Olympia Logging Series: Part 5 – installing subroadbed

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that the framework and backdrop are in place on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout, work can continue on installing the plywood surface used to support track and scenery. In this video, David takes you through the cutting, fitting, and assembling steps, […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 6 – building a sector plate

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The sector plate used to transfer trains from one track to another is just one of the many intriguing features included on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. David Popp walks you through sector plate and base assembly, installation, and alignment steps, […]

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HO scale Joachin, Va.

HOscaleJoachinVa

Name: Joachin, Va. Layout designer: Peter North Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 6 x 10 feet Prototype: Virginian Ry. Locale: Virginia Era: 1950s Style: Island Mainline run: 19 feet Minimum radius: 22″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Originally appeared in the July 2014 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF […]

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HO scale Oak Valley RR

HOscaleOakValleyRR

Name: Oak Valley RR Layout designer: Hans Wolfram Nicolaus Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11′-6″ x 13′-10″ Theme: freelanced branch line operated jointly by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. and the Southern Pacific RR Locale: California Era: 1960s Style: around the walls with peninsula Mainline run: 66 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. […]

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HO scale Sandy Fork Lumber Co.

HOscaleSandyForkLumberCo

Name: Sandy Fork Lumber Co. Layout designer: Henry Fieler Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 16 feet Prototype: Elk River Coal & Lumber and other West Virginia logging railroads Locale: West Virginia Era: 1960s Style: walk-in Benchwork: 1 x 2 and 1 x 3 grid Height: 43″ to 58″ Roadbed: cork Track: handlaid code 70 […]

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PDF: Build a 1:20.3-scale railbus

Build a 1:20.3-scale railbus

Download the PDF of this project here. Note: This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Also, despite […]

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Small town railroading in the early 1950s

Smalltownrailroadingintheearly1950s

For many years small towns were a major source of traffic for railroads all across the country. Long before anyone ever heard of freeways, the railroads moved all sorts of carload and less-than-carload lot (LCL) freight that kept the local businesses and nearby agricultural economy going. A local station agent-operator was the railroad’s representative who […]

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Add wear and tear to a steel gondola freight car models

Addwearandteartoasteelgondola

A few dents and weathering add “years” of hauling rough, heavy loads to the pair of gondolas on the right. Compare Tony’s well-worn older cars with his fresh, new car at left. It’s relatively easy to simulate normal wear and tear on a plastic model of a steel gondola. I begin by clamping a medium-wattage […]

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Tracklaying tricks with curved turnouts

Tracklayingtrickswithcurvedturnouts

Three Peco curved turnouts (left) helped senior editor Jim Hediger fit this reverse loop staging yard on his HO scale Ohio Southern. The switch machines are top mounted for clearance underneath and easier maintenance. The smooth-flowing lines of a gently curved switch lead produce some of the most realistic looking trackwork we’re likely to find […]

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Build Warwick Railroad station in 1:29 scale

Build Warwick Railroad station in 1:29 scale

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. PLEASE NOTE: This […]

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