Back on Track: Helix construction prep work, Episode 4

With design issues behind him, Gerry begins building the components of a four-turn helix. Even though math is involved in this stage, our host is up to the task. And he’s clever enough to use and share a number of helpful resources that make the process easy to understand and follow. […]

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A new book, an updated caboose, and new well cars with containers, plus a tip and viewer mail!

Cody Grivno holds Guide to Signals & Interlockings book, with a silver HO scale caboose with red stripe in front of the book, and a line of N scale Gunderson Maxi-I container cars with containers in front of that

Learn about Kalmbach Books’ new Guide to Signals & Interlockings, Bachmann’s updated HO scale CB&Q offset caboose, Kato’s new N scale Gunderson Maxi-I five-unit articulated well car with containers, a modeling tip, and viewer mail in the new episode of Cody’s Office! […]

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Rehab My Railroad: A study in structure construction, Episode 12

The full Rehab crew is on hand to help push progress on the Jones Island HO scale layout section a bit further along. Join David, Cody, Eric, and Ben, as they walk through what they’re working hard to complete on their respective structure and trackwork projects. […]

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New paint on GP38-2s and 50-foot double-door boxcars, and all-new N scale containers!

Cody Grivno in Model Railroader workshop with Atlas GP38-2, Accurail 50-foot boxcar, JRT Model Trains 53-foot container

Cody’s back in the office with new paint schemes for the Atlas HO scale GP38-2, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy double-door 50-foot boxcar from Accurail, and all-new 53-foot corrugated containers from JTC Model Trains, a modeling tip, and viewer mail. […]

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Scale It Down: Making big plans fit into less space, Episode 1

Scale It Down logo over image of unfinished benchwork and track work.

Steve Brown, host of It’s My Railroad, launches into an all-new, Trains.com exclusive series! Follow along as he walks through his plans and strategies for building a reduced-scope, N scale version of his favorite HO scale layout, the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway (The Tar Branch), previously featured in Model Railroader magazine and MRVideoPlus.com. […]

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Scale It Down: Laying Track, Episode 2

Steve Brown laying track on his N scale model railroad

Trains.com exclusive video series host Steve Brown gets to work on the trackwork of his down-sized (N scale) depiction of the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway. True to form, Steve follows his “Regular Guy” routine, and finds that some unexpected complications are cause for contemplation…and deviation from the original Model Railroader magazine HO scale track plan!   […]

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Kitbashing a yard office – the finishing steps, Episode 45

Cody Grivno standing at the sink in the MR workshop holding an unpainted model structure in his hands.

To complete the work on his HO scale trackside structure, Cody shares how he primed and painted the assembly. After allowing the finish to dry, he also shows the process for adding details and weathering effects that give the styrene kitbashing project an authentic appearance.     […]

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Backdrop painting, Ep. 22

Steve Brown holding a paint brush in his hand while showing how to paint a backdrop for a model railroad

Want a better backdrop scene? Series host Steve Brown desperately desires something other than plain blue sky to grace his N scale layout background, so he jumps right into the process for hand painting his own mountain skyline. Grab your paint, brush, and big ideas, and then follow along the “Regular Guy” way! […]

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Kitbashing a yard office, Episode 44

Cody Grivno sitting at his workbench in the opening shot of Cody's Workshop Episode 44

In this episode of Cody’s Workshop, our host has returned with a clear focus on custom-building a small trackside structure for Model Railroader magazine’s MR&T HO scale layout – The Jones Island project. Cody tackles the effort by combining three of the same styrene kits into one unique yard building. Examine his planning, prep, and […]

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RailSmith Models N scale lightweight coach, ScaleTrains.com SD45, new Tony Koester book, and more!

Cody Grivno holds Tony Koester’s new book, Applying Lessons from the Prototype, with green and black Burlington Northern ScaleTrains.com HO scale EMD SD45 in front of book, RailSmith Models N scale Big Sky Blue Great Northern lightweight coach in front of SD45

Cody shares the new RailSmith Models N scale Great Northern lightweight coach, ScaleTrains.com’s HO scale EMD SD45, Tony Koester’s new book from Kalmbach Media, Applying Lessons from the Prototype, a modeling tip and viewer mail. […]

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Back on Track: Evaluating track plans, Episode 3

Gerry Leone sitting at his desk and pointing to a track plan on his computer screen

In this episode, our host takes up the challenge of selecting the ideal design for his unique, custom-built layout space. Follow along, as Gerry walks and talks you through his process for auditing the wide assortment of plans he created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. […]

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