Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page There are many different paints available for modeling work, and in this video Cody Grivno explains the basics and uses of several common brands. […]
Paints for model railroads
Section: Beginners
The basics of modeling adhesives
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page What type of glue do you need for your models? That’s exactly what we cover in this video. From super glue to epoxy, we cover the basics of various modeling adhesives. […]
VIDEO: Build a lighthouse beacon or Mars light
In the April 2013 issue, David Bodnar presents three lighting projects using a Picaxe controller and an LED. In this video, he demonstrates all three projects. Don’t forget to cut-and-paste the code for your own project! […]
How to cement plastic parts
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Whether you’ve never built a plastic kit or you’ve assembled several, this video is for you. Cody takes you through the steps to clean up, fit, and cement plastic kit parts like a pro. […]
How to quickly weather O-gauge vehicles
With just a few supplies, Kent Johnson shows you how to quickly add dirt and dust to your vehicles. […]
How to install feeder wires
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Good electrical connections are key to a smooth running model railroad, and one way to help achieve this is with feeder wires. In this basic training video you’ll learn how to attach feeder wires to the rails of model railroad track. […]
Garden railroading/Large-scale railroading terms
Annual refers to a plant that lives for only one season and must be replanted each year. Ballast is the medium, usually gravel of some sort, that provides a firm underlayment for track, helps to hold it in place, and drains water away from the ties. Battery power is another way of operating electrically powered […]
Choosing rail for the garden railroad
Rail comes in many different sizes and materials. Here’s a little background information to help you chose the one that’s right for you. Rail sizes The size of model-train rail in any scale is referred to by “code.” For instance, in large-scale railroading we commonly use code-332, code-250, or code-215 rail, although code 197 is […]
Basics of gauge-1 switches, part 2
Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Keeping dirt and debris out of the moving points is imperative to proper operation. The author uses a stiff brush to keep things moving freely through an operating session. Kevin Strong The frog and guardrail flangeways—like the points—need to be kept clear. These areas aren’t […]
Fire up a small-scale live steam locomotive
The No. 24 was the last locomotive supplied to the two-foot gauge Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Maine. This G scale live steam model was manufactured by Roundhouse Engineering of Doncaster, England. Kenneth Matticks Gas is added through the filler valve in the center of the tank. By watching the pressure gauge and […]
Designing a garden railway for live-steam locomotives
A Roundhouse “Fowler,” fitted with a coal-fired boiler by John Shawe, at work on the author’s garden railway near Toronto. Jeff Young When we acquire a small-scale live steamer, it is usually to run on an established garden railway. The selection of your live-steam locomotive was probably influenced by the physical characteristics of the existing […]
Attaching wire to the rail
Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz There are several ways of connecting a lead wire to the rail. Perhaps the most positive is soldering it. The wire can also be connected mechanically. Screw-on connectors are not too reliable outdoors. However, a wire can be screwed to a clamp-on rail joiner. Split Jaw Rail Clamps offers […]
