Model Railroader Editor Eric White and Senior Editor Cody Grivno walk through the process for constructing a track crossover, starting from a pair of turnouts. The duo uses Walthers HO scale Code 83 No. 6 turnouts in this instance, but other brands and varieties work too. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop […]
Section: Series
Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 2
The new town of Westcott has moved from concept to construction. Watch as host Gerry Leone shares how he initiated the development by laying out the town on a sheet styrene template. Learn helpful tips for arranging city streets, structures, and even rail-served industries. Plus, you’ll also glean insights for working with styrene or similar […]
Laying down cork roadbed
MR senior associate editor Steve Otte demonstrates techniques for working with cork roadbed and installing it on an HO scale layout. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various members of Trains.com staff! […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 10 | Installing Tortoise switch motors
Host David Popp promises to show you the easiest way you’ll ever see to install a Tortoise by Circuitron Switch Motor! Plus, you’ll also see simple techniques for attaching feeder wires, soldering rail joints, and even painting the track for a more realistic appearance. Let’s get started! Curious about alternative installation solutions? Be sure to […]
Cheap O gauge train collecting on Bob’s Train Box 88
Many of us are on the hunt for a cheap O gauge train. On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller are out to save you some money! They’re always looking for deals and will show you a great and inexpensive way to start collecting Lionel trains. They’ll also give […]
Trains LIVE — The Center for Railroad Photography & Art
Trains LIVE — The Center for Railroad Photography & Art — 3-1-2023 — If the old saying — a picture is worth a thousand words — holds true, then how many words can be said about thousands of pictures. For this episode of Trains LIVE we are in Madison, Wis., visiting the archive facility of the Center […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Branch Lines and Locals
Branch line and local trains deliver goods to big and small towns everywhere. These routes are important arteries in the nation’s economic lifeline, especially to remote areas. While we use the term “last mile”, sometimes a local will traverse many miles to get cargo from main line railroad distribution yards to Main Street, USA. Take […]
Add interior lights to a passenger car
Model Railroader magazine’s associate editor Bryson Sleppy shares his technique for installing an LED kit into a modern, HO scale passenger car that did not come factory-equipped with lights. Even better, Bryson adds an NCE Light-it DCC decoder he’ll use to toggle the interior illumination on/off. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop […]
Trains LIVE – Update C&NW No. 1385
Trains LIVE: Update C&NW No. 1385 — 3-15-2023 — In March 1907, the Chicago & North Western Railway took delivery of a 4-6-0 locomotive from Alco. Construction No. 42187 is an R1 class tipping the scale at 82 tons. The locomotive was assigned road No. 1385 and became part of C&NW’s largest steam locomotive class. […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 9 | On the right track
After host David Popp cleans up a few foibles around the cork roadbed, he turns to the task of modifying turnouts to accommodate Tortoise switch motors. And then his full focus goes to laying down the trackwork! Follow his fastidious process for aligning the main line and gluing into place…to perfection! And be sure to […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Crude Oil Trains
Railroads move a significant volume of crude oil, so it’s no surprise that Tom Danneman frequently frames these extensive unit trains traversing the expansive American West. These big trains and even bigger skies are all part of what makes Tom’s brand of contemporary railfanning so compelling to view – but only as part of the […]
Spaces to Places IV | Town development, part 1
There’s a new place in the making on Gerry Leone’s Bona Vista HO scale layout! Watch as he plans and plots out the details of a small community he calls “Westcott”. Take a tour down our host’s imagined Main Street, as he evaluates which structures and subtle details are best suited for the space. Plus, […]
