Evaluating subroadbed options| When it comes to building a new model railroad, the foundation you use to support your trackwork and scenery is especially important. Taking numerous factors under consideration (e.g., cost, easy of use, durability, etc.), expert layout builder David Popp shares info and insights you need to know before making your choice! You […]
A newly tooled Budd dome coach is now available in N scale from RailSmith Models. The injection-molded plastic lightweight car features tinted dome window glazing, metal wheel stubs mounted on plastic axles, and truck-mounted Accumate knuckle couplers. Prototype history The RailSmith car is based on a dome coach built by the Budd Co. in 1955 […]
Once you’ve decided you’re going to build a model railroad, it won’t take you long to realize there are a few tools you’ll need to get the job done. Some of the more common hand tools may already be knocking around your workshop. However, unless you do a lot of woodworking projects, you likely don’t […]
Q: In Model Railroader product reviews, locomotive speed is often measured and compared with the prototype. I was wondering how this is done so I can run my trains at prototypical speeds. — George Smitton A: When we test locomotives at the workbench, we use the Model Railroad Technologies Accutrak II train speedometer for measuring […]
MILWAUKEE — America’s largest operating model railroad show is set for 2025. In a press release sent to Firecrown Media Inc., the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) announced Milwaukee’s Trainfest will return to the Baird Center Nov. 1-2, 2025. This marks the second-consecutive year the event will be held at the downtown venue. The NMRA, […]
News & Products for the week of March 24th 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of March 24th, […]
Determining reasonable reach | David Popp shows you how to establish the most reasonable depth — distance from front edge to backdrop — for a model railroad. Along the way, he’ll share helpful measurements and practical insights for keeping your layout functional and fun to run! You can learn more about benchwork construction in the […]
In this episode, David demonstrates a simple process for plotting the track plan for the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad onto the essential layer of subroadbed material. After measuring twice, he then shows the next steps to carefully cutting out the parts and pieces needed to assemble a foundation for layout […]
Modeling the small and delicate N scale can be intimidating, especially for beginners. However, with the right setup, you can get the most out of the available space you might not find on a much larger scale. Here are five recommended N scale track plans for beginners. Carolina Central The Carolina Central is a great […]
The original Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, located on the third floor of Kalmbach Publishing Co.’s former headquarters at 1027 North 7th Street in downtown Milwaukee, started in rather unassuming fashion. No fanfare. No ribbon-cutting ceremony. Just a short memo dated November 13, 1975, with the subject line “Kalmbach Model Railroad Club.” It read: “A club […]
Q: I have some questions about streamlined observation cars with rounded ends. What was the purpose/use of the large light located at the end of the roofline of these cars? Is it a white light for reverse moves, or is it a red light similar to a modern day Flashing Rear End Device? Could the […]
Check out the all-new ScaleTrains HO EMD GP40 diesel locomotive in our latest product review video. Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno shares a brief history of the four-axle road switcher and explains why Chicago & North Western 5525 is historically significant; points out the many prototype-specific details on the Rivet Counter line model; and […]
