Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Articles by Scale
HO Articles

"Urban Ore" Carriers: Modeling EMAX Cars

Prototype and model photos accompany this article about 60-foot boxcars that carry municipal waste. There is a sidebar on how to make the car's decals using WordPerfect for DOS.

10 Railroads 1 Layout Part 1

This layout is very, very large. It covers a 2,600 square foot area, and consists of FOUR decks. It is so large that it can accommodate 30 operators in an operating session. Many people have helped Bruce and his wife build this layout. Includes the track plan of the main level.

10 Railroads 1 Layout Part 2

This installment of Bruce's large layout covers operations. Included are the operational schematic, discussions about selecting an era for the railroad, building a fleet, the various jobs available, both CTC's, running "day and night", and DCC.

10 Steps to Great-looking Passenger Cars

The article covers techniques for applying paint and decals. It shows how to plan the project, checking the parts, planning the painting sequence, painting the underbody, masking the underbody to paint the main body, and additional masking to paint a second color on parts of the sides, applying decals and the finish.

1939 Action on PRR's Panhandle

A photo essay of the author's PRR-based layout.

2 Layouts in 1

HO-scale modules that attach to a smaller home layout as well as to a large club layout. Includes a side bar on how the modules are transported.

21st Century Turnout Frog Wiring

The author shares his latest method of powering turnouts for DCC.

300 Main Street

This Victorian home was a side project for the author to build something not directly related to the railroad.

40-foot AAR 50-ton Box Cars With 4/4 Improved Dreadnaught Ends Part III

Prototype and model photos of box cars, including kits from Branchline and C&BT Shops.

50 Years of Excellence: Dick Elwell's Hoosac Valley

How Dick got started in model railroading. A run-through his layout. How he built the scenery for his layout. Includes a track plan of this 34' x 64' layout. A sidebar is includes on Dick's friendship with Bob Van Gelder of South River Modelworks.

60 Years at the Crescent City Model Railroad Club

The history, membership, and future plans of the club.

60' Auto Box Car

Greenville-built box cars for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad to transport Ford vehicles. The article covers ways to build this car, and includes scale drawings and model photos.

A (PRR) Day at Cincinnati Union Terminal

The author visits the CUT, and then covers a day-in-the-life of a PRR train at the CUT in 1954, complete with complimentary HO-scale model photos.

A 4x13 Layout for Home and Road

This is a sectional layout that can be set up in a garage or transported in a minivan. It can be folded up. Included a detailed diagram showing how the benchwork was constructed.

A Black Hawk Warehouse

The article is accompanied by photos and scale drawings of this structure in Black Hawk, Colorado.

A Bridge Girder Load for the Davies Steel Gondola

Using Atlas bridge girder kit parts to build a load. Shows wood bracing to secure the load.

A Bucket Load for a Flat

Using an O-scale dipper for an HO-scale load.

A Central Vermont 2-8-0 in HO Scale

The author took a Bachmann Baldwin 2-8-0 and created an accurate model of the CV's N-5a class Consolidation. Includes prototype photos, construction model photos, parts diagrams, and a materials list. A sound decoder was installed in the tender.

A Century of Trains in Sedalia

A modeling interpretation of an area in 1900, 1950, and 1999.

A Coal Loader for the Roakandee Mountain RR

This small truck-to-rail facility is based on the real ones throughout Appalachia. Includes model photos and detail drawings.

A Cylindrical-type Tender for Your Bull Moose

Using Strathmore paper and styrene to construct this tender for the author's 2-8-8-0. Includes scale and construction drawings.

A Day at East LaSalle

This brief article describes, mostly through photos, how operations happen at East LaSalle on the North American Prototype Modelers' club layout. A small trackplan of this 59 by 74 foot layout is included, with a detailed track plan of the East LaSalle area.

A Depot from Two Houses

Creating a single small town depot from two Rix Products Maxwell Avenue house kits. Diagrams of the modified walls are shown as well as some construction photos.

A Depot Scene at the Pittsfield Branch

The author builds the Walthers Pella Depot kit.

A Farm House for Goff Brook

The author discovers that there was a house near the tracks, so he shows how he built it.

A Finale for Chupadera Loop Part 4

The author describes how she and her husband concealed the edges of an access area in the loop.

A Firecracker Factory

A simple scratchbuild project of an 3.5" x 8" HO-scale model of a small firecracker plant. Scale drawings and model photos are included.

A Fishbowl Roundhouse

Building a see-through roundhouse roof to show off the engines inside.

A Flatcar Full of Tractors

The author describes how he installed six Farmall tractors on a Life-Like Proto 2000 53-foot flatcar.

A Hoboken-inspired Terminal

The model built for the Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders club layout hints at the Hoboken, New Jersey terminal. This article describes how the author scratchbuilt this model making many castings to handle the repetitiveness of the model. Includes many model photos.

A Kitbashed Santa Fe Class GA 131 Covered Hopper

The model was kitbashed from an Atlas 6-bay cylindrical hopper.

A Kitbashed SW1

Prototype information and how the author modeled it using an IHC SW1 carbody, frame and trucks from an Athearn SW1500, and a Sagami motor.

A Large Industry for a Small Layout

This article covers how to kitbash an industrial complex in a corner of the layout.

A Load of Freight Car Trucks For Derailment Cleanup

The author describes how he built a flat car load which contains six trucks and some spare parts for helping fix derailments.

A Military Load for the F22 Gun Flats

Transporting large naval guns using these flat cars. The author used Crown Custom Imports' brass models. Includes a prototype, several model photos,

and an equipment drawing of the two cars required to carry the load. The author also lists the sources for the gun barrels (i.e the load).

A Model Water Tower

The author describes how to build one of these towers. The article includes scaled drawings, prototype photos, and some construction diagrams.

A Modest Proposal

Modeling harbor scenes using selective compression.

A Modular Switchback Trackplan

A trackplan designed for HO-scale, could be built onto three two to two-and-a-half foot wide tables measuring no more than eight-and-a-half feet in length. It represents steep grades that run up into a mountain from a town below. Great for shays.

A Movie Theater for Your Town or City Part 1

Kitbashing a Walthers Power Plant kit into an old or modern movie theater. Includes prototype New York area modern movie theaters.

A New Layout Part I

The author talks about the demise of his previous layout, why the new layout, and the things he wants to do different this time. Obviously the layout is quite far along, because it includes lots of nice close-up photos of the new layout.

A New Layout Part II

This installment covers the construction of the benchwork on top of shelf system brackets. The author attempts to use the minimal number of tools showing that in two weeks the "dirty" job of benchwork can be completed.

A New Layout Part III

In this installment of the author's layout construction project he discusses track planning and track laying.

A New Life for an Old Revell Enginehouse

Kit bashing a Revell structure that happens to be the right scale.

A Northeastern Corner

The structure of a street corner shop came from three kits. The article includes diagrams of the major parts donors, and the dimensions of the final structure.

A Perspective On Track Planning

The book "The V & O Story (How the V & O Was Built: How it is Operated)" by Allen McClelland, was the inspiration that got the author into the hobby.

A Picture Trip on Don Drum's Chicago & North Western, Lakeshore Division - Ashland District

A photo essay of the author's layout.

A Prototypical Dummy Unit

Modeling a Canadian Pacific MLW RS 18 Control Cab. Includes prototype and modeling photos, and a parts list for super-detailing this unit.

A Simple M.O.W. Boxcar

The author converted a LaBelle Woodworking Pacific Coast Ry. boxcar kit into a D&RG m.o.w. car. Includes a model photo and a scale drawing.

A Simple Roundhouse Detail

Discusses how the author built a turntable track that stores freight car wheel sets. There is a lot of detail in this little project.

A Small Layout with a Big Feeling

The author describes building a layout into a 7'x8' room enclosed in the garage.

A Source for Large Pine Trees

The author shows how he makes large pine trees from an artificial Christmas tree.

A Station for Middletown

The author describes how he built a model based on the prototype Central New England (later New York, New Haven & Hartford) station in Middletown, Conn. Includes scaled drawings, model and prototype photos, and various construction diagrams.

A Steel Mill Heavy Hauler

Dean describes how he built this specialized vehicle used by steel mills.

A Styrene Tender

Bob describes how he built a tender for a steam locomotive that he couldn't buy ready-to-run. Includes many detailed construction photos.

A Switch Throw in Time Saved No. 9

This article covers using hand-throws, specifically those by Caboose Industries, their ground throw (a photo of Aubrey Olson owner of Caboose Industries is included, working on the author's layout). Co-author, Bill, describes his methods for manually throwing turnouts on his layout.

A Tale of Three Sandhouses

Using his own O-scale building as a guide, the author described how he scratchbuilt an HO-scale model for a friend, using new and improved techniques and materials. This, in turns, leads him to rebuild his own O-scale model.

A Tar Paper Shack For Your Layout

A simple scratchbuilding project for beginners. Scale diagrams and final photos of the project are included.

A Torque-arm Drive for Steam Locomotives

Combining an idler gearbox, can motor, and slipjoint coupling for improved locomotive performance.

A Tortoise Hill Brake

Using a Tortoise switch machine, the author describes how he simulates a freight car's brake on an angled hill. Includes an installation diagram that shows how it works.

A Trio of Scenic Inserts

Building three scenes that can be inserted into the layout. Includes construction photos.

