Computer desktop wallpaper from the January 2018 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. A manifest freight barrels through the crossing at York, Pa., on Brian Wolfe’s HO scale Western Maryland layout. Paul Dolkos shot the photo. Click on the links below to download the image to use as a background on your […]

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Understanding track and wheel standards

There are standards for many of aspects of life, and these are generally good things—they help to make more different things work together easier. For example, when you plug something into the USB port on your computer, standards that govern that interface ensure that what you plug in will work with your computer. One would […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the December 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. It’s a snowy winter day in Gold Mine Gap on Ron Foreman’s HOn3 Devil’s Gulch & Helengon. The silver ore train must go through so the precious metal can be smelted into Christmas gifts. Click on the links below […]

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Bonus desktop wallpaper from Great Model Railroads 2018

Great Model Railroads 2018

Great Model Railroads 2018 features a wide variety of outstanding model train layouts in N, HO, O, and large scales. This month you can download images from all 11 model railroads to use as a background wallpaper on your computer screen. Click on the links below for the appropriately sized images. Want to see more […]

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Build this Retro 4 x 8 Railroad

Build this Retro 4 x 8 Railroad

Large layouts are cool, no doubt, but we thought that something smaller that combined postwar trains with modern materials also sounded like fun. We told Classic Toy Trains Editor Carl Swanson what we were thinking, and he challenged us to actually follow through. Uh-oh. This special 13-page magazine supplement contains step-by-step instructions for creating a 4 […]

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How to model realistic track and trackside scenes

In this special supplement to Model Railroader, you’ll get expert advice on and photos of lineside details for: Roadway, ballast, rails and ties Terrain and features alongside your track Signals, signs, and grade crossings Trackside communication, safety, and maintenance equipment Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter and get your free download! […]

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Super Streamliners: Dazzling passenger trains from the classic era of rail travel

Long before the advent of diesels and lightweight equipment, streamliners shaped “high-speed rail” in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. In this free, 35-page download, we revisit the classic streamliner era. This series includes: The Great Chicago-Twin Cities Speed War: How intense competition between Burlington Route, Milwaukee Road, and Chicago & North Western drastically reduced daytime […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the October 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the wallpaper. Urban switching and street running are the highlights of Carroll Street on Paul Dolkos’ HO scale Baltimore Harbor District. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Download the 1600 x 900 image Download the 1600 x 1000 […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the September 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. New York Central no. 6024, a 4-8-4 Niagara, departs Ellison Union Station with the afternoon express, while no. 9403, a class A-2a Berkshire, enters the yard with a manifest freight on Lee Gasparik’s O scale layout. This trackside photo, […]

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