Olympia Logging Series: Part 30 – Steam locomotive weathering

Close view of a steam locomotive's top side.

While we’ve addressed how to weather modern diesel locomotives in other MRVP videos, David Popp takes on the challenge of giving the Olympia Logging Co. steam locomotives an aged appearance. Follow along as he demonstrates how to use an airbrush to apply various paint color effects — all without impacting the performance of our layout […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 29 – Custom locomotive lettering

As the layout construction and scenery work progresses, MR’s Cody Grivno continues to prep the Olympia Logging Co. steam-powered workhorse for service. In this video, he demonstrates how to reletter our factory-decorated On30 Bachmann Climax. When an initial technique falls short, Cody cleverly introduces an alternative process using a floor finishing product. […]

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Big steam in the coal fields

CTT-T1214_APLAN

Layout designer: Ray Stuber Scale: O Layout size: 8 x 12 Track type: Lionel Fastrack Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the December 2014 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Steam in the coal fields track plan Steam in the coal fields track plan schematic […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 28 – Installing a steam sound decoder

Micro-Tsunami steam digital sound decoder packaging

We wanted our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout to sound as impressive as it looks, so David Popp decided to install a DCC sound decoder in our Bachmann Climax workhorse. Follow along as he shows how to disassemble the locomotive, solder the decoder and speaker wires, position and test the unit, and then re-assemble […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 27 – Applying ground cover

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page How could we?! Truth be told, we almost forgot to get MRVP’s Jenny Maaske involved in the construction of our On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. Lucky for us, she was willing to jump right in and get her hands dirty helping Kent […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 26 – Build a timber retaining wall

After kitbashing a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR associate editor Eric White decided to make good use of leftover kit components. In this video, he shows how to assemble a retaining wall using stripwood and detail parts. Eric also shares insights on adding rust effects with weathering powders. […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 25 – Reworking the snowshed base

Nothing in model railroading is exempt from a do-over, including the scenery we roughed in around the base of the timber snowshed on our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. So rather than try to finesse the terrain to better support the structure, David Popp simply used a mulligan to rebuild the area with foam installation […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 24 – Snowshed kitbash

After making a cardboard mock-up of a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, MR staffer Eric White starts to build the structure kit. Eric demonstrates the complete kitbashing process, ranging from how he stains, measures, and cuts the stripwood to fitting the final structure into position on the layout where it will […]

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Great Model Railroads 2015 desktop wallpaper

GMRcover

Pre-order Great Model Railroads 2015 Now! Great Model Railroads 2015 showcases 10 dream layouts engineered into reality by talented modelers. This special issue includes track plans, how-to tips, and vibrant photographs, which capture the vivid detail of these brilliant layouts. If you’re looking for inspiration and clever ideas, Great Model Railroads 2015 will spark your […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 23 – Make a structure mock-up

Model Railroader magazine’s new staff member Eric White will kitbash a timber snowshed for our Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But before construction begins, he’ll first share how to make a useful cardboard structure mock-up. Along the way, Eric shows how a mock-up can immediately reveal issues to address, without needlessly sacrificing kit parts. […]

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Olympia Logging Series: Part 22 – Painting rock faces

To complete the rockwork suite on the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout, David Popp shares an easy technique for adding realistic coloring to the wall of Sculptamold and rubber rock castings. Watch how David uses just a few shades of latex and acrylic modeling paint, along with a few light brushstrokes, to turn a stark […]

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