A Trolley Layout on the Go

The author, a member of the Northwest Traction Group, describes how the club developed a single-track modular standard, uses powered overhead wires, and deals with module transportation and set-up. Several setup track plans are included.

A turn-of-the-century bakery

Drawings and model photos show how the author built this common bakery store.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 1

This article starts a series in which the author shows how to scratchbuild a steam locomotive in HO-scale. This article discusses the tools needed, finding suitable drive wheels, gears and gearing, motors, and frame design. Also includes a parts listing.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 2

This installment covers the construction of the frame and drivers.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 3

This installment the author describes how he made the bearings, gearbox, drive train, and cylinders for the locomotive. The article includes many detailed drawings and a sidebar on lathe operations.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 4

This installment covers the engine's trucks and coupler.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 5

This installment covers the boiler and cab construction.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 6

In this installment, the author focuses on boiler details such as steam pipes, running boards, steam turret, air reservoirs, air pump, power reverse, various fittings, boiler bands, handrails, steps, smokebox front, ashpan, deck braces, and piping. Includes details pointed out on model photos and exploded diagrams.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 7

This installment covers running gear and frame details, including pilot construction.

A USRA Mikado in Brass 8

The series concludes with this installment that covers the construction of the tender.

A Visit to Ken Lawrence's Westchester Northern

A J-shaped shelf freelanced layout in an apartment. It features a suburban New York electric commuter line. The layout is very thin, but with the scenery it looks much bigger. A track plan is included.

A Window to Big Vistas

The author accomplished big vistas in his relatively small 7'x14' layout set in Western Montana in 1953. He spent two-and-a-half years building this layout with dramatic scenery.

A Wood Loading Rack for Tank Cars

The author describes how he built a wooden loading rack.

AC&F Type 21 Tank Cars Part II

This installment covers 10,000-gallon cars from Proto 2000. Includes many prototype and model photos.

Action Red GP38

This article covers modeling a CP Rail GP38. Includes construction details, and a parts list.

Add "Real" Stars to Your Layout

The author describes how he made tiny holes in his layout's backdrop so that when the layout lighting is turned down, the backdrop looks like it has shining stars in it.

Add a Cornfield to Your Layout

The author shows how he made a convincing cornfield from a Busch kit.

Add DCC Sound to an Alco S-2

This article describes how the author installed a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami into an HO-scale Atlas S-2 engine. Includes speaker and capacitor installation. Lights are also discussed. There is a side-bar on how to make printed-circuit-board bus bars

Add Storefront Details

The author uses photos of real stores to make effective signs, awnings, and window displays.

Add Variety with Stucco

The author shares his technique for simulating a stucco wall texture, with some brick showing through.

Adding a Prototype Industry to my PRR Shamokin Branch LayoutShamokin Branch Layout

Building the Crowl General store and passenger station.

Adding Character

The author decided to remove a section of his mountains to model a rock retaining wall, which includes two water drainage pipes that flow water. The describes the whole process and the article includes some construction photos.

Adding Operation to the Franklin & South Manchester

The article is about how George Selios is now seriously operating his layout. The author was charged with making the layout operable. In addition to fantastic photos, there is also a full track plan of the layout. Some changes had to be made to the layout to help its operators.

Adding Operational Interests: Delivering New Diesels

This article describes how you can model brand new diesel engines being delivered.

Adding Overhead Wire to Our Traction Layout

Provides a lot of detail about how to do overhead traction wiring, including the nomenclature. Includes prototype, detail, and model photos.

Adding Track Pits to a Heljan Roundhouse

The author talks about how difficult it is to find good photos of the interior or roundhouses. The article describes how to build stall track pits using balsa wood. The text is accompanied by detailed photos.

Adding Trucks to the Layout

The author describes how he customizes the Classic Metal Works pickup trucks. The models represent the way trucks would appear in 1950, which includes trucks that didn't change in appearance during WWII. He modeled a truck that picked up milk cans, one that delivers vegetables (shows how to model vegetables using clay), one that is used by the local telephone company, and modeling creates and bales of hay (for truck loads).

ADMX 29194: Modeling a Modern Tank Car

Prototype and model photos accompany this article about how the author took two MDC tank car kits to create a model of this car. A parts list and brake rigging diagram are also included.

Aging Plastic Cars

Using the heat of a lightbulb to deform the sides of freight cars to represent damage.

Air-conditioning for a Heavyweight Coach

Adding various details to the a Branchline NYC coach.

Alco DL702 (RSD12)

Alco built 161 of these from 1956 to 1963. The author used a Model Power RS11 as the basis for his model. Article includes interior and exterior photos of the model.

Alcos in the Alcove

The author describes how he built benchwork extension to fit into an alcove in his client's model railroad room. The focus of this project was to design the track around the available structure kits. Includes a track plan and notes on how to operate that new area.

Allegheny Summer

This large 22 x 24 feet layout models West Virginia in the summer of 1947. The article includes photos and the trackplan (which is quite interesting). A small sidebar is included about how the author scratchbuilt his large roundhouse.

Alturas & Lone Pine RR

This 25-year old layout is built into a five-car garage and models the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Alvard's Landing

Scale drawings of a multi-purpose whistle stop.

American Dream in Germany

The Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg Germany has been working hard on their American layout extension of their large exhibit. This article highlights some features of this freelanced layout.

Amtrak Passenger Car Differences

Differences between Amfleet and Horizon fleet cars.

Amtrak's Mail and Express Fleet

This article offers suggestions for modeling the mail and express fleet in HO-scale. Includes many photos of the various cars.

An 8000-gallon Tank Car in HO Scale

Model and prototype photos are part of this article on how to model a common steam-era oil hauler.

An Assembly Jig for Mass-producing Wooden-underframe Flat Cars

The author describes how he built a jig for making lots of flat cars.

An Easy Cinderblock Factory Kitbash

Taking several kits and constructing a modern factory building.

An Easy-to-build, Fully Automatic Turntable

The author describes how he built his turntable. Includes lots of detailed drawings, and construction photos.

An Easy-to-built, Low-cost HO Turntable

This step-by-step article covers how to build a functional turntable, as well as all the details a turntable bridge has. Includes many photos and drawings.

An EOT for the Front Runner

The author describes how he built an end-of-train device for his piggyback train. Includes construction photos and electronics schematic.

An HO Baldwin Quartet

This article covers how the author built four Baldwin switchers, two DS 4-4-10, a VO 1000, and a DS 4-4-6. Scale drawings and detailed construction photos are included.

An HO Scale Spanish Revival Bungalow in Cardstock

Step-by-step instructions on how to build this structure using card stock. Includes the scale printable pages needed for the structure.

An HO Track Plan For A Home Office

This 9' x 11' home office layout features two return loops, yet allows for easy access into the room's features and to the computer that is stored under the layout. The track plan includes a some yard and several sidings and spurs.

An Industry With Heritage

Creating industrial complexes that appear to have been added to over time. This can be done by combining a variety of structure kit types. Article includes examples from the real world, and step-by-step instructions on how the author build such a building.

An Interlocking Tower

The author kitbashed a switch tower and a tool house kit by Bachmann into one cohesive structure. Model photos only.

An operating mail crane

How to model a working mail crane, used by passenger trains to quickly grab the local mail without slowing down or stopping.

An Unusual Business Car

Modeling a private car that could transport the owner's automobile. Includes a prototype photo.

Andy Keeney's Nashville Road

An interview-style article with lots of photos and a track plan of this huge, three-level layout.

Angle Irons from Foil

Using aluminum foil from throw-away baking pans to make angle-iron stock.

Animation

Building a flickering light simulating a campfire.

Ann Arbor 2480: Customizing a Generic Model for a Specific Prototype Part 1

The author will describe in this multi-part article how he converted a Mantua (Tyco) Mikado into this model. Includes prototype and model photos, and historical scale drawings. This installment covers the mechanism, boiler, cab, tender, and boiler jacket.

Ann Arbor 2480: Customizing a Generic Model for a Specific Prototype Pt II

The author takes you through steps of building a specific steam locomotive. Includes a sidebar on the Ann Arbor steam power.

Ann Arbor Memories

This large layout (33' x 29') is rich in operations and allows for many close-up shots of Arnt Gerritsen's model railroad.

Another Approach to an H5

The author describes how he took an old English Mikado and converted it into a NYC Mikado.

Apex of the Atlantics

This article discusses the history and how to model the Pennsylvania Railroad E6 4-4-2. Article includes prototype photos, model photos, construction detail photos, and parts list. The author started with the Bowser E6 kit. He built both a 1914 and a 1920s version.

Applying Locomotive Assignment Symbols to Models

Champ Decals and John Frantz have produced decals for these symbols (John's might be available in scales other than HO upon request). It is a short article with several steam locomotive models shown.

AR Tower Part 3

Prototype photo of the interior of the tower. Modeling the switch levers and their cabinet, track diagram, and the completed interior detailing.

Art Deco Auto Dealership

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a car dealership that has lots of curved walls. Includes drawings and a materials list.

Arvern Bay Terminal RR

Boats, ship building facility

Ask Paint Shop

Jim Hediger used reflective tape to model accurate reflective safety stripes on his S4 switcher. Also covered is how to remove tarnish from brass models.

Athearn 53' Jindo Container

The author reviews the products, and includes a bit of prototype information, including two prototype photos.

Athearn HO PRR EMD SD40 (EF-30A)

After covering the prototype history of these PRR engines, the author reviews the Athearn model released in 2018. Includes prototype and model photos.

