Modeling Archives - Page 452 of 456

Video: Blackstone Models K-27

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Barry Bogs’ Colorado & Western

Bridges connect different areas. A train on the high line near Ophir passes above a standard-gauge train rolling into Rockwood. The upper train is a mix of scratchbuilt and LGB equipment. Christopher Zider From the outside, Barry Bogs’ house looks similar to most others in a subdivision northwest of Houston. But as soon as you […]

New York Central Ypsilanti Branch

Track plan at a glance Name: New York Central Ypsilanti Branch Scale: O (1:48) Size: 26 x 28 feet Prototype: NYC branch line Era: 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 144 feet Minimum radius: 48″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Originally appeared in the May 2007 issue of Model Railroader. Click here to […]

Why did Lionel produce O-27 and O-31 track?

Q: What was the reasoning for the Lionel Corp. to produce two very similar track sizes – O-27 with a 27-inch-diameter circle and O with a 31-inch diameter circle? Wouldn’t production be a lot simpler and inventories less costly with only one? Since O-27 engines and rolling stock could run on O track, why retain […]

Can I convert a Lionel no. 257 freight station to DC power?

Q: I have a Lionel no. 257 freight station with diesel horn that is equipped with a D-cell battery to operate the horn. How do I convert the 1.5 DC voltage to 14-16 AC voltage so I can operate it like my other accessories from a transformer? – Peter Douglas Beam, Pasadena, Calif. A: Peter, […]

A future for my American Flyer 18B transformer?

Q: I have two American Flyer no. 18B transformers with two Lionel no. 167 whistle controllers on my layout. My problem is that older Lionel steam locomotive whistles do not work at all, and the new sound systems and horns only work well when stopped. While moving, blowing the whistles tends to slow the engines […]

New technology in live steam

Jeff Young Full-size steam locomotives have been in existence for over 200 years, and live-steam models for nearly that long. On that basis, it might be easy to conclude that the hobby of small-scale live steam is one that would not see a lot of new technology. To the contrary, there have been a number […]

Video: Athearn N scale Challenger

We reviewed the Athearn N scale Challenger in the June 2007 issue of Model Railroader. Watch a video clip of this 4-6-6-4 steam locomotive in action. If you would like to view the video and are a Model Railroader subscriber, please log in below. […]

Mounting Kadee couplers on LGB’s passenger cars

Download this BONUS article on installing Kadee knuckle couplers on LGB passenger cars. Don’t miss the extra coupler coverage in the June 2007 issue: “Garden railway basics:” The basics of knuckle couplers Improve knuckle-coupler reliability for Bachmann and LGB couplers […]

O-27 track: thumbs up or down?

Q: Before I was born, my grandfather bought me a Lionel O-27 set, and over the years I’ve acquired many other O-27 items. I want to build a layout, but just about everyone I’ve spoken to has advised me against building my layout using O-27 track and switches. Instead, they advise me to upgrade to […]

Adding TMCC to a ZW layout

Q: I’ve got an 8- by 12-foot layout that is fairly complete, and I use an old Lionel ZW for track power and a few small transformers on a separate circuit for lights and accessories. Is there an easy way to add Lionel’s TrainMaster Command Control to run new engines in command-control mode? I don’t […]