To make your track look realistic, you need to paint it. Cody Grivno shows you how he painted the track for our Thin Branch project railroad using an airbrush and acrylic paints. […]
Thin Branch Series: Painting track with an airbrush
Section: How To
The Gypsy Trolley Line
Name: The Gypsy Trolley Line Layout designer: John Kosma Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 2 x 34 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee and The Milwaukee Electric Ry. & Light Co. Locale: Milwaukee Era: 1939 to 1941 Style: freestanding, modular display Mainline run: 68 feet Minimum radius: 7″ Minimum turnout: no. […]
Scratchbuild a small factory
These days modelers are blessed with an abundance of materials for scratchbuilding. Sheet and strip styrene, ABS plastic, brass, copper, aluminum, and wood are just some of the products available. However, when I build structures for my S scale Buffalo Creek & Gauley RR (see Great Model Railroads 2011), I use mat board, rose board, […]
Thin Branch Series: Building Benchwork Part 2 – Frames
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In part 2 of our benchwork video series, David Popp shows you how to make easy frames that can be used to support a variety of layout options. He also attaches the legs we built in part 1. […]
Thin Branch Series: Building benchwork part 1 – Legs
To build a model railroad you’ll need some sort of benchwork. In this video series we show you how to build easy yet sturdy benchwork that can be used on most any model railroad. In part 1, we start with simple leg assemblies. […]
How to use basic airbrushing techniques part III – cleaning your airbrush
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page An airbrush is a useful tool for many model railroading tasks. Proper maintenance ensures that your airbrush is ready for the next project on your model railroad. Follow along as Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you the proper way to clean […]
How to use some basic airbrushing techniques
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to get started using an airbrush. You’ll learn about some of the different types of airbrushes, how to mix paint, and proper airbrushing techniques. […]
Thin Branch Series: Introduction and operation of our HO scale branch line
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The Thin Branch is an HO scale addition to Model Railroader‘s Virginian project railroad. This video introduces the project and also explains how a typical operating session on the Thin Branch works. […]
Thin Branch Series: Build a layout mock-up
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Although track plans are fairly accurate, you don’t really know how a layout will turnout until you build it. In this video, we’ll show you a test step where you can build a mock-up using cardboard and track sections to see if it […]
Thin Branch Series: Wire a power reversing switch
Power-reversing switches are commonly used when wiring switch motors or creating reverse loops on DC-powered layouts. Learn how to make your own reversing switches using a common double-pole double throw toggle switch. […]
Basic Training: Cementing resin parts
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Many of today’s limited run models are made using resin. Although similar to plastic, resin requires different adhesives to assemble the parts. This video shows how to do the job using cyanoacrylate adhesive, commonly known as super glue. […]
Basic Training: Model paints
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page There are many different paints available for modeling work, and in this video Cody Grivno explains the basics and uses of several common brands. […]