Athearn's SD40-2: A Kitbasher's Gold Mine

The article covers how to convert the Athearn SD40-2 model into a SD38-2, a GP40X, a SD45-2, and a GP50. Includes model photos and cutting diagrams for each of those models.

Atlas Covered Hopper Makeover

The author repaints and decorates an Atlas 3,500cuft cylindrical hopper, and applies some weathering to match a prototype photo he found.

Back-dated (shortened) Piggyback Flat

The author shortened Athearn's 85-foot flat car to 75 feet to make his V&O TOFC piggyback flat car. Includes one prototype and several model photos.

Backwoods Gravel Producer

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a structure and a scene showing a gravel producer, based on prototype magazine articles. Includes model photos, drawings, materials list, and references used.

Baggage Wagons

The article has photos and diagrams for a steel-wheeled baggage wagon, two-wheeler with ramp, two-wheeler with rollers, and a "modern" baggage wagon. Includes prototype photos and a description of how to build them.

Bangor & Aroostook Newsprint Boxcar in HO

Prototype and model photos.

Barrett's Mill

This article contains scale drawings, and close-up and diorama photos of C.E. Barrett's mill in Smethport, PA. The article describes how the author did the research, constructed the walls, applied aging and weathering, and discusses interior bracing, the foundation, the trim, and roofing.

Bash a Transfer Caboose

Using a cut-down ATSF Athearn caboose, the author built a DLE&W transfer caboose. Includes only model photos.

Battery Power and RailPro

The author describes what it takes to be able use Ring Engineering's RailPro and have the engines being powered by an onboard battery. RailPro does not natively support battery-powered engines, so the author offers a workable custom solution that can be copied, especially if one models in HO-scale, where internal space is at a premium. Charging is done via a plug in the removable hatch.

BC Rail from North Vancouver to Squamish in HO Scale

A double-deck, two-track helix layout. Scratchbuilt bridge photos, other model photos.

Beat Up But Beautiful

The author describes some ideas on how to weather maintenance-of-way equipment, covering cracked and chipped paint with rubber cement.

Bedford Falls and Fellsburg Yard on the expanded Franklin & South Manchester

Andy and Dave Frary visit George Selios' layout again to show the new expansion he has added. Includes many large photos, and a full track plan of the layout with the completed section and the planned further expansion.

Before and After... Modeling a Pair of High-nose GP30s

The author describes how he built a Norfolk Southern and a Southern GP30 using Like-Like Proto 2000 GP30 engines as their base. Includes prototype and modeling photos, as well as a parts lists for building these.

Benchwork for the Lowville & Beaver River Part 2

This installment covers the beginning of the construction of the RMC project layout. It is a U-shaped layout of 10 by 12 feet. The article covers building the framework, the legs, the layout surface, and how to install leg levelers.

Better Power Pickup

How to fix pickup issues with the older Kato SD40-2 engines.

Big-city Railroading in a Small Apartment Room

A small shelf layout can still make big-city railroading possible. Shows the author's arrangement to allow the layout and the workbench to co-exist in the same small room. Includes a sidebar on how to make switching between DC and DCC on the layout a breeze.

Bill Aldrich's New New Haven

Bill's previous layout appeared in the Great Model Railroads 2000 magazine, but it was dismantled after that due to a move. The new layout is based on the same ideas. The author describes how Bill was able to get the new 35'x50', around-the-walls layout up and running in three years.

Blair Line Fred & Red's Cafe

Review includes constructing this kit that represents a small-town's restaurant.

BLI Class M1A and M1B Review

After an extensive introduction to the history of this PRR engine, the author reviews the details of the BLI model.

BLI Class T1 Review

Some prototype information and a review of the HO-scale Broadway Limited model.

BLI GG1 Coupler Height Fix

The author shares how he fixed a problem he found with all of his models.

BLI GG1 Model Review Revisited

The author reviews whether or not some GG1 engines has aluminum surrounds on the side cab windows, and handrails and steps were black instead of body color.

BN's Big Brutte: the C30-7

The article includes prototype photos and many modeling details to build a replica of this locomotive with a Rail Power Products' body shell.

BNSF - Wichita, Kansas

The author covers how he started designing his 24"x24" garage layout. Includes detailed track plans, and a sidebar on a vertical transfer table.

BNSF 48-foot Pines-built Vans From Atlas & Walthers

Container trailers used on flat cars.

BNSF C44-9W

BNSF Fall River Subdivision

Board-for-board Construction

The author gives the history and describes how he built the model of Jim Law's house; he was the foreman for the Yosemite Valley RR and bought the Yosemite Lumber Company's superintendent's house for $1 when the logging company closed its doors. Includes scale drawings.

Bob Frankrone's Louisville Southern Lines

A fictitious railroad resulting from the merger of the L&N, Soo Line, and Southern railroads. Very nice roundhouse and turntable setup.

Bob Smith's HO Douglas Central

A couple of close-up photos of this layout.

Bob Truax' Great Northern

This interview-style article covers how the owner got into model railroading, and how he built his 26'x30' layout. Includes photos and a track plan.

Bob's Barber Shop

The author describes how he built a motorized, lit barber shop pole. Includes plenty of construction photos.

Bonus Building: A Box Factory For Your Layout

Model photo and scale drawing of a simple structure.

Boston & Maine Atlantic in HO Scale

Accompanied by the finished model photos, the article describes how the author built this model almost completely from scratch.

Bowser PRR Baldwin RS-12 in HO-scale

The author does a critical review of the Bowser model after providing a brief history of the prototype engine. The article includes model and prototype photos.

Bowser's PRR X31

This is an advertisement for Bowser's PRR X31, but it contains some prototype information and a prototype photo.

Branch Line for the Turtle Creek Central Part 1

In 2002 Model Railroader ran a series of articles building a 4x8 foot layout. This series of articles will add a 2' x 6' extension to that layout. However, the article includes diagrams of how just using this branch line module only, one could have operations.This installment covers the trackplan, the benchwork construction, and using foam to build the scenery foundation.

Bridge Signs

Railroads used bridges over roads as advertising billboards. The author describes how he models them.

Bridging the Gaps in the Superior Northern

The author describes the bridges he built for this layout.

Bringing a Logging Locomotive Back to Life

The author describes the changes he made to an old NWSL locomotive. Includes many construction photos.

Broadway Limited Imports HO-Scale PRR P5A Boxcab Electric

After covering the prototype of this engine, the author digs deep into evaluating the model. Includes many prototype and model photos.

Broadway Limited Imports New York Central S1b Niagara 4-8-4

The article includes a bit of history, model features, and review of the performance and accuracy of the sound-equipped model. Includes one model photo.

Broadway Limited Imports PRR P70 and P70R Coaches in HO Scale

This article provides the history on these two coaches, the history of these models in HO-scale, and then a review of the BLI models. Includes many close-up photos, and hints to improve the cars' running abilities.

Broadway Limited Imports PRR P70 and P70R Coaches in HO Scale

A product review of these models released in 2020.

Broadway Limited Imports' HO-Scale GG1 Electric

New tooling are part of this run that makes it different from their 2003 run. Thorough review with plenty of photos.

Broadway Limited Imports' HO-Scale GG1 Electric

A review of the 2021 version of the Broadway Limited Imports GG1 model with drop-coupler pilots.

Broadway Limited Imports: Pennsylvania H1Os

After an introduction of the prototype PRR engine, the author favorably reviews the detail and operation of this engine.

Broadway Limited International GG1 Review

Although I normally don't list product reviews on these pages, this article covers the history of the prototype, modifications made to the prototype over its long history, and goes into great depth of the electronics in this model.

Broadway Limited Paragon Series USRA Light Mikado 2-8-2

Prototype history, model features, and model review.

Bruce Chubb's Sunset Valley

An interview-style article with the owner of the layout, interspersed with many layout photos.

Bucket List Layout Visit

Visiting this 3,700 sqft layout in Cornville, Arizona (near Sedona) comes highly recommended.

Build a 1915 Pennzoil Tank Car

This article describes how to build a three-domed "old-timer" tank car. The tank is only just under 28 feet long, so it requires quite a bit of kitbashing to build this model. Article includes detail diagrams and one model photo; no prototype photos.

Build a 19th Century Pumphouse

The model provides water for an engine servicing facility. It is scratchbuilt from basswood and styrene castings. The article is a step-by-step photo guide.

Build a Baby Opera Window Center-Beam Flatcar

For transporting lumber.

Build a Concrete Plant

After a brief explanation of this type of plant, the author provides step-by-step directions on how to build one of these.

Build a General Electric 23-ton Diesel Switcher

The author describes this engine, and how it was modeled using the photoetching technique, to be able to build more than one of them. The motor is the NWSL PDT. Includes prototype photos, many model photos, and a parts list.

Build a GP8

The author describes how he built a GP8 from a pair of GP9 bodies.

Build a Great Lakes Freighter

Prototype, modeling, and construction photos. Includes a scale drawing.

Build a Milwaukee Road Stock Car

Detailing a Matua model to create a 1929 stock car. Includes prototype and model photos.

Build a Model Railroad Odometer Car

The author describes how he built a gondola and the electronics to measure the distance the car has traveled, which can be used to determine how long the layout's track is.

Build a Modern Block of Stores

The author shows how he built a strip-center style of structure which houses several individual stores. Includes construction and final installation photos.

