With so much talk about Union Pacific’s effort to restore Big Boy steam locomotive No. 4014, the world wants to know … what is a wristpin? Listen in as UP steam boss Ed Dickens Jr. talks about this 50-pound plus hunk of metal without which a live, steaming Big Boy would grind to a halt. […]
Section: Videos
Video: Model Railroad Planning 2014 issue preview
Model Railroad Planning editor Tony Koester provides highlights of this year’s issue. Featured layouts include an exquisite HO scale model of New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and a spectacular N scale Southern Pacific Siskiyou Line. There’s even a cylindrical layout as well as five compact model railroads in 4 scales that fit in a 14 […]
Video: Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 4
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Structures and trackwork dominate this episode of the Model Railroader staff’s Rice Harbor video journal. Associate editor Steve Otte describes the lighthouse for Rice Harbor. Steve built the structure from a Branchline Trains kit, and the model also features a working beacon. Editor […]
Building a 5 x 8 Harbor Railroad part 3
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Layout designer David Popp describes his strategy for using various turnouts on the Rice Harbor project layout. The turnouts are controlled by New Rail Models Blue Point controllers. You’ll also get a look at the benchwork for the folding staging track and see […]
Building a 5 x 8 Harbor Railroad part 2
Work continues on the Model Railroader staff’s HO scale Rice Harbor project layout. David Popp begins track work on the railroad. Editor Neil Besougloff discusses his options for modeling a passenger station that will fit the model railroad’s setting and era. […]
Family Train Layout: episode 3 – laying and wiring track
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that the foam base for the Family Train Layout is in place, David shows how to expand the basic train set oval of track and connect the wires required to power the trains. Would you like to learn more about how to […]
Family Train Layout: episode 5 – adding hills and trees
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this fifth and final installment of the Family Train Layout project, David shows viewers how to spruce up the railroad by adding a vacuum-formed hill, trees, and other small details. Would you like to learn more about how to get started in the […]
Family Train Layout: episode 4 – Install buildings and roads
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David shows viewers how to add roads and other paved areas to the surface of the Family Train Layout. He then shares tips for placing and permanently securing various structures. Would you like to learn more about how to get started in the great […]
Video: Blackstone Models HOn3 2-8-0 Consolidation
The Blackstone Models HOn3 (HO scale 3-foot gauge) 2-8-0 Consolidation features a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. We ran the superdetailed steam locomotive on Blackstone’s new ProTraxx HOn3 click track. […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video–Inside Cody’s Office for December 2013
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this month’s installment Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno gives you an introduction to weathering rolling stock with the PanPastel weathering system. Cody will also show you new locomotives and rolling stock in HO, N, and O scales. Viewer mail this month […]
O gauge RailKing SW1 switcher by MTH
This compact diesel locomotive has an eye-catching paint scheme and plenty of technology under the hood. […]
Dave Durling’s O gauge layout
A Lionel starter set purchased for Christmas led to this great compact layout. Dave Durling has modeled favorite places from his life in New England, complemented by several stunning scratchbuilt structures. […]
