When I first moved to Wisconsin to start working for Model Railroader, my family and I were in a two-bedroom apartment. I had built a freelanced Pennsylvania RR layout in my apartment back in Pennsylvania that filled a 7 x 11-foot section of our long apartment living room. It was basically a donut, with a […]
Section: Step By Step
Cut door and window openings
I enjoy scratchbuilding structures from styrene because it’s easy to cut, it takes glue well, and it’s readily available, 1. Though cutting wall sections is easy, making door and window openings can be tedious. However, with the Nibbler cutting tool, you can cut openings quickly and accurately. The Nibbler is a hand-operated punch-and-die tool that […]
Make couplers look realistic
I’ve seen many well-weathered models, but too often the effect is ruined by shiny black couplers with bright metal centering springs. But in three easy steps, you can weather your couplers to look more prototypical, 1. On my Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern GP40, I wanted the couplers to look older, so I sprayed them with […]
Step By Step
[…]
Video Step by Step: Weathering metal siding
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page After assembling several plastic structures for an HO scale layout, MR associate editor Eric White aims to make the corrugated metal (simulated) exterior look authentic. Follow along, as he demonstrates steps for applying realistic weathering effects using an airbrush. […]
Video Step by Step: Expanding the Beer Line – Building a cement truck, Part 2
In this final installment, Model Railroader magazine’s Eric White addresses how to prepare parts for painting, apply paint using an airbrush, reassemble the truck, and add decals, all before putting the 1940s era cement truck into service on MR’s HO scale Beer Line layout. After watching Eric’s two videos, check out the related story in […]
Video Step by Step: Installing Touch Toggles
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page From manual ground throws to DCC decoders, there are countless options for controlling how turnouts are thrown on your layout. In this video, Gerry Leone shares how to assemble and install a simple touch-sensitive button to swing those switch points! For additional information, […]
Video Step by Step: Expanding the Beer Line – Building a cement truck, Part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Associate Editor Eric White and MRVP’s Ben Lake join forces to build models of something no one produces in HO scale – a 1940s era cement truck. In this first installment, Eric walks you through the process of kitbashing the chassis […]
Video Step by Step: Weathering an N scale locomotive – part 1
In this installment of Video Step by Step, Cody Grivno shows you how to model a weather-beaten modern diesel locomotive using acrylic paints. In part 1 of 2, he covers how to disassemble the N scale model, prep it for painting, and apply the characteristic deteriorating paint patches. […]
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 […]
Video Step by Step: Build a plastic structure kit – part 2
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this installment of Video Step by Step, Cody Grivno shows you how to assemble a Walthers HO scale ranch tract house kit. In part 2 of 2, he covers adding windows & doors, window panes, window dressing, and other finishing details. […]
Video Step by Step: Build a plastic structure kit – part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this installment of Video Step by Step, Cody Grivno shows you how to assemble a Walthers HO scale ranch tract house kit. In part 1 of 2 episodes, he covers wall assembly, preparing sub-assemblies, plus prepping and painting detail parts. […]