High-tech modeling for garden railroaders

1_ChicagoFireHydrantRobo3D

There are limitations to 3D printers and it is imperative that you understand the limitations and how to get around those problems. I have three test articles that are fire hydrants. Using these test articles, you can determine the amount of overhang your printer can handle. Print overhang FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication — new acronym […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the February 2018 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. Dave Bigge photographed this stunning shot of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe El Capitan on his HO scale Cajon Pass layout that’s set in 1956. Click on the links below to download the photo sized appropriately for your […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 20

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 20

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page First it was “spills n’ chills” in the previous episode. Now “thrills” from our loveable host Gerry Leone! In this show, Gerry is super psyched about the opportunity to actually build something. He’ll literally do his darnedest to keep things from going Off […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 11 – Scenery Surprise

David and Jenny by the Olympia layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Hard to believe David has been working on the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout revisions for an entire year now! What better time to take a look at the work he’s completed thus far. But to keep the progress moving forward, David enlists […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 27 – Shaping tunnels

Kent Johnson and Drew Halverson next to layout scenery

Our Canadian Canyons N scale layout project would certainly be flawed without adding tunnels (and slide sheds) to the Fraser and Thompson River segments. No worries! Drew and Kent show how to plot out and install one of the many foam-built tunnels they need to make the layout scenes look credible. […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 26 – Shaping a mountain

Drew and Kent keep the scenery effort moving forward. In this episode of our Canadian Canyons N scale layout project, the two share how they attached “ribs” to the spine they just installed. Once this rough cut of the scenery substructure is in place, you’ll begin to see how impressive the mountainside will be! […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the January 2018 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. A manifest freight barrels through the crossing at York, Pa., on Brian Wolfe’s HO scale Western Maryland layout. Paul Dolkos shot the photo. Click on the links below to download the image to use as a background on your […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 19

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 19

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Get set for spills and chills in this episode of Off The Rails! This month, host Gerry Leone has us on pins, needles, and track nails. But somehow, he miraculously manages to hold it all together, with a little help from a dab […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 25 – Scenery survey and spine construction

Kent Johnson and Drew Halverson next to layout scenery

And so the scenery construction phase of our Canadian Canyons N scale layout begins! With Kent Johnson and Drew Halverson leading the charge, the effort starts with a quick survey of the Fraser and Thompson Canyon terrain features, followed by the installation of a dual-function foam board spine. Enjoy the video, and then download PDFs of […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 10 – Q&A and DCC

Foxcote Manor no. 7822 steam engine

Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the December 2017 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. It’s a snowy winter day in Gold Mine Gap on Ron Foreman’s HOn3 Devil’s Gulch & Helengon. The silver ore train must go through so the precious metal can be smelted into Christmas gifts. Click on the links below […]

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