Jason Shron’s triple-deck HO scale Kingston Sub background images

Jason Shron's triple-deck HO scale Kingston Sub

VIA Rail Turbo no. 2 approaches Lyn Road in December 1980 on Jason Shron’s triple-deck HO scale Kingston Sub model railroad. The trackside photo of the Turbo Train is also this month’s featured computer desktop wallpaper. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Download the 1600 x […]

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Virtual garden railroad visits during quarantine

We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]

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Mike Schwab’s Sn3 scale D&RGW background images

Mike Schwab's Sn3 scale D&RGW background images

Denver & Rio Grande Western class K-27 2-8-2 Mikado no. 463 starts down the High Line with a string of boxcars in tow on Mike Schwab’s Sn3 scale D&RGW layout. Mike’s trackside photo is also September’s featured computer desktop wallpaper. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. […]

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Train table basics: What to look for when looking for a platform to run trains

Toy train tables are a must-have for almost anyone looking to operate or display their collection — from Lionel and American Flyer to Thomas. Throughout the years, Classic Toy Trains has promoted building tables and Model Railroader has published fine plans for small layouts. But some toy train enthusiasts just want to buy a table […]

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How to transfer a track plan from paper to model railroad benchwork

A drywall T-square with measuring tape on benchwork

This simple method lets you scale up a track plan from a magazine or sketch onto your model train table You’ve managed to find the perfect track plan in a book or magazine, or you’ve spent hours at the drawing table or computer carefully drafting a track plan. The next step is transferring the track […]

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How to switch model railroad freight cars

Illustration of switching basics for model trains

Do you know how to switch model railroad freight cars? Operations, once considered a quirky art practiced by few, has become commonplace on today’s model railroads. As interest in operations increases the need for “boomers” – operators, in other words – has also increased. Therefore you may find yourself pressed into service on a new […]

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Thom Radice’s HO scale W&A background images

Thom Radice’s HO scale W&A layout

It’s before sunrise on April 12, 1863, at the Atlanta Car Shed, and Western & Atlantic 4-4-0 locomotive The General is steaming up for its 4 a.m. run to Chattanooga, Tenn. While the crew eats breakfast at the Lacy Hotel, about 20 Union soldiers disguised as civilians will commandeer the train, leading to the events […]

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Desktop wallpaper from the 2020 Model Railroader Trackside Photo Contest

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Earlier this year, we put out the call for MR readers to send us their best model railroad photos. We published the winners in the July 2020 Model Railroader. Follow the links below to download the images of all eight winning trackside photos sized appropriately for use as computer screen desktops. Click on the links […]

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2020 Model Railroader Photo Contest winners background images

ModelRailroaderJul20Bourgerie_thumb

Earlier this year, we put out the call for MR readers to send us their best model railroad photos. We published the winners in the July 2020 Model Railroader. Follow the links below to download the images of all eight winning trackside photos sized appropriately for use as computer screen desktops. GRAND PRIZE WINNER – […]

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