Build a Modern Concrete Grain Elevator

Includes prototype photo, model photos, scale drawing, and building instructions. Made using styrene.

Build a Portable H0/H0n3 Dynamometer

The author describes a board with track on it used to construct a dynamometer using an Ohaus Dial-type spring scale.

Build a Realistic Flatcar Load

This detailed article shows how to model a steel I-beam load for a bulkhead flat car.

Build a Small Brick Depot

Using DPM modular wall sections, the author built this small-town depot. Using these wall sections, it is possible to build a number of structures that have the same family "line", while not all being the same.

Build a Small Substation

The author describes how he built a small substation that provides electricity to a small town or large factory complex using an Atlas signal tower kit (significantly kitbashed, of course).

Build a Soo Line Flatcar and a Transformer Load

Using two 40-foot Athearn flat cars, the author kitbashed this 54-foot flat car, including adding many details. The second half of the article covers how he built the transformer loads. Also includes prototype photos and scaled drawings of a Soo Line depressed-center flat car with transformer loads.

Build a Southern Pacific SW1500 in HO Scale

In addition to the brief history of the engine modeled, the article describes how the author used a Athearn SW7 and an SW1500 body cast to build this model. Includes several diagrams, close-up photos, and prototype photos.

Build a Steam Shovel

Using parts for military tank kits in other scales, the author describes how he make an HO- and an O-scale model of the steam shovels. Includes lots of model photos and drawings.

Build a Sunkist Packing Plant

The author details how he built a model of this structure located in Ventura County. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos, as well as scale drawings.

Build a Supersize Flatcar Load

The author describes how he built a 218-foot refinery tower that is carried on five flat cars.

Build a Train Order Delivery Stand

The author describes how he built the train order delivery stand out of brass material. Includes a model and a prototype photo, detail drawings, and a parts list.

Build a Walk-through Bridge

This article describes a module the author built that allows members of the club to walk in and out of the layout by lifting up a bridge. The module's construction is key to be able to maintain the stability of the whole layout.

Build a Working Coal Tipple

Using a PVC pipe, a 1" auger bit, and a windshield wiper motor, the author shows how he built a model that actually loads coal into awaiting hoppers.

Build a Working Track Scale

The author wanted to simulate the effort required to weigh each car coming from a mine, so he built this working track scale. After explaining how it works, he describes the mechanism, building the Linear Variable Displacement Transformer, building the electronic circuit, testing the system, building the track and the track approach, and finalizing the details. Includes model photos, mechanical design diagrams, circuit schematic and circuit board layout diagrams, the track work details diagram, and the mechanical, electrical, and track work parts lists.

Build An Animated Coaling Station

A detailed article on how the author built a coaling tower modeled after the steel tower that the Colorado & Southern built in 1946 at its Rice Yard engine terminal in Denver, Colorado. It has animated coaling chutes to simulate the flow of coal into the steam engines' tender over two tracks. Includes many close-up photos of construction details and a scaled drawing. The animation is done using Hankscraft slow-motion switch machines.

Build an Animated Water Tank

The author built a Pine Valley Branchline Water Tank kit to animate the spout using a Tortoise switch machine. The article includes photos and diagrams that show how to set up the linkages to get a realistic movement.

Build an HO Brick Freight Station

The author describes how he used six small DPM kits to build this impressive city terminal building.

Build an Improved Inspection Car

The author improved the Micro-Mark transparent inspection car by adding couplers, using representative trucks, adding weight, and cementing small line levels (both directions).

Build an NW2 in HO Scale

At the time of this article there were no NW2 models available in HO-scale, so the author describes how he built one starting with an Athearn SW1500. The article includes many prototype photos, scale drawings, and detailed photos of various construction close-ups.

Build an Upgraded SD40-2

The author modified and custom-painted this engine for the Kalmbach employee club layout. Topics includes cab details, body preparations, spray painting, applying lettering, pilot details, assembly, and weathering with powdered pastels. Includes a parts list.

Build Artz Lumber Co.

Artz Lumber combines three Atlas 750s and an AHM no. 15303 American farmhouse kit for the office and as storage for the hardware and other "goodies" lumberyards sell.

Build for The Long Haul

The 19 by 33 foot Moose River Valley RR by Peter Eaton features a lot of switching, with three yards and many industries. The layout lasted 30 years, and was torn down in 2001, so that Peter could focus on building has large scale garden layout.

Build Southern's Big John

Starting with a center-flow hopper kit, the author builds this unique car.

Build the 4 x 8 Stoney Creek Part 1

The author is a professional layout builder, and will cover the construction of this layout. This installment covers the table top frame and its legs.

Build the 4 x 8 Stoney Creek Part 2

This installment covers laying the track and installing the wiring of this layout.

Build the 4X8 Stoney Creek Part 3

In this installment the author covers grass, rocks, and roads. Topics included are adding a stream and bridge, building a tunnel, filling up scenery areas with chunks of foam, creating roads, varnishing the layout's fascia, creating rocks from molds, and placing ground cover.

Build the Cat Mountain's South Plains District Part I

David introduces his "domino" layout design, a modular design that makes each module 18" by 48". The focus of the his layout design is operations, and the track plan included is an L-shaped layout with lots of switching opportunity in a relatively small space. The article covers the complete construction of one such domino with lots of diagrams, construction photos, and a materials list. Roadbed installation is also covered.

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.

Build Your Own Signals

This article shows how, using some commercial parts, the author built the signal's head assembly, mast, electronics, and layout installation.

Building "HARRIS" Tower

The author describes how he built the Merchandise Service kit, with many construction photos. Prototype photos are also included.

Building 30' Flat cars

Changing a kit into a prototypically-correct model.

Building a 1970s Grain Boxcar Fleet Part 6

This installment covers the M&StL box cars that the C&NW received after the acquisition. Includes model and prototype photos, as well as drawings. The author continues by showing the construction of Red Caboose's 1937 AAR Standard box cars.

Building a 1970s Grain Boxcar Fleet Part 7

This installment covers modeling former Chicago Great Western cars, which were acquired after 1968. Includes drawings, prototype photos, and a step-by-step guide to building the Kadee PS1 cars used to model these cars.

Building a 1970s Grain Boxcar Fleet Part 8

This article is about modeling original C&NW and CStPM&O welded PS-1 cars. Includes diagrams and photos of prototype and model cars.

Building a Branchline Road Switcher

Kitbash the EMD SDL39. Includes how to kitbash from parts of other locomotives and a side bar on the prototype SDL39.

Building a Caboose from Styrene

How to scratchbuild a caboose. Includes construction photos, drawings and materials list.

Building a Caboose in Styrene

This article describes how to scratchbuild a 17-foot D&RGW caboose. Includes prototype and model photos, construction photos, parts list, and detailed and scaled drawings.

Building a Classic Mikado Part 3

In this final installment the author completes the construction and attaching the details, and painting and applying decals. Includes diagrams of boiler piping and detail locations.

Building a Clinchfield PS-3 Hopper

The author built these cars using Atlas Trainman AAR 70-ton hoppers. He has found that to be the most economical method to build a large fleet of these cars. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as a parts list.

Building a Compact Shelf Layout Part 1

Choosing a theme, benchwork, backdrop, building hills, roadbed, painting the sky, distant hills, laying track, highway overpass, paving highways, coloring rock castings, culverts.

Building a Covered Barge for the Port Richmond Part II

Construction and final model photo accompany the article. This issue starts off with the hull completed.

Building a Decorative Platform Lamp

This articles describes how to scratchbuild a station lamp that fits the 1920s or later as it was found at the Soo Line Waupaca, Wisconsin station.

Building a Derelict Depot

The author describes how he built a decrepit structure. Even though the model is of a depot, modeling any run-down structure using his methods is possible.

Building a Double Slip-Switch Part 2

Laying the outer rails and some of the frogs.

Building a Double Slip-Switch Part 4

This installment covers the throw bar design, the inner point design, and the outer frog guard rail design. Includes many close-up photos.

Building a Foam Core Board Layout

The objective of this project was to build an HO-scale layout that uses only simple construction techniques, no messy materials, no power tools, lightweight materials, and all materials must be transportable in a small car. This installment covers the construction of the table, the "legs", and installing Unitrak track.

Building a Funaro & Camerlengo X37A

The author describes his process for building this kit. Includes construction and finished photos.

Building a Lamppost

A lamppost design that can take a beating.

Building a Mine Ventilation House

This article covers adding a ventilation house to a coal mine scene. Includes prototype photos of the interior and exterior of the structure, as well as scale drawings and some construction photos.

Building a Mine Ventilation House Part II

This installment covers the construction of the air way and air lock, which the author built out of modified DPM wall sections. The article includes scaled profile drawings, construction photos, and one prototype photo.

Building a Mining Dump Truck Load

Flat car open loads. Prototype and model photos.

Building a Modern Plate Girder Bridge

The author built a diorama focused on a bridge crossing a creek in an area where he hung out when he was young. Today it is covered with graffiti, which he also modeled. Diorama construction photos and bridge scale drawings are included.

Building a Modern Stock Trailer

Includes prototype, model, and some construction photos, scale drawings, and parts list to build an HO-scale model.

Building a One-of-a-kind 2-8-0

The author modifies a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 for his freelance layout. Includes many construction photos, with a sidebar on how to paint on a balcony

Building a Repurposed Boxcar

Taking a leftover box car bodies, the author builds a B&M Carman's yard shanty, and a Central Vermont Ry line side tool house. Includes prototype and model photos.

