Video 101: Shooting on location

Today we hit the road. Our goal will be to make an interesting 3 minute, home video using a readily available action camera, still cameras and homemade accessories. Our raw video will be edited on consumer level software; we will add sound effects, and zippy music. We will make a gift copy for the owner, […]

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Templates for an HO scale log grasping lift

loggraspinglift

Click on the link to download the part templates for the log-grasping lift. In the June 2017 Model Railroader, Andrew Taylor describes how he kitbashed an HO scale container loader into a log-grasping lift. Andrew scratchbuilt the claw-like lift from styrene. Click on the link below to download the templates for cutting out the parts. […]

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Video 101: Shooting on location

Today we hit the road. Our goal will be to make an interesting 3 minute, home video using a readily available action camera, still cameras and homemade accessories. Our raw video will be edited on consumer level software; we will add sound effects, and zippy music. We will make a gift copy for the owner, […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 4 – Punching holes in things

David Popp building Olympia layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Yes, David punches through the backdrop of the original Olympia Logging Co. On30 display-style layout. But first, he talks through many of the modifications he made to his design for the new extension. More proof that even the best-laid plans are subject to […]

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How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 2 Adding Track

Gerry Leone in front of a computer.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Gerry Leone started this all-new MRVP mini-series by creating a virtual room for a new model railroad using computer-aided design (CAD) software. In Part 2, he keeps things rolling by showing how to add, arrange, and even adjust track components for your layout. […]

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How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 3 Elevations and turnouts

Track-planning on computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Modeler Gerry Leone wraps up his track-planning mini-series on computer-aided design (CAD) software with a tutorial on adding elevations and turnouts. Working with the simple plan he drew in part 2, Gerry shows you how the software figures distances and grades, and how […]

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How-to Library: Track Planning Made Easy – Computer-aided design, Part 1 Getting Started

Computer aided design.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page So you’ve got a plan in mind for a new model railroad, but just can’t seem to get it out of your head?!? In an all-new MRVP mini-series, helpful handyman Gerry Leone walks you through the steps for turning a layout idea into […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 8 – Staging yard turnouts

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David dives into laying track in the staging yard on our N scale project railroad, but before he even opens that brand-new box of flextrack, there’s a lot of other work to do, including painting the roadbed, drilling holes for the switch motors, […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 7 – Installing cork roadbed

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The plywood panels are now in place, and the track centerlines are all marked! In this episode of the Canadian Canyons series, it’s time for David to begin the track laying effort by first installing cork roadbed. Follow along, as he demonstrates tips […]

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HO scale Grand Street & Three Rivers RR

HOscaleGrandStreetThreeRiversRR2017

Name: Grand Street & Three Rivers RR Layout owner: Rod Stewart Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 23′-0″ x 124′-4″ Prototype: New York Central and Pennsylvania RR Locale: Pennsylvania Era: mid-1940s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 900 feet Minimum radius: 40″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3.5 percent Benchwork: box grid Height: 391⁄2″ Roadbed: Homasote Track: code […]

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N scale Union Pacific Oregon Middle Division

NscaleUnionPacificOregonMiddleDivision

Name: Oregon Middle Division Layout owner: Gary Randall Scale: N (1:160) Size: 15 x 17 feet Prototype: freelance, based on Union Pacific Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: none specified Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 16″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder with spline subroadbed Layout Height: 39″ to 42″ […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 5, Prime Time

Aaron Skinner in an airbrushing studio.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   To prime or not to prime…that is the question FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner addresses in this episode of Airbrushing with Aaron. It really is a tale of two tanks, as Aaron demonstrates techniques for applying primer to a model railroad […]

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