John Martin has seen gondolas with Fiberglas hoods, and he wants to know what they’re transporting. Those cars also roll through Model Railroader’s hometown. Cody Grivno offers some ideas on what those gondolas are carrying. […]
James Dudzik is looking for the name of the green used on locomotive cab and caboose interiors. Well, it actually goes by a few different names, as Cody Grivno explains in this episode of AskTrains.com. […]
David is ready to work on the largest industry on our State Line Route project railroad – the rock quarry! He demonstrates how to use rubber rock castings to make the quarry walls. Then he shows to add realistic color to them using craft paints and drybrushing techniques. […]
The January 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains features advice on modelling winter from Dennis Brennan, a master of scenery and photography. You’ll also learn at least five other design and construction techniques from him that could improve your display! Plus there are multiple layout visits – including one in S gauge – filled with […]
Eric Schrowang wants to know where locomotive crews go to the bathroom. Cody Grivno shows where chemical retention toilets are located on cab and hood units. […]
Rick Bowers wants to know the advantages and disadvantages of Belpair fireboxes. Steve Sweeney uses magazine articles and prototype photos to answer Rick’s question. […]
Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago Great Western Railway all through December 2021. Please enjoy this photo gallery selected from the archives of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. The Chicago Great Western was an agriculturally oriented Granger road linking Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Paul. Those cities, […]
Looking for an excuse to sit down at the workbench? Try building this newly tooled gondola kit from ScaleTrains.com. Cody and Eric take a look at the features on this HO scale car. […]
The X31 boxcar was one of the signature cars of the Pennsylvania RR. Join Eric and Cody as they take a look at the features on these new HO scale cars from Rapido Trains. […]
David and Rene prepare the State Line Route layout for scenery by smoothing out the terrain. Then they show how to model a farm field using scenery materials, such as grass mats, static grass, trees, and more! […]
Ralph Watkins would like to know if train wheels and axles are cast as a unit or separate. Steve Sweeney is in the studio with the answer. […]
Cody and Eric take a look at the general service and piggyback versions of this new flatcar from Rapido Trains. […]