Building a River Crossing

The author uses foam board for his layout's construction, so this article describes how he fit a bridge into the scenery. The result is very convincing.

Building a Tool and Section Car House

Prototype and model photos, scale drawings, and construction details accompany this article about how to build this simple structure.

Building a Track Scale

The author goes through the steps in which he builds a scale complete with divergent rails.

Building a Westerfield Models HO Scale X23 Boxcar

After providing a bit of prototype history on these cars, the author describes the process of building the Westerfield kit.

Building a Whiting Gantry Crane

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this model out of styrene. Includes model photos, detail drawings, and a materials list.

Building a Working Train Order Signal

The author describes how he built this working train order signal. It is a model of a unit that is not attached to the structure itself. It uses two Tortoise machines to operate the two blades. Construction photos and diagrams are included.

Building an Arduino Speedometer

Using an Arduino Nano, the author tests a design created by Brian Krupicka, which offers many configuration options and may be cheaper than commercial speedometers. Includes example installation photos, and a full schematic.

Building an HO Module 1

The author introduces the standard for HO-scale module construction. The article introduces the F&S Junction 2x4-foot module. Includes photos, a trackplan of the module, a sidebar on the module construction standard, and diagrams for creating handlaid turnouts and slide switch turnout control.

Building an Inspection Car

Prototype and model photos of a Ford Model T that was converted into an inspection car. The HO-scale model construction is documented with the parts used to create this model.

Building and Operating the St Agnes Railway

The author covers layout design in the simple double-track oval layout and the operating potentials it offers.

Building Arched Stone Bridges

The author describes in both text and accompanying photos how he build a stone arched bridge.

Building Believable Buffs

Simple, step-by-step procedure for building realistic bluffs to cover the area between two tracks at different elevations.

Building Better Abutments

Using a plywood mold, build 1920s-looking bridge abutments from plaster. Includes how to build the abutment wings and piers using plaster also.

Building Blocks

Creating blocks of wood which are then covered with scale strip wood, door and roof treatments. Simple and effective. Includes step-by-step photos.

Building Burnsville Jct.'s Service Platform

The author describes how he built this platform used to service engines. Includes materials list, and prototype and model photos.

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.

Building Curved Turnouts

After explaining the benefits of a curved turnout, the author describes the design of a curved turnout, how to build it, how to build a wye, staggered switchpoints, and how curved turnouts are used in the real world. Includes several model photos, and lots of diagrams.

Building Demolition

This article describes how to model a building that is in the process of being demolished. This shows the interior of the structure, as well as walls half broken down. Included is a description of how to model the rubble that forms around the area.

Building F&C's H25 Hopper Kit

After covering prototype information, the author shares how he built the Funaro & Camerlengo hopper kit.

Building Fire Escapes from Windows Screening

Using window screening material, the author describes how to tease out the vertical wires, which are then used as the vertical railings of each fire escape platform. Creative designs are possible and he shows how to do that in the accompanying photos. Also includes several prototype photos of examples.

Building Forests on the M&K Division

The author describes how to mimic forest-covered mountains using lichen held in place by toothpicks. It is more of an overall effect rather than a foreground solution.

Building from War Surplus Machine Shop Part I

The author uses parts from military model kits to form industrial parts for his heavy industry. He shows several examples, which include the kits from which the parts came.

Building Knedler's Mill

Construction of a landmark mill near Prairie View, Illinois includes scale drawings, prototype and model construction photos, as well as a parts list.

Building Lone Star Industries

The diorama is centered around the operation of coal mining operation. It includes moving trucks, loads, and track for some switching work.

Building Searchlight Signals

In addition to showing you how to build the structure, the author also describes in detail how to wire the LEDs, and install the signals on the layout.

Building the Bagby Hotel

The author decides to re-build one of his layout's structures that he built several decades earlier. He starts off with the research he did, used modern technology for the windows and other parts, made templates for the building's sides, and then shows how he constructed the building, with full interior. Also includes scaled drawings.

Building the Benchwork for My PRR Northeastern Division

The trackplan for this layout, which was presented in the October 1995 issue, is now being implemented. Construction details as well as final layout photos accompany the article. The entire front fascia of this layout functions are the control panel.

Building the Buildings That Aren't

The author describes how he modeled a space in between two building where a building once stood, showing debris and partial remains.

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.

Building the Carbondale Central 3

This part discusses building bridges, structures, installing water, and fascias.

Building the Carbondale Central Part 1

This 7'9" by 7'9" layout features a simple trackplan, yet very interesting and involved scenery. The author starts a series of articles on how to build this L-shaped layout, without damaging the home's walls. Full drawings of the benchwork are included, trackwork is started (a simple figure-8), control panel designed, and wiring.

Building the Joplin & Southern Part 1

Building a simple 4'x8' starter layout. This installment covers the styrofoam base, track, roadbed, and wiring.

Building the Lamar, Queens & Northern

Building a starter 4x8 layout for less than $300 (1984) dollars. Includes benchwork construction, track parts, structures, laying track, ballasting, installing electronics, and scenery work.

Building the Marengo, Milwaukee & Northern

A 4x8 layout built by the entire family. The article shows diagrams of the benchwork, scenery forms, and block wiring.

Building the Tama Depot

In this photo essay, the author shows the changes he made to the Walthers City Station #933-2904 to make it look like the Tama Depot.

Building the TM8 (AC&F Type11) Tank Car

The author describes how he built this model using a Funaro and Camerlengo model. Includes only model photos.

Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 2

Laying track and building foam hills.

Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 3

This installment shows how to add bridges, forests, rocks, and rivers.

Building Turnouts

The author takes the reader through the process of building a turnout from scratch. Included are charts with terminology, template layout, how to file the frog, tools and materials used, and some handy homemade jigs.

Building Varick Freight Co.

Describes how the author built the Fos Scale Limited structure.

Building Wood Cars from Styrene

Although the subject is a Barre & Chelsea RR wood combine, the article is not a step-by-step how-to article about how to build this particular car, but rather a general one about how the author builds wooden passenger cars using styrene. Includes model and prototype photos, a construction detail diagram, and a parts list.

Built Like a Brick Freight House

These buildings were used to transfer goods between truck and freight cars. The article describes how the author built his model, and it includes prototype photos, scaled drawings, and construction drawings.

Bulk Oil Depots

This article includes prototype photos and full description of the variety of oil depots. An HO-scale model is shown in one photo, but only suggestions are provided for how to model it.

Burr Stewart's BN Along Puget Sound

The layout measures 30 feet by 33 feet and is set in 1973. It is an around-the-wall layout with a large L-shape peninsula. It also has sections that are double-decked..

Butz Milling & Feed Co.

Scale drawings and several model photos accompany this article about how the author built a structure he saw for only about 5 to 10 seconds.

Buzzard's Roost Co-Op

Building a feed mill based on a photo taken three weeks before the building burned down to the ground. An interesting structure. The article contains scaled drawings.

C&O + C&O = C&O

A 4x6 layout modeling Cumberland & Ohio functioning as a bridge route for the Chesapeake & Ohio. It shows what can be done in a small area. Includes a track plan and several close-up photos.

Cajon Creek Step-by-Step

This how-to article shows, via photos, how the author modeled clear shallow water flowing under a railroad bridge using EnviroTex epoxy and Mod Podge medium.

Calculating Scale Speed

Although the author models in HO-scale, this article shows how to calculate your train's speed, in both HO- and S-scale.

Canada's Eight-hatch Iced Refrigerator Cars Part III

This article covers the GTW and PGE cars, including prototype photos, car information, scale drawings, and how one might model these in HO-scale.

Canton RR State-flag Switcher in HO Scale

The author painted a SW1500 in the livery that uses the state flag.

Car Kits and Kadee Couplers

The author takes the beginner through the process of building freight car kits from several popular manufacturers. He also covers building and installing couplers.

Care and Feeding of the Steam Locomotive

Drawings and model photos accompany this article covering how to model a coal dump, an ashpit, a tool rack, a wash stand, a roundhouse, and a hydrant house. The text covers the water supply, fuel supply, ashes and washing, sand supply, turning engines, the roundhouse, lube supplies, and fire protection.

Cass County Railroad

The author describes how he converted his existing layout from a summer setting to an autumn setting. Includes a sidebar on the author's move to Florida and how that impacted his layout design (includes the track plan).

Cast Tunnel Liners

The author describes how he used PVC pipe and styrene to cast and model the tunnel interior, which is going to be visible on his layout. He describes how he got the PVC to curve slightly. Tunnel portals are by Pre-Size Model Specialties.

Cast Your Own Freight Cars

The author wanted a number of 29-foot identical flat cars that were not commercially available, so he built a master, made the two-part mold, and made several castings. Includes a sidebar on how to make removable loads using magnets.

Casting a Platform

The author describes how made an odd-shaped unloading dock using Woodland Scenics plaster.

Casting Structures from Plaster

In this article the author describes how he cast walls for his roundhouse using plaster. From the description it seems like a fairly straight-forward method. He covers simulating concrete walls, brick walls, and stone walls. Scale diagrams for the roundhouse walls are included.

Casting Your Own Scenery Details From Plaster

How to make your own retaining walls, bridge piers, abutments, and tunnel portals.

CB&Q Stock Car Conclusion

The author explains why the progress on these cars has been slow. He is building three of them at a time from scratch. The article is basically a photo essay, and it shows the final work to be done on the car, as well as finishing it.

