End of an era for George Sellios’ Fine Scale Miniatures

On September 6, George Sellios announced that he and his company, Fine Scale Miniatures, will retire from the craftsman-kit manufacturing business. For 48 years Fine Scale Miniatures (FSM) has made wood craftsman kits for model railroaders. The last kit offered by the firm will be the HO scale Jamestown Water Stop. For more information, visit […]

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In-depth Product Review: Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Hornby HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The subject of this month’s In-Depth Product Review is Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive, updated with an ESU Digital Command Control sound decoder. Dana Kawala shows you what makes the model tick in this video, and he takes the engine for a […]

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In-depth Product Review: Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Hornby HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The subject of this month’s In-Depth Product Review is Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive, updated with an ESU Digital Command Control sound decoder. Dana Kawala shows you what makes the model tick in this video, and he takes the engine for a […]

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First train to Tower Grove usually wins

Smoking steam locomotives with passenger train

St. Louis, late 1940s: After a “race” that was not as close as the one author John Mills saw in 1941, MP 4-6-2 5327 rolls the Missourian past a Terminal Railroad Association Baldwin diesel as Frisco 4-8-2 4401 backs the Will Rogers into Union Station. Harold E. Williams What could be more exciting to an 11-year-old […]

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Build a yard office in 1:29 scale

Build a yard office in 1:29 scale

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Please make sure […]

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Sustainability for lasting enjoyment

train near rocks on garden railway

When we start out, we intend to make our dream come true. Our piqued imagination and the enthusiasm of fellow modelers are necessary to sustain us through the long construction process. Long-term and second-go-round railroad gardeners have used strong building materials for their walks, retaining walls, railroad and structures. They researched the plants to find […]

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Accucraft 0-4-0T Dora locomotive

dora1

Jeff Young Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, live steam 0-4-0T Accucraft Trains 33268 Central Avenue Union City CA 94587 Price: $435 Website: http://accucraft.com 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, freelance 0-4-0T live-steam locomotive; gas fired; powered by a two cylinder, oscillating, double-acting steam motor (3⁄8″ bore x ½” stroke); geared 2:1 to the axle; rotary-valve reversing with lever […]

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Ballast King track-ballasting car

ballast_spreader1

Kevin Strong Functional track-ballasting car Ballast King 12817 Briar Dr. Leawood KS 66209 Price: $259 + $16.80 s&h Website: www.ogaugeconnection.com Steel and PVC hopper car for ballasting large-scale track; can be used indoors or out. Dimensions: length (excluding coupler), 11 ½”; width, 5 ½”; height (without extension tube), 7″ Pros: Car automatically provides neatly-dressed ballast […]

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