What was it like working at Lionel’s Hillside, NJ factory during the postwar electric train boom? […]
Working on the railroad: Vintage video footage
Section: Layouts
Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 7
As the Model Railroader staff continues to work on the scenery for the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, it becomes apparent that they need to add the illusion of distance to the scene. An easy solution to this common model railroading problem is to add a distant treeline along the layout backdrop. Follow associate […]
Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 8
For the Winter Hill project the Model Railroader staff needed to add rock castings to the scene around the quarry branch. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to make rock castings using molds and a light plaster product called Hydrocal. Cody also provides tips for trimming the castings and applying the finished rocks to […]
Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 9
The long rock wall is an important scenery feature on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch project model railroad. Now that the Hydrocal castings are in place, Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno will paint and weather the castings so that they look like real rocks. Cody uses a variety of techniques for the […]
Kent Johnson’s modern O gauge layout
Senior Editor Kent Johnson used the walls of his basement to create impressive Canadian mountain scenery in a tight space. Learn how to recreate his rocky canyon walls in the March 2013 issue, and see trains traversing the rugged landscape he created in this video. […]
Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry branch, part 5
Wiring work begins on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch, but luckily the Model Railroader staff can reuse much of the old wiring from the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to solder feeder wires to the track, while associate editor Steve Otte describes the benefits of using Peco […]
Building HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch part 6
Follow along as associate editor Cody Grivno uses an airbrush to weather the track on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch. Cody will show you his easy technique for weathering the rails and ties of model railroad track. You’ll also learn how to use a microbrush to paint the rails around turnouts. […]
Barri Evangelisti’s O gauge layout in a spare room
Barri Evangelisti’s O gauge layout, built on two levels in a spare bedroom, features accessories and trains operating atop hollow doors. Watch the video below to see how much train action he could pack into a 10 x 11-foot space. […]
Drew Madere’s Louisiana layout in O gauge
Drew Madere built his 11 x 20-foot layout in his garage and created an O gauge railroad based on his memories of growing up in rural Louisiana. Watch his trains in action in the video below. […]
Dave Tori’s S gauge layout
Dave Tori’s American Flyer layout features three distinct sections as well as stunning backdrops that help bring his S gauge world to life. […]
Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill quarry branch, part 4
The Model Railroader staff has used latex caulk to install cork roadbed and lay flextrack on the last few project model train layouts. Follow associate editor Cody Grivno as he shows you this easy model railroading technique as work continues on the Winter Hill project model train layout. […]
Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch, part 2
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 […]
