Just For Fun

These videos are ones we enjoyed making - just for fun. We hope you enjoy watching them!
State Line Route in N scale: Painting a backdrop and adding horizon lines, Episode 13

State Line Route in N scale: Painting a backdrop and adding horizon lines, Episode 13

In this episode, David demonstrates how to paint a gradient blue-sky backdrop for the State...

Where to find guidelines about consolidated stencils

Where to find guidelines about consolidated stencils

Chris Roehl writes in to ask where he can find guidelines on where to a...

Bob’s Train Box Episode 75

Bob’s Train Box Episode 75

Bob and regular guest CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at MTH Trains' new...

What’s the purpose of this building

What’s the purpose of this building

Scott Snuverink from Eli, Kentucky, photographed a building and wants to know what purpose it...

What’s the purpose of this building

What’s the purpose of this building

Scott Snuverink from Eli, Kentucky, photographed a building and wants to know what purpose it...

Where to find automatic crossing bars and signals

Where to find automatic crossing bars and signals

Zach wants to know where he can find good quality automatic crossing bars for his...

State Line Route in N scale: Modifying structures to fit your layout, Episode 12

State Line Route in N scale: Modifying structures to fit your layout, Episode 12

Structures for our State Line Route N scale layout keep rolling in! In this episode,...

What are the functions of different pieces of scrap metal?

What are the functions of different pieces of scrap metal?

Tobia Keseman is writing in because he came across some abandoned pieces of scrap metal...

It’s My Railroad: Build a loader from parts and pieces, Ep. 27

It’s My Railroad: Build a loader from parts and pieces, Ep. 27

As the mini-series continues, there's plenty more work for Steve Brown to finish on his...

It’s My Railroad: Simple scratchbuilding concepts for shaping a complex industry, Ep. 26

It’s My Railroad: Simple scratchbuilding concepts for shaping a complex industry, Ep. 26

Steve Brown shares his “Regular Guy” techniques for building a complex N scale industry –...

State Line Route in N scale: Painting trackwork, Episode 11

State Line Route in N scale: Painting trackwork, Episode 11

Our State Line Route layout is almost ready for scenery, but first there’s track detailing...

Building in an insulated shed

Building in an insulated shed

Chuck Rosan wants to know if it's possible to successfully build a railroad in an...

On the track: Lionel’s new Legacy GP30 locomotive

On the track: Lionel’s new Legacy GP30 locomotive

We took Lionel's new legacy GP30 in Chicago & North Western livery out for a...

Determining the right-hand side of a boxcar

Determining the right-hand side of a boxcar

Edward Waclawski wants to know how someone determines the right-hand side of a boxcar. Cody...

Video review: Atlas O 40-foot high-cube refrigerated container

Video review: Atlas O 40-foot high-cube refrigerated container

Atlas O is offering models of this intermodal container with Daikin and Carrier refrigeration equipment...

Re-building and operating 20th century steam and early diesel locomotives

Re-building and operating 20th century steam and early diesel locomotives

Charles G. Pitcher from Washington, Illinois, wants to know where early 21st century organizations find...

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale slab side covered hoppers

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale slab side covered hoppers

Atlas has added this former True Line Trains car to its Master Line product range....

Lionel’s Phantom train stars on this O gauge Halloween layout

Lionel’s Phantom train stars on this O gauge Halloween layout

Lionel's Phantom train is on the rails! We've all seen Lionel, MTH, and American Flyer...

State Line Route in N scale: Installing a DCC system, Episode 10

State Line Route in N scale: Installing a DCC system, Episode 10

David installs a Digitrax Evolution Express command system on our State Line Route layout. Follow...

Colorado & Southern steam locomotives in the late 1950s

Colorado & Southern steam locomotives in the late 1950s

In this video from contributor Dick Wallin, we can see 2-8-0s, 2-8-2s, and 2-10-2s of...