RR-Concepts “Yard Master”

Kevin Strong “Yard Master” automated control boxRR-Concepts1357 Hodges Rd.Oceanside CA 92056Price: $55Web site: www.rr-concepts.com Automatic control box for controlling switches, station stops, reverse loops, point-to-point operations, signals, or various combinations; based on magnetic triggers Pros: Versatile control allows for many different applications; simple wiring; clear instructionsCons: Abrupt station stops; signal control uses common ground and […]

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The Making of Tom Miller’s Fabulous F-scale Layout

Kevin Strong The Making of Tom Miller’s Fabulous F-scale LayoutPacific Vista Publishing, LLCPO Box 220 Newberg OR 97132Running time: Approx. 3 hoursPrice: $34.95 plus shippingWeb site: www.pacificvistapublishing.com If you’ve been reading the model-railroad press over the past two years, you’ve undoubtedly encountered an article on Tom Miller’s 1:20.3-scale indoor railroad (Garden Railways featured it in […]

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Trainmax “Bark Box”

Subscriber extraSee Vance Bass’ video of this device! Vance Bass Trainmax “Bark Box”R&R Train Company2459 OdinNew Orleans LA 70122Price: $100-$125, depending on model (+ s&h)Web site: www.trainsales.com/barkbox.htm Smokebox resonator to enhance exhaust sound of live-steam locomotives; available for a number of popular gas-fired locomotives Pros: Remarkable increase in volume and depth of steam exhaust sounds; […]

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How to build a garden railroad

garden tracks

Click here to download a PDF version of this article. Don’t miss the other parts to this series! June 2010: Preliminary construction August 2010: Choosing track October 2010: Laying track and ballasting December 2010: Accessories, structures, and lighting […]

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Coal cars’ reporting marks exposed

Coal cars, reporting marks

BNSF 9801 led this coal train through Willow Creek, Ind., on Jan. 1, 2009. DETX 994336 is one of 5,700 coal cars owned by Detroit Edison Co. Kathi Kube It’s easy enough to identify reporting marks for Class I railroads, as well as a multitude of short lines and regionals, but the reporting marks on […]

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Build a 1:22.5-scale combine

Build a 1:22.5-scale combine

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Despite our best […]

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Accucraft Forney locomotive

Acccucraft Forney

Subscribers: Don’t miss the exclusive highlight video of this impressive locomotive! Acccucraft Forney Marc Horovitz 1:20.3, gauge 1, live-steam 0-4-4 ForneyAccucraft33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $659Web site: www.accucraft.com Freelance, live-steam Forney; all-metal construction; two double acting, piston-valve cylinders; piston-valve reversing; link-and-pin couplers; 50 psi blow-off pressure; single flue, gas-fired boiler; boiler fittings include safety […]

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American Model Supply knuckle couplers

AMS knuckle couplers

Gary Raymond Vital statistics 1:32 scale, working knuckle couplersAmerican Model Supply33268 Central AvenueUnion City CA 94587Price: $10/pairWeb site: www.amstrains.com Working knuckle couplers and sprung draft-gear boxes for 1:32 scale Pros: Prototypical, working drop pin; Kadee #1-scale #820/920 mounting-hole compatibility; perfect size for 1:20.3 cars using three-quarter-size couplers Cons: Slightly oversize for 1:32 scale American Model […]

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Bachmann starter sets

Bachmann Lumberjack set

Bachmann Lumberjack set Marc Horovitz Bachmann Prospector set Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, large-scale starter setsBachmann Industries1400 East Erie AvenuePhiladelphia PA 19124Price: Lumberjack, $350; Prospector, $375Web site: www.bachmanntrains.com Large-scale starter sets; each set has a 1:20.3-scale Davenport diesel-outline locomotive, loop of track, power supply, accessories, DVD, and instruction book; “Prospector” (#90070) includes four side-dump ore cars; […]

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