Steam trains have been running at Durbin, W.Va., for the past 20 years. But if you look closely, this video captures double-headed Shay steam locomotives working up from Cass, W.Va., for the first time since 1985! Hop aboard for the sights and sounds on this special, restored route along the Greenbrier River. Want to see […]
Magazine: Trains Video
Working with NCE Switch-8 devices
In this episode, Ben shows how he used NCE Switch-8 devices to control turnouts on the upper staging yard of Model Railroader’s MR&T HO scale layout, with the goal of preparing the railroad for operating sessions. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, tools, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various members of […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 12 | Paint stripper. Retaining wall. Tunnel centered.
Our host proves that you don’t have to focus on just one thing for great lengths to find the fun in this hobby! This time out, he’s got a paint stripping project to tackle, retaining walls to install, and a tunnel to daylight a tad more. And if that’s not enough, David even discovers a […]
Northwest Traction Group street running modules in HO scale
Watch electric traction streetcars running on the Northwestern Traction Group’s HO scale (1:87) modules, a layout that Model Railroader magazine staff members enjoyed on display during Trainfest 2022. […]
Rocky Mountaineer in the Rockies
The Rocky Mountaineer began as a VIA Rail service in Canada in the late 1980s. Operating over Canadian National tracks from Vancouver, British Columbia to Jasper, Alberta, the service was privatized in 1990 and the Rocky Mountaineer now operates three routes in Canada and a new route in the United States. We caught up with […]
Visiting Rapido Trains Inc | Inside the U.S. Dealer Event
In 2022, Rapido Trains, Inc., founder Jason Shron, hosted U.S. and Canadian dealers on the property of the Illinois Railway Museum. Trains.com cameras captured an exclusive interview with Jason, plus various Rapido models, and even some of the prototype railroad equipment that inspires the Toronto-based company’s well-detailed N (1:160) and HO (1:87) scale offerings! More […]
Spaces to Places IV | Installing the Streets, part 3
It’s time to hit the streets of Westcott, the developing new town on Gerry Leone’s HO scale model railroad. After adding lights to structure interiors, adjusting city blocks, and then building, painting, and weathering sidewalks, our host shows his technique for paving roads made from medium-grit sandpaper! Want to see more of Gerry’s work in […]
Wiring for Free-Mo
Ben, Eric, and David team up to work through the process for wiring trackwork on Model Railroader’s modular project, but the steps apply to just about any DCC layout. They’ll cover basic techniques for attaching feeder wires to the rails, fixing them to bus wires below the benchwork, and provide other helpful insights along the way! […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 11 | Installing a rock wall
In this episode, our host intentionally works his way between a rock and a hard place! The tough stuff starts when he discovers a flaw in his operating scheme. With a remedy in place, David starts into the scenery. As he shares here, installing the foreground rock wall scenery is an easy lift when using […]
Build a crossover using two turnouts
Model Railroader Editor Eric White and Senior Editor Cody Grivno walk through the process for constructing a track crossover, starting from a pair of turnouts. The duo uses Walthers HO scale Code 83 No. 6 turnouts in this instance, but other brands and varieties work too. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop […]
Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2
The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]
Brightline Basecamp Train Wash
While commuters between Miami and West Palm Beach have enjoyed Brightline passenger rail service since 2018, in 2023, the system will be expanding north to Orlando. As part of that expansion project, the company is opening a new “Basecamp” near the Orlando Airport. Enjoy this quick look inside the $100 million maintenance facility and a […]