MRVP Live: Trainfest 2019, Session 1

David Popp, Cody Grivno, and Steve Sweeney at Trainfest 2019

Enjoy this commercial-free replay of MRVP’s inaugural live-streaming event (November 9th at 11a.m.) from Trainfest 2019 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park near Milwaukee, Wisconsin! David Popp, Cody Grivno, and Steve Sweeney, hosted segments highlighting activities and displays (model and prototype) at the show, interviews with Kalmbach contributors, and new product presentations from various vendors/manufacturers. (Note–please […]

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MRVP Live: Trainfest 2019, Session 3

Steve Sweeney, Cody Grivno, and David Popp at Trainfest 2019

In this third and final live-streaming session (November 9th at 3 p.m.) from Trainfest 2019 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, the MRVP Live crew (David, Cody, and Steve) closes out with additional interviews, modeling tips, new product presentations, and so much more! […]

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N scale Gauley Shavers Fork

NscaleGauleyShaversFork

The layout at a glance Name: Gauley & Shavers Fork Layout designer: Bob Ferguson Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16′-4″ x 33′-6″ Prototype: Baltimore & Ohio, Chesapeake & Ohio, Norfolk & Western, and Western Maryland Locale: Appalachia Era: mid- to late-1960s Style: shelf Mainline run: 75 feet Minimum radius: 9.75″ Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum […]

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New model railroad products for the week of November 21, 2019

Athearn Trains HO scale EMD SD45T-2 diesel locomotive

Athearn Trains HO scale EMD SD45T-2 diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD45T-2 diesel locomotive. St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt, American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one number, scarlet and gray with Roman lettering in four numbers), Southern Pacific (1990s version with SP light removed and faded paint in three numbers), National Railway Equipment (Southern […]

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Eastern Seaboard Models N scale Penn Central 50-foot boxcar

Eastern Seaboard Models N scale X72 boxcar

Eastern Seaboard Models N scale Penn Central 50-foot boxcar United States Railway Equipment leased 10 of the cars to Western Pacific in July 1972. Nothing says “that ’70s freight car” like a Deepwater Green, flat-roofed Penn Central boxcar. Now, N scale modelers can add a United States Railway Equipment (USRE) 50-foot, cushioned-underframe boxcar from Eastern […]

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Video: N scale Gauley & Shavers Fork

model railroad layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Bob Ferguson’s N scale Gauley & Shavers Fork features interchangeable scenes and a 1960s diesel-era setting. The 16′-4″ x 33′-6″ shelf layout is inspired by several central Appalachian railroads. Get an overview of the railroad in this short video. […]

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Video: N scale Gauley & Shavers Fork

model railroad layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Bob Ferguson’s N scale Gauley & Shavers Fork features interchangeable scenes and a 1960s diesel-era setting. The 16′-4″ x 33′-6″ shelf layout is inspired by several central Appalachian railroads. Get an overview of the railroad in this short video. […]

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Trainfest 2019 show report

Bachmann HO scale 2-10-0 Russian Decapod steam locomotive

HO scale locomotives General Electric U28 and U28CG diesel locomotives. Road names to be announced. All-new tooling; etched-metal grills; steam generator details on U28CG; separate, factory-applied detail parts; prototype-specific headlight placement; and metal knuckle couplers. Direct-current and Digital Command Control versions will be offered. Pricing and release date to be announced in January 2020. Master […]

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New model trains for the week of November 7, 2019

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive. New paint schemes: Reading & Northern (green and yellow), GATX Locomotive Group (blue and black), Providence & Worcester (brown and orange), Kansas City Southern (Southern Belle scheme), and New Hampshire Northcoast (green, black, and yellow). New […]

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New model trains for the week of October 31, 2019

Kato USA HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive

Kato USA HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 diesel locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (blue and yellow warbonnet) and Burlington Northern (as-delivered scheme). Two road numbers per scheme. Factory-installed Digital Command Control motor and light decoder, handrails, grab irons, and number boards; directional golden-white light-emitting-diode headlights; and […]

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How to lay track for smooth operation

track on pink foam board

Good tracklaying has a direct bearing on your railroad’s performance, so take the time to do a good job and it’ll pay off in a smooth-operating layout. Roadbed is used under model track to simulate the layer of crushed rock that supports prototype track. Shaped cork or flexible plastic foam roadbed bends easily so it […]

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