Modeler’s spotlight video for the week of July 9 — Inside Cody’s Office

Modeler's spotlight video for the week of July 9 -- Inside Cody's Office

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page You get two model railroading tips this week. First Associate Editor Cody Grivno shows you how to use decal film for your next project. Then Managing Editor David Popp shows you how he used insulation displacement connectors (also called “suitcase” connectors) for making […]

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Video: History according to Hediger 3

Freight cars by gray wooden depot

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader Senior Editor Jim Hediger also has experience working on the real railroads. In this episode Jim talks about his job as a telegraph operator for the Wabash RR. You’ll also see some vintage photos of some places where Jim worked, including […]

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Choosing rail for the garden railroad

Garden Railways

Rail comes in many different sizes and materials. Here’s a little background information to help you chose the one that’s right for you. Rail sizes The size of model-train rail in any scale is referred to by “code.” For instance, in large-scale railroading we commonly use code-332, code-250, or code-215 rail, although code 197 is […]

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Garden railroading/Large-scale railroading terms

Garden Railways

Annual refers to a plant that lives for only one season and must be replanted each year. Ballast is the medium, usually gravel of some sort, that provides a firm underlayment for track, helps to hold it in place, and drains water away from the ties. Battery power is another way of operating electrically powered […]

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