Spring & Fall, Part 1: Building Bridges | Let’s Make a Scene

You’ve come to love Kathy Millatt as host of Let’s Make a Scene on Model Railroader Video Plus since October 2017. She’s now back with all-new episodes, Spring & Fall Part 1 Building Bridges, of the helpful scenery-making series on Trains.com! Even better, she’s also documented many of her expert modeling insight in the Kalmbach Media/Model […]

Read More…

Frank Vodvarka’s layout has something for everyone

Frank Vodvarka's layout

Frank Vodvarka’s layout, the 23′ x 27′ Eclectic Empire, is featured in the May-June 2022 Classic Toy Trains. It’s colorful and entertaining, with pre- and postwar Lionel and other O- and Standard gauge trains from the U.S. and abroad. Plus it has accessories, figures, and structures from multiple eras and manufacturers like Bayko, Britains, Bassett-Lowke, […]

Read More…

Preparing an N scale locomotive for repainting | Cody’s Workshop, Ep. 48

Preparing an N scale locomotive for repainting. That’s what expert modeler Cody Grivno highlights in his latest Cody’s Workshop series video. From his workbench and vented spray booth, our host will lead you through the necessary steps for disassembling an Atlas EMD GP38-2 diesel locomotive model, stripping off the factory paint job and decoration, and then applying an […]

Read More…

Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation

Man speaking in front of steam locomotive.

Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation: Trains.com and Kalmbach Media are proud to celebrate the rail journalism life of Jim Wrinn. For the 17 years Jim served as Trains’ Editor — his dream job — Jim was a leader in trying new ways to reach audiences and going great distances to “get the story.” Please enjoy […]

Read More…

Moonlight extra on the snowy Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway

Snowy garden railway with lit train approaching

Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA Scale: G scale Theme: Tourist railroad with freight operations in the modern era. Description: Moonlight extra – Gas Electric M-2 “Sadiebug” runs an extra passenger service on the Jericho & Mt. Zion Railway on a cold and snowy evening. Music from Epidemic […]

Read More…

Midday Modeler — 04.06.2022 the toy train episode

Toy train layout with lighted locomotive.

Midday Modeler — 04.06.2022: This week! Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller hosts the weekly Midday Modeler broadcast. If you’ve never experienced a modern toy train locomotive, Hal is here to set you up. First off, Hal demonstrates a modern O-gauge MTH locomotive decorated for Canadian Pacific and running on the City Terminal & Transfer […]

Read More…

Trackside Photos: A Great Northern steamer, an Iowa Interstate grade crossing, a Zephyr on a bridge, and more

A Great Northern 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive crosses a steel deck truss bridge over a creek in wooded mountains.

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. […]

Read More…

Lionel LionChief 2.0 Baby K4 review

Lionel LionChief 2.0 Baby K4

The Lionel LionChief 2.0 Baby K4 is a modern O gauge steam engine that represents the Pennsylvania RR’s proud Pacific type. The model is simply detailed with lots of operating features including a fan-driven smoke unit, lighted flickering firebox, crew figures, and more! It runs well and is equally at home pulling a set of […]

Read More…

Preview the May June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains

Hal Miller with the May June 2022 Classic Toy Trains cover

The May June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains features Chris Raines’ layout and his YouTube channel, how to repair American Flyer’s no. 290 steam locomotive, a combination O gauge/Standard gauge layout, plus reviews of Lionel’s baby K4 steam locomotive and Menards hospital building, the latest new products, tips, and much more!   Subscribers can […]

Read More…

Make a Lake, Part 1 | Back on Track, Episode 18

By popular demand! Back on Track host Gerry Leone jumps ahead in time to begin an effort to shape a common layout space into a unique place! In this episode, you’ll see the start of the lake scene takes the curved mainline into consideration. First, Gerry works to build up a plate girder bridge to […]

Read More…