In this last installment of the Model Railroader staff’s project layout video series, you’ll get backdrop painting tips from MR illustrator Jay Smith. Follow along as Jay shows you how he added the quarry scene to help finish off the model train layout scenery. […]
Section: Layouts
A compact backyard line
Railway at a glance Name: P&BW RR Size of railroad: 30′ x 40′ Scale: 1:29 and 1:20.3 Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Era: Late 1800s to present Theme: Colorado railroading then and now Age: 4 years Motive power: USA Trains diesels, LGB and Bachmann steam locomotives Length of mainline: Lower loop, 106′; upper loop, 146′ Maximum […]
The Baker & Grande Ronde Railroad
Railway at a glance Name: Baker & Grande Ronde Railroad Size: 60′ x 185′ Theme: 1880s narrow gauge, mining, and logging Age: 9 years Scale: 1:24 Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Type of track: Code-250 brass rail handlaid on redwood ties Turnouts: #4 stub, #6 stub, and #4 three-way stub, all scratchbuilt Length of mainline: 560′ […]
Video: Model Railroader Layout Progress 2013 part 2
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Each year Model Railroader’s staff organizes a Saturday driving tour to visit model train layouts built by staff members, former staff members, and other Kalmbach Publishing Co. employees. In part 2, you’ll see the last three stops of the day, including Model Railroader […]
A visit to Jeff Otto’s HO scale Missabe Northern Ry.
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Jeff Otto’s HO scale Missabe Northern Ry. Was featured in Model Railroad Planning 2013. This video covers the activities at Proctor Yard and the iron ore docks at Duluth. […]
Video: Model Railroader Layout Progress 2013 part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Each year Model Railroader’s staff organizes a Saturday driving tour to visit model train layouts built by staff members, former staff members, and other Kalmbach Publishing Co. employees. In part 1 you’ll see the first three stops of the day, including Kalmbach Publishing […]
Visit the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy HO layout
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The Milwaukee, Racine & Troy is Model Railroader magazine’s HO scale club layout. This introductory video provides an overview of the line from Milwaukee to Williams Bay and is the first in a planned series that will explore the construction and operation of […]
Layout Visits: David Popp’s N scale Naugatuck Valley
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp’s N scale Naugatuck Valley has been featured in the pages of Model Railroader magazine for years. In this video tour, David shows your around the nearly completed layout and provides a few design and modeling tips along the way. […]
Build the HO scale Beer Line: Add lights to a layout
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader’s HO scale Beer Line layout was built to celebrate the magazine’s 75th anniversary. In this video, David Popp shows you how he added miniature lighting to the layout. This is a project that can be accomplished on most model railroads. […]
Thin Branch Series: Wire a power reversing switch
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Power-reversing switches are commonly used when wiring switch motors or creating reverse loops on DC-powered layouts. Learn how to make your own reversing switches using a common double-pole double throw toggle switch. […]
Thin Branch Series: Working with cork roadbed
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Cork is one of the common materials used when adding roadbed to a layout. In this video David Popp explains how to get the best results with cork, and he shows you how to lay one of the more difficult pieces of roadbed […]
Thin Branch Series: How to soldering rail joints
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Metal rail joiners are a poor conductor of electricity. As shown in this video, soldering the rail joints improves electrical conductivity and provides more reliable locomotive operation. […]