How-to Library: Working with cloth shell scenery

narrow gauge modeler Gregg Condo

Noted narrow gauge modeler Gregg Condon shares his easy approach to building model railroad scenery without using plaster. In this how-to video, Gregg demonstrates just how simple it is to combine carved foamboard, cloth shapes, and adhesive caulk to make realistic model railroad landforms. […]

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Off The Rails: Not-so-big Birthday Bash, Episode 50

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 50

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Would you believe it? Gerry made it to 5-0! Fifty episodes of Off The Rails, that is. Join his not-so-big (sans balloons and noisemakers) 4th anniversary party, where he addresses questions and comments from the previous 12 episodes — all from a new […]

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Off The Rails: Not-so-big Birthday Bash, Episode 50

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 50

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Would you believe it? Gerry made it to 5-0! Fifty episodes of Off The Rails, that is. Join his not-so-big (sans balloons and noisemakers) 4th anniversary party, where he addresses questions and comments from the previous 12 episodes — all from a new […]

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How to cast plaster rocks for model railroad scenery

Pouring Hydrocal into a rubber rock mold

Rubber rock molds and hydrocal plaster make it easy to add exposed rockfaces and other dramatic scenic elements to your model train layout   Nothing says “impressive” quite like a rugged mountain range full of jagged rock faces. Though mountains appear solid to us, many are just individual layers of rocks, stacked one on top […]

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DIY rock molds from Play-Doh

Hands packing Play Doh into rock mold

Use this quick tip to make custom rock molds for realistic model railroad scenery Want to make unique rock castings? Here’s an interesting method that was featured in the March 2002 Classic Toy Trains. Play-Doh, a children’s modeling toy, is a great one-time-use mold-making material. It’s water-soluble, easy to work with, and reproduces crisp details […]

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Modeling steers and bulls

DanLewisNscaleMilwaukeeRoadNorthMontanaLine_06

Most N scale bovines offered by figure manufacturers are milk cows, but the Montana cattle industry requires steers and bulls, too. Dan Lewis uses wire and Microscale Kristal Kleer to turn cows into bulls, as well as to model longhorns, on his N scale Milwaukee Road North Montana Line. One problem I encountered with commercially […]

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How-To Library: Spaces To Places II: Building Eagle Lake, Part 3 Road Construction

Gerry Leone working on street details.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Gerry Leone is back on the streets again. In this episode, he shares how to scribe cracks into concrete roads; apply a realistic, aged concrete color; include brick pavement; and add a dirt alley between buildings. […]

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Simple mountain backdrop painting for your toy train layout

Simple mountain backdrop painting for your toy train layout

Creating the scene The examples shown here are from the backdrops on my O gauge layout, which is set against distant hills. I broke each sketch down to three levels of scenery: the foreground (tree line), the intermediate level (nearby hills), and the background (mountains). I needed to use only three colors, one for each […]

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How-To Library: Turning Spaces into Places II, Part 2 – Knocking the Blocks Off

Gerry Leone working on his streets.

Contributing Editor Gerry Leone continues to share his final project on the HO scale Bona Vista Rwy. This time you’ll see how to make sure Main Street, its sidewalks, and all of the surrounding structures maintain prototypical alignment and appearance. […]

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Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2020

Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2020 cover

Also in this issue: MRVP Tech, pg. 64 A Raspberry Pi for your layout DCC Programming, pg. 66 A guide to grouping locomotives Off the Rails, pg. 70 Tool tips for every modeler Let’s Make a Scene, pg. 72 Kathy’s best winter modeling tips It’s My Railroad, pg. 75 Easy signals for hidden track Q&A […]

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It’s My Railroad with Steve Brown: Scenery-making marathon, Ep. 13

It’s my Railroad with Steve Brown Part 13

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Steve Brown truly covers lots of ground (pun intended) in this episode! Watch as he uses “Regular Guy” techniques to add color, texture, and even trees to work along and above the banks of his N scale layout’s harbor scene.   […]

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