Detailing a train depot scene — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 22

David Popp and Cody Grivno looking at the depot and scenery on a model railroad layout

Detailing the train station scene on the N scale State Line Route is the focus of this video. David Popp is ready to install the train depot on the layout, but there some small projects to complete. First, David shows he made an Amtrak sign for the train depot. Then he installs interior and exterior […]

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Spring & Fall, Part 1: Building Bridges | Let’s Make a Scene

You’ve come to love Kathy Millatt as host of Let’s Make a Scene on Model Railroader Video Plus since October 2017. She’s now back with all-new episodes, Spring & Fall Part 1 Building Bridges, of the helpful scenery-making series on Trains.com! Even better, she’s also documented many of her expert modeling insight in the Kalmbach Media/Model […]

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Adding lighting and interior scenes to structures — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 21

Eric White shows how to add interior scenes to an N scale structure

Adding lighting and interior scenes structures on the N scale State Line Route layout is the focus of this episode. First, Eric White makes interiors for Gerry Leone’s and Seth Puffer’s structures using images he found on Google. Then, he adds realistic lighting inside the structures by installing LED lights from Woodland Scenics’ Just Plug […]

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Chris Raines’ O gauge layout is a mix of modern and digital

Chris Raines layout

Chris Raines’ O gauge layout is featured in the May-June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It has neat scenery, structures, and lots of O gauge trains, primarily from the 1970s to today. The display has towns and areas named after Chris and his wife’s three children and there’s plenty to see! Chris runs the […]

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It’s my revised railroad revealed | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 29

Host Steve Brown has just a bit of a surprise in store. In this episode you’ll be the first to see It’s My Revised Railroad revealed! Right in the middle of his Star Industries project effort, our “regular guy” has done something very much out of the ordinary. Steve shares his efforts to redirect and […]

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Postwar and modern Lionel trains mix on this layout

Postwar and modern Lionel trains on Richard Shutt's layout.

Postwar and modern Lionel trains mix on Richard Shutt’s layout! The 21 x 24-foot O gauge display, featured in the March-April 2022 Classic Toy Trains, is built for operation. His lifelong interest in the Norfolk & Western Ry. matches a deep-seated fascination with trains and accessories from the post-World War II period. It also includes […]

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Repurposing a layout scene — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 20

Repurposing a layout scene for the N scale State Line Route layout is the focus of this episode. First, Cody Grivno borrows a few structures from an old T-Trak module to help build up an all-new scene for the layout. Next, he shows how to prepare the new site to fit the assembled structured in […]

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Trailing spikemoss

Trailing spikemoss with miniature scooter

  Common name: Trailing spikemoss, golden clubmoss 

Latin name: Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’ Plant type: Groundcover 

Plant size: Moist, acidic soil; part or full shade USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Cultural needs: Mounding as high as 6″, spreading to 24″ Spikemoss, with its seaweed-like jointed stems, has an other-world appearance, as do the liverworts, when you get […]

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Midday Modeler 03.02.2022

Two men talking near a model railroad layout.

Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 — In this installment of Midday Modeler, David Popp gives a hearty update on the progress on the Jones Island portion of the MR&T HO scale layout along with Cody Grivno. Later in this Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 episode, David visits the Model Railroader workshop to talk with Classic Trains Editor Brian Schmidt […]

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Midday Modeler 03.02.2022

Two men talking near a model railroad layout.

Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 — In this installment of Midday Modeler, David Popp gives a hearty update on the progress on the Jones Island portion of the MR&T HO scale layout along with Cody Grivno. Later in this Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 episode, David visits the Model Railroader workshop to talk with Classic Trains Editor Brian Schmidt […]

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Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 28

Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures are all part of Steve Brown’s major changes. Right in the midst of his efforts to scratchbuild an N scale industrial structure, of course. But that’s what the It’s My Railroad series is all about! In this episode, you’ll see our host employ helpful techniques to tackle challenges in assembling […]

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Kitbashing trackside structures — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 19

Kitbashed N scale buildings alongside a blue backdrop with tree line

Kitbashing trackside structures for the N scale State Line Route layout is the focus of this episode. First, David Popp shares his planning and preparation steps, which include finding prototype photos and building mock-ups for this N scale model railroad layout. Next, David uses parts from several model kits to custom build a paint factory […]

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