The Model Railroader staff’s Eagle Mountain RR

Scene of Eagle Mountain railroad

Don’t miss the latest Model Railroader project layout, the Eagle Mountain RR, in the January 2016 issue. The HO scale layout is inspired by mining operations in Southern California during the 1960s and 1970s. Follow along as associate editor Eric White shows you highlights of this 4 x 6-foot model railroad. […]

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History According to Hediger: An engine ride on the Cannonball

View from front of train at opposing train

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page When Jim Hediger was a youngster, he wrote the president of the Wabash RR to see if he could ride in the cab of the locomotive on a trip to St. Louis. Much to everyone’s surprise, Jim got a letter and an invitation […]

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Cody’s Workshop: Episode 10 – end of train device

Cody Grivno sitting at his workbench

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In November’s Workshop, Cody shows you how to equip a freight car with a functioning end of train device. He also shares how to use a handy jig to space railroad ties along a main or branch line. Of course, Cody also addresses […]

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Thin Branch Series: Foam scenery part 3 – filling gaps

David smoothing gaps in scenery.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Once your foam scenery is in place, you need to smooth out the bumps and fill in the gaps. David shows you how he did just that on our Thin Branch project railroad, including putting on the base coat of paint. […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Inside Cody’s Office for October 2013

Inside Cody's Office for October 2013

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Get a look at the new SoundTraxx DCC equipped Athearn GP50 in this month’s episode of Cody’s Office. You’ll also see new model train products from Atlas, ExactRail, Piko America, and Walthers. In this month’s modeling tip, Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno […]

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DCC Programming: Episode 1 – programming locomotive addresses

Programming locomotive address.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Dana Kawala starts a new series on Digital Command Control programming for the common model railroader. In this installment, Dana shows you how to program 2 and 4-digit locomotive addresses. If you’re new to DCC, you don’t want to miss this series! […]

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Thin Branch Series: Backdrops part 4 – Clouds

Jay Smith painting a bird.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In our final backdrop painting installment, artist Jay Smith shows you how to add clouds to the sky of your model railroad. To complete the scene, he also provides tips for painting simple birds. Look for Jay’s other backdrop-painting videos on MR Video […]

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Thin Branch Series: Foam scenery part 1 – build a tunnel

David Popp building a tunnel liner.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page For our Thin Branch project railroad, David used foam insulation board as a base for much of the scenery. In this video installment, he shows how he used the foam to build a simple tunnel liner. […]

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Thin Branch Series: Foam scenery part 2 – making hills

David carving foam scenery.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In our second foam scenery installment, David shows how he built a variety of hills by stacking strips of foam insulation board. He also covers some basic shaping and finishing techniques in this video. […]

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