How to cast plaster rocks for model railroad scenery

Pouring Hydrocal into a rubber rock mold

Rubber rock molds and hydrocal plaster make it easy to add exposed rockfaces and other dramatic scenic elements to your model train layout   Nothing says “impressive” quite like a rugged mountain range full of jagged rock faces. Though mountains appear solid to us, many are just individual layers of rocks, stacked one on top […]

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DIY rock molds from Play-Doh

Hands packing Play Doh into rock mold

Use this quick tip to make custom rock molds for realistic model railroad scenery Want to make unique rock castings? Here’s an interesting method that was featured in the March 2002 Classic Toy Trains. Play-Doh, a children’s modeling toy, is a great one-time-use mold-making material. It’s water-soluble, easy to work with, and reproduces crisp details […]

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Video: Coshocton Model Railroad Club layout

Coshocton Model Railroad Club layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Featured in the July 2020 Model Railroader, the HO scale Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio fills a 50 x 150 building with a freelanced layout inspired by scenes of southern Ohio. The impressive model railroad was built and is operated by the Associated […]

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Video: Coshocton Model Railroad Club layout

Coshocton Model Railroad Club layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Featured in the July 2020 Model Railroader, the HO scale Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio fills a 50 x 150 building with a freelanced layout inspired by scenes of southern Ohio. The impressive model railroad was built and is operated by the Associated […]

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New model trains for the week of May 7, 2020

Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD90MAC-H diesel locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (black and silver “zebra stripes” scheme; two GP7/GP7B sets, two single GP7s, and one GP7B); Chessie System (Baltimore & Ohio and Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks, two road numbers each); Illinois Terminal (as-delivered 1953 “rubber band” scheme with dual cab controls in […]

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Testors to discontinue Model Master, AZTEK, and Pactra brands

Seeking information about the status of the status of several of Testors long-standing paint lines, we have received the following from Vince Pierri, Senior Manager, PR & Corporate Communications for Rust-Oleum: “With a long history of producing quality hobby kits and supplies, we are evolving our strategy to focus more keenly on Testors, our flagship […]

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