Ask MRVP: Episode 21

David Popp wearing a Hawaiian shirt and standing in the MR&T layout room at Kalmbach Media.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Mele Kalikimaka? David Popp and his wild Hawaiian shirts are back for this mid-winter episode of your favorite Q&A show! This month on Ask MRVP, several special subscribers will receive direct answers to inquiries regarding benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, and even layout operation! […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the February 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image. Eric Brooman In this trackside photo from the February 2017 Model Railroader,  a Norfolk Southern SD70ACU sits in a Utah Belt RR engine terminal. The NS has a run-through agreement on Eric Brooman’s HO scale railroad that’s always set in the present day. Click on […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 20

David Popp standing in front of Model Railroader's HO scale Virginian Ry. layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp gets to enjoy his early Xmas gift – Go Cubs! But he also makes sure YOU receive a few stocking stuffers too! This month on Ask MRVP you’ll get to enjoy thorough responses to hobby-related questions regarding wiring a turnout […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 20

David Popp standing in front of Model Railroader's HO scale Virginian Ry. layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp gets to enjoy his early Xmas gift – Go Cubs! But he also makes sure YOU receive a few stocking stuffers too! This month on Ask MRVP you’ll get to enjoy thorough responses to hobby-related questions regarding wiring a turnout […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the January 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image size appropriate for your computer screen. An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4-8-4 pulls a manifest freight over the mountains on Les Illes’ HO scale Santa Fe Eastern, a freelanced model railroad set in the American Southwest. Click on the links below to download the […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 19

David Popp standing next to a table that has a small Christmas tree and trains set up to run around it.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page ‘Tis the season for trainsets… and questions about getting them ready for the holidays! This month, MRVP answer man David Popp fields those questions, along with others related to switch machines, N scale coupler conversion, applying decals, railroad industries, cleaning track, layout wiring, […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 19

David Popp standing next to a table that has a small Christmas tree and trains set up to run around it.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page ‘Tis the season for trainsets… and questions about getting them ready for the holidays! This month, MRVP answer man David Popp fields those questions, along with others related to switch machines, N scale coupler conversion, applying decals, railroad industries, cleaning track, layout wiring, […]

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Locomotive gear ratios

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Electric and diesel locomotives’ top speeds are governed by gear ratios and safe operations, like this Union Pacific westbound near Franklin Grove, Ill. Brian Schmidt Q What determines the theoretical top speed of a diesel locomotive? Is it the gear ratio? What other factors enter in? – Mike Pedersen, North Berwick, Maine A The maximum […]

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Bonus computer desktop wallpaper from the December 2016 Model Railroader

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Click on the links to the left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Snow has melted along the right-of-way, making roads muddy, on this bright April day in Maine as Forney engine no. 9, with Ed West at the throttle, passes South Strong station. Lou Sassi, a frequent contributor to Model […]

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Making movies without a video camera

A camera pointing out an outdoor layout

GoPro cameras, cell-phone cameras, and video-capable DSLR cameras are everywhere. This column will review a dozen examples of video technique from my “Video 101” workshop, presented at the National Garden Railway Convention. Columns will include suggestions, with photographic links to a short demonstration videos of some Bay Area railroads. I recently saw a man filming […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 18

David Popp standing behind a video camera pointing his finger.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP answer man David Popp is never afraid to field your tricky questions! This month, David, with help from MR’s Neil Besougloff and Cody Grivno, tackles topics related to adding decals, improving locomotive and rolling stock performance, selecting era-appropriate details, building bridges, turntable […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 18

David Popp standing behind a video camera pointing his finger.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP answer man David Popp is never afraid to field your tricky questions! This month, David, with help from MR’s Neil Besougloff and Cody Grivno, tackles topics related to adding decals, improving locomotive and rolling stock performance, selecting era-appropriate details, building bridges, turntable […]

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