Arduino source code for a model railroad signal system

Arduinosourcecode

Get the source code for Detlef Kurpanek’s Arduino-controlled model train signal system described in the December 2016 Model Railroader. In the December 2016 Model Railroader, Detlef Kurpanek describes how designed an operating model railroad signal system that uses Arduino microcontrollers. As an online bonus, you can download Detlef’s source code for the project by clicking […]

Read More…

HO scale Western Pacific Railroad

HOscaleWesternPacificRR

Name: Western Pacific RR Layout owner: Jim Pendley Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 20 x 46 feet Prototype: Western Pacific Locale: California’s Sierra Nevada Time periods: 1960s, early 1970s, early 1980s, mid-1980s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 220 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder and […]

Read More…

HO scale Iowa Interstate RR Grimes Line

IowaInterstateRRGrimesindustrialTrack

Name: Iowa Interstate RR Grimes Line Layout designer: James McNab Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12′-0″ x 18′-8″ Prototype: IAIS Grimes Industrial Track Locale: Greater Des Moines, Iowa Period: September 2008 Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 52 feet Minimum radius: 22″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in Great Model Railroads 2015. Click […]

Read More…

N scale Annaville & Adirondack

NscaleAnnavilleAdirondack

Name: Annaville & Adirondack Layout owner: Sandy Colabufo Scale: N (1:160) Size: 9 x 21 feet Prototype: Freelanced, inspired by Delaware & Hudson Locale: upstate New York (Adirondack region) Era: 1950 to late 1960s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 104 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (mainline), no. 4 (sidings and yards) Maximum grade: […]

Read More…

Video: TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]

Read More…

Video: GoodDeals DCC Test Track

GoodDeals DCC Test Track

At the National Train Show 2016 held in Indianapolis, Ind., the Model Railroader staff came across a line of professionally built test tracks from Good Deals DCC. Gary Cohn, president of Good Deals DCC, custom-built a 15-foot long version for the Model Railroader workshop. Follow along as Gary shows senior editor Dana Kawala how to […]

Read More…

Build a newspaper vending machine

Build a newspaper vending machine

Add some interest to your railroad by building a newspaper vending machine. Jack Verducci provides full-size PDF drawings. For the full article, read the December 2016 issue. Note: These drawings are full-size for 1/2″ scale. To make them in other scales, follow the chart below. For 1:32 scale, reduce the drawings to 75% For 1:22.5 […]

Read More…

Beyond Alberta spruce

conifers2

1. The two darker trees on the right are Jean’s Dilly Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Jean’s Dilly’, Zones 3-8), unpruned. The lighter-colored tree above the railtruck is a pruned dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 4-8—author’s former garden railroad). Don Parker 2. Miniature moss false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Squarrosa Minima’, Zones 4-8) is scale-appropriate […]

Read More…