How railroads identify buffer service cars

Color photo of HO scale covered hopper painted gray with black graphics.

Q: Although I’m an N scale modeler, I read the review of the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy HO scale buffer car on Trains.com. Reading the description brought up a question. Do railroads designate cars to dedicated buffer service? If so, how are these cars identified as used in buffer service only? — Perry A. Pollino […]

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British government plans major shake-up of rail industry

Blue, white, and yellow passenger train in station trainshed

LONDON — The British Government has announced plans to create a single national ,government-owned rail company to run the railway network and, via mostly private contractors, operate most passenger trains in the UK. That such a move is planned, reversing decades of complex privatization is remarkable, but even moreso is that the government is from […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 52

Host David Popp has scores of your hobby-related questions to address in his triumphant return to MRVP headquarters! As he tools around the MR workshop, MR&T layout, and other popular project railroads (several are up for sale!), he tackles inquiries regarding benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, and so much more. […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 51

In this episode of Ask MRVP, host David Popp addresses your hobby-related questions from his safe-at-home, MRVP Underground studio. This time he covers adhesives, track planning, turnouts, couplers, and more. Be sure to leave YOUR questions in the comments section below! […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 50

David introduces a video while standing near the Jones Island section of MR&T layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Time to talk trackwork, winter scenery, wood glue, maintenance-of-way equipment, and so much more in this Q&A episode of Ask MRVP. As always, host David Popp and his pals are willing to dig in to dig out the answers that’ll help YOU make […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 49

David stands at a counter in the Model Railroader workshop and introduces a video.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp is back for more Q&A in 2020. In this episode of Ask MRVP, he addresses model railroading topics ranging from trackwork to painting to freight/passenger car modeling to prototype railroading practices …and so much more! […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 48

David Popp stands at a counter in the Model Railroader workshop while introducing a video.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page If you missed David Popp last month, he has returned to host the jammed-packed December episode of Ask MRVP. This time he (along with help from Cody and Ben) stuffs the stockings full of great answers to your questions related to trackwork, freight […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 47

David stands at a counter while wearing a green wig and has a bowl of candy bars in front of him.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page It’s all tips or tricks in this October edition of Ask MRVP! David Popp addresses inquiries related to trackwork, wiring, mortar lines on structures, N scale gasoline service trucks, sound effects, whistle posts, and more! […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 46

David introduces a video while standing in the MR&T layout room at Kalmbach Media.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp and his colleagues are back to answer your hobby-related questions regarding scenery, backdrops, MR products and project layouts, DC wiring, modeling glue, and more! […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 45

David Popp and Gerry Leone wear Hawaiian shirts and co-host a video

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Indeed, that’s OTR host Gerry Leone joining David Popp to answer your hobby-related questions in this month’s Ask MRVP! DCC wiring, benchwork assembly, Kalmbach archive videos, painting, and more, are all addressed in this episode. […]

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Ask MRVP Episode 44

David Popp introduces a video while standing in front of the N scale Canadian Canyons layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page You’ve got the questions and David’s got the answers (well, most of them) in this month’s Ask MRVP! Topics covered include curve radii, styrene measurements, scaling up an N scale layout, foam board for layout construction, puffball tree videos, weathering ballast, doghouses, and […]

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