Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Alan Mende

Build Two Small NATX Tank Cars Part I

The author describes how he built set of 4,000-gallon tank cars. This first installment describes how he built a two-dome tank car. Includes detail diagrams, construction photos, and prototype photos.

Build Two Small NATX Tank Cars Part II

This installment covers building a three-dome tank car. Includes prototype and scale photos, and detail drawings.

Detailing a Reading C-424

The article discusses detailing an Atlas Alco C-424. Includes model close-up photos and detail drawings. Also included is one prototype photo taken in 1963.

First Brass Engine

HO Steam Kit Dimensional Data

The author compares various manufacturer's HO-scale kits of various wheel arrangements to determine which would make good basis for kitbashing or scratchbuilding your own steam locomotive.

Kitbashing Central of New Jersey Composite Gondolas

The author took four Mehano 50-foot gondolas (train-set quality) and rebuilt them to accurately match the CNJ prototype.

Kitbashing Middletown & Unionville Caboose No. 00

The author used two Mantua old-time combines to kitbash this model. Scale and cutting diagrams are included. It has model photos, but no prototype photos.

Modeling CNJ F3's

The Central Railroad of New Jersey bought their first F3 A-B-A sets in 1947. The author describes how he modeled these using Stewart engines. He covers how to strip the model off paint, how to super-detail it, and how to paint and letter it. Includes model and several prototype photos.

Modifying the North West Short Line Riveter

In this article the author describes how adding a moveable fence gives a valuable tool more uses.

Scratchbuilding a Shay: A Case Study in Obsessive-compulsive Detailing

The author describes how he eventually wound up scratchbuilding a Shay locomotive using various parts from other models. Includes lots of close-up photos of construction details.

Scratchbuilt an HO Scale Coal Dealer

Modeling the Dunellen, New Jersey area, the author describes how he built an accurate model of the Dunellen Coal & Lumber facility. Includes prototype photos and lots of close-up construction photos, including how to make the silo bands.

Variations on a Theme: Modifications to Boone Morrison's Homemade Turnout Control

The author describes his modifications to Boone Morrison's article in the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette's November/December 1997 issue. Article covers how to make a push-pull system and how he wired up two turnouts for a crossover.