Broadway Limited Imports HO 2-8-0

Screen capture of Product Review video

A Broadway Limited Imports HO 2-8-0 steam locomotive decorated for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe recently paid a visit to our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy staff layout. Join Model Railroader senior editor Cody Grivno as he takes a closer look at the Consolidation. Broadway Limited Imports offers the HO scale 2-8-0 decorated for Atchison, […]

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How to weather with powdered pastels

weather with powdered pastels: A green freight cars and a painting materials are shown in front of a white background

How to weather with powdered pastels: Powdered pastels have long been a popular choice for weathering locomotives, freight cars, and buildings. There are several firms that offer ready-to- use weathering powders, or you can make your own by scraping pastel sticks with a hobby knife. I started work on this N scale Micro-Trains boxcar by […]

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Walthers container chassis two-pack in HO scale

Container chassis two-pack: Two blue container chassis against a white background

Walthers container chassis two-pack in HO scale Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $39.98; undecorated, $37.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers Container Chassis two-Pack features: New tooling Detail appropriate for intermodal terminals, loading docks & highway scenes Three standard lengths for international and domestic service (20-foot, 40-foot and […]

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Procor 5280 covered hopper in HO scale from Rapido

Procor 5280 covered hopper: An image of two gray model freight cars against a white background

Procor 5280 covered hopper in HO scale from Rapido Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; three-pack, $164.85; six-pack, $329.70 Era: Late 1970s+ Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Procor 5280 covered hopper features: Three styles of roof hatches: round, round with ribs and 20” vented […]

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Walthers vintage gas station

Vintage gas station: A vintage model gas station in white with yellow and red details is shown against a white background

Walthers vintage gas station Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $54.98 Era: 1960s Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Walthers vintage gas station features: Office interior with counter Two lifts for service bays – assemble in up or down position Two complete islands with period pumps, oil displays & nonworking […]

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Parts of a 2-8-0 steam locomotive

Photo of HO steam locomotive on white backdrop with callouts

Counting articulateds, compounds, and foreign steam locomotives, there are more than 90 steam engine wheel arrangements listed in the Whyte locomotive classifications. Which arrangement was the most common? The 2-8-0. Approximately 21,000 Consolidations were built between 1866 and 1946. To learn more about the prototype, read “Steam locomotive profile: 2-8-0 Consolidation” on the Classic Trains […]

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Why do some railroads use concrete ties versus wood ties?

Two railroad tracks with concrete ties stretch into the distance between concrete and chain-link safety fences

Q: Why do some railroads use concrete ties versus wood ties? I live near Altoona, Pa., where the Norfolk Southern runs, and they use all wood ties. – Mark Kroll A: There are a few reasons why a railroad might choose concrete ties over wood ties, but generally they all boil down to economics. Concrete […]

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HO scale modernized gas station from Walthers

Modernized gas station: A greay gas station with a green roof against a white background

HO scale modernized gas station from Walthers Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59.98 Era: 1990s+ Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Walthers modernized gas station features: Printed convenience store interior Modern service island with updated pumps Cashier counter interior detail Includes separate soda and ice machines, wastebasket, tire stands, […]

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What article talked about modeling a cereal plant?

A dark blue switch engine pulls a boxcar past a cluster of tanks and silos

Q: Has Model Railroader ever done a feature on modeling a cereal plant such as Kellogg’s or Post? I’m building a 12″ by 10′-6″ shelf layout which will be entirely that one industry. But I’m not sure how best to lay out the various structures and car spots for covered hoppers, boxcars, food-grade tank cars, […]

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Weathering with artist’s oils

weathering with artist's oils: An image of a brown model boxcar alongside paints and brushes against white background.

Weathering with artist’s oils: Artists’ oils make it easy to apply weathering washes and simulate rust patches, which I did on this HO scale ExactRail boxcar. First, I put some burnt umber on each body panel and on the door. Then I touched the paint with a 1 ⁄2″-wide paintbrush soaked with Turpenoid (an odorless turpentine […]

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Trinity 3281 hopper from Walthers Mainline

Trinity 3281 hopper: A pink model hopper car is shown against a white background

Trinity 3281 hopper from Walthers Mainline Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.98 Era: Late 1990s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com Trinity 3281 hopper features: Separately-applied brake gear, running board, discharge gates, inlet hatches, and end ladder cages Correct 36″ RP-25 metal wheelsets Proto-Max […]

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How do I model a woodchip gondola unloader?

Model a woodchip unloading system: You did a video in August about woodchip unloading. I was wondering about the lift you showed a picture of. Do you know if anyone has ever done one of these hydraulic lifts in HO scale? If not, do you have any suggestions about kitbashing or scratchbuilding one?

Cody explains how to properly model a woodchip gondola unloader, through kitbashing, custom building, and a Walthers rotary dumper kit. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for […]

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