How To Archives - Page 96 of 253

How to transfer a track plan from paper to model railroad benchwork

A drywall T-square with measuring tape on benchwork

This simple method lets you scale up a track plan from a magazine or sketch onto your model train table You’ve managed to find the perfect track plan in a book or magazine, or you’ve spent hours at the drawing table or computer carefully drafting a track plan. The next step is transferring the track […]

How to switch model railroad freight cars

Illustration of switching basics for model trains

Do you know how to switch model railroad freight cars? Operations, once considered a quirky art practiced by few, has become commonplace on today’s model railroads. As interest in operations increases the need for “boomers” – operators, in other words – has also increased. Therefore you may find yourself pressed into service on a new […]

The Hills Line with James McNab: Track tips & tricks, Episode 3

James McNab, our newest Contributing Editor, shows viewers that trackwork can be realistically enhanced like any other model on a layout. In this case, James reveals helpful insights for detailing and painting track on his HO scale Hills Line. […]

How-to Library: Signaling with JMRI, Part 2

The JMRI signaling series continues with MRVP’s Ben Lake taking a closer look at the Layout Editor tool within PanelPro software. On the Canadian Canyons N scale layout, Ben shares his process and insights for using Layout Editor to link various components (turnouts, track segments, etc.) of a signaling system. […]

How To

The roof of a model caboose getting filed down

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How to make dimensioned drawings using Onshape online solid-modeling software

Last time I 3D printed the wheel made in a solid modeling program called Onshape and I didn’t like the results. I redesigned the wheel to make it more aesthetically pleasing and to better meet my needs. Instead of walking through the steps that I took to create this new, improved wheel, I will show […]

How-to Library: Installing a portable spray booth

Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Want the freedom to paint and weather your models safely and easily in your basement? MRVP’s David Popp shows how to make that possible by installing a fold-up spray booth from Micro-Mark. Follow along as he talks you through the entire process — […]