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Magazine: Model-Railroader
The Norfolk & Western Pocahontas Division layout in N scale
Facts and features Name: Norfolk & Western Pocahontas DivisionScale: N (1:160)Size: 36 x 36 feetPrototype: Norfolk & WesternLocale: southern West VirginiaStyle: walk-inMainline run: 290 feetMinimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2 percentBenchwork: tabletopHeight: 52″ to 58.5″Roadbed: corkTrack: code 80 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation board and SculptamoldBackdrop: hand-painted on drywall Control: NCE Digital Command Control […]
The Great Northern Kalispell Division layout in N scale
Facts and features Name: Great Northern Kalispell DivisionScale: N (1:160)Size: 29′-7″ x 36′-3″Prototype: Great NorthernLocale: MontanaEra: late 1950sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 238 feetMinimum radius: 18″ (main), 16″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: box frame, shelf, and L-girderHeight: 421⁄4″ to 501⁄2″Roadbed: extruded-foam insulation board or 1⁄4″ plywoodTrack: Atlas code 55 and 80, Peco code 55Scenery: […]
Model Train Stuff to reopen under Factory Direct Hobbies family (updated)
Seemingly bringing an end to a saga of uncertainty, Model Train Stuff is set to reopen under the Factory Direct Hobbies family. In a statement released by Factory Direct Hobbies President Joe Grubba, it was announced that M.B. Klein and Model Train Stuff will live on as a part of the Arden, North Carolina-based company. […]
Hattons legacy to live on under Rails of Sheffield
Rails of Sheffield has announced that it has bought the Hattons brand, allowing the famed company’s legacy to live on for years to come. Per a statement released by Rails of Sheffield: “We are pleased to annnounce that we have now brought ‘Hattons Model Railways’ into the Rails family! It was a shock to the […]
News & Products for the week of March 11th 2024
News & Products for the week of March 11th 2024 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 11th […]
OS block control using an Arduino microcontroller
The following project is an update of Gary D. Patterson’s “Simplified CTC signals” in the July 1988 issue of MR. Bringing the project up to date was a large endeavour. The block control project now incorporates “all” solid-state components controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. I refer to this updated article as “CTC Signals 2.0.” The […]
Alcohol stain fogs Dullcote; but what if the stain is dry?
Q: I’m aware that India ink-alcohol stain fogs Dullcote and similar dulling lacquer products. But I’ve not been able to find anything on the internet that discusses what happens if you spray Dullcote onto something that has previously had an alcohol wash applied, but the alcohol has completely evaporated and is dry. I assume there is no effect, […]
Athearn HO General Electric AC4400CW
A General Electric AC4400CW diesel locomotive has joined the Athearn Genesis lineup. And no, this isn’t just an upgraded version of the “blue box” kit from the 1990s. The newly tooled six-axle road locomotive is offered with railroad-specific details, a full cab interior, and light-emitting-diode lighting, among other features. The prototype The sample we received […]
Warning: Railroad tell-tales ahead
Railroad tell-tales At one time, railroad tell-tales were placed along the track on either side of low structures such as bridges and tunnels to warn crew members on top of the cars that they could not remain in a standing position while passing under the structure. Before the adoption of the air brake, and for […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Sidetrack Ep. 3 | Horse Drawn Wagons
In this episode, David turns to a new construction technique as he forms the body of a wagon using resin impregnated paper. In his initial attempt with this material, David finds that it cuts, shapes, and assembles in manner similar to styrene. Follow along as he walks through the working limits and shares his valuable […]
Transfer locomotives demonstrated
Transfer locomotives Transfer runs are trains that move cars from one freight yard usually to a nearby yard of another railroad (but not always). Early in dieselization, three of the major builders marketed locomotives built specifically for such service, called transfer locomotives, which demanded a lot of pulling power but not much speed. Transfer units […]
