Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 15 | All in the details

In this session, Host David Popp promises to finish the work on the passenger car project! That includes paying careful attention to those tiny details on the passenger car and the layout itself…you know, all of the little things he’d notice if he did not take the time to complete them now, including the addition […]

Read More…

Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 15 | All in the details

In this session, Host David Popp promises to finish the work on the passenger car project! That includes paying careful attention to those tiny details on the passenger car and the layout itself…you know, all of the little things he’d notice if he did not take the time to complete them now, including the addition […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of October 9th 2023

Three model cabooses in various paint jobs

News & Products for the week of October 9th 2023   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of October 9th […]

Read More…

Pacific Southern Railway in HO scale

With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]

Read More…

Pacific Southern Railway in HO scale

With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]

Read More…

The Pacific Southern Railway layout in HO scale

Facts & features Name: Pacific Southern RailwayScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 46 x 96 feet Prototype: FreelancedLocale: GenericEra: FlexibleStyle: WalkaroundMainline run: 1,000 feetMinimum radius: 48″ (main), 36″ (branch)Minimum turnout: no. 4, some hand-laidMaximum grade: 1.3% (main), 3.1% (branch) Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 36″ to 60″Roadbed: Cork on 1⁄2″ plywoodTrack: Visible track: handlaid code 100 (main), code 83 (yards), code […]

Read More…

How to choose a power pack for your model railroad

Blue Kato DC Power Pack

Though multiple manufacturers offer power packs meant for model railroads, three main companies currently offer the packs as separate-purchase items: Model Rectifier Corp., Kato USA, and Bachmann Trains. If you choose to use direct-current control instead of Digital Command Control (DCC) on your layout, buying a DC power pack (or power supply) that fits your […]

Read More…

News & Products for the week of October 2nd 2023

a model locomotive

News & Products for the week of October 2nd 2023   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of October 2nd […]

Read More…

Spaces to Places IV | Light up this whole town, part 6

Westcott is now officially more of a place than it is a space! It’s time for host Gerry Leone to shine a light on and around this town on his HO scale model railroad. Follow along to learn how he added interior illumination to the structures, period-correct streetlights, and fine details that give select scenes […]

Read More…

Spaces to Places IV | Light up this whole town, part 6

Westcott is now officially more of a place than it is a space! It’s time for host Gerry Leone to shine a light on and around this town on his HO scale model railroad. Follow along to learn how he added interior illumination to the structures, period-correct streetlights, and fine details that give select scenes […]

Read More…

The Hills Line with James McNab | Adventures in tracklaying, Episode 15

In this episode, Host James McNab embarks on a journey to elevate model railroading skills by exploring cutting-edge methods. Specifically featuring the use of Central Valley tie strips to build hand laid trackwork. With the objective of encouraging modelers to employ fresh techniques, James demonstrates the process on his portable HO scale Hills Line module, […]

Read More…

Built by Others: Grant Graeber’s MT&W layout

A the downtown section of a model railroad layout

Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader and its associated products. The Black River Junction originally appeared in the pages of Model Railroader in 2007. Grant Graeber converted the layout to the space he had available and made adjustments according to his interests […]

Read More…