Cody’s Workshop: Episode 17 – patchwork ballasting

Cody Grivno standing in the MR&T layout room introducing a video

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This episode of Cody’s Workshop migrates to the MR&T, Model Railroader magazine’s HO scale layout, where Cody shows how to install a prototypical, but infrequently modeled, section of patchwork ballast along a two-track main line. He also demonstrates a practical application for a […]

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MR Insider: 2014 National Train Show, Part 1

model railroad display at the 2014 National Train Convention

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The MR/MRVP Dream Team including David, Neil, Dana, Cody, and publisher Kevin Keefe storm into Cleveland to cover the 2014 National Train Show. In part 1 of 2 videos, Cody talks with several manufacturers eager to share their exciting new products. He also […]

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MR Insider Weekly: July 7, 2014

Jenny Freeland at her computer

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This week on MR Insider Weekly, MRVP’s Jenny Maaske catches up with assistant editor Ben Lake. Jenny talks with Ben about his forthcoming MRVP debut in front of the camera, rather than behind it! Ben reveals some of the challenges of being under […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 12 – Backdrop painting

Hand holding airbrush painting a back drop.

Using little more than a cardstock template and a couple paint colors, artist Jay Smith shows viewers just how quick and easy it is to add a realistic pine forest treeline to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout. Jay used his favorite internal mix airbrush to apply the paint, but his simply technique for making […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 12 – Backdrop painting

Hand holding airbrush painting a back drop.

Using little more than a cardstock template and a couple paint colors, artist Jay Smith shows viewers just how quick and easy it is to add a realistic pine forest treeline to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout. Jay used his favorite internal mix airbrush to apply the paint, but his simply technique for making […]

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Model a weather-beaten wood structure

ThisNorthernPacificclassCdepothasseenitsbetterdaysCodyGrivnoexplainshowtomodelaweatherbeatenwoodstructure

This Northern Pacific class C depot has seen its better days. Cody Grivno explains how to model a weather-beaten wood structure. In model railroading, weathering is typically associated with freight cars and locomotives. However, structure weathering is another way to add realism to a layout. Peeling and faded paint, a roof in need of repair, […]

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MR Insider Weekly: July 1, 2014

David Popp

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this July 1st edition of MR Insider Weekly, the MRVP crew takes a scouting trip to visit a colleague’s model railroad – all in the name of planning a brand-new MRVP series! When one of Kalmbach’s own needed a little help working out […]

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Build your own wireless DCC system

locomotive_decoder

Mark Buccini In the August 2014 issue, Mark and Vince Buccini wrap up a three-part series on building a simple DCC system. This part explains how to program and install a locomotive decoder. Cut-and-paste the code for the decoder here or download the attached .txt file. And don’t miss parts one and two (April and […]

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Make some programmable crossing signal lights

In the August 2014 issue, David Bodnar shows us how to program a Picaxe to make realistic signal lights. Cut-and-paste the code here for six different projects. Program 1: A simple crossing signal #TERMINAL 4800 ‘set the speed of the terminal SYMBOL LED1 = b.2 ‘pin 11 SYMBOL LED2 = b.4 ‘pin 9 SERTXD (13,10,”Crossing […]

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