Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 5 – Adding counterweights

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page With the hardboard backdrop, light fixture, and valance now in place, MRVP’s narrow Winston-Salem HO project layout has become a tad too top-heavy. No worries! David Popp has a quick and effective solution for getting the layout back into balance, while still keeping […]

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T-Trak Group Project: Assembling a module, Part 1

David Popp holding track materials.

Compact tabletop model railroading comes to MRVP in a big way! In this first of two videos, David Popp shows how to assemble a standard 12 x 14-inch T-Trak module. A Dream Team of Kalmbach staffers and contributors will then develop unique scenes on these N scale modules — all as part of MRVP’s first-ever […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 4

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The next step to installing the backdrop for our HO scale Winston-Salem project layout is to prime and paint the hardboard. David Popp shares the products, tools, and techniques he uses to apply a smooth and even finish that enhances the overall appearance […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the January 2016 Model Railroader

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Click on the links to the left to download the image size appropriate for your computer screen. In this scene from the January 2016 Model Railroader, a Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 diesel switcher works the Royster fertilizer plant at Wagners Point on author Paul Dolkos’ HO scale Baltimore Harbor District. This month you can download this image […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the December 2015 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download the appropriately sized computer desktop wallpaper. The December Model Railroader magazine features this snowy scene in the Trackside Photos section. Ron Foreman of Glendale, Calif., scratchbuilt the HO scale log loader. This month you can use Ron’s photo as a background on your computer screen. Click on […]

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Build the Lionel Lines track plan

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Layout designer: Ray Stuber Scale: O Layout size: 6 1/2 x 12 Track type: Lionel tubular Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the December 2015 issue of Classic Toy Trains magazine Build the Lionel Lines track plan Build the Lionel Lines track plan overview […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 3 – Layout lighting

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This episode of the ongoing backdrop installation series highlights (pun intended) how David added an inexpensive track lighting fixture along the top edge of the hardboard. David wasn’t entirely pleased with the resulting bright lights at eye level, so you’ll get to see […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop – Part 2

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In part 2 of MRVP’s Winston-Salem backdrop installation series, David Popp demonstrates the techniques used for patching the seams where two hardboard sections abut. He covers everything from preparing the working surface to sanding the joint compound smooth — all of the steps […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop – Part 1

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP’s David Popp launches into another informative multi-part series. This time he shows why and how to install, finish, paint, and even light a hardboard backdrop along the back of our Winston-Salem HO scale project layout. Part 1 covers the initial assembly process. […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Kitbashing industrial structures – Part 4

For the final installment of this kitbashing mini-series, David shows you how to give industrial structures a gritty, weathered appearance. David keeps things simple by using little more than an array of modeling paints applied with a brush and a wash (diluted stain). He even shares tips for adding a weather-beaten sign to the brick […]

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Bonus desktop wallpaper from Great Model Railroads 2016

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Don’t miss the 10 inspiring layouts featured in Great Model Railroads 2016. This special issue of Model Railroader magazine features a wide variety of model train layouts in N, HO, S, and O scales. As a special online bonus, you can download computer desktop wallpaper from each of the featured layouts. Want to see more […]

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