Should it stay or should it go? Model Railroader magazine editors Eric White and Bryson Sleppy talk about the reasons to keep or discard rare, unique, special, irreplaceable model railroad “treasures”. From rolling stock to tools to modeling supplies, if you question whether or not you should keep something in your collection, they have answers! […]
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, opened in 1954 as one of America’s last pre-Amtrak big-city passenger terminals, featured an open-air concourse at the end of its 12 stub-end tracks. James G. La Vake photo […]
In this ongoing mini-series, host Gerry Leone works on a fixer-upper-decker! In simpler terms, he’s looking to correct a mistake he made when initially constructing the top tier of his all-new Bona Vista HO scale model railroad. There’s no doubt–Gerry has amazing vision and power to re-route a wayward river into something more impressive than […]
Steve Otte finalizes work on his single rail-served factory for Model Railroader magazine’s 2024 project layout, the HO scale Free-Mo module. This structure stems from American Model Builders’ A.C. Brown Mfg. Co., a laser-cut wood kit. Follow along from the beginning, as he works through this multi-part build! […]
A PA-powered Delaware & Hudson passenger train crosses a center-bearing plate girder swing bridge on the Canadian Pacific at Lachine, Quebec, in the late 1960s or early ’70s. Tom Nelligan photo […]
Harold W. Russell’s illustrations have been appearing in Model Railroader magazine since the mid-1960s. He has more than 150 bylines to his credit. In the July 2024 issue he shared plans for a masonry depot on the Lehigh Valley in Gorham, N.Y. Click on the link below to download Harold’s plans. Use this link to […]
When I was a kid, we’d drive 3 ½ hours north to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit my grandparents a couple of times per year. Of course, that long of a drive necessitated one or two pit stops. Most were at tiny gas stations in small towns. Menards Sunoco Station (275-9288) reminds me […]
What are railroad tower operations? Railroad tower operations can have at least two meanings. One is what happens inside a tower, or more specifically, an interlocking tower. The other is a way of running a railroad, by using the operators in interlocking towers to control traffic through specific points of the railroad. So, why do […]
The Santa Fe’s freight depot at Atchison, Kans., is typical of those found in small cities. Inbound boxcars were unloaded along the single track at the dock, with trucks loading on the other side of the structure. Note the old-style grade crossing warning device in the foreground. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe photo […]
For the single rail-served factory on Model Railroader magazine’s 2024 project layout, the HO scale Free-Mo module Freemont Mills, Steve selected American Model Builders’ A.C. Brown Mfg. Co., a laser-cut wood kit. Follow along as he continues to work through this multi-part build…and see if you pick up any tips to help you on your […]
Watch Gerry working hard to finish this entire set of projects in this segment, including the yard lead and highway! His final push begins by adding detailed markings to the sandpaper roadway surface. Then, Gerry jumps to the task of installing the overpass, complete with surrounding scenery. All that adds up to a space that’s […]
Regardless the size, model railroads require regular maintenance. Cleaning track, dusting scenery and structures, and maintaining equipment are just some of the things that require attention. Not keeping up on these tasks will lead to a layout that runs poorly, looks tired, and potentially cause you (and/or members of your operating crew) to lose interest. […]
