Model railroaders are model builders, and sometimes we build models for layouts that aren’t there anymore, and the old models lose their spot. We like our models, but we don’t have a use for them in any of our new projects, so they go into boxes and get stored under our layouts, slowly disintegrating. I […]
In this episode of the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park project railroad construction series, David Popp and Cody Grivno tackle various scenery challenges. First, learn how to pour a second layer of resin to yield a more realistic water feature. Then, discover kitbashing techniques for the Central Ink facility. The hosts also demonstrate how […]
Facts and features Name: Northwestern Pacific RR Tiburon Rail Yard Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13′-0″ x 26′-6″ Prototype: Northwestern Pacific RR Locale: Tiburon, Calif. Era: October 1909 Style: island Mainline run: none Minimum radius: none Minimum turnout: No. 8 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1 x 6 and 1 x 8 wood joists on steel angle […]
Facts and features Name: Chicago, Peoria & Western Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 30 x 44 feet Prototype: CB&Q, EJ&E, and IC Locale: Chicago to Galesburg, Ill. Era: 1940s Style: walk-in Mainline run: approximately 230 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: No. 8 (main), No. 6 (industries and yards) Grade: less than 1% Benchwork: open grid […]
In this March 2026 episode of Cody’s Office, Senior Editor Cody Grivno explores a fresh lineup of products, including the Broadway Limited Imports HO scale (1:87) theater car and Athearn’s N scale (1:160) 52-foot mill gondola. Cody also highlights the new 2026 Lionel Trains Pocket Price Guide from Firecrown Media. In our modeling tip segment, […]
In this episode of the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park project railroad construction series, David Popp demonstrates how to transform natural Super Trees into convincing scale vegetation. You’ll master the essential preparation process: cleaning delicate branches, grafting parts to fill sparse areas, and using a matte medium solution to prevent long-term degradation. We’ll also […]
Tour the HO scale (1:87.1) Chicago, Peoria & Western, John Brennan’s masterfully designed model railroad depicting the flatlands of Illinois in September 1940. Housed in a dedicated 35 x 45-foot building, this expansive walk-in empire features a 230-foot mainline modeled after the CB&Q, EJ&E, and Illinois Central. The open-grid benchwork supports meticulously handlaid code 70 […]
Follow David Popp, as he works to add essential scenery to the HO scale (1:87) East Troy Industrial Park project! Learn how to protect detailed strip wood with masking tape before pouring a custom passenger platform. And then explore helpful tips and tricks for applying Woodland Scenics Smooth-It, tinted with slate gray pigment to mimic asphalt. […]
Facts and features Name: ZigZag Valley RR (ZZVR) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 23′-6″ x 44′-5″ Prototype: BNSF Ry. and Mt. Hood RR Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: June 1998 Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 460 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 main line, No. 5 yards Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: a combination of studwall, L-girder, […]
Rivers and industries take center stage on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park layout! This episode, David Popp dives into scenery by pouring a murky resin river for an authentic, deep-water appearance. You’ll also learn the math (I was told there would be no math) behind calculating resin volume for irregular shapes. Finally, we […]
Facts and features Name: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Aurora Branch Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15″ x 72″ with 36″ extension Prototype: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Locale: downtown Aurora, Ill. Era: early 1950s Style: shelf Mainline run: 6 feet Minimum radius: none Minimum turnout: No. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1∕4″ plywood base with frame (1 […]
This February 2026 episode of Cody’s Office features an exciting product lineup, essential modeling tips, and viewer questions. Senior Editor Cody Grivno showcases the HO scale Greenbrier five-trough coil car from Rapido Trains and Athearn’s Genesis series GE Dash 9-44CW locomotive. He also reviews the new Firecrown Media book, Tales of the Rails. Cody demonstrates […]
