Ask MRVP: Episode 19

David Popp standing next to a table that has a small Christmas tree and trains set up to run around it.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page ‘Tis the season for trainsets… and questions about getting them ready for the holidays! This month, MRVP answer man David Popp fields those questions, along with others related to switch machines, N scale coupler conversion, applying decals, railroad industries, cleaning track, layout wiring, […]

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Member Video: Bob Murphy’s New Haven Railroad

Bob Murphy's New Haven Railroad

The video is of my New Haven layout. My father was a conductor and a trainmaster on the New Haven, so the layout brings back many fond memories of talking trains with him when I was youngster. The video was shot and edited by Jim Spavins who gets the credit for its professional quality. […]

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Trains Presents: CN in Stevens Point, Wis.

freight train

Trains Magazine Assistant Editor Brian Schmidt takes you to Stevens Point, Wis., for a day of Canadian National freight action in October 2016. You’ll learn the best places in town to watch trains, and see unique motive power from CN, Illinois Central, and Wisconsin Central. Learn more about CN’s Chicago to Winnipeg corridor in the […]

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Video: TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]

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Video: GoodDeals DCC Test Track

GoodDeals DCC Test Track

At the National Train Show 2016 held in Indianapolis, Ind., the Model Railroader staff came across a line of professionally built test tracks from Good Deals DCC. Gary Cohn, president of Good Deals DCC, custom-built a 15-foot long version for the Model Railroader workshop. Follow along as Gary shows senior editor Dana Kawala how to […]

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Making movies without a video camera

A camera pointing out an outdoor layout

GoPro cameras, cell-phone cameras, and video-capable DSLR cameras are everywhere. This column will review a dozen examples of video technique from my “Video 101” workshop, presented at the National Garden Railway Convention. Columns will include suggestions, with photographic links to a short demonstration videos of some Bay Area railroads. I recently saw a man filming […]

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Video: Kato HO SD40-2 and EMD 2nd Generation Sound Card

Kato HO SD402 and EMD 2nd Generation Sound Card

Kato USA released a Second-generation Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Sound Card that’s a perfect match to its new HO scale mid-production SD40-2. Check out the realistic effects provided by SoundTraxx as Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala demonstrates the new Sound Card with a Kato Sound Box controller. […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 18

David Popp standing behind a video camera pointing his finger.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP answer man David Popp is never afraid to field your tricky questions! This month, David, with help from MR’s Neil Besougloff and Cody Grivno, tackles topics related to adding decals, improving locomotive and rolling stock performance, selecting era-appropriate details, building bridges, turntable […]

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