Plans for a distinctive trackside shed

Lackawannatracksideshedplans

Click on the image or link to download plans for this unique trackside shed. Shiplap siding and vertical trim are among the interesting details of this trackside shed. The prototype stood along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western line in upstate New York. Click on the link below to download scale drawings of the structure for […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 2, Under Pressure

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Aaron Skinner, FineScale Modeler senior editor, continues his airbrush painting and weathering series by outlining various practical air supply sources. Aaron also discusses safe places to use your airbrush, and the safety equipment you’ll need when you start to work. Finally, he shows […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 3 – Adding a Smart Booster

David Popp holding an NCE Smart Booster

Enhancing our project layout’s Digital Command Control system to allow additional cabs requires the installation of a power booster. In this episode, David Popp shows how to arrange, install, and connect the NCE Smart Booster components, allowing more users to enjoy the fun of operating of our large, HO scale layout! […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 2 – Adding a cab bus

David Popp standing at a table in front of the Beer Line layout

Ready for the next step to installing Digital Command Control on a large model railroad? In this episode, David keeps the train rollin’ by sharing why, where, and how to add plug ports, before he shows how to install a DCC cab bus under the HO scale Beer Line project layout. […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 4 – Setting up power districts

freight cars on track

Tired of hassling with an entire layout shutdown when a single train derails on your DCC layout? We certainly were! In this episode, David Popp explains why it happens, and then shows how to remedy this inconvenience by establishing power districts and adding circuit breakers. Watch to see how these easy fixes pave the way […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 1, Selecting an airbrush

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP is pleased to introduce FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner to an audience eager to acquire new airbrush painting and weathering tips, tricks, and techniques! In the first episode of this series, Aaron guides you through the wide array of airbrush options […]

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Arduino source code for a model railroad signal system

Arduinosourcecode

Get the source code for Detlef Kurpanek’s Arduino-controlled model train signal system described in the December 2016 Model Railroader. In the December 2016 Model Railroader, Detlef Kurpanek describes how designed an operating model railroad signal system that uses Arduino microcontrollers. As an online bonus, you can download Detlef’s source code for the project by clicking […]

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HO scale Western Pacific Railroad

HOscaleWesternPacificRR

Name: Western Pacific RR Layout owner: Jim Pendley Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 20 x 46 feet Prototype: Western Pacific Locale: California’s Sierra Nevada Time periods: 1960s, early 1970s, early 1980s, mid-1980s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 220 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder and […]

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HO scale Iowa Interstate RR Grimes Line

IowaInterstateRRGrimesindustrialTrack

Name: Iowa Interstate RR Grimes Line Layout designer: James McNab Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12′-0″ x 18′-8″ Prototype: IAIS Grimes Industrial Track Locale: Greater Des Moines, Iowa Period: September 2008 Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 52 feet Minimum radius: 22″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in Great Model Railroads 2015. Click […]

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N scale Annaville & Adirondack

NscaleAnnavilleAdirondack

Name: Annaville & Adirondack Layout owner: Sandy Colabufo Scale: N (1:160) Size: 9 x 21 feet Prototype: Freelanced, inspired by Delaware & Hudson Locale: upstate New York (Adirondack region) Era: 1950 to late 1960s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 104 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (mainline), no. 4 (sidings and yards) Maximum grade: […]

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Build a newspaper vending machine

Build a newspaper vending machine

Add some interest to your railroad by building a newspaper vending machine. Jack Verducci provides full-size PDF drawings. For the full article, read the December 2016 issue. Note: These drawings are full-size for 1/2″ scale. To make them in other scales, follow the chart below. For 1:32 scale, reduce the drawings to 75% For 1:22.5 […]

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