Materials list for HO scale 35-foot Fruehauf trailer resin kit

1950standemvanHOscale

Mont Switzer’s finished HO scale tandem van is shown above with his GMC “Cannonball” semi-tractor. The article “Decorate and detail a 1950s tandem van” by Mont Switzer appeared in the January 2019 Model Railroader. The materials list for the project is listed below. List of materials A-Line 50119 trailer dress up kit, spoke wheels Athearn […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 21

Structures on the Olympia layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page This time it’s all about the details that David is adding to the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout extension! Follow along as he share insights for installing fascia-mounted throttle panels and small fixtures/furniture for his structures, plus tips on painting figures. […]

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How to make trees from a natural kit

MRRST1015_100

A group of SuperTrees populates the hillside by Artz Lumber Co. on the HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Cody Grivno explains how to make realistic trees using the Scenic Express kit. Photos by Bill Zuback If there is one thing our HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy club layout can use more of, it’s […]

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Soo Line train depot reference plan and cutting diagrams

Dallasdepot

In the December 2018 issue of Model Railroader, Tom Houle shows how he scratchbuilt an exact O scale model of the Soo Line train depot in Dallas, Wis. As an online bonus, download the cutting diagrams featured in the story, as well as the standard plans for a Wisconsin & Northern depot that he used […]

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Video 101: Scouting locations

Location scouting is a vital part of filmmaking. A movie-production company sends an advance team to review scenery, camera angles, lighting, weather, and more. We are one-person studios but we need to include location scouting, too, including scouting the rolling stock, the trains and their stories, structures, and environment; time and lighting conditions; camera locations; […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 20

Company houses on a model pond

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page It’s back to the blog for David! But not before he cleans up his workbench to make room to work on the company houses he’s installing along the pond. In this episode of the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout expansion series, David shares […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 19 Ponds and Porches

A pond for a model railroad

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Ponds, people, and porches are the prevailing topics for this episode of the Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout expansion blog. David shares his challenges when working with resin water and how he painted figures for the sawmill scene. He also shows how to […]

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How to build floating shelf benchwork for a model railroad

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Without any legs, brackets, or other visible means of support, floating benchwork keeps all attention focused on the model railroad. Follow along as author Lance Mindheim shows how to build these lightweight, yet sturdy shelves. Lance designed his benchwork for a 16″ shelf width. Use as many benchwork segments (shown above) as needed to match […]

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Video 101: Vignettes and transitions

Santa Fe locomotive

A “vignette” is a small portrait whose edges fade into the background without a definite border, or a brief episode. Vignette is my word for a video scene from a story that is unfinished or only partially told. Al Tillman’s railway was undergoing a major renovation on the day we visited but it had several […]

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Stuff We Use: Get straight cuts with a miter box and razor saw

Hand cutting styrene in a miter box

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Getting straight cuts is a necessary skill for any modeler. That’s why a good razor saw and miter box are essential tools for any model railroader’s workshop. Senior editor Dana Kawala shows you the basics of using this razor saw/miter box set from […]

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Stuff We Use: Get straight cuts with a miter box and razor saw

Hand cutting styrene in a miter box

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Getting straight cuts is a necessary skill for any modeler. That’s why a good razor saw and miter box are essential tools for any model railroader’s workshop. Senior editor Dana Kawala shows you the basics of using this razor saw/miter box set from […]

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