Menards has released a structure with a presidential twist: a house based on Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home. Reagan’s primary boyhood home is located at 816 S. Hennepin Ave. in Dixon, Ill., This two-story, white frame house is where he and his family lived from 1920 to 1923. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places, […]
Though I’ve been in the hobby for more than 70 years, I’m still amazed at the number of new products being released. Gone are the days when the Lionel or American Flyer “wish books” would fill our dreams of new engines, cars, or accessories. Now we have the internet, hobby shops, and train shows to […]
Most pickup trucks aren’t in perfect condition and show signs of wear. When I received the Atlas O 1973 Ford F-100 pickup truck, I had an opportunity to add weathering and custom features. Follow along as I explain what I did, and I hope it will inspire you to try some – or all – […]
Q: I’m getting back into model railroading after a 50 year hiatus. I’m having trouble with knuckle couplers that won’t connect. I have new rolling stock from Athearn, Walthers, ScaleTrains, and Accurail. I also have several cars that I converted to Kadee. Couplers from different manufacturers don’t seem to work together. Are there any combinations […]
Command control systems allow more ways than ever to operate your toy train today, and if you’re new (or you’ve been away from the hobby), choosing a system might seem overwhelming. Don’t worry; we’re here to help! Let’s review the choices, along with their pros and cons. Conventional “Conventional” operation means you use a transformer […]
For as long as there has been model railroading, there have been model railroad clubs. Many of these groups and organizations, with some dating back to the 1930s, remain active today with well-established roots to weather the highs and lows. While the world has changed significantly, starting an all-new club from scratch is still possible. […]
Freight Car Class: Lesson 5, Special Weathering Effects | Go beyond basic airbrushing to create freight cars with unique character and standout detail! This lesson teaches advanced techniques for replicating paint chips, deep rust, and realistic scratches using a mix of acrylics, enamels, and oils. Learn to highlight molded details, simulate bare metal, and master […]
Lionel’s No. 7-12124 Battery-Powered Harry Potter Train Set is the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the wonderful hobby of toy trains. How do I know this? Because I used this exciting and entertaining passenger set to introduce my two young grandsons (ages 6 and 4 years) to operating electric trains. Believe me when I […]
What do I collect? I collect original prewar trains in Standard and Wide Gauge, i.e. 2 1/8”. Lionel created the gauge in 1906, and called their trains the “Standard of the World.” Soon, Standard gauge caught on as a label, possibly to differentiate from other gauges at the time. When the Ives Toy Co. modified […]
Freight Car Class: Lesson 4, Airbrushing Techniques | Unlock the versatility of your airbrush to transform stock models into realistic, weathered railroad replicas! This segment of the freight car series shows you how to use an airbrush for effects like faded paint, dust, grime, and rust. Learn how to work your double-action airbrush, how to thin paint […]
Milwaukee and model railroading share deep, historic ties. Model Railroader Magazine, Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., and the National Model Railroad Association all had their humble beginnings in the beer city. This rich heritage has fostered a healthy and diverse group of model railroad clubs throughout Southeast Wisconsin that are still active today. Finding these clubs […]
Menards has released an accessory that just about any layout, big or small, could use: concrete blocks. Each package contains 100 pieces of scaled blocks measuring 1¾” x ¾” x ¾”. A standard size block measures a nominal 8” x 8” x 16”, with an actual size of 15⅝” x 7⅝” x 7⅝”. At 1:48 […]
