On30 Michigan-California Lumber Co.

On30MichiganCaliforniaLumberCo

Name: Michigan-California Logging Co. Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion on HO scale track) Size: 3′-10″ x 6′-8″ Prototype: Michigan-California Lumber Co. Locale: El Dorado County, Calif. Style: Tabletop oval Era: 1918 Mainline run: 19′-4″ Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Height: 41″ to 47″ Roadbed: Homasote Track: handlaid Fast Tracks and […]

Read More…

Red Oak Series: Applying static grass

David Popp holding static grass.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In this video, David Popp demonstrates the steps for adding static grass that will help make your scenery texture appear more authentic – even in small spaces like those found on Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak project layout. […]

Read More…

Red Oak Series: Adding ballast

Red Oak Series Adding ballast

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Just a little bit of a ballast goes a long way toward making Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout look more realistic. In this video, David Popp walks you through the steps you’ll need to prepare the trackwork, […]

Read More…

Red Oak Series: DCC system installation

David Popp standing at a work table

While a complete Digital Command Control (DCC) system installation might not initially sound like a simple process, MRVP’s David Popp sure makes it seem that way in this how-to video. In his demonstration, David paces you through the steps he used to add a Digitrax Super Empire Builder Xtra system to Model Railroader magazine’s 3 […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 41 – Lessons Learned

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this final episode of MRVP’s Olympia Logging Co. On30 display-style layout construction series, David Popp and Kent Johnson highlight the efforts, successes, and shortcomings over the last several months. Enjoy the quick tour, glean helpful insights from the candid conversation, and then […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 41 – Lessons Learned

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this final episode of MRVP’s Olympia Logging Co. On30 display-style layout construction series, David Popp and Kent Johnson highlight the efforts, successes, and shortcomings over the last several months. Enjoy the quick tour, glean helpful insights from the candid conversation, and then […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 40 – Layout operation

David Popp show’s you that it really is possible to perform prototypical operations on a layout as simple as our Olympia Logging Co. On30 display. Follow along as he first explains the scheme, makes the essential preparations, and then demonstrates how fun and easy it is to get the layout working like a real railroad […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 40 – Layout operation

David Popp show’s you that it really is possible to perform prototypical operations on a layout as simple as our Olympia Logging Co. On30 display. Follow along as he first explains the scheme, makes the essential preparations, and then demonstrates how fun and easy it is to get the layout working like a real railroad […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 36 – Build a log pond

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page There’s a place to include realistic water effects on just about any model railroad, including our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. In this video, David Popp shows how to build a log pond, starting with the pond banks shaped from foam insulation board, […]

Read More…

Olympia Logging Series: Part 39 – Log car upgrades

Now that David Popp has the Olympia Logging Co. On30 steam locomotives looking good and weathered, he’s turning his focus to the log car fleet on the display-style layout. Follow along as he demonstrates how to use a can of spray paint, various modeling paints applied with a brush, pre-mixed stains, and weathering powders to […]

Read More…