Thin Branch Series: Backdrops part 2B – The river

Jay Smith painting a river.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Painting backdrops involves trial and error, even for professional artists. In part 2B of our backdrop series, Jay Smith shows you how he painted the river from start to finish, including changing colors “midstream” several times to get the right look. […]

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Thin Branch Series: Backdrops part 1 – basic hills

Jay painting hills.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Need a painted backdrop for your model railroad? Learn the basics of painting with artist Jay Smith as he adds a backdrop to our Thin Branch project railroad. In part 1 of our series, Jay shows you how to work from photos to […]

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Thin Branch Series: Backdrops part 3 – Foreground trees

Jay Smith holding a paint palette.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this third installment of painting backdrops, Jay Smith tackles the treetops and sun highlights in the foreground. He also shows you how to paint simple “hero” trees, those that have trunks and branches as well as leaves. […]

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Drew’s Trackside Adventures, Episode 8 -Western Ave., Chicago

A round-nosed diesel passenger locomotive rounds a corner in a busy freight yard.

Drew’s off to Chicago this time to catch up with Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail system. After doing some railfanning with Steve Sweeney of Trains magazine at the busy Western Avenue Station, Drew and the crew are off to tour Metra’s shops. Is there a Metra-themed project railroad in our future? Time will tell! […]

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History According to Hediger: Riding the Auto-Train

Passenger train models

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Planes, trains, automobiles, and even a tornado, this episode has it all! Jim recounts his trip to Florida in the 1970s on the then-new Auto-Train, but half the adventure proved to be just getting to the station! Related Topics: history according to hediger […]

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Lou Palumbo’s O gauge layout

    In addition to writing “Views from the Underground,” a popular column in CTT, Lou Palumbo owns the Underground Railroad Shoppe in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Inside the shop dwells a 16 x 28-foot O gauge layout packed with trains, structures, and fun! The layout is open for public display between Thanksgiving and the end […]

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MR Product Review Video: Hornby’s Heisler with DCC sound

Hornby Heisler with DCC sound

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Hornby’s latest release of the HO scale Heisler steam locomotive now features Digital Command Control and Sound. Dana Kawala takes the model for a spin on the MR&T for you to see and hear the engine in action. Look for an In-Depth Review […]

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Video: Athearn Trains N scale Challenger and Big Boy

Athearn Trains’ N scale Challenger 4-6-6-4 and Big Boy 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive models are now available with SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) decoders. See and hear the locomotives in action during a run on the Model Railroader staff’s N scale layout. […]

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Cody’s Workshop: Episode 8 – Filling holes in plastic

working on the roof of a caboose

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In September’s Workshop, Cody shows you how to plug holes in plastic models left by running boards. He also shows you how to build a coupler-painting jig, as seem in a recent Pelle Søeborg MR article. And he answers some viewer mail questions […]

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MR Product Review: Walthers HO scale GP20 with DCC and sound

Walthers HO scale GP20 with DCC and sound

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Walthers’ newest version of its HO scale EMD GP20 now comes with a SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Command Control decoder. Dana Kawala takes the model out to do some switching work on the MR&T in this video. […]

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In-depth Product Review: Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Hornby HO scale Heisler steam locomotive with sound

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The subject of this month’s In-Depth Product Review is Hornby’s HO scale Heisler steam locomotive, updated with an ESU Digital Command Control sound decoder. Dana Kawala shows you what makes the model tick in this video, and he takes the engine for a […]

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