This HO scale passenger train set from PIKO includes a power pack an a lot of track, including two curved turnouts. Learn how to set up and operate this ready-to-run model train set with Model Railroader senior editor Dana Kawala. […]
Magazine: Model-Railroader
Build a table for a small model railroad
Good plywood benchwork provides a solid foundation for a model railroad. There are many different ways to support your railroad, and they all fall under the general heading of “benchwork.” Benchwork can be just about anything. We’ve heard of one modeler who uses the top of his piano for his railroad so he can enjoy […]
Video: Athearn Trains HO scale Warbonnet Express train set
Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to set up and operate the Athearn Trains HO scale Warbonnet Express freight train set. The set includes a loop of track, diesel-electric locomotive, freight cars, and a power pack. […]
Video: PIKO large scale Santa Fe freight train set
Learn how to set up and operate this large scale model train set with Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno. He’ll show you how to put together the track and attached the power pack that controls the trains. […]
Guide to model railroading scales and gauges
You don’t have to spend much time with model trains to realize that they come in a number of different sizes. These differences are one of the things that make model trains so much fun because there are advantages to each size. Let’s take a look at them so you can think about which size […]
Video: Athearn Genesis HO scale EMD GP9
This HO scale Electro-Motive GP9 diesel-electric locomotive features a SoundTraxx Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder. The HO locomotive model is part of Athearn Trains’ Genesis series. See and hear the Athearn Genesis HO scale GP9 as we run the locomotive model on the Model Railroader club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
Nuckolls Packing structure drawings in N, HO, S, and O scales
Nuckolls Packing is one of many structures depicted in period photos of Telluride shot from the mountain south of town and published in The RGS Story, Volume II by Russ Collman (Sundance Publications, out of print). The industry was on a siding, so it was an ideal subject for my model, which would serve as […]
HO scale Creamery Junction
Name: Creamery Junction Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 4′-8″ x 16′-8″ Prototype: Boston & Maine and Boston & Albany Locale: Ware Valley, Mass. Era: variable Style: multi-level Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2.6 percent Originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Model Railroader. […]
N scale Moffat Road
Name: Moffat Road Layout designer: Mike Danneman Scale: N (1:160) Size: 18′-6″ x 24′-9″ Prototype: Rio Grande Locale: Colorado Style: walkaround Era: early 1960s and early 1980s Mainline run: 258 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no 8 (main), no. 6 (yard) Maximum grade: 2 percent Originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Model […]
HO scale Santa Fe, 1951
Name: Santa Fe, 1951 Layout designer: Gary Hoover Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 49 feet plus 13 x 19 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. Locale: Chicago to California Era: 1951 Style: walkaround Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Originally appeared in the […]
O scale Western Electric Empire, City & Suburban Lines
Name: Western Electric Empire, City & Suburban Lines Layout designer: Bill Everett Scale: O (1:48) Size: 15′-11″ x 25′-0″ Prototype: Pacific Electric System Locale: freelanced, inspired by Los Angeles area Era: 1920s to 1940s Style: around the walls Minimum radius: 12″ Minimum turnout: no. 2 Maximum grade: 5 percent Originally appeared in the December 2011 […]
How to decal number boards
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows how to decal number boards on a locomotive. […]
