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: Painting track with an airbrush
Section: Layout Builds
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 […]
Build the HO scale Beer Line: Add lights to a layout
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader’s HO scale Beer Line layout was built to celebrate the magazine’s 75th anniversary. In this video, David Popp shows you how he added miniature lighting to the layout. This is a project that can be accomplished on most model railroads. […]
Thin Branch Series: Working with cork roadbed
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Cork is one of the common materials used when adding roadbed to a layout. In this video David Popp explains how to get the best results with cork, and he shows you how to lay one of the more difficult pieces of roadbed […]
Thin Branch Series: Laying track
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Time to lay the track on our HO scale Thin Branch. In this video David Popp shows how he starts with the complex stuff first, making the entire tracklaying project a breeze! […]
Thin Branch Series: How to soldering rail joints
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Metal rail joiners are a poor conductor of electricity. As shown in this video, soldering the rail joints improves electrical conductivity and provides more reliable locomotive operation. […]
Thin Branch Series: Switchmotor part 1 – installation
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page To operate the turnouts on your layout by remote control requires some sort of switch machine or motor. In part 1 of this series, we show you how to install the motor mechanism onour Thin Branch layout. […]
Thin Branch Series: Switchmotor part 2 – wiring
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page To operate the turnouts on your layout by remote control requires some sort of switch machine or motor. In part 2 of this video series, we install a DC power bus, connect the motors and toggle switches, and align the mechanism to work […]
Thin Branch Series: Wiring a model railroad for DCC
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Wiring for your model railroad depends upon the type of control system you wish to use. When working with Digital Command Control, you’ll need a power bus and feeders. In this video we show you how we installed those items on our Thin […]
