Name: New England, Berkshire & Western RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 33 x 124 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Delaware & Hudson and Rutland Locale: upstate New York and western Vermont Era: 1950 Style: linear walkaround Benchwork: L-girder Height: 51″ to 59″ Roadbed: 1⁄2″ Homasote with molded wood putty shoulders on 3⁄4″ plywood Track: handlaid […]
Section: How To
N scale CSX Southside Spur
Name: CSX Southside Spur Scale: N (1:160) Size: 12 x 15 feet Prototype: CSX Locale: St. Petersburg, Fla. Era: 2004 Style: along the walls Mainline run: not applicable Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 10 Maximum grade: none The track plan initially appeared in the November 2015 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link […]
On30 Colorado Narrow Gauge
Name: Colorado Narrow Gauge Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion, 30″ track gauge) Size: 2 x 15 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: inspired by the Colorado Rocky Mountains Era: early 20th century Style: freestanding modular display Mainline run: 15 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: extruded-foam insulation board Height: 48″ Roadbed: Styrofoam […]
Toy Train Basics: Changing traction tires
Classic Toy Trains magazine Editor Hal Miller demonstrates his quick and easy techniques for replacing those worn out rubber traction tires found on many O gauge steam and diesel locomotives. […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Kitbashing industrial structures – Part 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, David begins painting the small industrial structure for MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. He provides tips and techniques for using an airbrush to paint the base color, before masking off the walls to paint the windows, doors, and roof. […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Swing-out section – Part 2
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp continues working on a swing-out extension for MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. In this second and final installment of the construction process, he shares how to attach and support the section before adding the track and finishing touches. […]
“Bridge basics” bonus article
Don’t miss “Building a cantilever bridge” by Henk de Visser in the October 2015 issue. As a bonus for subscribers, download this article on prototype bridge practices! […]
Thyme leaf rockspray
Nancy Norris Common name: Thyme-leaf rockspray, small-leaf rockspray Latin name: Cotoneaster microphyllus var. thymifolius Plant type: Shrubs and small trees USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-11 (marginally in Zone 4, with snow cover) Cultural needs: Average, well-drained soil; sun for fruit Plant size: Less than 12″ and spreading, unless trained Nancy Norris Although the common name of […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Working with static-grass mats
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Construction on MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout has come to a point where the scenery can start to take shape. In this installment, David shares a variety of techniques for applying ground covering, this time in the form of various grass mats […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Swing-out section – Part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, David Popp uses MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout to demonstrate how to build a simple swing-out section that can easily extend the run of any model railroad. David first talks you through the design, before showing how to assemble […]
Lehigh Valley RR Bloomsbury, N.J., depot drawings
I learned about the LV’s former Bloomsbury depot when researching the railroad’s other wooden depots in Upstate New York. Information came from the Lehigh Valley RR home page (www.lvrr.com). The appearance of the building interested me, and this warranted a special trip to measure and photograph it. When I visited, the building was an Agway […]
HO scale Mann’s Creek Railway
Name: The Mann’s Creek Ry. Scale: HO (1:87:1) and HOn3 (1:87:1, 3-foot-gauge) Size: 11′-3″ x 14′-7″ Prototype: The Mann’s Creek Ry., and Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Locale: New River Gorge, W.Va. Era: Monday afternoon, Aug. 1, 1928 Style: walk-in Mainline run: Mann’s Creek, 60 feet, C&O feet Minimum radius: 18″ (both) Minimum turnout: no. 4 […]