Denver & Rio Grande Western class K-27 2-8-2 Mikado no. 463 starts down the High Line with a string of boxcars in tow on Mike Schwab’s Sn3 scale D&RGW layout. Mike’s trackside photo is also September’s featured computer desktop wallpaper. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. […]
Earlier this year, we put out the call for MR readers to send us their best model railroad photos. We published the winners in the July 2020 Model Railroader. Follow the links below to download the images of all eight winning trackside photos sized appropriately for use as computer screen desktops. Click on the links […]
Also in this issue: AN APPRECIATION FOR AN IMPERFECT DECADE, pg. 7 Lionel faced commercial and internal challenges in the 1960s THE 1960s – A DECADE OF HOPE AND UNCERTAINTY, pg. 8 Struggles to succeed in an unpredictable market STARS OF 1960, pg. 22 3535 operating security car with rotating searchlight 3376 Bronx Zoo operating […]
Anyone who thinks that S gauge starts and ends with American Flyer should take a look at the S-Helper Service line. For years the crew at S-Helper Service has been in the vanguard of manufacturers rising above postwar levels of detail, regardless of train gauge. Out are the cast-in handrails and roofwalks; in are add-on […]
It’s been written about a lot before, but here are some more ballasting tips for tubular track. It can make your right-of-way look more realistic, but the bottom line is have fun and don’t stress about it. Don’t overdo It is pretty common to completely fill in the area between two tracks with a bed […]
Creating the scene The examples shown here are from the backdrops on my O gauge layout, which is set against distant hills. I broke each sketch down to three levels of scenery: the foreground (tree line), the intermediate level (nearby hills), and the background (mountains). I needed to use only three colors, one for each […]
First cataloged in the 2017 Lionel Christmas catalog, the no. 82982 LionChief Christmas Express train is a colorful and rugged modern starter set. Everything you need is included in the set box. Better yet, you can even operate this train from a smartphone! William Zuback A version of this article first appeared in the January […]
A few years ago I addressed this topic with a two-pronged approach: a little philosophy that might help you shape your fleet and some practical physical elements to ponder before you plunk down your credit card. Let’s take a quick refresher. Bob’s Rules for Locomotive Buying are pretty simple: One: A toy train is not […]
Soldering track feeders isn’t that difficult. Learn this easy method for making reliable wiring connection that are also easy to conceal on a model train layout. Soldering feeders to the rails is a wiring method modelers have used since the hobby began. By soldering feeders directly to the rails instead of using other types of […]
Have you ever wondered how much money your vintage toy train is worth? Download this free 41-page PDF to determine the value of your antique train sets. Inside you will find price guides for Lionel’s Operating Milk Cars, Lionel’s Log and Barrel Cars, Lionel’s Operating Boxcars, Lionel’s Postwar SP-Type Cabooses, and more! […]
WE RECOMMEND contacting the layout proprietor in advance to confirm that schedules and fees haven’t changed, and to find out whether the facility is accessible to handicapped visitors. ALABAMA Foley Railroad Museum, City of Foley Museum Archives 125 E. Laurel Ave., 36535 Phone: 251-943-1818 Website: foleyrailroadmuseum.com Open: Tue., Thur., Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. […]
Also in this issue: INTRODUCING 10 GREAT O GAUGE LAYOUTS, PG. 5 Be inspired by the hobby’s best […]
