A noisy little railway story

Black Canyon Railroad

As I walked up the driveway toward Mick Spilsbury’s Black Canyon Railroad, I could begin to hear the multitude of sounds stemming from the site. At first, I could distinguish the sounds of cows and sheep coming from the vicinity of four stock cars. But then I listened a bit more deliberately, and heard 10 […]

Read More…

HO scale Greenville & Ohio RR

HOscaleGreenvilleOhio1

Name: Greenville & Ohio RR Layout owner: Jack Varadi Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 131⁄2 x 23 feet Theme: freelanced short line Locale: Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina Era: 1940s to 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 160 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 48″ […]

Read More…

HO scale Western Sierra Lines

HOscaleWesternSierraLines1

Name: Western Sierra Lines Layout owner: Roseville Roundhouse Model RR Club Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 30 feet Prototypes: Southern Pacific, Union Pacific Locale: Central California Era: mixed Style: walk-in Mainline run: 200 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (short line) Minimum turnouts: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (yards and industries) Maximum grade: 2 […]

Read More…

How to lay track for smooth operation

track on pink foam board

Good tracklaying has a direct bearing on your railroad’s performance, so take the time to do a good job and it’ll pay off in a smooth-operating layout. Roadbed is used under model track to simulate the layer of crushed rock that supports prototype track. Shaped cork or flexible plastic foam roadbed bends easily so it […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Designing and Printing Decals

Several graphics being designed on a computer screen.

Model Railroader magazine’s Steve Otte shares a decal printing technique he used to complete his structure for MRVP’s State Line Kitbash Challenge. Follow along as he demonstrates the steps that take you from computer design to color-printed, waterslide decal sheets! […]

Read More…

Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 1, Sub-wall construction

Renee's model farmhouse.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Award-winning modeler Renee Grosser launches an MRVP exclusive mini-series highlighting her top-notch modeling skills and tips. Follow along as she shares her process for using styrene to scratchbuild a farmhouse from little more than a few snapshots! […]

Read More…

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

Easy Railroad Photography logo

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)! […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 5 Helicon Focus, Experimentation, and a Photoshoot

Picture of a Helicon Focus software page.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page To conclude this five-part series, Gerry Leone shows how easy it is to use Helicon Focus software to enhance the focal depth of your model railroad photography. And to wrap things up, Gerry dissects all that goes into building a properly lit professional […]

Read More…

Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 2, Modeling siding

Renee Grosser working on scratchbuilding.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Renee Grosser reveals more of her expert scratchbuilding insights. In this episode, she shares how easy it is to add siding to her O scale structures when using clapboard-pattern, sheet styrene material. […]

Read More…

Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 2, Modeling siding

Renee Grosser working on scratchbuilding.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Renee Grosser reveals more of her expert scratchbuilding insights. In this episode, she shares how easy it is to add siding to her O scale structures when using clapboard-pattern, sheet styrene material. […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Easy Model Railroad Photography – Episode 5 Helicon Focus, Experimentation, and a Photoshoot

Easy Railroad Photography logo

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page To conclude this five-part series, Gerry Leone shows how easy it is to use Helicon Focus software to enhance the focal depth of your model railroad photography. And to wrap things up, Gerry dissects all that goes into building a properly lit professional […]

Read More…

Expert Scratchbuilding Tips with Renee Grosser: Part 1, Sub-wall construction

Scratchbuilt model structure

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Award-winning modeler Renee Grosser launches an MRVP exclusive mini-series highlighting her top-notch modeling skills and tips. Follow along as she shares her process for using styrene to scratchbuild a farmhouse from little more than a few snapshots! […]

Read More…