Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page John and J.D. Forsythe of Train Control Systems stop by Model Railroader magazine’s MR&T HO scale layout to demonstrate a steam locomotive equipped with a TCS WOWSound decoder. DCC Programming host Dana Kawala has them talk through the helpful TCS audio-assist feature […]
Modeling Topic: Model Railroad Operations
Simplify operation with train sequence lists
The hybrid sequence lists John Pryke uses on his HO scale New Haven Cape Cod branch specify the switching work to be done and provide authority for trains to move between stations. Here the Boston yard operator is placing outbound waybills and the train’s sequence list into the train pouch. Most modelers build their first […]
Adding DCC power districts to a model train layout
Too many sound-equipped locomotives in one place, like those shown here on the MR&T, can spell trouble for a DCC layout. Paul Dolkos takes you through the steps he used to set up power districts on his HO model railroad. Imagine you’ve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 6 – building a sector plate
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The sector plate used to transfer trains from one track to another is just one of the many intriguing features included on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. David Popp walks you through sector plate and base assembly, installation, and alignment steps, […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 6 – building a sector plate
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The sector plate used to transfer trains from one track to another is just one of the many intriguing features included on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. David Popp walks you through sector plate and base assembly, installation, and alignment steps, […]
Small town railroading in the early 1950s
For many years small towns were a major source of traffic for railroads all across the country. Long before anyone ever heard of freeways, the railroads moved all sorts of carload and less-than-carload lot (LCL) freight that kept the local businesses and nearby agricultural economy going. A local station agent-operator was the railroad’s representative who […]
Helper communication in the steam locomotive era
Helper operations were carefully coordinated using locomotive whistle signals as specified in the railroad’s operating rules: (an “o” denotes a short sound, while a dash – indicates a longer whistle blast). The lead engineer handled the train’s air brake while each helper engineer had an independent brake for just his engine. Two long blasts on […]
Demonstration of magnetic air hoses on HO scale freight cars
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader contributing editor Pelle Søeborg installed MagnaLock air brake lines (hoses) from North American Railcar Corp. on his HO scale freight cars. In this video you can see how the air hoses work during switching moves on Pelle’s Union Pacific Daneville Sub model train […]
Demonstration of magnetic air hoses on HO scale freight cars
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader contributing editor Pelle Søeborg installed MagnaLock air brake lines (hoses) from North American Railcar Corp. on his HO scale freight cars. In this video you can see how the air hoses work during switching moves on Pelle’s Union Pacific Daneville Sub model train […]
Basic Training: Adjusting wheelsets
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page If you have trouble with your rolling stock staying on the rails, you should check the wheelsets. In this video, Cody shows you how to check and adjust the wheels on model trains. […]
How to adjust wheelsets on model trains
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page If you have trouble with your rolling stock staying on the rails, you should check the wheelsets. In this video, Cody shows you how to check and adjust the wheels on model trains. […]
Realistic model railroading with Pelle Søeborg
Pelle Søeborg is a model railroader known for his ability to create ultra-realistic scenes. His main modeling focus is modern-era railroading in the California desert, but his techniques are useful whatever your modeling subject. This article collection includes two track plans: one for a shelf layout and another for Pelle’s 11′-6″ x 22′-0″ Union Pacific […]