Removing locomotive shells

Hand removing scale locomotive shell

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Whether you’re installing a Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder or preparing for a painting project, there are times when you’ll need to remove the body shell from a locomotive model. Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you tips for easily and carefully […]

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Making straight cuts for benchwork

Hand holding jigsaw

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page A jigsaw is a handy tool for building model railroad benchwork. Follow managing editor David Popp as he gives you tips for making straight cuts when using a jigsaw for layout benchwork. […]

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Basic steam locomotive weathering

Weathering a steam locomotive shell

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Check out the techniques used to make this Proto 2000 from Walthers 0-8-0 steam locomotive look like it works for a living. Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how he used airbrushing, drybrushing, and other methods to weather this steam locomotive […]

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Hardiness Zones for mapping plant survivability

colorful map of United States

Hardiness Zones are the answer to the question, “Where can I grow this plant?” If you’re planting strictly native plants, you won’t need to worry. On the other hand, your nursery plants were originally plucked from all over the world and then researchers tried to grow them in every imaginable climate. The USDA (US Department […]

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Readers’ Choice RR FasTrack plan

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Layout designer: Kent Johnson Scale: O Layout size: 4 x 8 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Click on the link to download a PDF of this track plan. Track plan Parts list […]

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Small freight house drawings in N, HO, S, and O scales

A small Pennsylvania RR freight house

Small freight houses were once a common sight in rural towns across North America. Built in the early 20th century, they provided a link for less-than-carload-lot (LCL) and full carload shipments between the railroad and its local customers. This freight house served Montour Falls, a small community about two miles south of Watkins Glen, N.Y., […]

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LLG Specialty Coke Co.

LLG Specialty Coke Co

Name: LLG Specialty Coke Co. Layout designer: Gary Gealy Scale: O (1:48) Size: 6′-0″ x 10′-6″ Theme: by-product coke plant Locale: western Pennsylvania Era: early 1960s Style: shelf with peninsula Minimum radius: 27″ Minimum turnout: no. 3 Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to […]

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North Montana Line

Milwaukee Road North Montana Line

Name: North Montana Line Layout designer: Dan Lewis Scale: N (1:160) Size: 18 x 24 feet Prototype: Milwaukee Road Locale: central Montana Era: 1953-54 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 115 feet Minimum radius: 121⁄2″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (industrial spurs) Maximum grade: 2.2 percent Originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Model […]

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Readers’ Choice RR extension template

CTT-R0911_template

Just like the original section of our project railroad, our preferred method of transferring a track plan to a flat tabletop uses a computer to download and print out the full-scale template of the Readers’ Choice Railroad so we can easily tell how track, accessories, and some scenery elements work on our 3 x 8-foot […]

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Craft store finds for toy-train enthusiasts

D0911_Cody-extra03

By the letter (and number) Vinyl letters with self-adhesive backing as well as dry transfers can be used straight from the package or as masks to letter structures, rolling stock, and locomotives. Alphanumeric sets are typically located with the drafting supplies. Additional self-adhesive and dry-transfer letters can be found in the scrapbooking supplies. Mark it […]

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