Here’s a short demonstration showing how a DCC decoder with a Keep-Alive capacitor can help short wheel base locomotives get through complicated track work that they sometimes stall on. In this example, a TCS KAM4 decoder is installed in a Athearn SW1000 switcher. Operation of the switcher before and after installation is shown for comparison. […]
Section: Videos
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. […]
Basic Training: Adhesives and Glues
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page With such a wide array of materials used in model railroading today, it can be challenging to figure out which glues and adhesives you’ll want to have on hand. Kent Johnson of MR Video Plus takes a quick look at some of the […]
Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 8
It’s time to lay tracks along the waterfront on the Model Railroader staff’s HO scale Rice Harbor project layout. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how he used styrene to simulate concrete apron. He’ll also give you some tips for modeling rails in pavement. The harbor bottom has also been painted and is ready for […]
Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 9
With most of the structures and ground cover in place, all that’s left to do is finish up the waterfront on Rice Harbor. Associate editor Cody Grivno describes some of the painting techniques that he used to add depth to the harbor bottom. He’ll also talk about some of the other scenic details around the […]
Drew’s Trackside Adventures: Episode 13 – Byron Hill, Wisconsin
In this polar vortex edition of Drew’s Trackside Adventure for March 2014, host Drew Halverson and the MRVP crew make their way along Canadian National’s Waukesha subdivision in eastern Wisconsin. They capture the railroad battling the elements and gravity over a 1-percent grade known as Byron Hill. In addition to the railroad action, the guys […]
Silver Rail Club’s Up-Tempo O Scale
The Silver Rail Club has been providing a full day of model train activity for seniors, veterans, their families, and the general public since 2007. Here’s a look at the many different locomotives, passenger sets, and rolling stock we keep moving through our traveling layout – and also down the track on the large-sized display […]
Dan Malkiewicz’s S gauge layout
When Dan Malkiewicz turned from HO to S gauge trains, he kept as inspiration the work of one of the greatest HO modelers – John Allen and his layout, the Gorre & Daphetid. […]
Video: Walthers HO scale Metroliner
Check out the Walthers HO scale Metroliner as it makes a run on the Model Railroader staff’s model train layout. Each of the cars features prototypical interior and exterior lighting as well as a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. […]
O gauge E-Z Track system from Williams by Bachmann
The newest O gauge interlocking track with attached roadbed is E-Z Track from Williams by Bachmann. […]
Stan Trzoniec’s O gauge layout
Stan Trzoniec has been having great times with Lionel trains for six decades. Read about his earliest layouts in the May 2014 issue, and enjoy a video of his current layout below! […]
Gordon Peterson’s Port of New York & New Jersey RR
This layout has period trains, planes, and automobiles. Featured in CTT Dec 2009. Waterfront industries, a small shipyard complete with drydock (CTT Feb 2012), seafood plant, Oyster Point Lighthouse, etc. […]