Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 20 | Painting the backdrop – Part 3

As Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, continues is his backdrop painting efforts on David Popp’s Olympia & Sand Creek On30 display layout, you’ll see several subtle techniques Jay employees to create lighting effects and enhance the detailed appearance of even the most distant landform and structures he paints. Be sure to explore […]

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Alaska Railroad proves its mettle

A yellow and navy blue locomotive pulls a freight train through a forested setting

Early last spring, it was time to plan a summer vacation and get to some unfinished business. Alison and I agreed on the overall goal: get to Alaska. For her it was the call of Denali National Park and the fjords along the coast south of Seward. For me (no surprise), it was the chance […]

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Amtrak awards contract for Seattle maintenance facility

Illustration of new building at rail yard

SEATTLE — Amtrak has awarded a construction contract for upgrades to its King Street Yard in Seattle, meant to prepare the facility for arrival of next-generation Amtrak Airo equipment for the Amtrak Cascades route as well as improving maintenance for long-distance trains that use the facilities. PCL Construction Services will lead design and construction on […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic acquires cars from North Carolina museum

Side view of green heavyweight passenger car

ELBE, Wash. — The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad has purchased three ex-Reading Co. passenger cars from the North Carolina Transportation for use in its steam heritage rail operations. Mt. Rainier Scenic said in a press release that the museum determined the cars, built between 1922 and 1927 by the Standard Steel Car Co. and Bethlehem […]

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Art Volz’s O-27 gauge layout

A toy train track plan for Art Volz's O-27 gauge layout

Name: Art Volz’s O-27 gauge layoutDimensions: 10 x 20 feet Track and switches: Lionel (diameters range from 27″ to 31″)Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern)Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MenardsControls: Lionel Nos. 1033 and 1034, type-ZW transformersAccessories: Lionel, MTHStructures: Atlas O, Lionel, Menards, MTH, scratchbuilt, Woodland ScenicsVehicles: Ertl, Lucky Die Cast Products, MTH, SpecCast CollectiblesFigures: Bachmann […]

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Sound Transit opens latest light rail addition

Light rail train on elevated right of way next to highway

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Sound Transit opened the latest piece of its light rail network on Friday, an 8.5-mile, four-station addition that extends the 1 Line north into Snohomish County and to Lynnwood for the first time. In addition to the Lynnwood City Center station, the new extension includes a station at Mountlake Terrace and two […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 18 | Painting the backdrop – Part 1

In this episode, professional help is on the way! Jay Smith, former illustrator (ret.) for Kalmbach Media, heads for the basement to help make realistic mountains materialize on the backdrop of the On30 display layout. Guided by David’s practice painting, pretty pictures, and temporary placement of key structures, Jay shares his specific techniques for turning […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 17 | Mirrors and clouds

Feather canyons everywhere! David looks at clouds that way. If you really don’t know how to paint clouds at all, then you’ll want to follow David as he demonstrates his techniques for adding realistic skies to his On30 display backdrop. But that’s not the only illusion recalls! David also shows how easy it is look […]

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The On30 Owl Cove Lumber Co. layout

A model railroad track plan for the 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 […]

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