Name: Western Sierra Lines Layout owner: Roseville Roundhouse Model RR Club Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 30 feet Prototypes: Southern Pacific, Union Pacific Locale: Central California Era: mixed Style: walk-in Mainline run: 200 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (short line) Minimum turnouts: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (yards and industries) Maximum grade: 2 […]
Section: How To
Tracklaying: adhesives, nails, or spikes?
Track and roadbed can be fastened to foam insulation board with construction adhesives made for use with the foamboard. Apply a ¼” bead along the center line, use a putty knife to spread it in a thin layer, and press the roadbed down into place. Add weights to hold it while the adhesive sets. Then […]
How-to Library: Designing and Printing Decals
Model Railroader magazine’s Steve Otte shares a decal printing technique he used to complete his structure for MRVP’s State Line Kitbash Challenge. Follow along as he demonstrates the steps that take you from computer design to color-printed, waterslide decal sheets! […]
How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 3 Depth of Field and Lighting
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, Gerry Leone talks about how to adjust your camera settings to capture model railroad settings with a realistic depth of field. He also addresses lighting options (type and placement)! […]
How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 5 Helicon Focus, Experimentation, and a Photoshoot
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page To conclude this five-part series, Gerry Leone shows how easy it is to use Helicon Focus software to enhance the focal depth of your model railroad photography. And to wrap things up, Gerry dissects all that goes into building a properly lit professional […]
Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 2, Modeling siding
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Renee Grosser reveals more of her expert scratchbuilding insights. In this episode, she shares how easy it is to add siding to her O scale structures when using clapboard-pattern, sheet styrene material. […]
Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 2, Modeling siding
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Renee Grosser reveals more of her expert scratchbuilding insights. In this episode, she shares how easy it is to add siding to her O scale structures when using clapboard-pattern, sheet styrene material. […]
How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 5 Helicon Focus, Experimentation, and a Photoshoot
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page To conclude this five-part series, Gerry Leone shows how easy it is to use Helicon Focus software to enhance the focal depth of your model railroad photography. And to wrap things up, Gerry dissects all that goes into building a properly lit professional […]
Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 1, Sub-wall construction
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Award-winning modeler Renee Grosser launches an MRVP exclusive mini-series highlighting her top-notch modeling skills and tips. Follow along as she shares her process for using styrene to scratchbuild a farmhouse from little more than a few snapshots! […]
Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 3, Doors and Windows
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Expert modeler Renee Grosser demonstrates how she makes window and door openings in the O scale structures she likes to scratchbuild using sheet styrene material. You’ll also see how she prepares some of the finishing details and weathering effects for her farmhouse project. […]
Model Railroader project plans: A freelanced factory
Many of us have hobbies within this hobby. Some like history, some collect freight cars or locomotives. Me? I read old issues of Model Railroader. In the past 15 years I’ve gone through my entire 50-year collection four times. Because my tastes and interests evolve over time, I inevitably find something new with each re-reading. […]
How to solder and conceal track feeder wires
Soldering track feeders isn’t that difficult. Learn this easy method for making reliable wiring connection that are also easy to conceal on a model train layout. Soldering feeders to the rails is a wiring method modelers have used since the hobby began. By soldering feeders directly to the rails instead of using other types of […]