Making grade crossing signals: Work is coming to an end on the State Line Route N scale model railroad, but not before adding some final details. In this episode, David Popp shows how to make grade crossing signals using parts from various manufacturers. The modeling tools he uses for this project are available for purchase […]
Section: Videos & Photos
Midday Modeler – 05.04.2022 with Hal Miller!
Midday Modeler – 05.04.2022: This week on Midday Modeler, Classic Toy Trains editor Hal Miller hosts a conversation with eminent toy train enthusiast and YouTuber, Chris Raines. Chris talks about his experiences with toy trains and also the hobby’s direction with the younger crowd. Midday Modeler is a new, regular video segment, recorded live and […]
DCC install for N scale locomotives | State Line Route Sidetrack
DCC install for n scale | As the crew nears completion of the State Line Route N scale (1:160) model railroad, it’s time to get the locomotives ready to run. In this episode, David Popp shares how to install a Train Control Systems (TCS) AMD4 DCC decoder into an N scale Atlas diesel locomotive. Follow […]
Spring TCA York 2022 show report
Spring TCA York 2022 notes from the field. CTT Editor Hal Miller visits the April 28-30 Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association event in York, Pa. He checks out the O, S, and Standard gauge trains and talks to some of the personalities at the show, including YouTubers Chris’s Trains & Things, Sid’s Trains, […]
Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1
Celebrating Amtrak’s 50th +1! No force of nature or pandemic fears could keep Trains.com Producer Kent Johnson from pressing ahead with his Amtrak victory lap across America in the summer of 2021. There’s no better way to reveal the highlights and highjinks of present-day rail travel, than to document the ride along routes of notable […]
Trackside Photos: A B&O local, a VE produce train, a C&O coal train, and more
Send us your photos Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. Send your photos (digital images 5 megapixels or larger) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612; or upload them to http://fileupload.kalmbach.com/contribute. For our photo submission guidelines, contact Senior Associate Editor Steven Otte at sotte@kalmbach.com. […]
Midday Modeler — 04.27.2022 — hosted by Cody Grivno!
Midday Modeler — 04.27.2022 — This week hosted by Cody Grivno. This week Cody and Company offer up modeling tips, tricks, and updates. Eric White and Steven Otte, and Nastassia Putz, show of the progress they’ve made on their projects in the Depot Dash Kitbash project in 2022. Cody also shows tips of shoring up the […]
Make a Lake, Part 2 | Back on Track, Episode 19
Make a Lake, Part 2! In the previous video of this mini-series, host Gerry Leone launched an effort to add a realistic water feature to his HO scale Bona Vista RR. Now, he’s following up the groundwork and bridge construction by shaping the landforms along the shores. He also turns his attention to forming the […]
Elevate buildings to track height | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 30
Elevate buildings to track height! Work continues on the Star Industries project, a mid-sized industry modeled on Steve Brown’s N scale layout. In this episode, Steve shares how he raises his rail-served buildings to the appropriate track height, simply by adding a foundation. You’ll also see his techniques for making paved roads featuring proper curbing […]
Detailing a train depot scene — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 22
Detailing the train station scene on the N scale State Line Route is the focus of this video. David Popp is ready to install the train depot on the layout, but there some small projects to complete. First, David shows he made an Amtrak sign for the train depot. Then he installs interior and exterior […]
Rocky Mountaineer’s Colorado Adventure
In the fall of 2021, Trains.com staff rode Amtrak train no. 5, California Zephyr from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Denver, Colorado, with the expressed intent of capturing seasonal operations of Rocky Mountaineer’s Colorado-Utah excursion. While best known for day treks into the Canadian Rockies, this new Rocky Mountaineer route offers patrons a similar mountain canyon experience […]
Jason Shron’s Kingston Subdivision in HO scale
Kingston Subdivision in HO scale: Industry leader Jason Shron has successfully propelled Rapido Trains, Inc., into the model manufacturing spotlight. In this exclusive interview, you’ll get to see how his drive, dedication, and passion for the hobby is manifested in his own HO scale (1:87.1) Canadian-themed model railroad. Tour with Jason, as he walks the […]