Brooks Stover has had many articles and photos published in Model Railroader magazine. In this easy-to-follow guide Brooks will give you some tips for taking better digital photos of model trains and layout scenes. Click on the link below to download the free model railroad digital photography guide. How to photograph a model train layout […]
Click on the image to download the plans. Before the invention of automatic crossing gates, railroad crossing guards protected grade crossings. Usually holding a flag, lantern, or stop sign or operating a manual crossing gate, the crossing guard would warn motorists of an approaching train. A simple wooden shanty provided shelter for the crossing guard. […]
Name: Fremont & South Park RR Layout owner: Lynn Draper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14 x 51 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Colorado Era: 1930s to 1940s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 280 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: Peco no. 4 Maximum grade: 4 percent Benchwork: open grid and L-girder on I-joists Height: 52″ to 65″ […]
Name: Western North Carolina RR Layout owner: Northern Virginia Model Railroaders club Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 x 50 feet Prototype: Southern Ry. Locale: North Carolina Era: summer 1957 Style: walk-in with duckunders Mainline run: 468 feet Minimum radius: 32″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 5 (yard) Maximum grade: 3.75 percent Benchwork: wood composite […]
1. Working late. Lake Phillips’ traveling terrarium was commissioned by the author for her 7/8″-scale agricultural railway. The greenhouse element is a Tumdee (see “Sources” sidebar) kit, glued and pin-nailed onto a scratchbuilt flatcar, including custom LED lighting. Air plants (Tillandsia sp., Zones 9-11) inside and in the boxes bring it to life. When not […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The extensive legacy of Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo continues in his final episode of this series. In this MRVP exclusive video, he imparts information about the prototype, before demonstrating how to perform specific caboose movements on a model railroad of any size or […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp enlists the assistance of MR’s Cody Grivno to add a printed photomural to the painted backdrop of our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout. Follow Cody as he walks through the installation steps, including how to position the printout, trim it to […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, artist Jay Smith returns to the MR Workshop with his airbrush in hand! This time he’s using it to paint an array of realistic clouds on the backdrop for our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout. Follow Jay as he teaches […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page With the hardboard backdrop, light fixture, and valance now in place, MRVP’s narrow Winston-Salem HO project layout has become a tad too top-heavy. No worries! David Popp has a quick and effective solution for getting the layout back into balance, while still keeping […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this second of of two videos, David Popp shows how to complete a standard T-Trak module by filling it with foam insulation board and attaching the N scale track (Kato USA Unitrack) in the specified position. The fun has only just begun, […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Compact tabletop model railroading comes to MRVP in a big way! In this first of two videos, David Popp shows how to assemble a standard 12 x 14-inch T-Trak module. A Dream Team of Kalmbach staffers and contributors will then develop unique […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The next step to installing the backdrop for our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout is to prime and paint the hardboard. David Popp shares the products, tools, and techniques he uses to apply a smooth and even finish that enhances the overall appearance […]
