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Name: Great Lakes & Western Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 37 x 48 feet Theme: freelanced Class 1 with standard gauge logging and narrow gauge branch lines Locale: Midwest to Western United States Era: 1940s to present day (depends on operating session) Style: walk-in Mainline run: approx. 800 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main line), 26″ (narrow […]
Name: Manassas Junction, Va. Scale: N (1:160) Size: 34″ x 52.5″ Prototype: Manassas Gap RR and Orange & Alexandria RR Locale: Manassas Junction, Va. Era: July 1861 Style: diorama Mainline run: 4′-4″ Minimum radius: 19″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1 x 2 frame with 1⁄4″ plywood top Height: 47′-6″ Roadbed: built […]
Free software available online, such as Sketchup, can be used to design models that are produced by 3-D printing services like Shapeways. Alex Marchand followed this path to model a CSX class U-13 phosphate hopper in N scale. When I was in high school in the late ’90s, I saw a TV show that ran […]
The Rapido Trains HO scale F40PH-2D features prototype specific detail and sound. The locomotive model features an ESU LokSound Select Digital Command Control (DCC) decoder. Watch two F40PH-2D locomotives haul a push-pull passenger train on the Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine, and Troy HO scale model railroad. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The command control sound effects offered on many new locomotive models are far more than just “cool” features. As Model Railroader magazine’s contributing editor Andy Sperandeo demonstrates in this video, the bell and whistle sounds can be used in a prototypical manner to […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Get a first look at the new ESU LokSound Digital Command Control (DCC) equipped GP60 from Fox Valley Models and other new HO and N scale model railroading products in this month’s Cody’s Office. Associate editor Cody Grivno will also show you a […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page MR Contributing editor Tony Koester makes his point – point rails that is! In this video installment, Tony demonstrates how to add the movable points, a switch rod, and guardrails on the turnout he’s built for MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page MR contributing editor Tony Koester now has all the essential components of the handlaid trackwork installed. In this video, David Popp takes up the effort to add a Blue Point switch control, cut gaps in the rail to isolate the frog, and then […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Tony Koester continues with final preparations before he starts adding rails to the turnout on MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. In this video you’ll see Tony’s techniques for spiking and gauging the rails, building a frog, plus a quick tip for testing […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this 3D rendering by MRVP’s Ben Lake, he tackles a little-known former Pennsy line originally drafted by MR contributor Bob Sprague. Take a virtual tour of the 11 x 27-foot walk-in track plan that features 60 feet of mainline run and a […]
The Woodland Scenics Just Plug lighting system is truly plug and play. You can connect up to four LEDs into each Light Hub. You want lights on your layout, but the thought of designing circuits, stripping wire, tedious soldering, and mounting lights just turns you off. Well, you don’t have to go through all that […]
Kato HO scale GP35 diesel locomotive The 2015 version of Kato’s GP35 features a printed-circuit board with an eight-pin socket for a Digital Command Control decoder. The Kato HO scale GP35 features many separately applied detail parts including the handrails and air horn. After a long hiatus, the Electro-Motive Division GP35 diesel locomotive has returned […]