CB&Q's Chicago & Aurora Division

The authors talk about how Mike raised the roof of his townhouse to be able to add a new floor for his layout. The layout has expanded over the years. Includes a track plan of the layout at that time (the layout has been expanded since then).

Ceresota Flour Mill

The gray weather-beaten building from which this model was built stands in Slatington, Pa. It's more than a century old. Includes model photos, scaled drawings, and a description of how the author built the structure, including how to get that weather-beaten look.

CGTX 10,000-gallon Tank Car

The author describes how he modified the Tichy tank car kit to model one of this size. The article also includes some prototype information, which was not easy to acquire.

CGW X29 Hide Car

The author modeled this car using a Walthers Mainline X29 model. Includes one prototype photo and several completed-model photos.

Chains, Chocks, and Shackles

This article is about loads that can be modeled for gondolas and flat cars, and how to realistically tie them down to the car. Specific examples mentioned are construction vehicles, steel pipes, and military vehicles.

Charlie Wyman's Mill

The author describes how he built a lumber mill facility based on one in western Massachusetts. Includes prototype photos, model photos, scaled drawings, and detail drawings.

Chessie System SD40-2

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

Choosing a Train Set

This article reviews some of the popular HO-scale trainsets available in 1985.

Class MP54 "Steam Hauled" Cars

The Funaro and Camerlengo company released an electrified version of the MP54 electric coaches, but the author converted it to be of use by steam engines. The article includes modification photos, a bill of materials, and references.

Classic EMD Diesels on the Boston & Maine: EMD's BL2

Prototype and modeling photos. Includes installation of Sountraxx decoder and speaker.

Classic EMD Diesels on the Boston & Maine: EMD's FT

Prototype and modeling photos.

Climax Falls II

This is a 5'x22' layout which fits along one wall of the garage has become a family project.

CN Engine Foreman's Office

This article covers how the author built a Canadian Northern Railway engine foreman's office typically found near a roundhouse. Includes a prototype photo, several model photos, scale drawings, detail close-up drawings, and a bill of materials.

CNR Wood Caboose

The author describes how he built this Canadian National Railways caboose from strip and sheet wood. Includes model and prototype photos, as well as construction detail drawings and scale drawings (including interior layout).

Coal Storage Bunker Part 2

In this installment of the series the author actually describes the construction of this structure as found in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Includes many construction photos and drawings.

Coal Storage Facility

The author converted a gondola into a yard coal storage bin by cutting it in half, adding a fake bottom, and several details. Prototype and model photos included.

Cobleskill Coal Co.

A retail coal dealer in rural New York. Includes prototype photos of the building upon which this model was based. Also includes scaled drawings. Construction is mostly text as model photos are only of the completed model.

Colorado Model Railroad Museum

This large article about the museum's layout, its history, and its construction describes this fantastic layout beautifully. It includes many photos, a two-page track plan (needed to cover the whole layout!), and a two-page overall photo.

Colorful New England Club Layout

A large around-the-wall and peninsula design.

Columbia Steel's Priarie Works

This 24' x 29' layout features large steel and nickel production plants. Photography by Bob Werre.

Combine to Gas-electric

Dean built gas-electric combine ("Doodlebug") out of a passenger car body and Tyco Alco C-430 trucks.

Compound Kitbashing to Produce a Feed Mill

In addition to how feed mills work and what they do, the article includes prototype and model photos, and how the author build his complex using several kit structures.

Computer Detailing a Diner

The author photographed a dining car table setting using authentic china and silverware, and then use the computer to manipulate and print the photo. The print-out was then cut and glued to the tables of his HO-scale dining car. With interior lighting you can see that the tables are properly set.

Con-Cor EMD MP15DC

This is a product review of this model. Includes model photos.

Conquering Insulbrick

Modeling the pre-WWII asphalt sheets of faux-brick siding that was used on frame houses in the Northeast and Midwest. The article includes prototype and modeling photos.

Conrail's ex-Leigh Valley U23Bs

After a brief history lesson, the author describes how he built these models using an Atlas model as a start. Includes one prototype photo.

Constant-intensity Headlights for DC

Using a few electronic components, the article describes how to install this into a locomotive.

Constructing a PRR Tower Car

The author covers the purpose of this car, and then describes how he built the model using a PRR FM flat car, just like the prototype.

Constructing an Operating Warning Light

The author describes how he built a flashing warning light (LED) seen on top of water and radio towers. The model in the article is a Kober Models water tank. Includes the parts list.

Continue Your Roads into the Backdrop

The author builds a road on his layout, and then paints an extension of it onto the backdrop, to make it look like it continue on.

Converting a Sunset 1947 H8SC to a 1930 H8SB

The title says it all. Includes close-up model photos of detail parts, construction highlights, and DCC wiring.

Cosmetic Improvements for Westerfield's NX23 Cabin Car

The author describes the modifications he made to this model. Includes parts list, model photos, and how to make the round windows.

CP Rail 5406

After some prototype information, the author describes how he took an Athearn model and super-detailed it and installed a DCC decoder and LEDs.

CP Rail's 89'-4" Flat Cars Protofile 66

The author describes how he modeled this long car using two MDC No. 1280 undecorated 60-foot flat cars.

Creating a 3D Effect for a City

Creating vertical levels to add depth to a city's look.

Creating a Paint Scheme for a Freelanced Railroad

Although building a freelanced model may seem easy, this article describes the author's issues he had to deal with trying to develop a realistic paint scheme for his engines. Several photos of unique prototype paint schemes (that influenced the author) are included.

Creating a Steel Slab Load

The author describes how he built modeled the steel slabs in a Westerfield G22 gondola.

Creating Small Streams and Waterfalls

The author used foam blocks to build up the scene, etched the foam to simulate the erosion of the water of the waterfall, then poured thick plaster to represent the water, painted the water, and finally installed the surround scenery and the waterfall itself.

Creative Layout Downsizing

How to deal with moving into a smaller space.

Creech Brothers Logging Company

Animation, water in warf, a side bar on a car brake for a siding.

Crescent City Progress Report

A progress report on the Crescent City Model Railroad Club's layout construction. Includes several layout photos.

Crosby's Bandstand

A model of the bandstand, typically found in the center of a small town, was scratchbuilt by the author. He built four of them and described how he modified his construction techniques to improve the models. Includes model photos, scale drawings, parts list, and some construction photos.

Crossing Coolie Canyon

Building two bridges over a canyon on the layout. One is a stonearch cast-in-place bridge and the other a steel trestle one.

Crowd Pleaser

Photography by Bob Werre. Gil documents the history of his Stony Creek & Western layout. In addition to many photos, the article also includes a full track plan. Operations is very important on this 29'x51' layout.

Crowdsourced Hay Bales

The author shares what he has learned about making 2'x2'x4' bales of hay from scratch.

Crown Custom Imports X30 Boxcar Model

Includes the prototype history, followed by a description of the product review of the Crown Custom Imports model of this 74-foot 1931 boxcar.

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.

Dash 8 in Conrail Blue

Information about how to build and paint a Rail Power Products GE C32-8. Includes model and prototype photos.

Dean Odiorne's Ground Throw / High-level Switchstand

Build your own ground-throw, high-level switchstand. Includes construction photos and a diagram.

Dearborn Station

With the right backdrop, lighting, and photography equipment this small diorama looks like photos taken of the real world. Includes a sidebar on how the photos were taken.

Decoder-controlled Caboose Lighting

The author discusses what he had to do to install a Digitrax TF4 decoder in a caboose to gain a flashing amber roof-top beacon and red marker lights.

Del Norte Canning Go.

The author describes how he built a cannery with Design Preservation Models' modular wall system. Includes construction photos, detail drawings, and a parts list.

Delivery Trucks

The author describes how he kitbashed a number of Mini Metals trucks to make them all unique. Includes construction photos and a parts list.

Demystifying Command Control Part XII

This installment covers sound decoders and how to install them, including how to make a speaker box for a tender.

Denis Mueller's D&S RR

This is a 13'x17' layout around three of the four walls of a room, with two peninsulas. Includes several photos and a track plan.

Dented Hoppers and Gons

This article describes how to model damage done to hoppers and gondolas working in and around steel mills and scrap yards.

Desert Scenery Without Breaking a Sweat

This article shows how to model Western U.S. scenery starting with a foam insulation board base, which is built up in several layers, adding rocks, painting the surface, adding rocks and foliage, and finally the track, ballast, and structures.

Design and Build a Brick Roundhouse

The author describes his design for a brick roundhouse where dummy stalls make it look imposing without taking too much real estate. Includes various diagrams for how one might design a roundhouse in limited space. Also included are model photos, construction photos, and construction diagrams.

Design and Scratchbuilt a Roundhouse

The author describes how to layout and design a turntable and roundhouse for your layout, how to construct the basic building, and how to add the surrounding details. Included are model and construction photos, detail drawings, and scaled drawings.

Design Preservation's All-Brick Layout

A 4'x8' layout was built using only DPM's structures as a showcase of the company's product line.

Designing a Hoist House Part 1

Initially the author intended to just build a basic "box" to represent a hoist house, but upon further research decided to fully model one, including an interior. Many prototype photos (mostly of the interior) are included in the article. This installment focuses on the prototype information for such a structure.

