How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 3 Depth of Field and Lighting

Model train going past a building.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, Gerry Leone talks about how to adjust your camera settings to capture model railroad settings with a realistic depth of field. He also addresses lighting options (type and placement)! […]

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Ask Trains: How do railroads determine which freight cars need repair before continuing their journeys?

AskTrainsFreightinspection

A portion of the cameras and sensors aimed at freight trains to detect freight car problems at the Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colo. These sensors help comprise the most modern methods of freight car inspection. Trains staff Q: How do railroads determine which freight cars need repair before continuing their journeys? — Robert Rose, […]

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Ask Trains: What is this freight load?

AskTrainsWindTurbine

A photo of a big boxy freight load, likely a wind turbine nacelle. Submitted by Mark Faust Q: Saw a whole CSX Transportation train of these in Sullivan, Ind. What are they? — Mark Faust, Carmel, Ind. A: The photo you submitted resembles a wind turbine gearbox nacelle, and is probably what the train was […]

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Ask Trains: Is that Talgo’s tilt normal?

AskTrainsTalgoTilt

A Series 6 Talgo trainset is examined after 125-mph operation at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., in 1998. Bob Johnston Q: In the Sept. 2019 Passenger column on Page 18, I see that a Series 6 Talgo locomotive is leaning while being inspected. Was that tilt normal? — Robert Muckey, Williamson, N.Y. A: […]

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10 tips for beginner model railroaders

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Model railroad scale comparison. These actual examples of model train locomotives show that each common scale is about half the size of the next larger scale. The locomotives shown here are in N (1:160), HO (1:87.1), and O (1:48) scales. Model railroad turnout angles. Scale turnouts diverge at an angle, rather than through a sharp […]

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Servicing Steam Locomotives

Sign up for your FREE download and Model Railroader’s FREE weekly e-newsletter. Steam locomotives were usually serviced every 100 – 150 miles, making engine terminals as much a part of the railroad scene as crossties and creosote. These terminals offer a variety of structures and operations and they can be modeled in a compact space.  Download […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the October 2019 Model Railroader

ModelRailroaderOctober2019wallpaper_thumb

Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen Locomotive Whiton blasts out of Clozet Tunnel on Bernard Kempinksi’s O scale United States Military RR Aquia Line. The Civil War-era layout is the cover story of the October 2019 issue. Click on the links below to download this […]

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Stuff We Use: Pliers and cutters for model railroaders

Assortment of pliers on a workbench

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page A Xuron Modeler’s tool kit includes sprue cutters, microshears, and tweezernose pliers. All of these tools get a lot of use down at the Model Railroader workshop. In this quick demo, editor Hal Miller shows you some of his favorite tips for using […]

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Stuff We Use: Pliers and cutters for model railroaders

Assortment of pliers on a workbench

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page A Xuron Modeler’s tool kit includes sprue cutters, microshears, and tweezernose pliers. All of these tools get a lot of use down at the Model Railroader workshop. In this quick demo, editor Hal Miller shows you some of his favorite tips for using […]

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