Computer desktop wallpaper from the April 2016 Model Railroader

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Click on the links to the left to download the image size appropriate for your computer screen. Westbound Burlington Northern train No. 171 glides through Feather River Canyon on Jim Pendley’s HO scale Western Pacific layout. This month registered members can use the image as a computer screen background. Click on the links to download […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Painting an EMD GP9 diesel locomotive, Part 4 – Painting detail parts

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, Cody first demonstrates how to paint the fine details he’ll apply to our HO scale Winston-Salem diesel locomotive. He then shares techniques for masking and painting (using an airbrush) the larger locomotive components in the desired base coat colors. […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Painting an EMD GP9 diesel locomotive, Part 3 – Details and priming

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Our Winston-Salem Southbound locomotive painting project continues. This time, Cody shows how to complete the final detail work before cleaning the assembly, and then heading to the paint booth to apply a primer coat. […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the March 2016 Model Railroader

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Click on the links to the left to download the image size appropriate for your computer screen. Majestic Hardware, built from a Bar Mills craftsman kit, receives a flatcar on Pat Gerstle’s Sn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western model railroad. This month you can download this photo from Pat’s layout story to use as a […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Painting an EMD GP9 diesel locomotive, Part 2 – Shell preparations

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Cody continues preparing our Athearn Genesis EMD GP9 for painting and decoration. In this video, he demonstrates how to perform a detailed cleaning of the shell, along with showing steps for removing, patching, and replacing various components to match the Winston-Salem Southbound prototype […]

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Track and wiring for the HO scale Eagle Mountain RR

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Associate editor Eric White continues his behind-the-scenes look at building the Model Railroader staff’s latest project model train layout. In this installment, Eric describes how he laid out the track plan full size on the benchwork tabletop, including how he used curve and turnout templates. He’ll also show you the basics of how he laid […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Painting an EMD GP9 diesel locomotive, Part 1 – stripping paint

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page While work on MRVP’s Winston-Salem HO project layout continues, Cody takes on the task of painting up our model railroad’s diesel locomotive. In this mini-series, Cody will walk through the steps for disassembling, stripping, detailing, painting, decaling, and weathering an Athearn Genesis EMD […]

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How to model a greenhouse in your railroad garden

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1. Working late. Lake Phillips’ traveling terrarium was commissioned by the author for her 7/8″-scale agricultural railway. The greenhouse element is a Tumdee (see “Sources” sidebar) kit, glued and pin-nailed onto a scratchbuilt flatcar, including custom LED lighting. Air plants (Tillandsia sp., Zones 9-11) inside and in the boxes bring it to life. When not […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 7 – Adding a printed backdrop

David Popp and Cody Grivno adjusting a model railroad backdrop

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David Popp enlists the assistance of MR’s Cody Grivno to add a printed photomural to the painted backdrop of our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout. Follow Cody as he walks through the installation steps, including how to position the printout, trim it to […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the February 2016 Model Railroader

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Click on the links to the left to download the appropriate size images for your computer screen. In this trackside scene from the February 2016 Model Railroader, a Colorado Midland freight rolls along the deep chasm known as Hell’s Gate on Andrew Dodge’s O scale model railroad. This month you can download this image to […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 6

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, artist Jay Smith returns to the MR Workshop with his airbrush in hand! This time he’s using it to paint an array of realistic clouds on the backdrop for our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout. Follow Jay as he teaches […]

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