MR Insider: 2014 National Train Show, Part 1

model railroad display at the 2014 National Train Convention

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The MR/MRVP Dream Team including David, Neil, Dana, Cody, and publisher Kevin Keefe storm into Cleveland to cover the 2014 National Train Show. In part 1 of 2 videos, Cody talks with several manufacturers eager to share their exciting new products. He also […]

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MR Insider Weekly: July 7, 2014

Jenny Freeland at her computer

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This week on MR Insider Weekly, MRVP’s Jenny Maaske catches up with assistant editor Ben Lake. Jenny talks with Ben about his forthcoming MRVP debut in front of the camera, rather than behind it! Ben reveals some of the challenges of being under […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 12 – Backdrop painting

Hand holding airbrush painting a back drop.

Using little more than a cardstock template and a couple paint colors, artist Jay Smith shows viewers just how quick and easy it is to add a realistic pine forest treeline to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout. Jay used his favorite internal mix airbrush to apply the paint, but his simply technique for making […]

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Model a weather-beaten wood structure

ThisNorthernPacificclassCdepothasseenitsbetterdaysCodyGrivnoexplainshowtomodelaweatherbeatenwoodstructure

This Northern Pacific class C depot has seen its better days. Cody Grivno explains how to model a weather-beaten wood structure. In model railroading, weathering is typically associated with freight cars and locomotives. However, structure weathering is another way to add realism to a layout. Peeling and faded paint, a roof in need of repair, […]

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MR Insider Weekly: July 1, 2014

David Popp

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this July 1st edition of MR Insider Weekly, the MRVP crew takes a scouting trip to visit a colleague’s model railroad – all in the name of planning a brand-new MRVP series! When one of Kalmbach’s own needed a little help working out […]

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MRC and Model Power enter licensing agreement

Model Rectifier Corporation has announced that they will produce and market Model Power’s railroad products under the Model Power brand. Model Power and Mantua railroad and accessory products will now be available worldwide from MRC.  Frank Ritota, president of MRC, explained that “the plan is to use the obvious synergy from the melding of the product lines to […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video–Inside Cody’s Office for June 2014

Inside Cody's Office for June 2014

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this month’s episode of Cody’s Office, you’ll get a handy tip for weathering model railroad ballast using an airbrush. Associate editor Cody Grivno demonstrates his favorite techniques on the Model Railroader staff’s N scale Red Oak project layout, which won’t appear in print until […]

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HO scale AHM helium car decals

HOscaleAHMHeliumcarsdecals

AHM helium tank car The unusual-looking helium tank car might seem like a fantasy model to some, but it’s based on a real prototype. General American, American Car & Foundry, and Magor built about 200 ­helium cars from 1930 to 1962. The early cars were lettered for the U.S. Navy (with USNX reporting marks), then […]

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HO scale Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Division of the Southern Ry.

HOscaleCincinnatiNewOrleansTexasPacificDivisionoftheSouthernRy

Name: Southern Ry. RatholeDivision Layout designer: Bob Lawson Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 32 x 52 feet Prototype: Southern Ry. Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Division Locale: Cincinnati, central Kentucky, and eastern Tennessee Era: 1945 to early 1950s Style: around-the-walls with attached center island Mainline run: 200 feet (Southern) Minimum radius: 48″ Minimum turnout: no. […]

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HO scale Hudson Delaware Lehigh RR

HOscaleHudsonDelawareLehigh

Name: Hudson, Delaware & Lehigh Layout designer: Gary Schaff Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13′-6″ x 35′-0″ Prototype: Central of New Jersey and Pennsylvania RR Locale: Jersey City, N.J., to Mauch Chunk, Pa. Era: early 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: CNJ, 170 feet; PRR, 108 feet Minimum radius: 27″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 3.5 […]

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