Layouts controlled with a conventional transformer are still as popular and practical as ever. The basic electrical principles of this setup haven’t changed since their origin, but you may find it helpful to refresh your understanding of how things work. William Zuback Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries […]
Download this free 15-page PDF for expert advice on planning and building realistic HO and N scale layouts for small spaces. Whether you’re working out of a spare bedroom or a garage, this free digital download will provide you with the track plans and product information you need for the space you have. […]
In the December 2018 issue of Model Railroader, Tom Houle shows how he scratchbuilt an exact O scale model of the Soo Line train depot in Dallas, Wis. As an online bonus, download the cutting diagrams featured in the story, as well as the standard plans for a Wisconsin & Northern depot that he used […]
We didn’t have room to publish all the photos from Eric Brooman’s spectacular HO scale Utah Belt, featured in the December 2018 Model Railroader. Check out these bonus trackside images. […]
3D printing has become less expensive and can produce higher-quality prints than ever before. Most people limit themselves to PLA or ABS filaments. These two plastics are quite common and can even be found in your favorite big-box store in the most common sizes: 1.75mm and 3.0mm. There are others out there with advantages and […]
Eric Schade Starting in the December 2018 issue, author Eric Schade explains how he built tipper cars from scratch. Download his drawings here and follow along to build your own cars. […]
Location scouting is a vital part of filmmaking. A movie-production company sends an advance team to review scenery, camera angles, lighting, weather, and more. We are one-person studios but we need to include location scouting, too, including scouting the rolling stock, the trains and their stories, structures, and environment; time and lighting conditions; camera locations; […]
Location scouting is a vital part of filmmaking. A movie-production company sends an advance team to review scenery, camera angles, lighting, weather, and more. We are one-person studios but we need to include location scouting, too, including scouting the rolling stock, the trains and their stories, structures, and environment; time and lighting conditions; camera locations; […]
Name: Utah Belt (2018) Layout owner: Eric Brooman Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 22′-8″ x 39′-6″ Prototype: freelanced Locale: northern New Mexico Era: the present Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 173 feet Minimum radius: 39″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Benchwork: L girder Height: 46″ to 58-1/2″ Roadbed: cork on 3/8″ plywood, with […]
Name: Quisling, CA Layout owner: Brian Moore Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 inches x 24 feet Prototype: proto-freelanced Southern Pacific Locale: Central/Northern California Era: circa 1982 Style: modular Mainline run: 24 feet Minimum radius: 42″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: extruded-foam insulation board sheets, wrapped in plywood Height: 45″ Roadbed: none Track: […]
Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. A General Electric ES44AC leads an eastbound coal train in Furnace Creek Canyon on Eric Brooman’s HO scale Utah Belt. Modern motive power is one of the many recent developments of the ever-evolving UB. This month you can use […]
In this layout wiring walk-through, MRVP’s Ben Lake shares his approach to completing the wiring for the trackwork, block detection system, and planned signal installations. Ben’s technical explanations will help prepare you for the next bold step into MRVP Tech — computer control! […]
