March 2025
The March 2025 issue of Model Railroader
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-cover-0325.jpg ?>)
Featured
In this Issue
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-01-0325.jpg)
A Ford Model A rail stake-bed truck served as the starting point for this On30 model
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-02-0325.jpg)
Use DCC and a microcontroller to bring a scene to life
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-03-0325.jpg)
Adding an operating scheme to the Cascade Division
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-04-0325.jpg)
This 24 x 40-foot HO scale layout depicts the Illinois Central Gulf in October 1976
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-05-0325.jpg)
Part 3: Creating scenery, installing structures, and adding details to our Colorado Plains T-Trak layout
![](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MRR-march-25-06-0325.jpg)
Stripwood and printed paper make the process easy and inexpensive
Also in this issue:
ON TRAINS.COM, pg. 6
The latest features on our website
FROM THE EDITOR, pg. 8
What is the ‘play value’ in model railroading?
NEWS AND REVIEWS, pg. 10
Hobby industry news
ASK MR, pg. 16
MR&T paint scheme history
STEP BY STEP, pg. 19
Do-it-yourself photo backdrops
ON OPERATION, pg. 60
Electric staff systems
TRACKSIDE PHOTOS, pg. 62
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS AND CARTOON pg. 73
TRAINS OF THOUGHT, pg. 74
Looking under the hood