Kalmbach’s own Cody Grivno talks through the basic ways of fastening track to a layout so you can run model trains. […]
How to Lay Track
Section: How To
Add Bluetooth control to your locomotives with BlueRailDCC
Everything runs on Bluetooth these days, so why not your locomotives? BlueRailDCC from Tam Valley has a solution (BlueRailDCC). This compact board (.57” x 1.5”) supports up to 2A of current, plenty for most HO scale installations. To connect, you’ll need to download the BlueRail Trains app to your Apple iPhone or iPad. Android support […]
Modeling layout scenery at the workbench
Narrow gauge modeler Gregg Condon presents a simple way to make model railroad scenery right at your workbench. In this quick-tip video, you’ll see how realistic model railroad scenes can be crafted from a comfortable, seated position, with all of your supplies right at hand! […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Working with Acrylic, Episode 11
In this final episode of our Trains.com Holiday Party, Cody Grivno shows how to assemble an HO scale kit made from styrene and acrylic parts. Cody shares his helpful hints for working with acrylic components to form a sturdy, contemporary structure. […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Fun Run, Episode 10
Around the Kalmbach HQ, workin’ on the railroad is part of the job. But at Christmastime, we all make sure to park our various projects and take a moment to have some fun simply running trains! Join Eric White, Cody Grivno, Ben Lake, and David Popp as they each share one of their favorite trains […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Scrap Box Scenery, Episode 9
The Trains.com Holiday Party continues with David Popp suited up to make some special layout scenes using little more than odds and ends he’s cobbled together. Even better, everything he made was assembled in a single afternoon. […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Turntable Trouble, Episode 8
A previous O scale turntable build went awry this fall, so David turned the troubleshooting effort into a Trains.com Holiday Party project…and solution! David takes no shortcuts in showing how to avoid shorts when using copper-cladded PC Board materials for crossties. […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Shake-the-box kits, Episode 7
Are you hoping to get a freight car kit under the tree? Cody Grivno opened his present early, so he could share helpful techniques for assembling an HO scale covered hopper kit…on this episode of the Trains.com Holiday Party! […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Capacitor for an RS-1, Episode 6
David Popp pushes the Trains.com Holiday Party to capacity! Follow along as he walks through the steps for installing an ESU anti-stall device into an HO scale Atlas RS-1 diesel locomotive. With these units in place, you’ll never have to worry about dirty track, unpowered frogs, or other track maladies getting in the way of […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Artists’ Oil Weathering, Episode 4
Cody Grivno fits right into the Holiday Party festivities! In this episode, our Trains.com ace modeler/painter shares his technique for using oil paints to apply rust effects to the roof of a boxcar. Grab your brush and get started making realistic weathering effects – without an airbrush! […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Whistle Wiring Work, Episode 3
Host David Popp brings CTT Editor Hal Miller to the party! Hal has been working feverishly to get a post-World War II Lionel O gauge steam locomotive back on track and orbiting under the Christmas tree. Follow along to see how he brings the sound of a classic whistle mechanism back to life inside the […]
Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1
The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]
