traction tires clean, bearings lubricated (including side rod linkage on steam) and have the motor checked regularly. Rolling stock should have clean wheels and lubricated bearings. Couplers should move freely to maintain alignment.

Why do I need to clean my track?

Your train picks up its power from the track through its wheels. If the track is dirty or covered with oxidation, rust, industrial pollution or other foreign substances, the wheels are unable to get a good electrical connection and your train will not run well.

How do I clean my track?

There are several methods of cleaning track but generally it is best to use the least abrasive method that will do the job. If you rub the top of the rails with smoke fluid, alcohol, or a liquid track cleaner on an old soft rag, that will usually do the job.

In extreme cases where you need to remove rust or heavy oxidation you can use a bright boy or track cleaning block . These blocks are made with various amounts of abrasive material imbedded in the rubber block. They tend to polish the rail which removing the oxidation. After using a bright boy it is a good idea to vacuum up any debree left along the track from this process. It would also be a good idea to use a rag as described above to clean any remaining dirt or oxidation from the rails.

Never use sand paper, because it will cause scratches which will speed up the oxidation process, and could also cause the wheels to arc on the rough surface just making the situation worse. Never use steel wool, because small particles of the steel wool will be left along the track and the motors magnet will pick these small pieces up. This will require your locomotive to be completely disassembled for cleaning before it will run properly.

How do I put lights in my buildings or other accessories?

H&R Trains carries small lights from several manufacturers that are made just for that purpose. They are quite inexpensive and easy to install. The wires are connected to the accessory terminals of your transformer or power supply. The accessory terminals give a constant voltage all the time so that the lights will continue to stay bright even when the train is running slowly or stopped.

What is DCC?

DCC stands for "Digital Command Control"

With Digital Command Control you can operate multiple locomotives independently of each other at the same time on the same section of track without a computer and without separate electrical blocks and other complex wiring.

The good folks at Digitrax explain it like this: simply put, DCC will let you "run your trains, not your track." DCC gives you the freedom to bring your railroad to life! With DCC you have truly prototypical operation at your fingertips.