Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Model Railroader 1997-07
Articles Listing

Introducing the Wisconsin Central in N Scale Part 1

The Model Railroader magazine's staff is starting a new project. The article discusses who worked on the project, research information about the prototype (including prototype photos and a map of the modeled area), what key features they wanted in the layout, and a diagram of the 9' by 16' layout.

Modeling Georgia in the 1940's

A simple, but nice double-mainline layout measuring 5' by 12'.

The Comanche & Indian Gap RR

Garden railroading to the extreme! This large-scale layout has 7,892 feet of single mainline that is set in 35 acres in the central Texas Hill Country. With locomotives weighing in at 1,800 lbs and hopper cars filled with ballast tipping the scales at 600 lbs, this is just about as close to real railroading as one can get.

Montreal Locomotive Works M420

Includes prototype photos and HO-scale drawings of this 2,000 hp diesel locomotive built in 1969.

The HO Scale Madison Central

A 4' by 8' layout built by the Youth Group of the NMRA's South Central Wisconsin Division. The layout has a simple main line, with two spurs for some switching.

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.

Painting Signs on Buildings

Painting a drop shadow on stenciled signs to give buildings a vintage look.

The EasyDCC Command Control System Part 6

This article covers the basics of accessory decoders, installing, and programming them. Included are a diagram of how to wire a Lenz LS110 accessory decoder to a twin coil switch machine. Another diagram covers how to wire a System One stationary decoder to a slow motion switch machine.

Redesigning for Better Operation

The first time this layout, the Great Western RR, was featured in this magazine was in October 1992. This follow-up article talks about all the changes the author made to his layout based on lessons he has learned since then.

Improved Installation of Circuitron Switch Machines

This author describes how he uses a 1 x 4 x 4 block of wood to install the Tortoise and its wiring before actually installing the block under the layout. This makes the overall process much easier. Because of the extra height under the layout, the article also describes the actuating crank necessary.

Making Brickpaper with Colored Pencils

Quickly create brick paper by placing a sheet of paper on a piece of plastic brick and rubbing a colored pencil over it to leave an impression of the brick.

Main Central HO Scale GP38

Prototype and model photos of the GP38 made from an Athearn GP38-2 by back-dating the model. A complete detailing parts list is provided.