Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Model Railroader 1988-02
Articles Listing

Kicks in a Pennsy Tower

The author enjoyed time with Bill Smith, a relief operator at the PRR's Latrobe tower. The story captures his impressions of all the activity.

The California Central Line

This club layout is housed in the Agnew depot. The article covers how the club was formed and progressed over the years, how they built the 12' by 55' layout, and describes their operations. Interior and exterior photos are included, as well as close-up layout photos and the full trackplan. Also includes a sidebar on how the club tested switch machines to determine which one would be used on the layout.

Building the Carbondale Part 2

This installment covers creating the scenery, bridge construction (detail drawings show how to build a deck girder bridge under curved track), construction of the upper level, building the wharf, and construction the backdrops (including curves). Close-up photos of Malcolm's beautiful work are, of course, included.

Make Your Own PC Board Wiring Terminals

The article describes the author's solution as an alternative to the rather expensive barrier strips for wiring switch machines. His strips are made from PC boards.

Reading RR Atlantics

The Reading RR had ten camelbacks for passenger service. They were built in 1905 and 1906. The article includes prototype photos, complete scale drawings, and notes on how one might model these in HO-scale.

The N Scale Fitchburgh & Southbridge

This 4'6" by 10'8" layout features a continuous-running mainline and several branches with a main yard for lots of switching. Despite its size, the overall photos show an impressively grand view of the layout, with tall mountains. The photos are all in black&white, but the shots are dramatic.

Better-running N Scale Switchers

N-scale 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 steam switchers can be very troublesome to run, especially over insulated frog turnouts. The author describes how he adds wipers to the middle set of drivers on these engines (Model Power, Life-Like, and Atlas). His experience show a dramatic improvement in the running characteristics of these engines.

Amtrak Merchandise-handling Cars

61-foot cars that were built in 1986 to provide mail and express service in passenger trains. Prototype photos and scale drawings are included.

Modeling the Amtrak Merchandise-handling Car

The author scratchbuilds one of these cars. Detail drawings, model construction photos, and a bill of materials are all included. Especially impressive is the underbody electrical wiring that he installed on this model.

Pine Tree Art

Building western-U.S. pine trees from a dowel as the main trunk, and copper wire for the branches.

Curved Tracks and Close Quarters

Building two curved buildings to allow for curved track in between them. A prototype photo is included along with two model photos. Makes for great urban tight-quarter modeling.

The Essence of Daylight

The author converts a Bachmann Northern to model the Southern Pacific's GS Daylight. Model modification drawings and some construction photos are included.

Build a Tool Cart

A folding two-wheeled appliance cart was converted into a mobile tool cart by attaching a custom-made tray for tool storage.

Symposium on Electronics

This installment covers an infrared led/photo transistor automatic train control circuit to allow a train to move back and forth without operator intervention.

Chessie System SD40-2

Installing details and painting this Athearn model. Includes prototype and model photos as well as a detailing parts list.