Cutting pliers are an essential modeling tool, and have many uses in model railroading. The most common are for cutting rail, brass stock, and plastic, depending upon the hardness of the steel that was used to make the plier’s cutting surfaces. Hobby cutting pliers are typically labeled for the types of materials they will cut. […]
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Modeling a Mountainside | Follow host Kathy Millatt’s Let’s Make a Scene video series on trains.com, to see how she adds bridges, track, rockfall and other final touches to the mountainsides on her seasonal scenery dioramas. Even better, Kathy has also documented many of her expert modeling processes in the Kalmbach Media/Model Railroader book, Building […]
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Two interesting freelanced HO flatcar and gondola loads can be made out of plastic parts from used Bic disposable razors. The flatcar load is made from the blade covers while the gondola carries cut-down handles. Of course, you need to be careful with the spent razor blades and dispose of the remnants properly to avoid […]
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Executive house kit Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $44.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Executive house features: Injection-molded plastic construction Two-car garage and den addition on main structure Covered front porch Ornate trim Separate windows and shutters Measures: 9-15/16” x 5” x 4-3/4” Release date: Winter 2023 News & Products is […]
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HO scale freight car kits Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: See individual cars below Era: Varies depending on car type Manufacturer: Accurail, P.O. Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119; 630-365-1173; accurail.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Plastic wheelsets Solid-or roller-bearing trucks as appropriate Steel weight(s) Screws for trucks and draft-gear box covers Accumate couplers with modeler-installed trip pins […]
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In this episode of Midday Modeler — 09-28-2022 Bryson Sleppy shows off the new Blunami Bluetooth Decoder. Cody Grivno demonstrates how to jazz up your layout with a variety of signage. Midday Modeler is a new, regular video segment, recorded on-site and unscripted from Kalmbach Media beginning in February 2022. The segment features Kalmbach Media […]
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Looking for help with your model railroad? Looking for a specific article or video? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature […]
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5 Questions with Gerry Leone | Trains.com host Gerry Leone shares experiences building past model railroad layouts and his current project; reflects on his involvement with the NMRA; talks about an upcoming book he’s working on; and more! Getting to know Gerry Leone Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! But even […]
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Electro-Motive Division’s NW5 history Electro-Motive Division’s NW5: Steam was still king when Electro-Motive Division (EMD) produced the NW5 diesel locomotive. However, railroads were taking note of the economy of performance offered by the various yard diesels entering the marketplace. This led railroads to approach EMD about the possibility of constructing low-cost diesels that could be […]
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Colonial house kit Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $39.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Colonial house features: Injection-molded plastic construction Attached one-car garage with interior wall framing Covered front porch Ornate trim Separate windows and shutters Molded in four colors Measures: 6-3/4” x 5” x 4-3/4” Release date: Winter 2023 […]
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Model railroaders have long relied on historic maps for information about track arrangements, trackside industries, and building footprints. With the continual growth of the internet, finding these railroad maps online is becoming easier all the time. Here are some helpful sources for finding both current and historic railroad maps online. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps Sanborn […]
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Looking for help with your model railroad? Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com […]
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