Some power-routing turnouts use thin metal tabs to provide contact between the stock rails and switch points. These tabs are often unreliable, especially on older turnouts, and can cause locomotives to stall. Paul J. Dolkos Theo Cobb illustration So long as your rails are clean and your rolling stock is fine-tuned, it’s time to inspect […]
A simple track cleaning car inspired by John D. Allen and the master model railroader’s Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. Lou Sassi Being an admirer of the late John D. Allen, I read with interest every article I can find concerning his Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. In the process I’ve learned of an interesting device John […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Even with a nifty track plan in hand, David isn’t quite finished with layout development. In this episode, he mulls over the operating scheme that he’ll use to keep the appropriate type and volume of traffic routing over the HO scale model railroad. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In Part 4, Gerry Leone really starts to cover some ground… or in this case, pink foam insulation board! Watch and learn how easy it is to transform stark construction materials into a natural-looking setting. […]
1. Retired but still active, Jerry and Alison Ogden maintain their Possum Creek Railroad to stay lush, with wall-to-wall plants they bought from Miniature Plant Kingdom. At this stage, six years after its initial construction, the trackplan still works and access is easy, but several unruly or languishing plants have been replaced. Jerry started with […]
1. Near their back door in Nevada, a railyard introduces viewers to the theme of Joe and Mary Schrock’s highly detailed railway, Bulldog Junction. This picture communicates the teamwork necessary on railroads. All parts support the main theme. The distant backdrop of pointed dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 4-8) suggests the scale world […]
Photo 1 Standing on Scott Gould’s lawn, visitors look up at Ballachulish & Pitlochry Railway. Structural spruce trees contrast low native moss that Scott transplanted onto riverbanks and lawns. We’re able to peek under the bridge for the reflected view of the truck farmer’s home as he loads up for deliveries. The paired detail of […]
Tom Knapp’s workshop now sports this N scale standard and narrow gauge model railroad test track that folds up. With the safety bolt retracted, Tom can lift the table out of its hangers and tip it up against the door. The test track folds flat against the door, where it’s held by a magnetic latch […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page You’ve been asking for a updated operating plan for the new and improved Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. In this installment, David not only delivers a scheme, but he also runs a few trains to demonstrate how it all comes together. As a […]
In part 3 of this MRVP mini-series, Gerry Leone resumes his helpful instructions for working with an Arduino. This time Gerry shows how he harnessed their usefulness to solve a problem on his HO scale layout. Turns out the tiny devices really are powerful enough to stop a train in its tracks…or from flying off […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, Cody works to paint the interior of a Chicago & North Western HO scale commuter car. From there, he shows how to add seated figures before reassembling the car. […]
Jerry A. Pinkepank 1 “Mountain Type” F3A. Briefly in 1947, EMD referred to its steam-generator-equipped, passenger-geared F3s as “The Mountain Type.” These units were intended for use on passenger trains that traversed grades for which E7s were not suitable. In September 1947 Union Pacific got eight F3 A-B-B sets, plus three extra A units, all […]
