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Section: How To

How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 3 Elevations and turnouts

Track-planning on computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Modeler Gerry Leone wraps up his track-planning mini-series on computer-aided design (CAD) software with a tutorial on adding elevations and turnouts. Working with the simple plan he drew in part 2, Gerry shows you how the software figures distances and grades, and how […]

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How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 1 Getting Started

Computer aided design.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page So you’ve got a plan in mind for a new model railroad, but just can’t seem to get it out of your head?!? In an all-new MRVP mini-series, helpful handyman Gerry Leone walks you through the steps for turning a layout idea into […]

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How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 1 Getting Started

Computer aided design.

So you’ve got a plan in mind for a new model railroad, but just can’t seem to get it out of your head?!? In an all-new MRVP mini-series, helpful handyman Gerry Leone walks you through the steps for turning a layout idea into a specific track plan, all with the assistance of computer-aided design (CAD) […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 5, Prime Time

Aaron Skinner in an airbrushing studio.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   To prime or not to prime…that is the question FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner addresses in this episode of Airbrushing with Aaron. It really is a tale of two tanks, as Aaron demonstrates techniques for applying primer to a model railroad […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 4, Basic Painting

Aaron Skinner in an airbrushing studio.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner demonstrates basic techniques for painting with an airbrush. Before walking step-by-step through the painting process, Aaron first shows how to clean and prep plastic models. […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 3, Keeping it Clean

Airbrushing with Aaron.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In this segment, FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner demonstrates techniques for cleaning an airbrush after use. Aaron shows how to begin the process while the airbrush is still intact, and then he walks through steps for carefully disassembling and cleaning each […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 5 – Going wireless

David Popp holding a dcc throttle

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 […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 2, Under Pressure

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 […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 3 – Adding a Smart Booster

David Popp holding an NCE Smart Booster

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! […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 2 – Adding a cab bus

David Popp standing at a table in front of the Beer Line 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. […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 4 – Setting up power districts

freight cars on track

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 […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 1, Selecting an airbrush

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP is pleased to introduce FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner to an audience eager to acquire new airbrush painting and weathering tips, tricks, and techniques! In the first episode of this series, Aaron guides you through the wide array of airbrush options […]

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