New toy-train products for January 2021

Atlas O Peavey Co. Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper

O gauge freight cars Pullman-Standard 4,427-cubic-foot-capacity low-side three-bay covered hopper. New paint schemes: Peavey Co. (blue and white), Archer Daniels Midland (blue and white), Cooperative Marketing Association (brown and black), Gold Kist (yellow and blue), Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative Association Inc. (red, white, and blue), Scoular (gray and black), Tabor & Co. (gray and white), […]

Read More…

Loosen paint jar caps

One hand grips a black-colored Oxo jar opener while another hand holds a paint jar.

Paint jar caps that are stuck or tightly sealed are a problem most modelers’ experience. In the spray booth at Model Railroader, we use an Oxo Good Grips jar opener (no. 21191) to open stubborn paint bottle caps. These are sold at most major discount stores and specialty cooking shops. Just place the cap into […]

Read More…

Make quick-and-easy junked cars for toy train layouts

Junkyard with painted aluminum foil auto shells.

Toy train layout operators foiled by the lack of inexpensive details can you aluminum foil as the raw materials for unlimited “junked cars.” Best of all, the project won’t strain your how-to skills and will add detail to your layout. You’ll need heavy-duty foil, gloss black paint, your choice of flat colors, a hobby knife, […]

Read More…

5 tips for weathering garden railroad trains and structures

Black masking tape forms a faux tarpaper roof on this boxcar.

Weathering is one way to add realism to any garden railroad or garden railway. Weathering helps train models and rolling stock appear as though they have been exposed to elements and harsh conditions — like full-sized railroads. Here are top tips you can use. Paintbrush weathering To create a weathered finish on a passenger car […]

Read More…

Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

Read More…

Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

Read More…