Spaces to Places IV | Installing the Streets, part 3

It’s time to hit the streets of Westcott, the developing new town on Gerry Leone’s HO scale model railroad. After adding lights to structure interiors, adjusting city blocks, and then building, painting, and weathering sidewalks, our host shows his technique for paving roads made from medium-grit sandpaper! Want to see more of Gerry’s work in […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Installing the Streets, part 3

It’s time to hit the streets of Westcott, the developing new town on Gerry Leone’s HO scale model railroad. After adding lights to structure interiors, adjusting city blocks, and then building, painting, and weathering sidewalks, our host shows his technique for paving roads made from medium-grit sandpaper! Want to see more of Gerry’s work in […]

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Tips for successful ballasting

Color photo of HO scale figure by turnout with locomotive and boxcars in the frame.

OK, time for a show of hands. How many of you enjoy ballasting? That’s what I expected. Ballasting isn’t an aspect of the hobby most modelers enjoy. However, I’ve ballasted parts or all of several Model Railroader project layouts over the years, and I’ve come to enjoy adding those tiny granules to layouts. When I […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2

The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]

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Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2

The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]

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Model a grain door storage rack

Photo of grain door storage rack on white background.

Sometimes a discussion about prototype railroading can lead to a modeling project. A few years back I was talking with my longtime friend William Phalen in Crookston, Minn. During our conversation, I mentioned seeing a photo of a pile of grain doors by the Crookston Farmers Co-op Elevator. He said the doors were stored on […]

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Malcolm Furlow’s waterfall modeling technique

Model train on wood bridge over rushing waterfall in rugged mountain scene.

Malcolm Furlow’s waterfall modeling technique: Malcolm Furlow’s article presented here originally ran in the August 1980 issue of Model Railroader magazine. While many of the brands Malcolm used in the article are no longer available, most all the products have modern substitutes, allowing a modeler to still complete similar projects. As a case in point, […]

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MRVP Video Vault – Building Model Railroad Scenery with the Experts: Frary, Furlow, Hediger, and Olson

Malcolm Furlow

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Building Model Railroad Scenery with the Experts: In this 1980s vintage video, multiple Model Railroader masters contribute several techniques for enhancing various scenery situations. You won’t want to miss the timeless tips and tricks from the likes of John Olson, Malcolm Furlow, Dave […]

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