In this concluding episode of MRVP’s Digital Command Control installation series, David Popp teams up with DCC Programming host Dana Kawala to demonstrate how to add wireless throttles to a large layout. With the railroad untethered, David offers a final overview of the upgrades he made to our HO scale Beer Line layout throughout the […]
In the February 2017 issue, you’ll learn how to make a lighted billboard. Download the drawings for this billboard here. Make a lighted billboard […]
\ Name: Milwaukee Road’s Beer Line Layout owner: Model Railroader staff Scale: HO (1:87.1) Prototype: Milwaukee Road’s Chestnut Street Line Locale: Milwaukee, Wis. Era: 1947 Style: Sectional Mainline run: 24 feet (original layout); 10 feet (addition); 34 feet (total) Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: sectional tables Height: 44″ Roadbed: […]
Name: Santa Fe Eastern Layout owner: Les Illes Scale: HO Size: 25 x 35 feet Prototype: Santa Fe (BNSF Ry.) and Southern Pacific (Union Pacific) Locale: Cajon Pass in California Era: 1940s to present Style: walk-in Mainline run: 600 feet in three lines Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 2 […]
Name: Willoughby, Ohio Layout owner: Perry Pollino Scale: N (1:160) Size: 11′-0″ x 15′-3″ Prototype: Norfolk & Western and Conrail Locale: northern Ohio Era: 1980s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 85 feet Minimum radius: 15″ (main), 12″ (wye), 9″ (balloon track) Minimum turnout: Peco small radius Maximum grade: 2.25 percent This track plan originally appeared in […]
In the January 2017 Model Railroader, Thomas Klimoski describes how he built a compact HO scale diesel service terminal based on a prototype found on the shortline Georgia Northeastern RR. A signature structure on the scene is Tom’s scratchbuilt sanding tower. Download Tom’s template for the sanding tower as well as the handrail bending template […]
Click on the image or link to download plans for this unique trackside shed. Shiplap siding and vertical trim are among the interesting details of this trackside shed. The prototype stood along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western line in upstate New York. Click on the link below to download scale drawings of the structure for […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Aaron Skinner, FineScale Modeler senior editor, continues his airbrush painting and weathering series by outlining various practical air supply sources. Aaron also discusses safe places to use your airbrush, and the safety equipment you’ll need when you start to work. Finally, he shows […]
Servicing American Flyer’s big steamers […]
Enhancing our project layout’s Digital Command Control system to allow additional cabs requires the installation of a power booster. In this episode, David Popp shows how to arrange, install, and connect the NCE Smart Booster components, allowing more users to enjoy the fun of operating of our large, HO scale layout! […]
Ready for the next step to installing Digital Command Control on a large model railroad? In this episode, David keeps the train rollin’ by sharing why, where, and how to add plug ports, before he shows how to install a DCC cab bus under the HO scale Beer Line project layout. […]
Tired of hassling with an entire layout shutdown when a single train derails on your DCC layout? We certainly were! In this episode, David Popp explains why it happens, and then shows how to remedy this inconvenience by establishing power districts and adding circuit breakers. Watch to see how these easy fixes pave the way […]
