Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Summer Camp 4

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Camp Director David is in a rather chipper mood for Day 4 of Summer Camp on his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Appropriately, the arts and crafts activities in this video blog address the techniques used to give the stock car’s paint job […]

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Plans for Union Pacific East Los Angeles Station

EastLosAngelesStation

In the October 2019 Model Railroader, Bruce Briggs writes about the Union Pacific’s East Los Angeles Station that served as the railroad’s gateway to Southern California for more than 40 years. After extensive research, Bruce made detailed plans of this mission revival station based on official railroad blueprints. Cl […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Summer Camp 3

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Horseback riding and wood carving are two activities associated with a good summer outing, including David Popp’s camp adventures on his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But remember, only MRVP subscribers can enjoy the fun! […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Summer Camp 2

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page More Summer Camp fun on David’s O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Today’s activities start with a stock car modeling project, before shifting to a layout scenery effort. […]

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Stuff We Use: Pliers and cutters for model railroaders

Assortment of pliers on a workbench

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page A Xuron Modeler’s tool kit includes sprue cutters, microshears, and tweezernose pliers. All of these tools get a lot of use down at the Model Railroader workshop. In this quick demo, editor Hal Miller shows you some of his favorite tips for using […]

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HO scale CSX Philadelphia Subdivision

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Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this track plan. Name: CSX Philadelphia Subdivision Layout owner: Bruce Friedman Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 42 x 56 feet Prototype: CSX Locale: Philadelphia to Baltimore Era: modern day Style: multi-deck walkaround Mainline run: 1,000 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.25 […]

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Toy Train Basics: All about track

Toy Train Basics logo

To continue this informative series of videos from Classic Toy Trains magazine, David Popp shares info and insights on the wide array of O gauge track systems, sizes, and styles you can use to build a toy train layout! […]

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HO scale Conrail’s Onondaga Cutoff

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Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this track plan. Name: Conrail’s Onondaga Cutoff Layout owner: Dave Abeles Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 20′-8″ x 30′-6″ Prototype: Conrail Locale: upstate New York Era: 1990s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 250 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 22″ (yards and sidings) Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), […]

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HO scale Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RR

HOscaleRiceLakeDallasMenomonie

Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RR Layout owner: Bob Wundrock Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 24 feet with a 2 x 9-foot interchange yard Prototype: Soo Line Locale: northwestern Wisconsin Era: 1950 to 1955 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 100 feet Minimum […]

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HOn3 Chama Yard

HOscaleChamaYard

Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Chama Yard Layout owner: Kim Nipkow Scale: HOn3 (1:87.1, 30″ gauge) Size: 1m x 10.5m (40″ x 34′-5″) Prototype: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR Locale: Chama, N.M. Era: present day Style: modular Mainline run: no main line Minimum radius: 55mm (21.6″) Minimum […]

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Anatomy of a water feature

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Nancy Norris/Rick Johnson Water goes down to ‘seek its own level’. Hygroscopic tension forces water sideways when moisture follows the underside of a spill rock or fallen branch. Soil wicks water in all directions by osmosis. Splashing bounces up. Water evaporates into thin air and we wonder if the reservoir is leaking. Water needs to […]

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