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The best N scale tools: I’m going to write about what might be called “second-echelon” tools, that’s to say the tools you begin accumulating after you’ve been in the hobby awhile and have the basic tools you really can’t do without. The following is a short list of the some of the best N scale […]
How to keep N scale piggybacks on track: My N scale Tehachapi Pass layout is set in 1985. Intermodal railroading was well established, but on nothing like the scale we see today. Most intermodal traffic in the pass was TOFC (trailer-on-flatcar), more commonly called “pigs,” short for piggybacks. For my money there’s nothing much less […]
In this episode of The Hills Line, host James McNab is making plans to build a portable layout that complements his HO scale Hills Line layout. He explains where the idea came from and sorts out the goals, givens and druthers that go along with this project. […]
Q: I am researching transition era railcar brakes. Were there books written on the subject, and are they still available for purchase? – Ron Buddemeier A: The most complete and detailed reference for transition era railcar brakes is the one used by the railroads themselves – the Car Builder’s Cyclopedia of American Practice. This weighty […]
A handy N scale uncoupler: If you’re a model railroader, everywhere you go your antennae are out, scanning your environs for anything that might be useful to build with. And that leads me to swizzle sticks. I was having lunch with a tableful of in-laws at Maggiano’s Little Italy, a popular chain with a restaurant […]
Q: I have some HO scale passenger cars that I would like to install LED lights into. I’m new to model railroading. I understand that I need decoders in each car, but after that, I’m lost. – Alex Laserson A: If you want to install passenger car interior lighting, you don’t absolutely have to use […]
A Broadway Limited Imports HO scale EMD SD40 decorated in Southern Ry.’s “tuxedo” scheme paid a visit to our Wisconsin & Southern staff layout. Join Model Railroader editor Eric White and senior editor Cody Grivno as they talk about the features on the six-axle road locomotive and run a train on MR’s WSOR staff layout. In addition to Southern Ry., […]
In the course of building the HO scale Freemont Mills model railroad, Steve Otte shares his technique for adding a realistic representation of abandoned tracks. After gathering the essential materials – stained wooded ties, masking tape, and a spacing jig – Steve demonstrates the complete process, including how to add subtle scenery effects that help […]
David returns to the task of pulling the painted parts and pieces together…all in manner that ensures the passenger car will operate as well as it looks. But before he puts a lid on this project, David also shows how to add the most important component – the paying passenger figures! Before he gets away, […]
Adding diesel sound to American Flyer trains is easier than ever thanks to ready-made electronics. If you can accomplish basic wiring tasks, you can install the needed components. I run a mix of postwar American Flyer and Flyer produced by Lionel. That means with newer stuff I’m quite used to the sounds of modern electronics […]
Back on the MR&T HO scale model railroad, Ben demonstrates how to program the NCE Mini Panel device used to send out DCC commands to locomotive, accessory, or signal decoders. Ben’s thorough explanations of the NCE Mini Panel, its connections, and the programming steps required to make it a useful tool on your layout are […]
N scale decoder woes: This month I’m going to vent about a round of recent frustrations dealing with N scale Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder installations. The villain of the story will be the Internet, but in an unexpected twist of plot, that same villain shall emerge as the hero. The moral is that the […]
