Building a 5 x 8 Harbor Railroad part 2

Hands holding a structure

Work continues on the Model Railroader staff’s HO scale Rice Harbor project layout. David Popp begins track work on the railroad. Editor Neil Besougloff discusses his options for modeling a passenger station that will fit the model railroad’s setting and era. […]

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The Model Railroader staff’s Eagle Mountain RR

Scene of Eagle Mountain railroad

Don’t miss the latest Model Railroader project layout, the Eagle Mountain RR, in the January 2016 issue. The HO scale layout is inspired by mining operations in Southern California during the 1960s and 1970s. Follow along as associate editor Eric White shows you highlights of this 4 x 6-foot model railroad. […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 11

Jim Hediger next to layout

Model Railroader senior editor Jim Hediger built the gravel loader for the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch project. In this episode Jim describes some of the kitbashing techniques he used as well as how he fit the structure into the scenery and over the model railroad track. You’ll also hear from associate editor Steve […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 10

Steve Otte next to layout

The asphalt shingle plant is one of the structures on the Winter Hill Branch model train layout. Follow along as Model Railroader associate editor Steve Otte show you some of the modeling techniques that he used to kitbash this HO scale structure. You’ll learn about the models that Steve chose for the project, and get […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 7

Cody Grivno next to layout with scenery

As the Model Railroader staff continues to work on the scenery for the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, it becomes apparent that they need to add the illusion of distance to the scene. An easy solution to this common model railroading problem is to add a distant treeline along the layout backdrop. Follow associate […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 8

Cody Grivno pours plaster into a mold

For the Winter Hill project the Model Railroader staff needed to add rock castings to the scene around the quarry branch. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to make rock castings using molds and a light plaster product called Hydrocal. Cody also provides tips for trimming the castings and applying the finished rocks to […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 9

Hand painting scenery

The long rock wall is an important scenery feature on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch project model railroad. Now that the Hydrocal castings are in place, Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno will paint and weather the castings so that they look like real rocks. Cody uses a variety of techniques for the […]

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Building HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch part 6

Cody Grivno next to layou

Follow along as associate editor Cody Grivno uses an airbrush to weather the track on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch. Cody will show you his easy technique for weathering the rails and ties of model railroad track. You’ll also learn how to use a microbrush to paint the rails around turnouts. […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch, part 2

Hand modeling scenery on model railway

Before any track can be laid or structures installed on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill project, managing editor David Popp makes some adjustments to the existing benchwork. There will be some elevation changes as well as a roadway that will lead down into the quarry. Senior editor Jim Hediger also describes how he determined […]

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