I model the Western Maryland Ry. (WM) from the 1920s to before the start of World War II. Appropriate commercial models of coal hoppers for my modeling era are limited in large scale. I was using LGB two-bay and Bachmann three-bay hoppers as stand-ins, but I wanted accurate, period-specific coal hoppers for my rolling stock […]
The original Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, located on the third floor of Kalmbach Publishing Co.’s former headquarters at 1027 North 7th Street in downtown Milwaukee, started in rather unassuming fashion. No fanfare. No ribbon-cutting ceremony. Just a short memo dated November 13, 1975, with the subject line “Kalmbach Model Railroad Club.” It read: “A club […]
Q: I have some questions about streamlined observation cars with rounded ends. What was the purpose/use of the large light located at the end of the roofline of these cars? Is it a white light for reverse moves, or is it a red light similar to a modern day Flashing Rear End Device? Could the […]
Common name: Dwarf baldcypress, dwarf swamp cypress Latin name: Taxodium distichum ‘Peve Minaret’ Plant size: 6-10′ high by 3′ wide in 10 years USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-11 (marginally in Zone 4) Cultural needs: Moist, acidic soil; sun T.d. ‘Peve Minaret’ is a dwarf variety of the magnificent swamp cypresses of the Florida Everglades. The dwarf […]
Although our family had a wind-up Marx set when I was very young, my real interest in Marx trains began when I received a Marx Allstate set for Christmas about 1961 when I was 10. My father bought it at the Sears surplus store on North Main St. in High Point, N.C. for, I think, […]
According to Model Railroader Editor Eric White, former Editor Linn H. Westcott’s L-girder benchwork has been a hallmark technique in the hobby that’s been passed down to today’s modelers. It checks off many boxes, especially being a straightforward process in its assembly. How straightforward is it? Let’s find out as we learn how to build […]
Built by Others is an article series showcasing layouts constructed by modelers using plans and projects from the pages of Model Railroader and its related products. Malcolm Furlow’s HOn3 San Juan Central layout first appeared in a multi-part series in the pages of Model Railroader between 1983 and 1984. Adam Palmer’s San Juan Central V2 […]
Q: I’m setting up a model railroad on a 6 x 12-foot table. The layout will use Digital Command Control. What would be the best wire size(s) to use on the layout? — Greg Kurtz A: Two considerations when selecting the right wire size, Greg: First, that doesn’t involve long bus-wire lengths, so No. 14 […]
My submission to the contest has five basic features: A double reversing loop Multiple loops for simultaneous operation of several trains Interconnections between the multiple loops Two levels of track A ramp connecting the two levels of track Classic Toy Trains and the Lionel Collectors Club of America congratulate Wes Swartz as the second-place winner […]
Name: Steve and Barbara Tapper’s O gauge layoutDimensions: 8 x 16 feetTrack: Lionel, MTH (diameters range from 27 to 42 inches)Switches: MTHMotive power: K-Line, Lionel, MTH, WilliamsRolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, Menards, MTH, Weaver, WilliamsControls: MTH Nos. Z-750 (3), Z-4000 (2) transformers with Lionel TrainMaster Command Control and MTH Digital Command SystemAccessories: K-Line, Lemax, […]
Name: Brian and Riley Inch’s O gauge layoutDimensions: 10 x 16 feetTrack: GarGraves (diameters range from 36 to 72 inches)Switches: Ross Custom Switches with Tortoise machinesMotive power: Lionel, MTHRolling stock: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH, WeaverControls: Lionel type-ZW transformer with Lionel Legacy and MTH Digital Command SystemAccessories: Gilbert American Flyer, K-Line, Lionel, Z-Stuff for TrainsStructures: Crescent […]
Facts and features Name: Green Bay Area Model Railroaders ClubScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 26 x 68 feetPrototype: Green Bay Western, Chicago & North Western, and Milwaukee RoadLocale: Fox Valley, northeast WisconsinEra: 1950 to 1976Style: walkaroundMainline run: 2,000 feetMinimum radius: 42″Minimum turnout: No. 8 on mainlineMaximum grade: 3%Benchwork: Open gridHeight: 423∕4” to 491∕2“Roadbed: corkTrack: Atlas code 100 […]
