Facts and features Name: Winnebago Rapids & Northern RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 14 x 18 feetPrototype: freelancedLocale: WisconsinEra: 1956Style: walk-inMainline run: 120 feetMinimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 31⁄2%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 41″ to 49″Roadbed: HomabedTrack: code 83 (handlaid in visible locations, extrack in hidden areas)Scenery: extruded-foam insulation board and clothshellBackdrop: painted drywallControl: NCE ProCab Click the […]
Section: Modeling
Beginner’s guide to airbrushing
In my 20-plus years with Model Railroader magazine, I’ve written several how-to articles on airbrushing. Some have focused on using the tool to re-create models you can’t find on the shelf, such as “How to paint multi-color locomotives” in the September 2013 issue. Others, including “How to weather coal hoppers” in December 2012, have demonstrated […]
How-to Library | Installing an N scale TCS Keep-Alive
From start to finish, David Popp shares his techniques for installing a TCS KA-N1 Keep-Alive Capacitor into an N scale (1:160) modern diesel locomotive for use on his recently completed T-Trak module, as well as in Model Railroader magazine’s MR&T State Line Route project railroad (as featured in the January 2022 issue and Trains.com Video series)! […]
Harvey Simon’s HO F Line traction layout
Harvey Simon’s HO F Line traction layout is set in modern-day San Francisco, re-creating the route between the Castro District and Fisherman’s Wharf. The modified walk-in model railroad features open-grid benchwork, 6-1/4” minimum radius curves, and a mainline run of 40 feet. In this layout tour video, you’ll get an opportunity to see San Francisco […]
The On30 Owl Cove Lumber Co. layout
Facts and features Name: Owl Cove Lumber Co.Scale: On30 (1:48, 30″ narrow gauge)Size: 6 x 40 feetPrototype: freelancedLocale: Washington’s Northern CascadesEra: 1930sStyle: around-the-wallsMainline run: 26 feetMinimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: No. 4Maximum grade: 6%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 40″Roadbed: corkTrack: code 83 handlaid and flextrackScenery: hardshellBackdrop: hand-painted on wallsControl: NCE Digital Command Control Click the link to download a […]
The HO scale Long Island Rail Road layout
Facts and features Name: Long Island Rail RoadScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 27′-7″ x 48′-9″ Prototype: Long Island Rail Road Locale: Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and north shore of Long Island (to Greenlawn)Era: 1964 (diesel) or 1954 (steam)Mainline run: approximately 300 feet Minimum radius: 24″Minimum turnout: No. 4 (yards), No. 6 (main and crossovers) Maximum grade: 3%Benchwork: […]
Brian Sheron’s Long Island Rail Road
Brian Sheron’s Long Island Rail Road is a 27 x 48-foot HO scale model railroad that depicts Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the north shore of Long Island. He built the layout, featured in the August 2024 issue of Model Railroader, in three phases. Brian started work on the model railroad in 1988 with the Port […]
How-To Library | Build a laser-cut wood structure kit, Part 3
Steve Otte finalizes work on his single rail-served factory for Model Railroader magazine’s 2024 project layout, the HO scale Free-Mo module. This structure stems from American Model Builders’ A.C. Brown Mfg. Co., a laser-cut wood kit. Follow along from the beginning, as he works through this multi-part build! […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Sidetrack Ep. 6 | Harnesses and reins
In this concluding video of the Olympia & Sand Creek Sidetrack Series, host David Popp finalizes the assembly of the horses, mules, and wagons. Follow along as he shares techniques for hitching the ponies to the carts, before he gets back to working on the On30 model railroad! Be sure to explore the entire Olympia […]
Plans for a masonry depot
Harold W. Russell’s illustrations have been appearing in Model Railroader magazine since the mid-1960s. He has more than 150 bylines to his credit. In the July 2024 issue he shared plans for a masonry depot on the Lehigh Valley in Gorham, N.Y. Click on the link below to download Harold’s plans. Use this link to […]
Sam Foster’s Owl Cove Lumber Co. in O scale
Enjoy a glimpse of 1930s-era logging operations on Sam Foster’s 6 x 40-foot On30 (1:48) scale model railroad. Tall timber and equally impressive railroad engineering abound on this freelanced, around-the-walls narrow gauge (30″) layout. You can read more about the layout in the August 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]
How-To Library | Build a laser-cut wood structure kit, Part 2
For the single rail-served factory on Model Railroader magazine’s 2024 project layout, the HO scale Free-Mo module Freemont Mills, Steve selected American Model Builders’ A.C. Brown Mfg. Co., a laser-cut wood kit. Follow along as he continues to work through this multi-part build…and see if you pick up any tips to help you on your […]