Video: Inside the January 2019 Model Railroader

Inside the January 2019 Model Railroader

    In the January 2019 issue we celebrate Model Railroader‘s 85th anniversary with the start of a new project layout, the N scale Canadian Canyons. We also revisit some favorite layouts of years past, including retired senior editor Jim Hediger’s HO scale Ohio Southern and look at 20 innovations that changed the hobby. Follow […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a tie treatment plant

Steve Otte next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR’s Steve Otte shows off the various kitbashed and scratchbuilt structures he assembled to represent the rail-served tie treatment plant on our Canadian Canyons N scale layout. Steve explains the origins of his structures and details that help complete this signature scene. […]

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Bachmann HO scale ACS-64 electric

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Amtrak’s ACS-64 Cities Sprinter has been rushing passengers up and down the Northeast Corridor for nearly five years, including a stretch not far from the Bachmann Industries headquarters in Philadelphia. Now you can add it to your layout with Bachmann’s latest sound-equipped HO scale release. The prototype. The Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS) 6,400kW (the -64 […]

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MRC Synchro Sound2

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MRC Synchro Sound2 To get truly big sound out of your Digital Command Control-equipped locomotive, you need a big speaker. Unfortunately, that’s just not possible in smaller scales. Model Rectifier Corp. has addressed this problem with the Synchro Sound2, a standalone speaker equipped with a DCC sound decoder. The Synchro Sound2 is meant to be […]

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Menards HO Wally’s Service Station

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Menards HO Wally’s Service Station Price: $59.99 Manufacturer Menards 5106 Menard Dr. Eau Claire, WI 54703 www.menards.com/trains Era: 1955 to 1960s (as decorated) Comments: Menards has added Wally’s Service Station to its rapidly growing line of HO scale structures. The factory-assembled model features more than 20 light-emitting diodes (LEDs); a weathered base; and an assortment […]

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Atlas Master Line HO scale Pullman 10-1-1 sleeper

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Atlas Master Line HO scale Pullman 10-1-1 sleeper Price: $64.95 (undecorated, $54.95) Manufacturer Atlas Model RR Co. 378 Florence Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205 www.atlasrr.com Era: 1930 to 1950s Road names: Pullman; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago & North Western; Norfolk & Western; Northern Pacific; Pennsylvania RR; Southern Pacific; and Union Pacific. Also available undecorated. Comments: […]

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Atlas N scale Alco C-628 diesel

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Atlas N scale Alco C628 diesel Big Alcos are back in N scale from Atlas Model Railroad Co. We reviewed a direct-current (DC) version from an earlier production run in the August 2004 Model Railroader. The latest run is available with a factory-installed ESU LokSound decoder that operates on Digital Command Control (DCC) as well […]

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End details that add realism to heavyweight passenger cars

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Passenger car end details were pretty standard and most followed the pattern used on sleeping cars built by the Pullman Co. The car in the photo is Crystal Point, a Pullman 3-compartment, 2-drawing-room, observation lounge assigned to the Milwaukee Road’s Olympian Hiawatha in 1947. A number of details are visible that appear on most cars […]

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Trainfest 2018 show report

Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive

Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive HO scale locomotives 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive. Pennsylvania RR; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; New York Central; Southern Ry.; and Union Pacific. Dual-mode Sound Value SoundTraxx sound decoder, die-cast metal chassis, crew figures, and E-Z Mate Mark II couplers. $349. Bachmann, 215-533-1600, www.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO scale Pennsylvania RR […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a plywood plant

Eric White next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR’s Eric White returns to the N scale Thompson River Canyon scene to install the structures and scenery that shape our representation of a large plywood plant. Eric shows how capturing key signature elements of a scene sure beats attempting to add each […]

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How to make trees from a natural kit

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A group of SuperTrees populates the hillside by Artz Lumber Co. on the HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Cody Grivno explains how to make realistic trees using the Scenic Express kit. Photos by Bill Zuback If there is one thing our HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy club layout can use more of, it’s […]

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