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Build a Model Railroad
Section: Build a Model Railroad
Plans for a C&NW yard office
In the July 2020 Model Railroader, Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno shows how he scratchbuilt an HO scale model based on the Chicago & North Western yard office in Butler, Wis. See a PDF version of this by clicking here. […]
Modeling an N scale Great Northern layout in less than 13 square feet
Although I’m really an HO scale modeler at heart, I’ve always been intrigued with N scale trains and have more than once thought how neat it would be to “have a few.” Being without any other outlet for modeling, those very thoughts soon translated into construction of the Havaphew Central, my first N scale layout. […]
East Broad Top narrow gauge equipment drawings
Some of the most interesting narrow-gauge equipment to come off production lines is that made for the East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Co., especially the locomotive and cars pictured on these pages. Mikado No. 16 (Baldwin 1916) was one of the heaviest engines owned by the EBT, tipping the scales at 160,500 pounds. Nos. […]
Plans for a wooden railroad water tank
In the January 2020 issue, Donald M. Deuell described how he modified plans from a 1950s Model Railraoder article so he could add an operating spout to an HO scale wood water tower. See a PDF version of this by clicking here. […]
Plans for a rural rail-served dairy
Frequent Model Railroader contributor Brooks Stover built this small rail-served dairy for his S scale Buffalo Creek & Gauley model railroad. It’s based on a compact trackside industry found on the prototype. Learn more about the project in the December 2019 Model Railroader. You can also download a PDF of drawings of the structure, including […]
How to lay track for smooth operation
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 […]
Model Railroader project plans: A freelanced factory
Many of us have hobbies within this hobby. Some like history, some collect freight cars or locomotives. Me? I read old issues of Model Railroader. In the past 15 years I’ve gone through my entire 50-year collection four times. Because my tastes and interests evolve over time, I inevitably find something new with each re-reading. […]
How to solder and conceal track feeder wires
Soldering track feeders isn’t that difficult. Learn this easy method for making reliable wiring connection that are also easy to conceal on a model train layout. Soldering feeders to the rails is a wiring method modelers have used since the hobby began. By soldering feeders directly to the rails instead of using other types of […]
Materials list for Build a late-1960s E unit
This materials list is an online bonus to “Build a late-1960s E unit” by Louis Millan from the October 2019 Model Railroader. Louis Millan shows how-to detail an HO scale Life-Like Proto2000 E8 diesel locomotive to represent a late 1960s Penn Central prototype. Below is the materials list for the project. Materials list Cal Scale […]
Plans for Union Pacific East Los Angeles Station
In the October 2019 Model Railroader, Bruce Briggs writes about the Union Pacific’s East Los Angeles Station that served as the railroad’s gateway to Southern California for more than 40 years. After extensive research, Bruce made detailed plans of this mission revival station based on official railroad blueprints. Cl […]
Building a track cleaning car rooted in the Gorre & Daphetid
A simple track cleaning car inspired by John D. Allen and the master model railroader’s Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. Lou Sassi Being an admirer of the late John D. Allen, I read with interest every article I can find concerning his Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. In the process I’ve learned of an interesting device John […]
