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Modelers often compress industries to fit more of them on our model railroads. But doing the opposite – expanding a modeled industry to prototypical proportions – can create an intensely realistic operating experience that can’t be matched. Let’s explore that idea with a 4×8 HO scale paper mill layout. Some industries are just too large and […]
Where the roads intersect with the tracks on Steve Brown’s N scale layout, our humble host has decided to add timber-tie grade crossings. This time around on Scale it Down, he shares his process for working with strips of basswood to complete the task. […]
Host Steve Brown continues to pave the way in and around the tracks of his N scale layout. See how he pairs regular old drywall mud with some simple techniques to install smooth, paved surfaces, including parking lots, roads, loading pads, and more! […]
Our humble host, Steve Brown, shows how he planned and “paved” the roads to success on his N scale layout. Follow along to see why an application of drywall mud is his preferred beginning of a sensational dirt road. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Enjoy this unique 3-D rendering of the around-the-wall HO scale model railroad David Popp developed in his multi-part “Designing a layout” planning series for MR Video Plus. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this exclusive MRVP video, subscribers are treated to a unique 3-D rendering inspired by recent episodes of MRVP’s Taking Care of Business and Drew’s Trackside Adventures. After reading about the railroad in Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2019, you’ll enjoy Ben Lake’s virtual […]
Time for the big track plan reveal…well, almost! David first shares some additional historic photos that help complete our overall view of Crystal Lake, Illinois, the community that inspired his design. Finally, aided by Ben Lake’s 3-D renderings, David walks and talks you through the entire plan for the C&NW HO scale layout. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, David pulls in even more reference materials to aid the accuracy of his initial track plan for a C&NW HO scale layout. It’s also time for a quick reality check, especially when it concerns the pragmatic parts of the design […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now it’s time for David to put mechanical pencil to graph paper and draft an initial track plan for his C&NW HO scale layout. In this video, David walks you through his low-tech, traditional approach to capturing his layout concepts in a plan. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp invites MR Contributing Editor Tony Koester to take a closer look at the collection of historic photos and maps. The two consider how to select and shape these references into Layout Design Elements (LDEs), which can be used to form […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David begins the process of transforming maps and other references into a preliminary model railroad sketch. While a pencil sketch isn’t intended to be final track plan, David shows how it can be used to reveal critical design and/or construction issues at an […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The series continues as David Popp takes a closer look at historic (Sanborn) maps to consider where and how to incorporate specific railroad trackwork, engineering, structures, industries, and more into his designs for a new layout. […]
