Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Lance Mindheim As evening approaches, Los Angeles Junction Ry. no. 2619, a Santa Fe-rebuilt CF7, crosses District Boulevard in Los Angeles. Frequent Model Railroader contributor Lance Mindheim photographed the scene on his HO scale shelf layout. Click on the […]
Section: Modeling
Roots run deep
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How to build a fleet of toy train engines
A few years ago I addressed this topic with a two-pronged approach: a little philosophy that might help you shape your fleet and some practical physical elements to ponder before you plunk down your credit card. Let’s take a quick refresher. Bob’s Rules for Locomotive Buying are pretty simple: One: A toy train is not […]
Tools and gadgets that make railroad gardening easier
Trake Liz Miller Seafood fork Liz Miller Two for the (rail) road Liz Miller: Cape May, New Jersey Zone 7 I have two tools I find quite useful in the railway. The first is called a Trake—a combination of trowel and rake. It’s great for new plantings and for working around established ones. It’s made […]
How-to Library: Turning Spaces into Places II, Part 1 – Out on the Town
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Before the demise of his HO scale Bona Vista Rwy., MRVP Contributing Editor Gerry Leone couldn’t help but to launch into one final layout project. Follow along with Gerry’s effort to turn a vacant space into a town location he’s named Eagle […]
How-to Library: Turning Spaces into Places II, Part 1 – Out on the Town
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Before the demise of his HO scale Bona Vista Rwy., MRVP Contributing Editor Gerry Leone couldn’t help but to launch into one final layout project. Follow along with Gerry’s effort to turn a vacant space into a town location he’s named Eagle […]
The train dispatcher and model railroads
A train dispatcher supervises the movement of trains over a designated portion of a railroad and also supervises the other employees involved in that movement. The dispatcher’s first responsibility is safety, to see that each train gets over the road without trying to occupy the same piece of track at the same time as any […]
DIY graffiti for modern model railroad freight cars
Like it or not, graffiti is part of the modern railroad scene. Matt Snell shares his techniques for adding different styles of graffiti to rolling stock using paint markers and an airbrush. All photos by Matt Snell. Matt Snell Fig. 1 Basic graffiti. Drawn or spray-painted lettering can be easily re-created on smooth-side cars and […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for February 2020
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Starting with this episode in February 2020, Cody’s Office will be brought to you twice a month. In this episode, Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno will show you a selection of new model railroading products, including a quick demo of a sound-equipped Atlas […]
Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for February 2020
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Starting with this episode in February 2020, Cody’s Office will be brought to you twice a month. In this episode, Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno will show you a selection of new model railroading products, including a quick demo of a sound-equipped Atlas […]
East Broad Top narrow gauge equipment drawings
Some of the most interesting narrow-gauge equipment to come off production lines is that made for the East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Co., especially the locomotive and cars pictured on these pages. Mikado No. 16 (Baldwin 1916) was one of the heaviest engines owned by the EBT, tipping the scales at 160,500 pounds. Nos. […]
Modeling the East Broad Top
East Broad Top Railroad combine No. 18 has long fascinated the author. The opportunity to walk through the still existing, circa 1876 railroad car prompted him to build this 1:20.3-scale model of the car. Kevin Strong EBT combine No. 18 waits in the Rockhill Furnace yards for its next trip south to the mines at […]