Model a weather-beaten wood structure: In model railroading, weathering is typically associated with freight cars and locomotives. However, structure weathering is another way to add realism to a layout. Peeling and faded paint, a roof in need of repair, and broken glass are just a few of the ways to turn an ordinary structure into […]
The Illinois Central’s depot at Emery, Ill., 9 miles north of Decatur on IC’s original line down the center of the state, served as a train-order station and also had a small freight room. Note the Western Union telegraph sign at the corner of the building. Classic Trains coll. […]
Resin kits are a practical solution when a particular car or structure isn’t available as a mass-produced item. But unlike injection-molded plastic models, resin kits require a unique modeling and assembly process to yield the best results. In this video, Eric White first shares his insights on the most useful tools and materials. He then […]
Work on the HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy (MR&T) Jones Island project has come to a close, so it’s prime time for David Popp and Eric White to survey the 14 x 3-foot finished layout section! Follow along as the two hosts, along with Cody Grivno and Ben Lake, point out specific scenes and […]
Resin kits are a practical solution when a particular car or structure isn’t available as a mass-produced item. But unlike injection-molded plastic models, resin kits require a unique modeling and assembly process to yield the best results. In this video, Eric White first shares his insights on the most useful tools and materials. He then […]
Work on the HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy (MR&T) Jones Island project has come to a close, so it’s prime time for David Popp and Eric White to survey the 14 x 3-foot finished layout section! Follow along as the two hosts, along with Cody Grivno and Ben Lake, point out specific scenes and […]
A John Armstrong inspired layout: In March of 1952 Model Railroader magazine began a series called Track Plan of the Month. A frequent contributor was John Armstrong, an undisputed genius of model railroad planning. Armstrong designed two track plans for the September 1953 issue. John rotated the center line of the layouts’ footprints 45-degrees and […]
Six model railroad photography tips. Whether it’s a feature for the pages of Model Railroader or an article for the Trains.com website, photography can make or break a story. Readers and website viewers expect quality images that are sharp, well composed, and free of distractions. There have been more than a few times in my […]
Looking at old Model Railroader back issues, I found poisonous model railroad materials. I give those hobbyists a lot of credit; you couldn’t drive over to the hobby store and pick up ground cover or resin to make a water feature. You often used materials from the hardware store, or whatever you had on hand. […]
Using cosmetic applicators for weathering: When I asked my wife if we could walk through the cosmetic department at the local drugstore, she gave me a puzzled look. However, this part of the store is home to some fantastic weathering tools, including foam-tipped cosmetic applicators. I used the applicators to simulate rust and paint wear […]
Trailing ice plant Common name: Trailing ice plant, Cooper’s ice plant Latin name: Delosperma cooperi USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9 Cultural needs: Well-drained soil, sun or part shade Plant size: 3-inches high by 3-feet wide Sometimes called hardy ice plant or purple ice plant, this low succulent is not to be confused with the […]
Locomotive disassembly essentials: Locomotive disassembly is an essential skill to learn. Follow along to learn how to disassemble and reassemble a WalthersMainline HO scale Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SD50. The first step is to remove the draft-gear boxes and couplers. The front and rear boxes are secured with a single Phillips-head screw. Remove the screw and […]
