Video Step by Step: Weathering an N scale locomotive – part 2

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This is part 2 of the Video Step by Step covering how to add weathering effects to an N scale diesel locomotive. Cody Grivno shares techniques for applying rust patches and soot effects, painting the trucks, fuel tank, and underframe, blending the various […]

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DCC Programming: episode 12 – Lighting effects

Basic prototypical lighting.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In this episode of DCC Programming, host Dana Kawala shows how programming lighting effects into your DCC-equipped diesel locomotives can enhance their realistic appearance and prototypical operation. Dana demonstrates effects that can be used on a variety of diesels from a wide […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Episode 2

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this second episode of Rehab My Railroad, Drew and Chuck head back into the basement where they find Cody Grivno finishing the roadway project and David Popp installing the automated grade crossing. While work continues, Chuck takes Drew on a rolling tour […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 28 – Installing a steam sound decoder

Micro-Tsunami steam digital sound decoder packaging

We wanted our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout to sound as impressive as it looks, so David Popp decided to install a DCC sound decoder in our Bachmann Climax workhorse. Follow along as he shows how to disassemble the locomotive, solder the decoder and speaker wires, position and test the unit, and then re-assemble […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 27 – Applying ground cover

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page How could we?! Truth be told, we almost forgot to get MRVP’s Jenny Maaske involved in the construction of our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. Lucky for us, she was willing to jump right in and get her hands dirty helping Kent […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 26 – Build a timber retaining wall

After kitbashing a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR associate editor Eric White decided to make good use of leftover kit components. In this video, he shows how to assemble a retaining wall using stripwood and detail parts. Eric also shares insights on adding rust effects with weathering powders. […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 25 – Reworking the snowshed base

Nothing in model railroading is exempt from a do-over, including the scenery we roughed in around the base of the timber snowshed on our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. So rather than try to finesse the terrain to better support the structure, David Popp simply used a mulligan to rebuild the area with foam installation […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 24 – Snowshed kitbash

After making a cardboard mock-up of a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR staffer Eric White starts to build the structure kit. Eric demonstrates the complete kitbashing process, ranging from how he stains, measures, and cuts the stripwood to fitting the final structure into position on the layout where it will […]

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DCC Programming: episode 11 – manual notching

Manual notching using a QSI Quantum decoder.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Modern sound decoders have made it possible for your model locomotives to sound just like the real thing. In this episode, DCC Programming Series host Dana Kawala shares a few ways to tweak the sound effects to further enhance the realistic operation […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Special Episode – local hobby shop stop

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The Rehab My Railroad effort is off to a quick start! But before David Popp and Cody Grivno can resume work, host Drew Halverson and layout owner Chuck Sable make an essential re-supply run to a local hobby shop. In this FREE, ALL-ACCESS […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 23 – Make a structure mock-up

Model Railroader magazine’s new staff member Eric White will kitbash a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But before construction begins, he’ll first share how to make a useful cardboard structure mock-up. Along the way, Eric shows how a mock-up can immediately reveal issues to address, without needlessly sacrificing kit parts. […]

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