In this episode, host Gerry Leone gets back to the backdrop. Namely, he’s working to disguise those unpreventable seams that appear between sections of hardboard panels. Gerry shares his techniques for getting the job done in a satisfactory way, but without the painstaking efforts of a professional drywall installer! […]
Section: How To
Back on Track: Layout progress report and more, Episode 11
It’s hard to keep with Gerry’s rapid pace of construction. Fortunately, he slowed down for a quick recap of what he’s accomplished with the cameras turned off. Then, it’s back to solving benchwork problems! […]
Back on Track: Tips for testing and tweaking a track plan, Episode 10
Host Gerry Leone continues to plan and build out a switching area for his all-new Bona Vista HO scale model railroad. This time, Gerry shares how he uses actual model structures and track remnants to visualize and plot his plans, and then adjust them to suit layout realities. […]
Walthers HO Scale turnouts debut with DCC friendly features
HO Scale Walthers turnouts introduction Like their predecessors, the latest generation of turnouts is DCC friendly. Turnouts that are DCC friendly minimize the possibility of a short shutting down part of a model railroad due to metal wheels contacting adjacent rails that are at a different polarity. The new Walthers Track line turnouts are available […]
Sketching with Steve: Big industries for small spaces
Model railroaders who want to maximize their mainline runs often resort to narrow shelves that hug the walls and zigzag through the middle of the room on long peninsulas. The tradeoff with this kind of design is that the more shelves have to fit into a room, the narrower they have to be. This limits […]
Use fabric to cover your large-scale buildings
I’ve discovered a way to build inexpensive and custom designed buildings for indoor use or temporary displays at train shows or open houses. The primary material for this project is fabric. These fabrics are called “landscape designs,” and include patterns such as brick, wood, and stone, as well as signs. Several manufacturers make these designs, […]
Icing at the citrus grove, waiting for the local freight, documenting the end of steam, and other model railroad photos
Trackside Photos is a showcase for the work of Model Railroader readers. Send your photos (digital images 5 megapixels or larger) to: Model Railroader, Trackside Photos, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612; or upload them to http://fileupload.kalmbach.com/contribute. For our photo submission guidelines, contact associate editor Steven Otte at sotte@mrmag.com. […]
State Line Route in N scale: Laying down cork roadbed, Episode 5
David works Rene and Sammi into the layout construction rotation. To start, David puts finishing touches on the subroadbed. He steps aside to let Rene and Sammi install the strips of cork roadbed that form the base for the N scale trackwork. Plus, you’ll see a preview of some structures to come! […]
Lionel’s No. 6417 porthole caboose
Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]
Advanced automatic reversing controllers
In the April 2021 issue of Model Railroader, I wrote about DCC reversing sections. I briefly touched on some automatic reversing section controllers (ARSC) that are available. This month I will focus on ARSCs that do more than just the basic reversing functions. Have no fear, because all ARSCs still work with as few as […]
How to build a paper structure
While David and Co. continue construction on the N scale project layout, Steve Sweeney shares his techniques for assembling a cardstock house kit. Follow along, as Steve walks and talks you through all of the essential tools, supplies, and processes — start to finish! […]
How to keep rust off your trains
Those little packets of silica gel that come in model train and other boxes are there for a reason – to keep moisture away from your valuable items. Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller tells you how they work and where you can get more if you’ve thrown yours away. […]