This is my collection of small articles I have written over the years concerning various topics. All photos are mine, except for most of the prototype photos (a few are from my collection). Up until the summer of 2008, my modeling scale was N-scale (1:160). After that, I switched to S-scale. Therefore articles and photos from before mid-2008 will use primary N-scale products, while those after that date primarily use S-scale products. However, I always try to write my articles in such a manner that the topic can potentially be used in any modeling scale with some slight adjustments. Of course, there are going to be a few scale-specific topics.

Use the table on the right to jump right to the article category of interest, or just scroll on down. Any time that you use the small back icon at the upper right corner of the pages, you will be taken back to that article's entry on this page, so that you don't have to keep scrolling down to find where you left off.

The date below the article indicates the last time I substantially updated the article. Even if an article is "old", I go through it from time to time to make sure it is still valid. Links mentioned in articles are verified every week. Some articles, for example track work or tree construction, will show a progression of my experience over time. Even though older articles may no longer be the way I do things, I still keep them here for the benefit of those who might enjoy those articles, or see how my modeling skills have progressed over time. I almost never delete an article; I do, however, sometimes re-arrange content.

About the Hobby

Just some thoughts about the hobby of model railroading.

Automobiles (S-scale)

My current inventory of S-scale vehicles. And, yes, I have changed my modeled era to 1924, so nearly all of these cars will eventually be replaced with period-correct ones. However, If you want to model in S-scale, finding vehicles is not a problem.

Battery Power

Various topics related to running locomotives with an on-board battery.

Couplers

Information about S-scale couplers, which ones I use or have used, and how I install them.

DCC

Various Digital Command Control topics.

Electronics

Electronic circuits I have built, electronics basics, DCC, and the battery-powered control system called S-CAB.

Experiments

Sharing some ideas I have had.

Loads

Freight car loads and how I built them.

Materials

Information on how I use certain materials.

N-scale Cars

How-to articles about how I have modified them. I no longer model in N-scale, but these articles still get quite a few hits, so I am keeping them here.

N-scale Engines

How-to articles about how I have modified them. I no longer model in N-scale, but these articles still get quite a few hits, so I am keeping them here.

Painting & Weathering

My thoughts and tools I use to paint, apply decals, and weather engines, cars, and structures.

Product Photos

Even though digital cameras have been around for a long time, a lot of times manufacturers don't bother to take a photo of their product, so I have done that here.

Prototype Research

Some basic information about prototype railroading that is of interest to me.

PRR Chartiers Branch

These articles contain all the prototype information that I have gathered about the Pennsylvania Railroad's Chartiers branch, which is what I try to model in S-scale.

Scenery

How-to articles about various topics related to creating believable scenery.

Tools

Some handy tools I have built or bought to help me with the model railroading hobby.

Track

How-to articles about how I build, or have built, certain track work, and the tools I use to build and maintain track.

Woodworking

Prior to returning to the hobby of model railroading, my main hobby was woodworking. Here I share tools and how-to articles related to woodworking. Although they are not directly related to model railroading, a lot of these tools are useful when building layouts.