Are you aware of any kind of commercial device that can prevent Lionel and MTH trains from running in reverse? Whenever any of my young grandchildren try to run a freight train in reverse, the cars inevitably derail and ruin our fun. This is an interesting problem to have! I can’t think of any device […]
When we moved to our new office in Brookfield, Wis., one of my favorite aspects of this new space was the workshop area. Not only do we have plenty of space for modeling and layout building, but we have just enough space for the Winston-Salem Southbound layout to sit next to our workbenches. One day […]
Menards continues to release an interesting variety of structures for your O gauge layout, from industrial, to whimsical, and anything else you might see in Anytown U.S.A. This latest structure, called “O gauge Main Street,” fits squarely in that Anytown category. A sticker on the clamshell box states that this is part of the Main […]
Host David Popp is making good progress with his modeling, so he takes a moment to highlight some of the details that help shape the realistic barn and farmhouse setting on his Olympia & Sand Creek On30 display layout. In this episode, he talks through tree selection, fabricating custom figures, adding exterior/interior structural intricacies, and […]
Once you’ve decided you’re going to build a model railroad, it won’t take you long to realize there are a few tools you’ll need to get the job done. Some of the more common hand tools may already be knocking around your workshop. However, unless you do a lot of woodworking projects, you likely don’t […]
Lionel has reissued the U28C diesel locomotive for the first time since 2012. The model was announced in the 2024 Volume 1 catalog. This six-axle unit was not that common on prototype railroads, and its unique appearance will allow it to stand out on your layout. The prototype was produced by General Electric between February […]
Q: I’m setting up a model railroad on a 6 x 12-foot table. The layout will use Digital Command Control. What would be the best wire size(s) to use on the layout? — Greg Kurtz A: Two considerations when selecting the right wire size, Greg: First, that doesn’t involve long bus-wire lengths, so No. 14 […]
If you’re a fan of both boats and trains, building a model railroad involving both can be a rewarding experience. A rail-marine layout allows you to practice and utilize a variety of techniques and skills, including making water and building unconventional vehicles like car floats and cranes. They also don’t have to take up a […]
While traveling, I came upon an operating large scale layout that was a circle of track attached to the top of a whiskey barrel planter that had been cut in half. I thought that it would be fun to build something like that for our front porch, but wanted something a little larger and less […]
Locomotives & rolling stock METCA offers an MTH custom-run 4-Bay Hopper as part of the RailKing line. The cars feature O-27 operation and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey graphics (30-75762 shown). Expected delivery in March 2025. Price: $64.95. Order from metca.org Public Delivery Track is selling a custom-run MTH RS1 locomotive as part of the RailKing […]
In this episode, David Popp continues working on the barn and surrounding farm scene on his Olympia & Sand Creek On30 display layout. Efforts include fabricating and installing a new, detailed barn door, extending and amending the barn’s roof, and even taking time to audit the height, shape, fit, and finish of his background trees! Be […]
Marx offered a Missile Launcher & Carrier car that was a neat item. Unfortunately, it was only available in 1957, 1961 and 1962, making it both rare and hard to find. If you want a similar-looking car, I have a less-expensive solution that’s an easy weekend project. A couple years ago, a friend brought over […]
