David has his hands full with projects cooking on his workbench and the Sand Creek On30 layout extension, referenced in MRVP’s special issue Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2020 (KalmbachHobbyStore.com). Follow along as he gets down to the details on his sand loader structure and the new track configuration. […]
Like a grade-school report, “What I did on my spring 2020 vacation,” this story is about optimism in the face of confusion and lack of resources. We had just started a new little garden railway loop in front of our house, but hidden from the street. Having built a gallery along the walkway, we next […]
We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]
Scene lighting allows you to shine a spotlight on your favorite railroad scenes. Again, the idea is to draw the viewer’s eye toward something you want to emphasize, like ridges, waterfalls, and pathways. You can be as creative as you want. You’ll want to hit the landscape lighting section at your local home improvement store. […]
Solar lights are convenient and are available in a wide variety of styles. You just put them where you want them and you’re good to go. The sun charges the battery during the daylight hours, and the lights come on after dark. On a good charge, they may stay on all night, but they’re supposed […]
Welcome campers! Two fun-filled weeks of Summer Camp 2020 have begun. This week and next, David Popp will be your Camp Director guiding you through various all-scale modeling efforts covering structure-building, detailing, painting, weathering, and more. Get your permission slip submitted so you can join the Day One painting prep activities exclusively on MRVideoPlus.com! […]
Watch a video of Editor Hal Miller setting up and running this new large scale set from LGB. […]
Raymond Parent shows how to build a transport case for large scale locomotives that doubles as a delivery ramp to a layout. Check out this video to see how the ramp works. Also take a look at the article in the Fall 2020 issue of Garden Railways. […]
The layout at a glance Name: Marshfield & Old Colony Layout owner: Michael Tylick Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion on 30″ gauge track) Size: 8 x 16 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Era: 1920s and 1930s Mainline run: 25 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: handlaid, approximately no. 4 Maximum grade: 2 […]
The layout at a glance Name: Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio Layout owner: Associated Model Railroad Engineers of Coshocton Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 40 x 143 feet (layout), 50 x 150 feet (room) Theme: freelanced Locale: southeastern Ohio Era: not specific Style: walk in Mainline run: approximately 967 feet Minimum radius: 42″ (main line) Minimum […]
Narrow gauge (On30) modeler David Popp steps aspiring structure builders through the process of assembling a laser-cut wood turntable kit. From assessing the components to adding fine details, David shares how easy it is to build and finish an essential structure for his rustic, Olympia & Sand Creek railroad. This how-to, modeling mini-series starts with […]
This simple method lets you scale up a track plan from a magazine or sketch onto your model train table You’ve managed to find the perfect track plan in a book or magazine, or you’ve spent hours at the drawing table or computer carefully drafting a track plan. The next step is transferring the track […]
