Olympia Logging Series: Part 19 – Adding LED lighting

David Popp holding a 6' LED lighting strip

After installing the fascia and cabinet, David had the bright idea to keep progress rolling on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout. In this episode, he assembles, installs, and wires the LED strips used to illuminate our display-style layout. This is our first attempt at using LEDs, so David also shares several helpful installation tips […]

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The Roundhouse: Episode 19

Hal Miller, Neil Besougloff, and Bob Keller

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Hal Miller brings Model Railroader magazine editor Neil Besougloff and Classic Toy Trains magazine associate editor Bob Keller to the table to talk tinplate trains. The guys discuss their on-going affinity for vintage toy trains, accessories, and the simple, yet accessible, mechanisms […]

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The Roundhouse: Episode 19

Hal Miller, Neil Besougloff, and Bob Keller

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Hal Miller brings Model Railroader magazine editor Neil Besougloff and Classic Toy Trains magazine associate editor Bob Keller to the table to talk tinplate trains. The guys discuss their on-going affinity for vintage toy trains, accessories, and the simple, yet accessible, mechanisms […]

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Make some programmable crossing signal lights

In the August 2014 issue, David Bodnar shows us how to program a Picaxe to make realistic signal lights. Cut-and-paste the code here for six different projects. Program 1: A simple crossing signal #TERMINAL 4800 ‘set the speed of the terminal SYMBOL LED1 = b.2 ‘pin 11 SYMBOL LED2 = b.4 ‘pin 9 SERTXD (13,10,”Crossing […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 7 – modifying a turnout

David Popp sitting at workbench in the Model Railroader workshop

Before the trackwork can be added to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout, David Popp first makes a few modifications to the turnouts. In this video, he guides you through trimming the ties, preparing the connection points, soldering new wires, cutting the rails, and testing the modifications – steps that are intended to make […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 7 – modifying a turnout

David Popp sitting at workbench in the Model Railroader workshop

Before the trackwork can be added to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout, David Popp first makes a few modifications to the turnouts. In this video, he guides you through trimming the ties, preparing the connection points, soldering new wires, cutting the rails, and testing the modifications – steps that are intended to make […]

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Add a valance and dust cover

HowardLloydmadeasimplevalancetoconceallightfixturesandfocusviewersattentiononhisHOscaleNationalDocksRylayout

I think every model railroad should have a valance. What is a valance, you may ask? A valance is a view block suspended from the ceiling that follows the edge of the benchwork and frames the layout for viewing. If you think of a model railroad as a stage, then a valance serves the purpose […]

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Proxxon miniature chop and miter saw

proxxon_saw1

Marc Horovitz Miniature chop and miter saw Proxxon Prox-Tech, Inc.   PO Box 1909 Hickory NC 28603 US Price: $310 Website: http://shop.prox-tech.com Miniature chop and miter saw (#KGS80); will cut non-ferrous metals, plastics, and wood, as supplied; swiveling table, indexable at 15° intervals; built-in work vise; built-in work stop for multiple cuts of the same […]

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