In part 3 of this MRVP mini-series, Gerry Leone resumes his helpful instructions for working with an Arduino. This time Gerry shows how he harnessed their usefulness to solve a problem on his HO scale layout. Turns out the tiny devices really are powerful enough to stop a train in its tracks…or from flying off […]
Section: How To
How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 4
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, Cody works to paint the interior of a Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car. From there, he shows how to add seated figures before reassembling the car. […]
What’s in a photograph?: Mountain-type F3s on the Union Pacific
Jerry A. Pinkepank 1 “Mountain Type” F3A. Briefly in 1947, EMD referred to its steam-generator-equipped, passenger-geared F3s as “The Mountain Type.” These units were intended for use on passenger trains that traversed grades for which E7s were not suitable. In September 1947 Union Pacific got eight F3 A-B-B sets, plus three extra A units, all […]
Professor Carp’s Emporium: Episode 9
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Track tricks: Superelevate curves in 4 easy steps
A locomotive leaning into a superelevated curve is a dramatic scene on a prototype and model railroad. Follow the simple method above for making superelevated curves on your model train layout using layers of cardstock shims I think the most exciting railroad photos are of a locomotive at speed leaning into a curve. This “lean” […]
What’s in a photograph?: Cotton Belt on the MoPac at Gorham, Ill.
A fast freight rides a two-railroad speedway in May 1971. Jerry A. Pinkepank 1 Cotton Belt freight. A St. Louis Southwestern Railway (SSW, common nickname Cotton Belt) freight rolls north on Missouri Pacific tracks May 8, 1971, at Gorham, Ill., on the 123.7 miles of MoPac trackage rights Cotton Belt used to reach the Illinois […]
What’s in a photograph?: C&O’s ‘Sportsman’ at Staunton, Va.
A single photo from the 1950s of C&O’s ‘Sportsman’ at a small-city station at Staunton, Va., reveals plenty of small, easily overlooked details. 1 – Freight house Staunton (“Stan-ton”) in 1950 had a population of 19,927. All towns of this significance once had a freight house where less-than-carload (LCL) freight was handled. Warehousemen used a […]
How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Plenty of tasks still to tackle if Cody wants to keep his Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car project moving forward. From adding rust effects to the trucks and diaphragms to painting the car interior, Cody shows you how! […]
HO scale Belfast and Vinehaven RR
Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Belfast & Vinehaven RR and Portland & Mystic Line Layout owner: Arnie Hall Scale: HO and HOn3 (1:87.1) Size: 25 x 40 feet Prototype: Freelanced bridge line Locale: New England coast Era: mid-1940s to early 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 110 feet […]
Howard Clark’s HO scale model railroad
Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Howard Clark’s model railroad Layout owner: Howard Clark Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10′-8″ x 20′-0″ Theme: freelanced urban railroad, inspired by Baltimore & Ohio, New York Central, and Nickel Plate Road Locale: eastern United States Era: 1950s Style: multi-level walk-in Mainline run: […]
What’s in a photograph?: Norfolk & Western at Blue Ridge, Va.
1 Split-point derail device. Considered more effective than a lifting-block derail when there is extra risk of cars rolling out onto the main line from a “house track” or “back track” (terms for station trackage other than a passing siding), or from an industry track, especially when there is a descending grade toward the switch, […]
How-to Library: Turning Spaces into Places, Part 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In Part 3 of this mini-series, Gerry Leone struggles to figure out the best way to build his undulating roadway. Follow along to see how he works out a solution that incorporates stacked foam insulation board, Sculptamold, and plaster cloth. […]