Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Handlaying track – Part 6

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR contributing editor Tony Koester now has all the essential components of the handlaid trackwork installed. In this video, David Popp takes up the effort to add a Blue Point switch control, cut gaps in the rail to isolate the frog, and then […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Handlaying track – Part 4

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Tony Koester continues with final preparations before he starts adding rails to the turnout on MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. In this video you’ll see Tony’s techniques for spiking and gauging the rails, building a frog, plus a quick tip for testing […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Handlaying track – Part 2

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR contributing editor Tony Koester continues handlaying a turnout on MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. In this episode, Tony shows how to sand, prep, and stain the wood ties prior to installing the rail. […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Handlaying track – Part 3

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model railroading masters like Tony Koester have the experience and skills to handlay near-perfect trackwork on the fly. But most of us can use as many of the helpful hobby tools and aids as we can muster! In this bonus video, David Popp […]

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Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Handlaying track – Part 1

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Renowned MR contributing editor Tony Koester helps take your modeling skills to the next level by walking you through the process of handlaying a turnout on MRVP’s HO scale Winston-Salem Southbound layout. In part one of multiple videos, Tony first discusses turnout terminology […]

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Build the Black River Junction – Part 1

1950s Ohio HO scale model railroad layout

A New York Central freight passes the depot at the town of Black River, Ohio. This 1950s HO scale layout depicts a junction  where the NYC crosses the Baltimore & Ohio. The Black River Junction was built as part of Model Railroader magazine’s Layout in a Week project in early February 2006. The construction crew […]

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Red Oak Series: Adding ballast

Red Oak Series Adding ballast

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Just a little bit of a ballast goes a long way toward making Model Railroader magazine’s 3 x 7-foot N scale Red Oak layout look more realistic. In this video, David Popp walks you through the steps you’ll need to prepare the trackwork, […]

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How-To Library: Installing Blue Point switch controls

Installing Blue Point switch controls

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this how-to video, MRVP’s David Popp shows you how easy it is to install Blue Point push-pull control levers used to manually throw turnouts on a layout of any size, scale, or complexity. David’s demonstration talks you through the tools and techniques […]

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Building the 3 x 7 N scale Red Oak model railroad part 3

David Popp and Neil Besougloff next to layout track

The foam scenery base has been cut and roadbed and track are well underway in this installment of the Red Oak video series. MR Video Plus producer David Popp will also discuss the Peco code 55 track and turnouts that he used on the project layout. Associate editor Cody Grivno describes the progress he’s made […]

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Building the 3 x 7 Red Oak model railroad episode 2

Hand measuring off track section

The benchwork is built for the Model Railroader staff’s N scale Red Oak project. Next comes the tricky task of transferring the track plan to the foam tabletop. Get some tips from Model Railroader Video Plus producer David Popp, including a look at the layout’s styrene backdrop and the wiring channel around the tabletop. […]

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