2014 National Train Show report

AthearnTrainsHOscaleElectroMotiveDivisionSD70SD70MandSD75Idiesellocomotives

Athearn Trains HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD70, SD70M, and SD75I diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD70, SD70M, and SD75I diesel locomotives. SD70: Canadian National (ex-Illinois Central). SD70M: Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific (both with flared radiators). SD75I: BNSF Ry. (ex-Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe). Four road numbers per scheme. Detailed cab interior, flat […]

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MR Insider: 2014 National Train Show, Part 1

model railroad display at the 2014 National Train Convention

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The MR/MRVP Dream Team including David, Neil, Dana, Cody, and publisher Kevin Keefe storm into Cleveland to cover the 2014 National Train Show. In part 1 of 2 videos, Cody talks with several manufacturers eager to share their exciting new products. He also […]

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MRC and Model Power enter licensing agreement

Model Rectifier Corporation has announced that they will produce and market Model Power’s railroad products under the Model Power brand. Model Power and Mantua railroad and accessory products will now be available worldwide from MRC.  Frank Ritota, president of MRC, explained that “the plan is to use the obvious synergy from the melding of the product lines to […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video–Inside Cody’s Office for June 2014

Inside Cody's Office for June 2014

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this month’s episode of Cody’s Office, you’ll get a handy tip for weathering model railroad ballast using an airbrush. Associate editor Cody Grivno demonstrates his favorite techniques on the Model Railroader staff’s N scale Red Oak project layout, which won’t appear in print until […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video–Inside Cody’s Office for June 2014

Inside Cody's Office for June 2014

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this month’s episode of Cody’s Office, you’ll get a handy tip for weathering model railroad ballast using an airbrush. Associate editor Cody Grivno demonstrates his favorite techniques on the Model Railroader staff’s N scale Red Oak project layout, which won’t appear in print until […]

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New products for the week of June 12, 2014

KatoUSAHOscaleElectroMotiveDivisionSD80MACdiesellocomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division FP7 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Atlantic Coast Line (black and yellow), Penn Central (black with red “P” on single unit, black with white “P” on two-packs), and Rock Island (maroon with yellow nose). Road-number-specific details, Blomberg B trucks, and etched-metal windshield wipers. Single FP7 (one road number): direct-current model, […]

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Adding DCC power districts to a model train layout

ToomanysoundequippedlocomotivesinoneplacelikethoseshownhereontheMRTcanspelltroubleforaDCClayoutPaulDolkostakesyouthroughthestepsheusedtosetuppowerdistrictsonhisHOmodelrailroad

Too many sound-equipped locomotives in one place, like those shown here on the MR&T, can spell trouble for a DCC layout. Paul Dolkos takes you through the steps he used to set up power districts on his HO model railroad. Imagine you’ve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for Digital Command Control (DCC) […]

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How to wire a layout for two-train operation

Fig. 1 Cab-control wiring. This diagram shows a single track block controlled by two power packs (cabs) which may be selected with a singlepole double-throw (SPDT) switch. The initial goal of a new model railroader flush with locomotives, track, and rolling stock is to operate two trains on his layout at the same time, each […]

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In memoriam: Model railroad author Paul Scoles

PaulScolesobit

Paul Scoles’ Sn3 Pelican Bay & Navigation Co. was featured in Great Model Railroads 2010. Well-known model railroader Paul Scoles, of Shoreline, Wash., died May 9 from cardiac arrest after surgery. He was 71. Paul was a well-known Sn3 hobbyist who had written nearly 100 articles for various model railroad publications since the 1970s and […]

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DCC Programming: episode 7 – Programming modes

Operations mode, programming on the main.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader magazine’s Dana Kawala addresses basic DCC programming modes. Dana first talks through Operations mode programming on the main, as well as Service mode programming. As with every episode in this helpful DCC Programming series, Dana shows you the essential steps, while the […]

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