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Over the last year, model railroader Andrew Dodge has gotten a lot done on his O fine scale (Proto:48) Colorado Midland. Read this article from Model Railroad Planning 2013 to learn how Andrew designed this 28 x 28-foot model railroad set in 1897 in western Colorado. Planning the O scale Colorado Midland […]
Long stretches of elevated main line gave the New York Central RR’s 30th Street Branch its High Line nickname. New York Central RR’s 30th Street Branch was known as the High Line because of its long stretch of elevated mainline track. Learn all about this interesting prototype railroad in the article below originally published in […]
After years of dealing with rodents, like gophers and moles, burrowing into his gravel-ballasted trackbed, Bobby Waal embarked on a project to convert all roadbed to concrete, seen here under the middle track on his Alps Railway. —Photo: Nancy Norris Alamo, California, Zone 9 When using concrete forms to pour roadbed for track, I’ve developed […]
The Pattersons’ Ever Green and Palm Tree Railroad’s central mountain towers over the railway and dwarfs visitors. Robin Patterson Robin missed the snow but made it permanent on his mountaintop by sprinkling on crushed glass just after painting the summit. Robin Patterson New Port Richie, Florida, Zones 9-10 Before you build is the time to […]
1. Gary Broeder’s almost-finished Roman arch bridge has evolved through several phases, yet the bridge has been operational for well over a year. Juniper trees (Juniperus sp.) and sedum groundcover, mulched with sharp gravel and pebbles, create an easy-care landscape and hardscape. The piers, arch stones, and cap stand out for a more three-dimensional face. […]
1. The hillside around the Skunk Holler Mine on the author’s Hoot ’n’ Holler Railroad is covered with Turkish veronica, which bursts into bloom every spring. Don Parker 2. The lighter-blue flowers in the foreground are produced by miniature speedwell (Veronica oltensis), growing shorter than Turkish veronica. Don Parker 3. Three different groundcovers flank this […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo returns to Model Railroader magazine’s HO scale layout to share proper model railroad operating techniques for our cameras. In this MRVP exclusive video, he recruits Cody Grivno to demonstrate how to use hand signals, a topic addressed in Andy’s […]
Gn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western track plan Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western Layout designer: John Johnson Scale: Gn3 (1:22.5 proportion) Size: 20 x 55 feet Theme: D&RGW Locale: Colorado Era: 1950s Style: Continuous-run display Mainline run: 300 feet Minimum radius: 8 feet Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Benchwork: Plywood on […]
HO scale Grand Junction RR from the February 2015 Model Railroader Name: Grand Junction RR Layout designer: Rolf Malmborg Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13 x 24 feet Prototype: Union Pacific and Southern Pacific along the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Locale: western Colorado and eastern Utah Era: 2006 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 160 feet […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page There’s a place to include realistic water effects on just about any model railroad, including our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. In this video, David Popp shows how to build a log pond, starting with the pond banks shaped from foam insulation board, […]
In this video, David continues working on the log pond for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Here, he shows how to prep the layout for pouring the two-part epoxy resin water, tint the resin, and refine the log pond bank after the resin has set. David also shows how to add authentic subtle details […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, Cody Grivno demonstrates how to add dirt ballast to the trackwork of our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Cody walks you through the dry application of the real rock ballast, the prep for securing everything in place, and the easy […]
