Trains.com Holiday Party: Working with Acrylic, Episode 11

Cody Grivno holding a structure model kit

In this final episode of our Trains.com Holiday Party, Cody Grivno shows how to assemble an HO scale kit made from styrene and acrylic parts. Cody shares his helpful hints for working with acrylic components to form a sturdy, contemporary structure. […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Fun Run, Episode 10

David Popp standing next to a section of the MR&T

Around the Kalmbach HQ, workin’ on the railroad is part of the job. But at Christmastime, we all make sure to park our various projects and take a moment to have some fun simply running trains! Join Eric White, Cody Grivno, Ben Lake, and David Popp as they each share one of their favorite trains […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Capacitor for an RS-1, Episode 6

David Popp standing at his basement workbench wearing a santa hat

David Popp pushes the Trains.com Holiday Party to capacity! Follow along as he walks through the steps for installing an ESU anti-stall device into an HO scale Atlas RS-1 diesel locomotive. With these units in place, you’ll never have to worry about dirty track, unpowered frogs, or other track maladies getting in the way of […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Artists’ Oil Weathering, Episode 4

Cody Grivno holding a boxcar

Cody Grivno fits right into the Holiday Party festivities! In this episode, our Trains.com ace modeler/painter shares his technique for using oil paints to apply rust effects to the roof of a boxcar. Grab your brush and get started making realistic weathering effects – without an airbrush! […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Whistle Wiring Work, Episode 3

Hal Miller standing at his workbench with an O gauge steam locomotive

Host David Popp brings CTT Editor Hal Miller to the party! Hal has been working feverishly to get a post-World War II Lionel O gauge steam locomotive back on track and orbiting under the Christmas tree. Follow along to see how he brings the sound of a classic whistle mechanism back to life inside the […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

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How-to Library: Building a turntable, Part 7 – Add finishing details and scenery

Building a turntable, Part 7 - Add finishing details and scenery

David Popp’s O scale laser-cut wood turntable kit is now completely assembled! The project build concludes as he shows how to add appropriate earth, grass, and ballast scenery to the pit, before securing small detail parts (e.g., nut-bolt-washer castings). […]

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How-to Library: Building a turntable, Part 6 – A-frames, gallows, and truss rods

Building a turntable, Part 6 - A-frames, gallows, and truss rods

David’s pile of parts is much smaller, as he works to complete the O scale laser-cut wood turntable kit. In this episode, he’ll share his insights for working with basswood stock and bending metal rods. Next and final steps? Adding the finishing details! […]

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How-to Library: Building a turntable, Part 5 – Wheels and track installation

Building a turntable, Part 5 - Wheels and track installation

The bridge assembly is well underway, so David can now focus on building and installing the wheels that put his O scale laser-cut wood turntable kit into motion. If that’s not enough, he even gets the rails placed on bridge deck and takes a locomotive for a spin! […]

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