When N scale modeling doesn’t work out: I hate it when I’m working on some part of my N scale layout, and the further in I get, the more I want out. It can be most anything: a scenery feature, a turnout, weathering a car, whatever. The project just isn’t working, and the realization that […]
Watch electric traction streetcars running on the Northwestern Traction Group’s HO scale (1:87) modules, a layout that Model Railroader magazine staff members enjoyed on display during Trainfest 2022. […]
Character, not caricature, in N scale: A few years ago I rode the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. It was, in a few words, spectacular, beautiful, gorgeous, awesome, and any other superlative you can think of. The steam locomotives and most of the equipment are the real thing and served the line when it […]
The case for body-mounted couplers: For 40 or so years N scalers have been debating – sometimes rather fiercely – the merits of body-mounted couplers versus the truck-mounted type that come on most rolling stock. My position is simple. I think that for 90 percent of N scalers, converting to body-mounts wouldn’t be worth the […]
Tricks with N scale track: You bought ’em, you can modify ’em Some four decades ago I was looking at a John Allen photo taken on his fabulous HO scale Gorre & Daphetid. The subject was rail activity at his city of Port, and I was especially struck by how compact his trackwork was. In […]
Keep N scale track clean: Last summer I finished an extensive scenery project on my N scale layout, cleaned up, went carefully over the track with a Bright Boy rail-cleaning block, did a few more small layout chores, and at last was ready to run a train. For me there’s nothing in this hobby as […]
Lionel prewar locomotive parts are readily available these days, allowing you to return your vintage motive power to the job. One of the great things about old Lionel engines – even really old ones – is they generally will run, even after decades of disuse. This prewar 252 electric, made in the early 1930s, is […]
Ben, Eric, and David team up to work through the process for wiring trackwork on Model Railroader’s modular project, but the steps apply to just about any DCC layout. They’ll cover basic techniques for attaching feeder wires to the rails, fixing them to bus wires below the benchwork, and provide other helpful insights along the way! […]
Model Railroader Editor Eric White and Senior Editor Cody Grivno walk through the process for constructing a track crossover, starting from a pair of turnouts. The duo uses Walthers HO scale Code 83 No. 6 turnouts in this instance, but other brands and varieties work too. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop […]
MR senior associate editor Steve Otte demonstrates techniques for working with cork roadbed and installing it on an HO scale layout. Be sure to follow the exclusive In The Workshop series for tips, tricks, and clever insights, as demonstrated by various members of Trains.com staff! […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page This Video Vault series continues with scenery-building experts John Olson and Malcolm Furlow sharing their practical insights on how to shape and color realistic model railroad rock formations. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page This Video Vault series begins with host Allen Keller welcoming scenery-building experts Dave Frary and Malcolm Furlow to share their theories and practical insights on making realistic model railroad scenes. […]
