An Atlas coil car, Locomotive 2021 from Trains magazine, and an Athearn Genesis GP15-1 diesel locomotive. Plus a modeling tip and a big announcement!

Cody Grivno with products in his office

After more than a year of filming episodes in his basement and in the MR workshop, Cody Grivno is back in the office! In this episode, he will take a look at an Atlas N scale 48-foot coil car, an Athearn Genesis HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP15-1 road diesel, and the Locomotive 2021 annual from […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Bridge installation and laying curved track, Episode 7

David Popp talking about laying curved track on an N scale layout

In this episode, David’s projects include repairing benchwork, installing a bridge, and laying curved track sections.  Tune in for David’s tips and techniques for making flowing, smooth curves with Micro Engineering Flex-Track. […]

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Len Smith’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Len Smith’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 24 x 27 feet Track and switches: Atlas O (diameters range from 54 to 99 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Weaver Controls: Lionel types KW and ZW, MTH no. Z-4000 (2) transformers with MTH Digital Command […]

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Bill Clark’s S gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Bill Clark’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 9 x 20½ feet Track and switches: Gilbert American Flyer Motive power: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Rolling stock: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Controls: American Flyer nos. 12B (2), 30B (2) transformers with Lionel FlyerChief and Legacy command control Accessories: […]

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The Garden Variety Railroad Show: Visiting the Burlington Garden Center, Episode 5

Hal and Rene are on location at the Burlington Garden Center in Burlington, Wisconsin. In this episode, they showcase the garden center’s railway display, show you tips on weathering a structure, and update you on Cody’s diesel locomotive project! […]

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A Rapido refrigerator car, an Athearn GP60 locomotive, and a new book! Plus modeling tips and viewer mail

Cody Grivno posed with various products

Cody Grivno is back in the studio for the latest episode of Cody’s Office, and today he’s taking a look at a Rapido Trains HO scale 37-foot meat refrigerator car, an Athearn HO scale EMD GP60 diesel locomotive, and a new book called  Building the Right Size Layout by Thomas Klimoski (available at the Kalmbach Hobby […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Laying down track, Episode 6

David Popp standing next to the State Line model railroadholding up an N scale turnout

After sanding the cork roadbed, David is ready to lay track on the State Line Route N scale layout. His tip: start with the most complex piece of track, which, in this case, is in the train yard! Plus, David checks in with Rene and Jenny to see how their structures for the layout are […]

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Back on Track: How to hide backdrop seams, Episode 12

In this episode, host Gerry Leone gets back to the backdrop. Namely, he’s working to disguise those unpreventable seams that appear between sections of hardboard panels. Gerry shares his techniques for getting the job done in a satisfactory way, but without the painstaking efforts of a professional drywall installer! […]

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Back on Track: Layout progress report and more, Episode 11

It’s hard to keep with Gerry’s rapid pace of construction. Fortunately, he slowed down for a quick recap of what he’s accomplished with the cameras turned off. Then, it’s back to solving benchwork problems! […]

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Back on Track: Tips for testing and tweaking a track plan, Episode 10

Host Gerry Leone continues to plan and build out a switching area for his all-new Bona Vista HO scale model railroad. This time, Gerry shares how he uses actual model structures and track remnants to visualize and plot his plans, and then adjust them to suit layout realities. […]

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