AHM helium tank car The unusual-looking helium tank car might seem like a fantasy model to some, but it’s based on a real prototype. General American, American Car & Foundry, and Magor built about 200 helium cars from 1930 to 1962. The early cars were lettered for the U.S. Navy (with USNX reporting marks), then […]
Too many sound-equipped locomotives in one place, like those shown here on the MR&T, can spell trouble for a DCC layout. Paul Dolkos takes you through the steps he used to set up power districts on his HO model railroad. Imagine you’ve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
The initial goal of a new model railroader flush with locomotives, track, and rolling stock is to operate two trains on his layout at the same time, each with independent speed and direction control. This milepost can be reached with cab-control wiring. With two direct- current power packs, single-pole double-throw toggle switches, and hardware-store wire, […]
I think every model railroad should have a valance. What is a valance, you may ask? A valance is a view block suspended from the ceiling that follows the edge of the benchwork and frames the layout for viewing. If you think of a model railroad as a stage, then a valance serves the purpose […]
Building a small diorama for some of my N scale models allowed me to combine my two favorite hobbies: model railroading and photography. The idea for this project was formulated while I was building a number of N scale wood kits from Hunterline. In fact, I was having so much fun that I kept building […]
Check out these plans for a Copper Range RR caboose from Model Railroader magazine. When I scratchbuild rolling stock, I do my best to follow a prototype. I typically select a subject from one of my favorite railroads, which happen to be the Soo Line, Chicago & North Western, and neighboring roads. The Russell Car & Snow-Plow Co. […]
1930s-era freight cars and locomotive on Model Railroader‘s Rice Harbor project layout. Accurail No. 2500 series Norfolk & Western USRA twin hoppers (2) No. 4111 Virginian 40-foot outside braced-boxcar with wood doors and wood ends No. 4311 New York Central 40-foot outside-braced boxcar with wood doors and metal ends No. 43041 Pennsylvania 40-foot outside-braced boxcar […]
Check out these plans for a handcar shed from Model Railroader magazine. Every railroad needs myriad small storage sheds along the right-of-way and in engine terminals and yards. When I required a small trackside shed for my freelanced On30 (also known as On21⁄2) North Cariboo Ry., I decided it should show its age. I figured the shed would […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this installment of Video Step by Step, Cody Grivno shows you how to assemble a Walthers HO scale ranch tract house kit. In part 2 of 2, he covers adding windows & doors, window panes, window dressing, and other finishing details. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this installment of Video Step by Step, Cody Grivno shows you how to assemble a Walthers HO scale ranch tract house kit. In part 1 of 2 episodes, he covers wall assembly, preparing sub-assemblies, plus prepping and painting detail parts. […]
Check out these plans for the Union Pacific Glendale freight depot from Model Railroader magazine. Union Pacific built this modern-looking freight station midway along the 1.25-mile Glendale Branch that once was part of the former Glendale & Montrose Ry. The post-World War II structure was built of brick with large windows for natural light, and […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page After building the tank and roof in part 1 of this Video Step by Step project, Steven Otte shows you how he completed his model of an HO scale wood water tank. […]
