Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use! […]
How to cut track
Section: How To
How to cut track
Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use! […]
Weeping Norway spruce
Common name: Weeping Norway spruce Latin name: Picea abies ‘Pendula’ Plant type: dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Plant height: 18″ if prostrate; 10-12′ if staked Dark, evergreen needles on drooping soft branches make weeping Norway spruce an attractive specimen tree. Garden railroaders […]
John Vavra’s HO scale Santa Fe Lines
Facts & features Name: Santa Fe Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) and HOn3 (36″ narrow gauge) Size: 20 x 22 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Locale: Northern Arizona/Southwestern Colorado Era: 1994 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet (Santa Fe) plus 110 feet (D&S) Minimum radius: 24″ (ATSF), […]
Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 51/2 x 201/2 feet Track and switch: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 42″ to 54″) Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern) Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH Controls: Lionel no. 22983 180- watt PowerHouse power supply with Legacy command control Accessories: Department 56, […]
Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 30 x 54 feet Track and switch: GarGraves, Lionel (diameters range from 72 to 120 inches) Motive power: American Flyer, Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, Weaver, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Kusan, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, […]
Six grade crossings you can model
Grade crossings you can model are scene enhancers that you should consider adding to your list of projects. “Why a grade crossing?” you may ask. “I’d rather work on a locomotive, freight car, structure, or [fill in the blank with your favorite aspect of the hobby.]” I get it. Grade crossings you can model introduction […]
Sketching with Steve: Working facing-point and trailing-point turnouts
A turnout is where one track becomes two. The single track, where the movable point rails let a train choose between routes, is called the point end of the turnout. The two-track end, where the closure rails cross at the frog, is the frog end. And which end is which can make or break a […]
State Line Route in N scale: Installing fascia, Episode 9
David shows how he attached fascia to the State Line Route N scale layout to give it a more finished appearance. It can be especially tricky when there are no extra hands around to help with the curves, but David has a solution! Plus, Gerry Leone and Seth Puffer have finished building their structures for […]
A fun, large-scale Halloween display
I love collecting and displaying large-scale trains. I also love showing off my 1956 GMC pick up at car shows, or even at the front of my driveway at home. I decided to combine the two and make a mobile display layout! The layout is an easy build. My truck has slots on the truck […]
Resuscitating a lifeless locomotive
Good news! If your lifeless locomotive has ever run under Digital Command Control (DCC), chances are good that you can get it running again without having to send it off for repair. The solution is easy, too! More good news! If you have a new steam locomotive that doesn’t run or only partially works, maybe […]
Scale It Down: Ground covering for industrial outlots, Episode 7
Series host Steve Brown heads for the homestretch, as he works to complete the scenery on his down-sized (N scale) depiction of the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway. Follow the “Regular Guy” routine to learn simple ways for adding both fine and clump ground cover materials to the outlots of this industrial area. […]
