Video: Trainfest 2016

2016 video of Trainfest show

James Wright of the JLWII2000 YouTube Channel visited Trainfest 2016 held at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Check out highlights from the show, including new model railroading products, interviews with model train manufacturers, and some of the model train layouts. You’ll also get a look at the Model Railroader […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 3 – Adding a Smart Booster

David Popp holding an NCE Smart Booster

Enhancing our project layout’s Digital Command Control system to allow additional cabs requires the installation of a power booster. In this episode, David Popp shows how to arrange, install, and connect the NCE Smart Booster components, allowing more users to enjoy the fun of operating of our large, HO scale layout! […]

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Ask MRVP: Episode 19

David Popp standing next to a table that has a small Christmas tree and trains set up to run around it.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page ‘Tis the season for trainsets… and questions about getting them ready for the holidays! This month, MRVP answer man David Popp fields those questions, along with others related to switch machines, N scale coupler conversion, applying decals, railroad industries, cleaning track, layout wiring, […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 2 – Adding a cab bus

David Popp standing at a table in front of the Beer Line layout

Ready for the next step to installing Digital Command Control on a large model railroad? In this episode, David keeps the train rollin’ by sharing why, where, and how to add plug ports, before he shows how to install a DCC cab bus under the HO scale Beer Line project layout. […]

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How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 4 – Setting up power districts

freight cars on track

Tired of hassling with an entire layout shutdown when a single train derails on your DCC layout? We certainly were! In this episode, David Popp explains why it happens, and then shows how to remedy this inconvenience by establishing power districts and adding circuit breakers. Watch to see how these easy fixes pave the way […]

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Trains Presents: CN in Stevens Point, Wis.

freight train

Trains Magazine Assistant Editor Brian Schmidt takes you to Stevens Point, Wis., for a day of Canadian National freight action in October 2016. You’ll learn the best places in town to watch trains, and see unique motive power from CN, Illinois Central, and Wisconsin Central. Learn more about CN’s Chicago to Winnipeg corridor in the […]

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How-to Library: Airbrushing with Aaron – Episode 1, Selecting an airbrush

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MRVP is pleased to introduce FineScale Modeler senior editor Aaron Skinner to an audience eager to acquire new airbrush painting and weathering tips, tricks, and techniques! In the first episode of this series, Aaron guides you through the wide array of airbrush options […]

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Video: TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]

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Video: GoodDeals DCC Test Track

GoodDeals DCC Test Track

At the National Train Show 2016 held in Indianapolis, Ind., the Model Railroader staff came across a line of professionally built test tracks from Good Deals DCC. Gary Cohn, president of Good Deals DCC, custom-built a 15-foot long version for the Model Railroader workshop. Follow along as Gary shows senior editor Dana Kawala how to […]

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Making movies without a video camera

A camera pointing out an outdoor layout

GoPro cameras, cell-phone cameras, and video-capable DSLR cameras are everywhere. This column will review a dozen examples of video technique from my “Video 101” workshop, presented at the National Garden Railway Convention. Columns will include suggestions, with photographic links to a short demonstration videos of some Bay Area railroads. I recently saw a man filming […]

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