What is ground foam for model railroad layouts? When I first came across this phrase, I thought it was foam that was to be used on the ground, that is, for dirt, grass, and weeds. Then I cottoned on – it’s foam that’s been ground up! So, why would people grind up foam? Well, it […]
Learn how to seamlessly integrate model buildings into your train layout. Discover techniques for adding realistic dirt, gravel, and ground cover to establish a firm foundation, free of visible gaps, for nearly any structure. Also be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, tools, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various members of Trains.com […]
Digital Command Control terms you should know: Those of you new to Digital Command Control (DCC), and even those who have a pretty good grasp on the basics, may benefit from a review of DCC terminology. This month we’ll take a look at some of the commonly used terms and their definitions. I’ve divided the […]
Host James McNab explores methods for handlaying track on his portable HO scale Hills Line module, including spiking, using adhesive and pinning. He shares his experiences and challenges with each method, with the aim of helping viewers find the best approach for their own projects. This episode is a practical guide for model railroaders, offering […]
Essential tools for model railroaders Essential tools for model railroaders: A basic tool kit is something many newcomers forget about during the initial excitement of buying their first train set. But as time goes by, they soon find out that model railroad equipment includes all sorts of small screws, nuts, and bolts hidden in the […]
Simplifying body-mounted couplers: Former editor Neil Besougloff used to accuse me of trying to convert all N scale modelers to using body-mounted couplers. He was joking – I think – but I’m not mounting such a campaign. For 90 percent of you, using truck-mounted, body-mounted, or a mix of both would make little difference. Your […]
With a mainline run of more than 1,000 feet, this freelanced HO scale (1:87.1) club layout is quite impressive! But the fact that the established Pacific Southern Railway Club 501(c)(3) nonprofit raises funds for a local emergency services definitely makes this model railroad a stand-out/stand-up amongst some of the finest in the hobby! To learn […]
This small, portable N scale (1:160) layout is designed to create a big impression. To learn even more about the layout details, be sure to read the November 2023 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]
How to make ‘good enough’ better: The N scale shipping house shown here isn’t finished, but I want to make a point about the roof, namely the diamond-pattern shingles. They were made from laser-cut paper by GC Laser and laid one row at a time. That was a modeling decision I ordinarily wouldn’t make because […]
Dirt and N scale layouts: A locomotive model won’t run if current doesn’t pass from the rails to the pickup wheels. “Duh,” you may say, but that fact isn’t necessarily obvious, especially to younger people who haven’t tinkered with mechanical or electrical devices to the extent previous generations did. Filthy track can look clean The […]
In this episode, Host James McNab embarks on a journey to elevate model railroading skills by exploring cutting-edge methods. Specifically featuring the use of Central Valley tie strips to build hand laid trackwork. With the objective of encouraging modelers to employ fresh techniques, James demonstrates the process on his portable HO scale Hills Line module, […]
Disassembling N scale diesel locomotives: In the 1990s, Kato pioneered its classic, vertically split-frame design. Since then, probably more than 80% of the N scale locomotives made, regardless of manufacturer, have followed (in fact, downright copied) that approach, meaning that if you’ve learned how to work on one of them, you can work on nearly […]
