Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In addition to boasting a unique sectional design, MR’s 5×9-foot Rice Harbor HO scale layout also features a swing-up staging section topped with a car float. David Popp shares how he assembled and then installed this hinged section to the layout. […]
Section: How To
Rice Harbor Series: Installing benchwork alignment pins
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Are you building a sectional or modular layout that requires precise alignment of adjoining sections? If so, then you’ll want to see how David installed benchwork alignment dowels, also called pattern maker pins, on MR’s HO scale Rice Harbor. These steel dowels make […]
Basic Training: Modeling damaged trees
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Add a touch of realism to your modeled forest or wooded grove by including decaying or damaged trees. Kent Johnson demonstrates a quick and easy technique for making plague pines using plastic tree kits available for layouts of any size or scale. […]
Realistic model railroading with Pelle Søeborg
Pelle Søeborg is a model railroader known for his ability to create ultra-realistic scenes. His main modeling focus is modern-era railroading in the California desert, but his techniques are useful whatever your modeling subject. This article collection includes two track plans: one for a shelf layout and another for Pelle’s 11′-6″ x 22′-0″ Union Pacific […]
Repair pickup rollers and shoes
This article originally appeared in the December 2003 issue of CTT – click the link above to download! Learn more about how to tune up and rebuild pickup rollers in the February 2014 issue of CTT. Repair pickup rollers and shoes […]
Handcar shed drawings
Check out these plans for a handcar shed from Model Railroader magazine. Every railroad needs myriad small storage sheds along the right-of-way and in engine terminals and yards. When I required a small trackside shed for my freelanced On30 (also known as On21⁄2) North Cariboo Ry., I decided it should show its age. I figured the shed would […]
HO scale Sebring Model RR Club
Name: Sebring Model RR Club Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 25 x 75 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania Era: late 1940s to late 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 1,100 feet Minimum radius: 42″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Originally appeared in the March 2014 Model Railroader. Click on the […]
HO scale Union Pacific Daneville Division
Name: Union Pacific Daneville Subdivision Layout designer: Pelle Søeborg Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11 x 22 feet Prototype: Union Pacific and BNSF Locale: freelanced, inspired by the Mojave Desert in Southern California Era: present Style: walk in Mainline run: 59 feet (excluding hidden staging) Minimum radius: 33″ (main), 31″ (sidings) Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), […]
CTT’s Port Terminal & Western RR: Day 3 & 4
After building the benchwork and laying track, the CTT staff got to work creating scenery for this layout, including a backdrop that splits this compact layout into two distinct scenes. Get the full story in the March 2014 issue! […]
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. […]
Basic Training: Ground foam basics
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 […]
Build a large-scale workbench
In the December 2013 issue, author Jim Kottkamp shows you how to build a functional workbench. He has generously shared his drawings of this project. The link will download a PDF file. […]