East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 25 | Setting a Scene & Working the Wall

Scenery is in full swing on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! In this episode, both Cody Grivno and David Popp get deep into the effort of framing up the farm scene, developing the depot area, adding weathering effects to bridge abutments, and more! Be sure to keep up with the […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 28 – part 2 | Adding authentic waterfalls

As the waterworks continue, David details his process for creating realistic waterfalls for the Olympia & Sand Creek On30 logging layout. He starts by making flexible waterfall sheets using multiple coats of Woodland Scenics water effects paste on plate glass. He also shows how to build containment dams across the river rocks using clear silicone […]

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Cody’s Office | October 2025

Welcome back to Cody’s Office! This month’s episode is packed with three new products, a helpful modeling tip, and answers to your viewer mail questions. Our featured products include the N scale Electro-Motive Division SD35 diesel locomotive from Atlas Model Railroad Co.; an HO scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel switcher from the WalthersProto series; and a […]

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Cody’s Office | October 2025

Welcome back to Cody’s Office! This month’s episode is packed with three new products, a helpful modeling tip, and answers to your viewer mail questions. Our featured products include the N scale Electro-Motive Division SD35 diesel locomotive from Atlas Model Railroad Co.; an HO scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel switcher from the WalthersProto series; and a […]

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East Troy Industrial Park Sidetrack | Building a glass plant, Part 5

In this Sidetrack Series departure from the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park Project Railroad, you’ll learn how to use brass wire and flat bar to create durable, small-diameter brackets and tension wires for the scratchbuilt generator structures. Throughout the demo, Eric shows viewers how to use specialized tools, including wire nippers and metal-bending […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 24 | Road Markings & Terrain Painting

The initial segment of the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout edges closer to completion! In this episode, you’ll see how Cody Grivno and David Popp refine roadway detail and paint a touch of earth-tone color over the plaster covered terrain. Be sure to keep up with the construction progress by linking […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 23 | Smoothing Terrain & Adding a Grade Crossing

In this episode covering the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout, the construction crew dives into adding scenery and details. They first demonstrate techniques for shaping and smoothing scenes representative of rolling Wisconsin terrain. And then you’ll see the process for adding a grade crossing where the road meets the rails.     Be sure […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 22 | Backfilling with foam and plaster

Host David Popp shows viewers how to build realistic scenery around the high embankments of the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. In this instructional video, you’ll learn how to use foam board, packing peanuts, and plaster cloth to create a durable base for additional ground cover and fine scenery materials. It […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 28 | Creating a realistic river

In this episode, David Popp builds out a river with rapids and waterfalls for his Olympia & Sand Creek On30 logging layout. He gets things started by sharing his proven method for installing styrene dams to contain the resin “water” pour. Next, David focuses on creating the riverbed with a mix of sand, rock, and earth. […]

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East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 21 | Building Mainline Bridges

Enthusiasts of railroad engineering will enjoy this helpful, instruction episode, which details how to build and install bridges and abutments on a model train layout. Following the Canadian National prototype, this video focuses on a 70-foot single-track deck girder bridge and a 30-foot single-track through girder bridge. Learn how to properly use a Walthers bridge […]

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Menards O rail maintenance office

Color photo of O scale rail maintenance office with boxcar body, pickup truck, trees, and figures on scenicked base on white background.

Menards O rail maintenance office Scale: O (1:48) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: Menards, 5106 Menard Dr., Eau Claire, WI 54703; menards.com/trains Menards O rail maintenance office features: Factory-assembled scene Factory-installed figures, barrels, cans, crates, ladder, and railroad ties Includes small Cripple Creek & Western Rail Maintenance sign on left side of boxcar and large logo on right […]

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Spaces to Places VIII | Add realistic telephone poles to a town

Gerry Leone, host of Spaces to Places, works along the streets of Westcott, a Bona Vista HO scale layout town site he thought was previously “finished.” Here, he shows how to add a key missing element – telephone poles (aka utility/power/line poles)! Follow along, and you’ll see Gerry’s process for building, painting, and installing the […]

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