Weathering winter in the woods

winter_lead

Fall is the time many builders begin preparing their railroads for harsh winter weather that lies ahead. Unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to live in a temperate climate zone. In the weeks before the cold arrives, some folks start to stow their structures, drain water features, and tuck the trains away for months of […]

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Weave a dry wash into your railway

dryscape4

Photo 1 River rock provides operator access Nancy Norris Photo 2 Nancy Norris Photo 3 Nancy Norris Dry streams can make a splash in your railway! There’s no water, yet the path still flows. Running a ribbon of river rock unites your scenery and gives bridges purpose. The premise is simple. We mirror a watercourse, […]

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Dwarf prickly pear cactus

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Nancy Norris Common name: Dwarf prickly pear cactus, devil’s tongue Latin name: Opuntia sp. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10, depending on species Cultural needs: Gravelly or sandy well-drained, neutral soil, sun or part shade Plant size: 4-6″ pads, clumping Nancy Norris To feature “devil’s tongue” cactus in a family hobby may be controversial—just check out all […]

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A noisy little railway story

Black Canyon Railroad

As I walked up the driveway toward Mick Spilsbury’s Black Canyon Railroad, I could begin to hear the multitude of sounds stemming from the site. At first, I could distinguish the sounds of cows and sheep coming from the vicinity of four stock cars. But then I listened a bit more deliberately, and heard 10 […]

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A noisy little railway story

Black Canyon Railroad

As I walked up the driveway toward Mick Spilsbury’s Black Canyon Railroad, I could begin to hear the multitude of sounds stemming from the site. At first, I could distinguish the sounds of cows and sheep coming from the vicinity of four stock cars. But then I listened a bit more deliberately, and heard 10 […]

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HO scale Greenville & Ohio RR

HOscaleGreenvilleOhio1

Name: Greenville & Ohio RR Layout owner: Jack Varadi Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 131⁄2 x 23 feet Theme: freelanced short line Locale: Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina Era: 1940s to 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 160 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 48″ […]

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HO scale Western Sierra Lines

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Name: Western Sierra Lines Layout owner: Roseville Roundhouse Model RR Club Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 30 feet Prototypes: Southern Pacific, Union Pacific Locale: Central California Era: mixed Style: walk-in Mainline run: 200 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (short line) Minimum turnouts: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (yards and industries) Maximum grade: 2 […]

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How to lay track for smooth operation

track on pink foam board

Good tracklaying has a direct bearing on your railroad’s performance, so take the time to do a good job and it’ll pay off in a smooth-operating layout. Roadbed is used under model track to simulate the layer of crushed rock that supports prototype track. Shaped cork or flexible plastic foam roadbed bends easily so it […]

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How-to Library: Designing and Printing Decals

Several graphics being designed on a computer screen.

Model Railroader magazine’s Steve Otte shares a decal printing technique he used to complete his structure for MRVP’s State Line Kitbash Challenge. Follow along as he demonstrates the steps that take you from computer design to color-printed, waterslide decal sheets! […]

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