The Santa Fe Railway and predecessors parsing the American Southwest have inspired countless artists and dreamers. Model railroaders using scale equipment and precision tools to re-create these railroad scenes are only the latest in that line. In this photo gallery, we encourage you to enjoy two fantastic Santa Fe layouts that are inspired. We […]
Most recent ready-to-run locomotives use acetal (sometimes called ‘slippery’ or ‘engineering’) plastic handrails. These handrails feature a scale profile and fine detail, but they’re also prone to snapping. Traditional liquid plastic cement and cyanoacrylate adhesive will not bond acetal plastic, but Loctite’s Plastics Bonding System will. 1. This two-part system makes it easy to fix […]
Over time, a locomotive’s wheelsets will gather dirt and other gunk that will affect its ability to run smoothly, but regular wheel cleaning keeps your steam or diesel locomotives running at their peak. By using 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel, two items that you most likely have in your house, you can […]
Turn signals and taillights on model trucks and cars are easily applied using simple hobby chemicals and even a touch of food coloring. Painting turn signals and taillights The number of vehicle models available today is greater than ever. Though the selection of makes and models is large, it’s the small things that make or […]
By Don Chaney In the previous articles I described my compact and scenic Forest River layout and how I established the correct room lighting and layout height. I also shared some of my favorite products and technics. In this installment, I’ll cover modeling a river and improving structures. RIVER The riverbed is a cut-out section […]
By: Don Chaney Operating model trains with a good deal of switching is extremely popular, but I prefer watching trains run continuously. Moving around my finished 7 x 91/2-foot layout while watching a steadily moving train is a never-ending joy for me. As I planned a layout for my 12 x 17-foot game room, my […]
Turnouts are generally reliable right out of the package. But sometimes problems arise that simple fixes can’t solve. Here are 3 advanced tips to try. 1. Fill flangeways In a perfect world, the wheel treads are wide enough, the gauge is correct, and the flangeways are precise enough that a wheel never drops into the […]
(From the article “Three track plans for one sheet of plywood” from the August 2008 Model Railroader) HO scale model railroads are often small layouts based on 4 x 8-foot sheets of plywood, for obvious reasons. A flat tabletop is a lot easier to build than L-girder benchwork, and almost any home has room for […]
Freight cars are the stars of James McNab’s HO scale Hills Line layout, so he’s working to get them performance ready! Discover his helpful modeling tips, tricks, and insights that you can use to keep your rolling stock in prime operating condition! […]
The layout at a glance Name: Danefield modules Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28″ x 8′-11″ Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: generic Midwest Era: modern Style: module Mainline run: none Minimum radius: none Minimum turnout: no. 7 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: laser-cut plywood modules Height: 56″ Roadbed: cork Track: handlaid codes 83, 70, and 55 Scenery: plywood […]
It’s a new year and a new Cody’s Office! Cody shares the Railway Prototype Cyclopedia Vol. 35, an HO scale Menards water tower, an Athearn N scale Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot covered hopper, modeling tip, and viewer mail. […]
What’s a port without the water? A drydock at best! So after months of work around and about his N scale (1:160) layout, host Steve Brown finally gets his feet wet in the Port Smith scene. Follow along to see what went right, what went wrong, and how he fixed it all the “Regular Guy” […]
