Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale GE ES44AC

The HO scale General Electric ES44AC diesel-electric locomotive from Athearn Trains is part of the firm’s Genesis line and includes prototype-specific detail. The models are also available with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound decoders. We ran two of the DCC sound equipped GEVO locomotives on our model railroad. […]

Read More…

Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale GE ES44AC

The HO scale General Electric ES44AC diesel-electric locomotive from Athearn Trains is part of the firm’s Genesis line and includes prototype-specific detail. The models are also available with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control sound decoders. We ran two of the DCC sound equipped GEVO locomotives on our model railroad. […]

Read More…

Photo gallery: Amtrak’s Michigan Line track improvements

FULL SCREEN Ties await installation on the unused brick platform at Chelsea, Mich., east of Jackson. FULL SCREEN A Norfolk Southern tie gang finishes up for the day east of Chelsea. FULL SCREEN One mile further east, a tamper pushes gravel under and around newly installed ties at Chelsea, Mich. FULL SCREEN A laser beam […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Selecting lumber and hardware

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David and Kent head to a local home improvement store to collect the building materials they’ll need to start an all-new On30 project layout. Inside the store they’ll share insights for selecting quality lumber, essential hardware, layout lighting, and more. […]

Read More…

Basic Training: Ground foam basics

Hand applying ground cover to model train layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The wide array of scenery products available for making a model railroad look realistic can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just getting started in the hobby. In this video, Kent Johnson takes a quick look at some of the most common varieties of […]

Read More…

How to use ground foam in your model train layout

Hand applying ground cover to model train layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The wide array of scenery products available for making a model railroad look realistic can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just getting started in the hobby. In this video, Kent Johnson takes a quick look at some of the most common varieties of […]

Read More…

Family Train Layout: Bonus Episode – building a plastic kit

Family Train Layout building a plastic kit

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this bonus installment of the Family Train Layout project, David guides viewers through the steps for building a simple plastic water tower kit. Of course, the tools and modeling techniques demonstrated here can also be used to assemble numerous other structures for […]

Read More…

Colorful variety

It’s a warm Oct., 1, 2013, morning as CSX train K931-01 is coming off the Plymouth Subdivision in its namesake Michigan city with 52 empty stone hopper cars from Lansing behind BNSF No. 4992. In the distance, CSX No. 2741 waits for open track. Photo by Chris Paciocco […]

Read More…

O scale factory by Woodland Scenics

morrison

Dreams come true. Okay, maybe it wasn’t a big dream, but when I first saw the Woodland Scenics Built-&-Ready line of O gauge structures I hoped it would soon include industrial facilities as well as downtown-type retail shops (browse through the Woodland Scenics HO structures in shops and you’ll see the possibilities). I even turned […]

Read More…

Great Photography in Bad Weather

0043

FULL SCREEN Mark Llanuza The headlights of an eastbound Metra train slice through the rain and heavy fog setting in over Elgin, Ill., in November of 2012. FULL SCREEN Mark Llanuza An early morning mix of rain and sleet greets commuters as they board a Metra train at the Bartlett, Ill., station in 2012. FULL […]

Read More…