Olympia Logging Series: Part 37 – Log pond scenery

In this video, David continues working on the log pond for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Here, he shows how to prep the layout for pouring the two-part epoxy resin water, tint the resin, and refine the log pond bank after the resin has set. David also shows how to add authentic subtle details […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 36 – Build a log pond

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page There’s a place to include realistic water effects on just about any model railroad, including our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. In this video, David Popp shows how to build a log pond, starting with the pond banks shaped from foam insulation board, […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 35 – Adding dirt ballast

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, Cody Grivno demonstrates how to add dirt ballast to the trackwork of our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. Cody walks you through the dry application of the real rock ballast, the prep for securing everything in place, and the easy […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 34 – Adding trees

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that the rocks and basic ground covering is in place, MR’s Cody Grivno adds the tall timber to our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. In this video, he shows how to install and blend big commercial trees along the sloping mountainside terrain. […]

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“Mechanical interlocking and signaling” article series

Interlockingmachine

Interlocking machine The intricacies of interlocking plants have fascinated me since I read Model Railroader’s “Mechanical interlocking and signaling” series in 1961. In that series, MR’s Gordon Odegard and Paul Larson explained how they scratchbuilt a miniature interlocking machine that included operating finger-size levers for Paul’s HO layout. It took me almost 50 years to […]

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Building the 3 x 7 Red Oak model railroad

Scene of Red Oak project railroad

Model Railroader magazine’s editor Neil Besougloff introduces you to the MR staff’s Red Oak project layout. The 3 x 7-foot N scale model railroad is built on a hollow-core door and models the Burlington Route through Red Oak, Iowa, in the 1960s. Neil will show you some of the locomotives, trains, and structure kits to […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 33 – Fixing a hillside flaw

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Uh-oh! We worked ourselves right into a corner this time. After modifying the snowshed and the adjacent terrain on our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, we had to go a bit off script to pull the last section of the hillside together. We […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 32 – Installing a DCC system

David Popp holding an NCE Power Cab DCC system box

MRVP’s David Popp takes a casual approach to installing a Digital Command Control (DCC) system on our Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. Follow along as David guides you from opening the NCE starter system box to adding a wiring bus to watching trains run on the On30 layout! […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 31 – Detail a logging locomotive

In this video, Cody Grivno continues to enhance the appearance of our Olympia Logging Co. On30 Bachmann Climax locomotive by adding select details. After referencing prototype photos, Cody shows how and where to add crew figures, oil cans, chains, tools, and many other details that help make this locomotive look like an authentic logging company […]

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Build your own wireless DCC system (article bundle)

Build your own wireless DCC system

Mark and Vince Buccini’s series of articles titled “Build your own wireless DCC system” ran in the April, June, and August issues of Garden Railways. It’s been the most-talked about series we’ve done in many years, but it’s also had the most questions. We’re providing the complete set of articles, along with a correction, and […]

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