The Lionel Sandy Andy gravel loader in action

Hal Miller with Lionel sandy andy gravel loader

The Lionel Sandy Andy Automatic Gravel Loader was one of a kind. This 1970s accessory didn’t last very long in the catalog and there might be a few reasons why. On the other hand, it’s an exceptionally engineered product in certain ways and takes full advantage of physics! It’s all plastic and free of batteries […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Installing the Streets, part 3

It’s time to hit the streets of Westcott, the developing new town on Gerry Leone’s HO scale model railroad. After adding lights to structure interiors, adjusting city blocks, and then building, painting, and weathering sidewalks, our host shows his technique for paving roads made from medium-grit sandpaper! Want to see more of Gerry’s work in […]

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Menards Rocket Launching Tower blasts off

Menards Rocket Launching Tower side view

The Menards Rocket Launching Tower is out and I have to say, it’s a lot of fun. Commencing countdown, engines on.” The words from the David Bowie song Space Oddity got stuck in my head when I saw this accessory.  It harkens back to late 1960s Lionel when the race was on to put satellites […]

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Menards Cripple Creek County Jail

Menards Cripple Creek County Jail

The Menards Cripple Creek County Jail is a place where your O scale folks can do the time if they’ve committed a crime. It has a sort of dark demeanor of a place you can take your 10-year-old who filched a candy bar to and scare them straight! This building has what the movies call […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2

The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2

The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]

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Build a Sinclair gas station with dinosaur

model gas station with green plastic dinosaur on the front

I always wanted to build a Sinclair gas station. As a kid, I remembered a Sinclair gas station in Pennsylvania with a large dinosaur statue on the front of the building. You had to walk through its legs to get inside. I wanted a similar style of structure for my garden railroad. I started with […]

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MRVP Video Vault – Weathering Railroad Models with Malcolm Furlow: Metals and masonry

Malcolm Furlow demonstrates techniques for simulating metal oxidation and corrosion on styrene parts

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Multi-talented artist and model railroader Malcolm Furlow demonstrates techniques for simulating metal oxidation and corrosion on styrene parts. He then turns to aging plaster and plastic components used to represent masonry. And if that’s not enough, Malcolm also shares a few additional […]

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MRVP Video Vault – Weathering Railroad Models with Malcolm Furlow: Wood

Malcolm Furlow scraping, sanding, and staining wood used in model railroading projects

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Malcolm Furlow, a multi-talented artist and MR mainstay in the 1980s, shares his techniques for distressing, scraping, sanding, and staining wood used in model railroading projects. […]

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