While we’ve addressed how to weather modern diesel locomotives in other MRVP videos, David Popp takes on the challenge of giving the Olympia Logging Co. steam locomotives an aged appearance. Follow along as he demonstrates how to use an airbrush to apply various paint color effects — all without impacting the performance of our layout […]
Section: Olympia Projects
Olympia Logging Series: Part 29 – Custom locomotive lettering
As the layout construction and scenery work progresses, MR’s Cody Grivno continues to prep the Olympia Logging Co. steam-powered workhorse for service. In this video, he demonstrates how to reletter our factory-decorated On30 Bachmann Climax. When an initial technique falls short, Cody cleverly introduces an alternative process using a floor finishing product. […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 28 – Installing a steam sound decoder
We wanted our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout to sound as impressive as it looks, so David Popp decided to install a DCC sound decoder in our Bachmann Climax workhorse. Follow along as he shows how to disassemble the locomotive, solder the decoder and speaker wires, position and test the unit, and then re-assemble […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 27 – Applying ground cover
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page How could we?! Truth be told, we almost forgot to get MRVP’s Jenny Maaske involved in the construction of our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. Lucky for us, she was willing to jump right in and get her hands dirty helping Kent […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 26 – Build a timber retaining wall
After kitbashing a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR associate editor Eric White decided to make good use of leftover kit components. In this video, he shows how to assemble a retaining wall using stripwood and detail parts. Eric also shares insights on adding rust effects with weathering powders. […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 25 – Reworking the snowshed base
Nothing in model railroading is exempt from a do-over, including the scenery we roughed in around the base of the timber snowshed on our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. So rather than try to finesse the terrain to better support the structure, David Popp simply used a mulligan to rebuild the area with foam installation […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 24 – Snowshed kitbash
After making a cardboard mock-up of a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR staffer Eric White starts to build the structure kit. Eric demonstrates the complete kitbashing process, ranging from how he stains, measures, and cuts the stripwood to fitting the final structure into position on the layout where it will […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 23 – Make a structure mock-up
Model Railroader magazine’s new staff member Eric White will kitbash a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But before construction begins, he’ll first share how to make a useful cardboard structure mock-up. Along the way, Eric shows how a mock-up can immediately reveal issues to address, without needlessly sacrificing kit parts. […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 21 – Sculptamold rocks
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The scenery work keeps rockin’ on the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout as David Popp demonstrates another technique for making simple, yet realistic rock outcroppings using Sculptamold. David walks you through all of the steps, from mixing up the material to forming the […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 20 – Rubber rock castings
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Scenery projects resume on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout with Kent Johnson adding a large rock face. Kent keeps it simple by using a single rubber casting to form a sheer rock wall along the layout’s elevated line. Don’t miss his […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 19 – Adding LED lighting
After installing the fascia and cabinet, David had the bright idea to keep progress rolling on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout. In this episode, he assembles, installs, and wires the LED strips used to illuminate our display-style layout. This is our first attempt at using LEDs, so David also shares several helpful installation tips […]
Olympia Logging Series: Part 18 – fascia and cabinet install
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Before Kent and Jenny start on the messy scenery work, David first installs the fascia and a handy display cabinet on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. David gets the dust flying when he demonstrates how to make precise, clean cuts in […]