Designing a Hoist House Pt. II

This installment describes the interior of the building, the wall construction, the foundation, floor, and machinery. Many construction and close-up photos are included, as well as scale drawings and a materials list.

Designing a Hoist House Pt. III

This installment shows how the author built the roof trusses using jigs, and built the cupola and roof. Construction photos are included as well as drawings and a materials list.

Designing and Modeling PRR Track

This article describes PRR tie spacing track standards, track center spacing, and how to model those standards. It is also a good general article on how to lay track (flex track). Also covers ballasting, painting, and detailing the track.

Detailing a Chevy Farm Truck

The author writes about how he super-detailed an Alloy Forms 1956 Chevy truck.

Detailing a Classic

The author describes how he added details to the Classic Metal Works 1948 Ford "Woody" station wagon.

Detailing a Conrail 86-foot Auto Parts Boxcar

Three Walthers boxcars are used to show how the author updated them with crossover platforms, coupler pockets, uncoupling levers, airhoses, brake lines, and replacing the trucks with the correct ones.

Detailing a Lehigh Valley Hopper Car

The author modifies, super-details, and adds loads to older Lionel/Hobby Line quad hopper cars.

Detailing a M&St.L 1937 AAR Boxcar

Includes model and prototype photos of this car modeled in HO-scale. Also includes several historical scale drawings.

Detailing a Model for an Operating Layout

The author provides tips on how to super-detail your locomotives, but yet still allow for longevity when those engines are used during operating sessions.

Detailing a Penn Central N-8 Caboose

The author took a Bowser N-8 caboose and transformed it into a model fitting the 1970-79 time period. Includes prototype and modeling photos, and detail drawings for the modifications made. A parts list and weathering instructions are also provided.

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.

Detailing a Walthers Tank Car

The author describes how he changed the Walthers kit to make a Union Tank Car Co. model.

Detailing an Algoma Central Railway GP7

Using an Athearn GP9, the author superdetailed and painted this model for a friend. Includes prototype and model photos.

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 an NYS&W RS-1

The author describes how he detailed an Atlas model to represent the engine on the Susquehanna. He models summer time so the roof hatches and engine compartment doors are modeled open. The engine is heavily weathered. Includes 1950s prototype photos, and model photos, including construction. A parts list is also included.

Detailing an RS-2 and RS-3 for the Boston & Maine

Model and prototype photos.

Detailing and Weathering Wood-sheathed Boxcars

The author describes his unique method for artificially creating shadow using pencils on his models.

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.

Detailing DL&W Hopper Cars

The author describes how he detailed two versions of an Accurail USRA 8-panel hopper, and a Walthers DL&W 35-foot, 10-panel welded hopper. Includes model photos, construction details, two parts lists, and a couple of prototype photos.

Detailing Intermodal Vans

TOFC (Trailers On FlatCars) are slowly replacing box cars. The article describes various manufactures that make these trailers, with special attention paid to Front Range Products.

Detailing Reading's GP40-2

The author modeled this engine using the Athearn GP40-2. The article includes prototype and model photos, and a parts list.

Detailing Structures: Five Simple One-evening Projects

The author describes how to add gutters and downspouts, electrical hook-up, indoor plumbing, flashing, and ice dams.

Detailing The BLI M1b

Three photos of modified BLI models. No real text, though.

Detailing Tunnels

The author describes how he cast tunnel interiors.

Dick Elwell's Hoosac Valley

This 34' x 64' layout recreates scenes in the Berkshire Mountains along the railroads of western Massachusetts and eastern New York. Includes many photos and a track plan.

Diesel Detailing Without Repainting: Upgrading an Athearn GP38-2

The article describes how the author super-detailed the model using prototype photos as references. Model and prototype photos are included, as well as a parts list.

Diesel Fuel Facility

The author shows how to use a single-dome tank car to scratchbuild a fueling facility for a branchline operation. A sidebar shows another approach, as well as several prototype photos of these types of installations.

Disguising Backdrop Openings

The author described how he hid four openings on his layout. The special construction techniques and lighting methods complete hide the potential eye-sore.

Distant Pines

Making pine tree silhouettes using shaped metal screen and ground foam.

Doing Desert Scenery on the 8th Sub

The author demonstrates how he builds his scenery base, adds rocks, and builds up the scenery.

Doing the String Thing

Using strings to line up the two sides of a future bridge span.

Don't Forget the Roof

The author shows how he paints and weathers an Accurail 40-foot box car, paying special attention to weathering the roof.

Double Crossover Wiring

The author describes how to wire double crossovers, double slip switches, and three-way switches.

Double Deck Benchwork Construction

The author describes how he developed the plan for his double-decked layout and how he actually built it. Includes many construction photos and hand-draw track plans.

Double Duty Layout Design

The author describes how he designed his modular layout that fits in his garage. Includes the track plan and a few construction photos.

Double Slip Switch

The author describes how he built double-slip turnouts. Includes photos and drawings, including how to move the points.

Double-tank Vinegar Car

Scale drawings, many prototype and model construction photos accompany this article about how to model a vinegar transport car. Since vinegar is corrosive, it is transported in wooden tanks.

Dress Up Those Naked Power Poles

The author describes how he uses nylon thread to model power wires, and solder to mimic phone lines. Includes details on how model the various pole details.

E.L. Moore's Village Store

The author took a drawing off of the back of a magazine to build this structure. The article describes how he built it in great detail. Includes model photos and several scale drawings.

Eagle E7 in HO

Using a Cary cast white-metal body on a Model Power E7, this article describes how accurately model a Missouri Pacific E7.

Earl Johnson's Siamese Twins

A prototype photo of two 0-6-0 engines merged together at the cab proved the validity of Earl Johnson's Duplex Compound 0-6-6-0T engine.

Easy Big Buildings

The author developed a method for easily making large building models with the use of foam core sheet panels assembled into a box frame. Several model photos are included showing the examples he has built.

Easy Electrical Pickups

The author converts a Kadee No. 5 coupler center spring to an electrical pickup for an IHC 4-4-0.

Easy Highway Striping with an Airbrush

Charlie shows step-by-step how he creates solid yellow center stripes for roads. He also shows that a template can be used to make dashed lines.

Easy Trackside Details

The author shows how to build rail racks, rail fences, and how to model used ties.

Easy Weathering Techniques

The author describes some simple steps for weathering trucks, wheels, and car bodies with washes and dry-brushing paint.

Economical Coal Loads

An inexpensive method for filling hoppers using a false styrene floor covered with coal.

Ed Schampel's Weird & Wonderful Railroad

The freelanced layout measures 45 by 18-1/2 feet and takes up most of the basement. It features four loops that are connected. The layout allows for long trains to be run.

Edward Laity's Valley and Tekoa Railroad

The L-shaped 14' x 15' layout was built into a building in Edward's backyard and features the Virginia & Truckee in around 1885. Most of the structures are wood and many are scratchbuilt. The layout is mostly finished.

Eel River Models Lube House and Roundhouse Superintendent's Office

PBL released this kit of a prototype structure found in Chama, New Mexico. Review covers the kit itself, the instructions, and the problems found.

Electric Rotary Plow

A working rotary plow was made from an Athearn rotary plow kit, with additional parts for the trucks, brake rigging, pantograph, headlight, and motor with gearbox for the working rotating blades. Includes model and prototype photos.

EMD GP15-1

Just a photo and a parts list for how to create one of these models using Athearn donor locomotives.

Enhancing Classic Kits: Freight Car Trucks Part II

This article includes information about prototype trucks, and how to model them and keep them running on HO-scale freight cars. Includes prototype photos of three types of trucks.

Erie's 28th St. Freighthouse

This impressive model of the 400-foot long building was built from 6 Walthers REA Transfer building kits. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos, and a parts list.

Erie's Mahoning Division in HO Scale

This is a visit to Joe Slanser's 28' x 29' basement layout. The main layout is in a 9' x 29' area, with a large double-track loop running through the rest of the space.

Essential Freight Cars 45

This installment covers the AC&F Type 11 tank cars. First built in 1911, thousands of these cars saw service on the nation's rails. The first part of the article covers the prototype and contains several photos. The second half of the article covers the construction of such a tank car, where the author describes how he scratchbuilt one.

Essential Freight Cars Part 1

The first installment of an on-going series of articles that cover the transition era. The first article covers the St. Louis - San Francisco single-sheathed boxcar. Includes prototype photos, builder's roster, available HO models, and a sidebar on the tools needed to modify those models.

Essential Freight Cars Part 2

This installment covers the 1937 Great Northern's double-sheathed boxcars. Includes prototype photos, a roster listing, and lots of how-to-model information. A sidebar describes how to build an accurate, rectangular box.

Essential Freight Cars Part 20

For this installment the author show prototype and model photos of some oddball cars: QA&P boxcar, carbon black covered hopper, and a vinegar tank car. The article has a side bar on using abrasives to prepare a model for painting.

Essential Freight Cars Part 23

This installment covers the B&O "wagontop" box cars, such as the M-15, M-53, and M-53A, and how to model them in HO-scale. The second half of the article covers the Milwaukee Road's ribbed-side box cars and how to model them in HO-scale. A side-bar on the PRR's X37 is also included. All have prototype photos.

Essential Freight Cars Part 24

This installment covers the Pennsylvania Railroad's R50B express reefer car. The railroad had well over 500 of them in service from the late 1920s through the 1950s. Model and prototype photos of the car are included in the article.

