Methods to wiring your toy train layout

MTH’s Digital Command System transmits signals through the track system, unlike Lionel’s TrainMaster and Legacy systems, which transmit through the air.

It isn’t an exaggeration to observe that the CTT staff is frequently asked basic questions such as “How do I connect my power and lockon to the track?” However, we get even more questions related to adding operational capability beyond running one train in a circle – taking a step beyond the starter outfit. Aside […]

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Common scales of large scale trains

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Common scales of large scale trains: Most of us have had this experience as we got started in garden railroading: You go to the hobby shop or look online, looking for equipment for your new railroad. It’s all large scale and it all looks good. But the more you look, the less comprehensible your choices […]

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Boston & Maine transition-era, freight train photo gallery

Our sister magazine, Classic Trains, named Boston & Maine the railroad of the month for October 2019. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include B&M steam-powered freight trains through time. […]

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Modeling an N scale Great Northern layout in less than 13 square feet

Picture of an N scale small town with a GP7 Great Northern unit in the foreground and an industrial building in the background. The original headline appears in the sky: Start Big, Finish Small.

Although I’m really an HO scale modeler at heart, I’ve always been intrigued with N scale trains and have more than once thought how neat it would be to “have a few.” Being without any other outlet for modeling, those very thoughts soon translated into construction of the Havaphew Central, my first N scale layout. […]

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How to use Z scale couplers to make N scale equipment more realistic

A comparison of two N scale boxcars, one with a Z scale coupler, another with an N scale coupler

In N scale, oversized, truck-mounted couplers are still a de facto standard, but body-mounted scale-sized couplers aren’t exclusive to larger scales. Micro-Trains Line sells N scale freight cars with pads and mounting holes for easy installation of body-mounted couplers. For an even more in-scale appearance, I install Z scale couplers instead of N scale couplers. […]

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How-To Library: Turning Spaces into Places II, Part 2 – Knocking the Blocks Off

Gerry Leone working on his streets.

Contributing Editor Gerry Leone continues to share his final project on the HO scale Bona Vista Rwy. This time you’ll see how to make sure Main Street, its sidewalks, and all of the surrounding structures maintain prototypical alignment and appearance. […]

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Computer desktop wallpaper from the May 2020 Model Railroader

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Click on the links at left to download this image sized appropriately for your computer screen. A Boston & Maine 4-8-2 Mountain-type steam locomotive rolls past Superior Bakery on Thomas Oxnard’s HO scale layout featured in the May 2020 Model Railroader. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for use as […]

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Bringing light into a black hole

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Jim Kelly wanted to see all the fabulous detail on his new ScaleTrains.com carbon black covered hoppers. A few simple steps had them looking more like their full-sized counterparts. Bill Zuback photo The universe has its black holes, and we who model in N scale have ours: black locomotives and rolling stock. The details are […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for March. part 1

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page A Multi-Max auto rack from Atlas Model Railroad Co. in HO and a SoundTraxx Econami-equipped N scale diesel from Bachmann Trains highlight this episode of Cody’s Office. Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno will also show you an Accurail gondola kit that’s custom-decorated for […]

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