Q: My light blue-gray walls look fine to the naked eye, but not so good in photos. Are there some tried and true formulas for the major paint brands that are a reliable “sky blue” for model railroad backgrounds? — David Provost A: Model railroaders have long asked “What color is sky blue?” when painting […]
Whether we like it or not, AI isn’t going away. The adoption of this technology across all major tech companies and many industries has cemented its place in our contemporary culture, at least for the time being. We as modelers may as well make our peace with it, and learn how to make it work […]
Model trains have long captivated the imagination of hobbyists, collectors, and enthusiasts of all ages. From their origins as simple tinplate toys to today’s intricate, highly-detailed machinery, model trains trace a fascinating evolution that mirrors advancements in technology and changes in cultural trends. Let’s explore how this beloved hobby developed over the decades. Tinplate Trains […]
Garden railroading is a popular subsection of the model railroading hobby, and for good reason. One of the most limiting factors for building a functional track or train station is available space. Many people don’t have one or more entire rooms to spare for a model railroad layout. Garden railroading, however, takes that layout and […]
If you’re looking at model trains and deciding what to prioritize, no doubt you’ve come across a variety of scales. You might be wondering, which scale is best for you? How small is too small? The most common scales for model trains and sets are O scale and HO scale. In this post, we’ll walk […]
Q: I will be starting my first model railroad soon, a small N scale layout. I want to use code 55 track, but I’ve read mixed reviews about it. Do you have any suggestions, or should I stick with code 80 track? — Damien Bouchey A: When shopping for N scale track, you’ll see it […]
10 more helpful tips for your layout Smooth and steady steaming It’s not surprising that postwar Lionel steam locomotives are extremely underpowered. They’re single-motor locomotives that must tow a heavy tender, so you’ll seldom get them to pull more than a dozen freight cars. Keep the wheel axles, side rods, and smoke-unit mechanism properly lubricated, […]
Join Trains.com hosts David Popp and Gerry Leone, as they visit Bernard Hellen in the Miniprints booth at Trainfest 2024 in Milwaukee, Wis. Watch as “Dr. Mini” walks through the process he uses to make 3D-printed scale model figures from a full body scan of actual people. Learn how easy it is to add a […]
Hump yards The number of hump yards operating in North America has dropped precipitously over the decades. Today there are 36 active hump yards operated by the big six Class I systems and terminal and switching railroads. That’s down from 59 in 2002, 72 in 1993, 122 in 1985, and 152 in 1975. Yet hump […]
Q: I would like to know where to buy double-shelf couplers for HO scale tank cars. — Joseph Kuepfer A: Before we look at what’s available in HO scale, let’s back up a step and learn what double-shelf couplers are. In his article “HO knuckle coupler guide” from the November 2007 Model Railroader, former Senior […]
We’ve all been there before. Seated at the drafting desk, or perhaps the workbench, depending on how your layout room or workshop is set up, notebook open, pen in hand, writing out a list of desired traits for your soon-to-begin model railroad, maybe sketching possible track plans in the margins. A tale as old as […]
Let’s face it, I love Trainfest. I’ve lived in the area for more than 20 years now, and I’ve been at every Trainfest they’ve held during that time. So, when it was announced earlier this year that Trainfest was back in 2024, it really didn’t matter to me who put it on or where it […]
