State Line Route in N scale: Installing fascia, Episode 9

David Popp leaning on the fascia on the State Line N scale layout

David shows how he attached fascia to the State Line Route N scale layout to give it a more finished appearance. It can be especially tricky when there are no extra hands around to help with the curves, but David has a solution! Plus, Gerry Leone and Seth Puffer have finished building their structures for […]

Read More…

Scale It Down: Ground covering for industrial outlots, Episode 7

Series host Steve Brown heads for the homestretch, as he works to complete the scenery on his down-sized (N scale) depiction of the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway. Follow the “Regular Guy” routine to learn simple ways for adding both fine and clump ground cover materials to the outlots of this industrial area.   […]

Read More…

State Line Route in N scale: Wiring a layout for DC power, Episode 8

David Popp holding a meter

After a quick update with Jenny to see how her Walther’s bungalow kit is coming along, David gets to work on electrical projects. Follow along, and you’ll see how he installed feeder wires and added a power bus line under the State Line Route N scale layout. […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

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. […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

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 […]

Read More…

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! […]

Read More…

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! […]

Read More…

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. […]

Read More…