Passenger car lighting with a decoder

A closeup of a model train decoder with a button being pressed with a small wooden rod

Passenger car lighting with a decoder: People have been installing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) inside passenger cars for years. It’s nothing new. There are plenty of articles written about it, but I wanted to go further. When operating my trains in the yard, I want the lights in my passenger car to be off, but when […]

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Airbrush cleaning tips and techniques

Color photo showing how to flush siphon on a color bottle assembly.

Airbrushing is a facet of the hobby I really enjoy. I’m sure some of my interest in painting is because my father and grandfather were auto body repairmen. I grew up around paint and paint equipment. One of the many lessons I learned from them was to take care of your tools. That’s true whether […]

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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! […]

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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! […]

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PIKO America Building Block R/C Starter Set

Color photo of large scale train set components.

  PIKO America Building Block R/C Starter set: An ongoing question in the hobby is “How do we get new people into model railroading?” PIKO America offers a clever solution with its Building Block R/C Starter Set (No. 37155). The indoor/outdoor set includes a battery-operated 1:24-proportion General Electric (GE) 25-ton diesel locomotives, two flatcars, a […]

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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 […]

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Track types and uses: A beginner’s guide

An image showing model rail tracks, switch stands and switch targets

Track type and uses: Understanding prototypical trackwork and operation is essential to building an accurate model railroad. Of course, strictly prototypical operations and layouts are not the goal of every model railroader, but an understanding of prototype trackwork and its model counterparts is nonetheless imperative for those modelers wishing to deviate from prototype to ensure […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 10 | Installing Tortoise switch motors

Host David Popp promises to show you the easiest way you’ll ever see to install a Tortoise by Circuitron Switch Motor! Plus, you’ll also see simple techniques for attaching feeder wires, soldering rail joints, and even painting the track for a more realistic appearance. Let’s get started! Curious about alternative installation solutions? Be sure to […]

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Laying down cork roadbed

MR senior associate editor Steve Otte demonstrates techniques for working with cork roadbed and installing it on an HO scale layout. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various members of Trains.com staff! […]

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