Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Mike Rose

Building Conrail Ballast Cars Part 1

Using Atlas and MDC kits, model an ex-PC ballast car. Model and construction photos. Big article!

Building Conrail Ballast Cars Part II

The author describes building Penn Central and Conrail H34C cars from Atlas and MDC models. Includes a prototype photo and several model photos.

Building Conrail Ballast Cars Part IV

In this installment of the series the author covers the Conrail CC71B class #53858 and MGA (Monongahela Railroad) X-430 cars. Both are based on the Eastern Car Works flat kit. Prototype photos are included, including an inside view of one of the cars.

Cyanopoxy

Molecular bonder glue.

Detailing an Apalachicola Northern, ex-East Camden & Highland, FMC Boxcar

The author discusses the modifications he made to the MDC's model of this prototype. The weathering on the author's model is particularly striking (rust spots).

Detailing Athearn Sieco and Branchline Berwick Boxcars

Prototype and model photos. Detailed photos of constructing the grab irons. Painting and weathering shows how to simulate a boxcar belonging to a former railroad but that name has been over-painted.

Extreme Weathering

The author uses a Life-Like ex-Penn Central X72 box car that is heavily weathered. Includes the prototype photo he used as inspiration. The article describes how he achieved the rusted lettering effect. Includes a side bar by Jim Six about the techniques he used to weather his model of the same car.

Further Detailing of the Athearn PS-5344 Boxcar

Using this boxcar model, the author created a model of the KCS #250236. Includes prototype and model photos.

Getting Real

The author describes how he received and off-the-cuff comment and a chance-meeting, both of which led him to building a staging yard for his layout. Includes both prototype (visiting the yard) and model photos (constructing the yard).

Getting Real

The author shares how he has made many changes to his layout, and his current plan is to build a yard, but he hasn't figured out how to get to that yard. The idea was to do a whole-room helix. He created a to-do list, and shares photos of the project to implement this idea.

Getting Real

Why prototype modeling?

Getting Real

The author installs a junkyard in a difficult corner of his layout. Includes many progress photos.

Getting Real

The author describes how he does operations on his 1984-based layout. Includes many photos of his layout, and of the items he uses to facilitate operating sessions.

Modifying Walthers Depressed Center Flat Car

The article describes how the author added detailing to the basic model, matching its prototype. Includes a prototype photo and several close-up model photos.

Port of Erin Industries: Cargill Terminal Grain Elevator Part I

The author starts off with how he built his silos and sheds. Includes a description of the jig he made to cut round PVC pipe.

Rescuing a Relic: Conrail N6A Transfer Caboose

Taking an old brass caboose and converting it into a model that would fit a modern era layout.