Building an outdoor garden caboose

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Photo 1 Sun has set but modeling continues in paradise—a building for building railway gear, rain or shine. In this caboose, the author keeps kits under construction, trains ready to run, parts drawers, a tiny fridge, and an electric kettle. A train runs through it. Garden tools hang just inside the end door. Rungs lead […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the December 2018 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. A General Electric ES44AC leads an eastbound coal train in Furnace Creek Canyon on Eric Brooman’s HO scale Utah Belt. Modern motive power is one of the many recent developments of the ever-evolving UB. This month you can use […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Wiring the Upper Level

Canadian Canyons Series: Wiring the Upper Level

In this layout wiring walk-through, MRVP’s Ben Lake shares his approach to completing the wiring for the trackwork, block detection system, and planned signal installations. Ben’s technical explanations will help prepare you for the next bold step into MRVP Tech — computer control! […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 31

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 31

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of OTR, Gerry shares his tips and tricks for modeling the lineside poles that make a main line look authentic. After sorting through the many options for poles, Gerry shows how to give them realistic texture, color, and details, including […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 20

Company houses on a model pond

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page It’s back to the blog for David! But not before he cleans up his workbench to make room to work on the company houses he’s installing along the pond. In this episode of the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout expansion series, David shares […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a Burnt Forest, Part 2

David Popp with burnt model forest tree

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David and Drew continue painting, flocking, and planting the trees used to complete their signature forest fire scene along the Thompson River Canyon on our Canadian Canyons N scale layout. No small detail is overlooked! […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 19 Ponds and Porches

A pond for a model railroad

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Ponds, people, and porches are the prevailing topics for this episode of the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout expansion blog. David shares his challenges when working with resin water and how he painted figures for the sawmill scene. He also shows how to […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from Great Model Railroads 2019

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Get computer desktop wallpaper from all 10 layouts featured in this Model Railroader special issue. Great Model Railroads 2019 features 10 spectacular model train layouts in HO, N, and O scales. In this Model Railroader special issue you’ll see a variety of model railroading themes, settings, and eras. As an online bonus, download images from […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a Burnt Forest

David Popp next to layout scenery

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp and Drew Halverson work to add a signature forest fire scene to the Thompson River Canyon on our Canadian Canyons N scale layout. Even without incorporating animated fire or smoke effects, the guys show how use of subtle color and scenery […]

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How to model realistic modern-era structures

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Adding mundane and non-revenue structures to your layout can enhance the authenticity of a scene, as demonstrated in these two scenes from the author’s Miami-based HO scale CSX Downtown Spur layout. The gray and salmon structure at the center of the top photo is 10th Avenue Tires in Miami. Structure building is one of the […]

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Viaduct construction–a balancing act

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Photo 1 If at first you don’t succeed, get better materials, says Stan Ames, whose previous viaduct lasted less than five years. This strong and graceful viaduct, a good fit in Massachusetts, is in its ninth year serving the SJR&P. Read how in Regional reports. Stan Ames Photo 2 A master of mechanical principles and […]

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