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 […]

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BONUS ARTICLE: N scale through the Northwoods

Steve Miazga’s updated N scale Missabe Junction is featured in the September 2018 Model Railroader. Check out This first article about Steve’s layout from the November 2013 Model Railroader. Steve Miazga grew up less than two blocks from the Soo Line main in Rhinelander, Wis. As a kid, he saw the Soo’s first Geeps and […]

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Mountains to seaside on a triple deck model railroad

Note: This article originally appeared in the June 2013 Model Railroader. Mike updated his plan and wrote a followup story in the July 2018 issue. Ever since receiving my first Hornby train set as a child in 1954, my modeling interests were focused on the railways of my home country, Great Britain. About 10 years […]

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WalthersMainline HO scale GE ES44 diesel

WalthersMainline HO scale GE ES44 diesel General Electric Evolution Series (GEVO) diesel-electrics lead today’s freight trains throughout the North American rail network. Available in a variety of prototypical road names, an HO scale GE ES44 joins the value-priced WalthersMainline series. Along with an accurately dimensioned body shell and some roadname-specific details, the model features the […]

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CSW CSX Rail Train

A loaded CSX ribbon rail train traverses the, in-progress, Chesapeake, Susquehanna and Western RR on HARM night. HARM (Harford Association of Railroad Modelers) is a round robin group celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Located in northeast Maryland, members meet every Tuesday evening. This train is based on the CSX prototype often seen on the […]

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CSW CSX Rail Train

A loaded CSX ribbon rail train traverses the, in-progress, Chesapeake, Susquehanna and Western RR on HARM night. HARM (Harford Association of Railroad Modelers) is a round robin group celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Located in northeast Maryland, members meet every Tuesday evening. This train is based on the CSX prototype often seen on the […]

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High-tech modeling for garden railroaders

I like to use signs in my railroad to provide a more prototypical appearance. This includes the use of humorous signs like those I have seen in my travels. In this example, we will be using a free modeler called openSCAD to model the sign. That way you can model your own signs to meet […]

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Rapido N scale EMD FL9

Rapido’s N scale EMD FL9 A split die-cast metal frame surrounds the motor and flywheels. Driveshafts transfer power to the trucks, driving four of the five axles, just like the prototype. N scale modelers who want to model commuter operations on the New York, New Haven & Hartford don’t have to pine for the HO […]

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ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders

ScaleTrains.com HO scale UP water tenders Both ends of the ScaleTrains.com tenders feature independently controlled lights. Union Pacific’s steam excursion program began almost as soon as the use of regular steam power ceased on the railroad in 1960. Over the years, the UP has operated FEF-3 4-8-4 no. 844 and Challenger 4-6-6-4 no. 3985 in […]

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Just Plug light system from Woodland Scenics

Just Plug light system from Woodland Scenics Prices: $19.99 (no. JP5770 power supply), $19.99 (no. JP5700 lights & hub set), $9.99 (no. JP5725 auxiliary switch) Who doesn’t have buildings on their layout that lack illumination? I have a few old Plasticville structures as well as some buildings I made with Design Preservation Models panels that, […]

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Kato HO scale GP35 diesel locomotive

Kato HO scale GP35 diesel locomotive The 2015 version of Kato’s GP35 features a printed-circuit board with an eight-pin socket for a Digital Command Control decoder. The Kato HO scale GP35 features many separately applied detail parts including the handrails and air horn. After a long hiatus, the Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive has returned […]

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