Now that the rocks for our Thin Branch project railroad are in place, it’s time to paint them. David shares an easy 3-step painting technique that produces realistic rock outcroppings. […]
Thin Branch Series: Painting rocks
Section: Layout Builds
Thin Branch Series: Benchwork part 4 – Fascia
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In the fourth and final benchwork video for our Thin Branch Project Railroad, David adds the fascia to the HO layout using tempered hardboard. This technique can be used on any model railroad. […]
Thin Branch Series: Benchwork part 3 – plywood subroadbed
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video episode of our Thin Branch HO scale project railroad, the layout gets its plywood subroadbed installed. David shows you how to mark and cut the plywood for smooth transitions between the levels and support it with simple risers made […]
Thin Branch Series: Working with plaster rocks part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Whether it’s a mountain face or just a simple outcropping, sooner or later you’ll probably need to model rocks on your layout. In this video, David shows you how he cast rocks from plaster for the Thin Branch project railroad. […]
Thin Branch Series: Working with plaster rocks part 2
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Once you’ve cast rocks in plaster, it’s time to install them on the layout. In this video, David shows you how he cut, fit, and cemented plaster rock castings to the Thin Branch project railroad. […]
Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 10
The asphalt shingle plant is one of the structures on the Winter Hill Branch model train layout. Follow along as Model Railroader associate editor Steve Otte show you some of the modeling techniques that he used to kitbash this HO scale structure. You’ll learn about the models that Steve chose for the project, and get […]
Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 12
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. […]
Thin Branch Series: Painting track with an airbrush
To make your track look realistic, you need to paint it. Cody Grivno shows you how he painted the track for our Thin Branch project railroad using an airbrush and acrylic paints. […]
Thin Branch Series: Building Benchwork Part 2 – Frames
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In part 2 of our benchwork video series, David Popp shows you how to make easy frames that can be used to support a variety of layout options. He also attaches the legs we built in part 1. […]
Thin Branch Series: Building benchwork part 1 – Legs
To build a model railroad you’ll need some sort of benchwork. In this video series we show you how to build easy yet sturdy benchwork that can be used on most any model railroad. In part 1, we start with simple leg assemblies. […]
Thin Branch Series: Introduction and operation of our HO scale branch line
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The Thin Branch is an HO scale addition to Model Railroader‘s Virginian project railroad. This video introduces the project and also explains how a typical operating session on the Thin Branch works. […]
Thin Branch Series: Build a layout mock-up
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Although track plans are fairly accurate, you don’t really know how a layout will turnout until you build it. In this video, we’ll show you a test step where you can build a mock-up using cardboard and track sections to see if […]
