Video: Kato N scale Silver Streak Zephyr

This new Kato USA passenger model train marks the first time that the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s Silver Streak Zephyr has been available as a ready-to-run N scale model. The passenger cars and the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) E5 diesel-electric locomotive feature all-new prototypically accurate tooling. Watch the video to see the train in action on […]

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Duck, duck, belle?

Two Kansas City Southern “Southern Belles” cross the Kankakee River at Momence, Ill., on a southbound Union Pacific container train on July 16, 2011. The route between Chicago and Woodland Junction, Ill., is jointly operated by CSX and UP. Photo by Brian M. Schmidt […]

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America’s newest roundhouse

Former regional railroad owner Jerry Joe Jacobson built a private, 18-stall roundhouse he calls the “Age of Steam” in Sugarcreek, Ohio, to house his collection of a dozen locomotives. The complex includes a boiler wash track, offices, a backshop, machine shop, store house, water tank, and water column. Enjoy this short video, and be sure […]

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How to use cardboard strips for model railroad scenery

Side of model train layout with cardboard strips

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to use a web of cardboard strips and plaster cloth to make a sturdy model railroad scenery base. Cody used this technique for a stretch of scenery on the Model Railroader HO scale club […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch, part 2

Hand modeling scenery on model railway

Before any track can be laid or structures installed on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill project, managing editor David Popp makes some adjustments to the existing benchwork. There will be some elevation changes as well as a roadway that will lead down into the quarry. Senior editor Jim Hediger also describes how he determined […]

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