Pelle Søeborg is a model railroader known for his ability to create ultra-realistic scenes. His main modeling focus is modern-era railroading in the California desert, but his techniques are useful whatever your modeling subject. This article collection includes two track plans: one for a shelf layout and another for Pelle’s 11′-6″ x 22′-0″ Union Pacific […]
Modeling Topic: Structures
Handcar shed drawings
Check out these plans for a handcar shed from Model Railroader magazine. Every railroad needs myriad small storage sheds along the right-of-way and in engine terminals and yards. When I required a small trackside shed for my freelanced On30 (also known as On21⁄2) North Cariboo Ry., I decided it should show its age. I figured the shed would […]
The Roundhouse: Episode 14
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Hal Miller welcomes MR’s Neil Besougloff and Steve Otte on the set. In this episode of The Roundhouse, the guys talk about the ups and downs of scratchbuilding in the 21st Century. […]
The Roundhouse: Episode 14
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Hal Miller welcomes MR’s Neil Besougloff and Steve Otte on the set. In this episode of The Roundhouse, the guys talk about the ups and downs of scratchbuilding in the 21st Century. […]
Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 5
Follow Hal Miller as he shows you the progress on the latest Model Railroader staff project layout. Much of the trackwork is complete. Work is also underway on the compact engine terminal, including a motorized, Digital Command Control turntable from Walthers that Hal has installed. Jim Hediger is also at work on a prominent structure […]
Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 5
Follow Hal Miller as he shows you the progress on the latest Model Railroader staff project layout. Much of the trackwork is complete. Work is also underway on the compact engine terminal, including a motorized, Digital Command Control turntable from Walthers that Hal has installed. Jim Hediger is also at work on a prominent structure […]
Family Train Layout: Bonus Episode – building a plastic kit
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this bonus installment of the Family Train Layout project, David guides viewers through the steps for building a simple plastic water tower kit. Of course, the tools and modeling techniques demonstrated here can also be used to assemble numerous other structures for […]
Walthers HO scale Magnolia Hotel
Walthers HO scale Magnolia Hotel Price: $34.98 Manufacturer Wm. K. Walthers Inc. 5601 W. Florist Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53201 www.walthers.com Era: late 1800s to 1950s Comments: The Magnolia Hotel is one of the latest structure offerings from Walthers. The injection-molded plastic kit, part of the Cornerstone Main Street USA series, features a decorative peaked-roof cornice […]
Sounds and images: Raising a Northeast Corridor drawbridge
FULL SCREEN Bob Johnston Amtrak bridge operator Merrill Perkins controls the Northeast Corridor’s Niantic River movable bridge from a tower at the end of the structure. Push-button controls make this bridge easy to operate. FULL SCREEN Bob Johnston The previous Niantic River movable bridge had been built by the New Haven Railroad in 1907, and […]
Thin Branch Series: Build a river part 3B – Installing bridges
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Before he could pour the resin water on the layout, David needed to finish installing the bridges over the river. In Build a River Part 3B, he shows you the final steps for completing the the through-girder bridge and the pile trestle. To […]
Thin Branch Series: Build a river part 3B – Installing bridges
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Before he could pour the resin water on the layout, David needed to finish installing the bridges over the river. In Build a River Part 3B, he shows you the final steps for completing the the through-girder bridge and the pile trestle. To […]
Scratchbuild a Dairy Queen graphics
In the February 2014 issue, Steve Monson describes how to scratchbuild a 1950s-style Dairy Queen restaurant. Here, he provides extra graphics to detail your structure. Download a PDF file of signs and a checkerboard floor. For full instructions, see the February 2014 issue. PLEASE NOTE: This is a graphically intense file and it may take […]