Helper communication in the steam locomotive era

Helpercommunicationinthesteamlocomotiveera

Helper operations were carefully coordinated using locomotive whistle signals as specified in the railroad’s operating rules: (an “o” denotes a short sound, while a dash – indicates a longer whistle blast). The lead engineer handled the train’s air brake while each helper engineer had an independent brake for just his engine. Two long blasts on […]

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Operate turnouts with servo motors

Operatetunroutswithservomotors

Modified radio control servo motors operate the remote control turnouts on Jim Lomison’s HO layout. Turnout motors always seemed a bit pricey to me until I learned about servos from a friend who’s a radio control (RC) enthusiast. He uses servos in his aircraft, and they sell for less than $10 each. The “servo” name […]

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HO scale Boston & Maine

BostonMaine

Name: Boston & Maine Layout designer: Bob Gurley Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 22 x 50 feet Prototype: loosely based on Boston & Maine, Maine Central, and Grand Trunk Ry. Locale: New Hampshire and Maine Era: fall 1954 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 128 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Maximum grade: less than 1 percent Originally appeared in […]

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HO scale Elm Valley RR

ElmValleyRR

Name: Elm Valley RR Layout designer: Floyd Simms Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15′-9″ x 16′-6″ Theme: logging and quarrying Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: 1950s to ‘60s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 75 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3-1⁄4 percent in helix Originally appeared in the June 2014 Model Railroader. Click on […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 2 – assembling the lower benchwork

Hands holding triangular "square" in a wood working project. Text on screen: "Speed square. These can be found at most home centers."

Construction on MRVP’s On30 display-style logging layout gets off to a fast start! MRVP’s David Popp introduces the sketched plans for the trackwork and diorama frame, before addressing the construction steps used to make the lower frame and leg assemblies. Also be sure to download the PDF of the Olympia benchwork specifications so you can […]

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Demonstration of magnetic air hoses on HO scale freight cars

Model locomotive and boxcar connected by magnetic hoses

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader contributing editor Pelle Søeborg installed MagnaLock air brake lines (hoses) from North American Railcar Corp. on his HO scale freight cars. In this video you can see how the air hoses work during switching moves on Pelle’s Union Pacific Daneville Sub model train […]

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