Essential Freight Cars Part 32

Soo Line single-sheathed boxcars. The Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie purchased 750 of these cars in 1912. The article has model and prototype photos and a modelers parts list.

Essential Freight Cars Part 35

This is the first of two installments covering the Pennsylvania X29 boxcar, of which there were almost 19,000 on the road. Several prototype photos are included. The last part of the article covers how to model this car in HO-scale, with several finished model photos.

Essential Freight Cars Part 36

This is the second installment of the PRR X29 box car. Also covered are the X28 automobile transport cars, and how to model both in HO scale.

Essential Freight Cars Part 4

Prototype and model photos of the NP's 10000-series double-sheathed boxcars. It has an excellent sidebar on how to make grab irons.

Essential Freight Cars Part 5

St. Louis Southwestern's (Cotton Belt) double-sheathed boxcars which were built from 1923 to 1925. Includes prototype photos, and many model photos. A side bar on modeling AB brakes is also included.

Essential Freight Cars Part 6

The article covers the Southern Pacific's single-sheathed boxcars, and modeling the B-50-13 and -14 cars. A side bar on modeling KC brakes and release rods is included. Several close-up detail photos of the model are also included.

Esteban Martinez's BNSF

An interview-style article asking the owner about his layout. Includes the track plan and many photos of his layout.

Extreme Weathering

The author shows the steps he takes heavily weathering a car and its trucks.

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.

Fabricating a USRA Mikado

The author started with a Tyco Mikado kit and shows how he super-detailed and painted it.

Fake Fur Grass

Using fake fur, a synthetic material used in making toy stuffed animals, is used to simulate grass fields. The author paints the fur and then adds real soil to make the grass appear patchy.

Fast Evergreen Forests

Using materials found in the crafts or floral stores, the author describes how her husbands makes a large quantity of trees quickly. Several methods and tree types are discussed.

Fat-fat Fibers

Using carpet fibers to make low-lying bushes.

Fiddle Shelf Staging

This article includes diagrams and photos of a two-track shelving system that the author uses to move trains onto and off of his layout.

Figure Painting

This article describes how to paint unpainted Preiser figures. Paint and colors are discussed, as well as how to paint facial details.

Fire-damaged Enginehouse

Using a variety of different parts, the author built an enginehouse that has just experienced a near-total fire. The article includes several photos, and it describes how he built the building.

Flatcar Loads

In addition to describing several loads the author built, he also describes his method for placing the loads on the cars, while still allowing them to be removable.

Foolproof Sky Painting

A step-by-step photo article on how to paint and blend layers of slightly different blue colors (using oil paints, which don't dry as fast). The author did his entire 60 feet of backdrop in 5 hours.

Franklin & South Manchester Revisited... A Conversation with George

The author asks George Selios a number of questions about his layout. Includes many half-page photos.

Franklin!

George Selios has made it to the town of Franklin on his layout. Includes lots of great photos and a full trackplan of the layout to-date. George has switched to DCC and sound.

Freight Car Loads

This article focuses on looking at some of the rules railroads follow for securing loads in open-top cars. Loads covered are steel plates, pipe, lumber, tanks, and structural steel. Includes a freight car loading diagram from the 1950 AAR book.

From Bathurst to Bayview

Three friends build this large layout in an office space to represent the Bayview Junction near Lake Ontario, Canada, including its wye. The article describes how they built it and includes many close-up and several overhead photos.

From Factory to Freight House

Converting a Walthers' HO-scale Dayton Machine Co. "built-up" structure into a Pennsylvania RR freight house. Includes many detailed photos.

From Plan to Reality

This 30 x 40 foot layout models the Reading Co. in Pennsylvania between 1952 and 1957. It features stacking staging at either end of the layout in a peninsula area.

From the Observation Lounge

The author shares his thoughts about tearing out a large layout's benchwork to start a new, smaller layout.

FT's Across America: A Golden State Introduction

This article shows models of the EMD FT demonstrator as they appeared in 1939.

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.

Gene Wheeler's West Chicago to Sterling HO layout

A photo essay of the author's layout.

George Lochsky's Northern Pacific Layout

A long, skinny layout that models the Cascades to Puget Sound. Since the layout is a bit smaller, the owner was able to focus more attention to the details and the fantastic structures it features. The passenger station is modeled open facing the aisle, so the interior is fully visible.

George's Old Railroad Ties

This brief article describes how George Selios models old ties that are thrown or stacked along side the right-of-way.

Get On Track With This Handy Rerailer

Using two pieces of styrene and a spare section of flextrack, the author builds a permanent re-railer for his hard-to-reach stagging yard.

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 describes finding prototype information about the Yosemite Valley brick oil house, his first attempt at building the structure, and his second attempt, with better prototype info. He also details how he built the third version using modern laser-cutting.

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

This column has a rotating set of authors, with Marty being the original one. He shares what he has learned from building his layouts. Large layouts aren't a panacea. A new layout is under way after a move.

Getting Real

Why prototype modeling? Several other Yosemite Valley modelers are asked why they chose to model a prototype.

Getting Real

Why prototype modeling? The author explains that he likes doing the prototype research.

Getting Real

Why prototype modeling?

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 building Southern Pacific heavyweight passenger trains. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as interior configuration diagrams.

Getting Real

The author covers box cars for his layout, such as the Central Vermont 40000-series Howe Truss box cars, the 41000-series 1-1/2 door box cars, and the 42000, 43000, and 44000-series.

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.

Getting Real

How does one decide on what the colors were when one models a time period before color photography was in common use?

Getting Real Part 3

The author decided to use Benjamin Moore interior house paint, thinned with water, and applied with an airbrush to paint his Kansas City Union Station model. The model has an incredible amount of interior detailing, as well as LED lighting. The exterior is also exquisite with lots of vehicls, figures, and LED lighting. He used hundreds of SMD LEDs.

Getting Real: Flipping The Piers

The author discusses various decisions he has made to model a pier in his layout.

Getting To Know Gil Freitag

Andy describes meeting Gil Freitag and operating on his layout when he lived in the area.

Getting to the Fun Part

The author's layout is based on the CP Rail's Lyndonville and Newport Subdivisions in northern Vermont. He doesn't enjoy the early part of layout construction, but describes it in this article, starting from finishing the basement, building the benchwork, and completing scenery in sections.

Gil Freitag's Stony Creek & Western

After a very long introduction by the magazine's editor, the author describes the construction and design philosophy of his layout, the fact that most structures are scratchbuilt, and how he integrated a narrow gauge line after the layout's construction had already begun. In additional to many layout photos (some in color), there is a complete track plan of the layout.

Gilpin & Blackhawk

A 33.5 by 13.5 foot layout by Glen Brazelton features high trestle bridges, large mountains, and nice structures. The layout was constructed by club members.

Girder Bridges

The author describes how he built a three-span plate girder bridge, a main span with flanking smaller spans, which were built using Micro-Engineering and
Evergreen styrene. Includes diagrams and construction photos.

GO Tower on the MR&T

The author describes how he built this freelanced generic interlocking tower for the Kalmbach club layout. It includes construction photos, drawings, a bill of materials, and track placement.

Going Beyond Simple Operations

This article covers what to do next once you have mastered simple operations on your layout. Includes information about his free software application for a fastclock. There is a chart for how to measure scale speed. Includes example paperwork.

Going Modern on the New Jersey Division

The author models the Conrail Shared Assets Operations (CSAO) railroad. The article is mostly a photo-essay of scenes on his layout. It includes a full track plan, and a sidebar on his CTC panel.

Going Modern on the New Jersey Division Part 3

The author continues his journey on his layout with many photos. There is a sidebar on defect detectors, which contains prototype photos and how he modeled it on his layout.

Gopher State Fallen Flags

This 7' x 22' layout includes both the C&NW and the Milwaukee railroads. One depot served both rails.

Grade Crossings

Modeling modern rubber and older wood crossings. Complete installation photos.

Granger Railroading - 1906

Features the author's Puye & Phui RR which is a free-lanced prototype layout set in the Upper Mississippi River Valley in 1906. The layout is an around-the-walls type with a center peninsula. Articles includes a track plan and many close-up photos.

Great Northern U-boat

Painting the Stewart Hobbies' U25B.

Great Running DCC Loco on a Budget

How to install a DCC decoder into a Walthers Proto2000 locomotive, and also how to improve them. Includes a sidebar on how to install wheel wipers in these engines.

Griffin & Howe: An Example of Over-the-tracks Space Utilization

The author describes how he built (kit-bashed) this structure such that a portion of it covers the railroad tracks. The building was built for author Paul Caparatta's layout, based on the prototype photos they took (see Paul's article in this issue).

Gypsy Trolley Line

John Kosma sets up his modular layout at train shows. The scenes are set in Milwaukee in the 1930s. The layout is a long U-shaped one, with turn-around loops at the ends. The trolleys are powered by the catenary only. Includes lots of photos, many of which are close-up of the scenes. A portion of the layout is set up at home, too.

Handlaying High Speed Turnouts

Although not prototypical, closed-frog turnouts to virtually eliminate derailments. The author describes how he builts them.

Hard Coal and the Wyoming Division

This article focuses on a portion of Harold Werthwein's layout that features moving coal. The layout fills most of the 35 x 85-foot basement. Included with the article are lots of photos and a diagram of the part of the layout discussed in the text.

Harry Clark's Indian Creek Valley Ry.

This large layout literally fills the 22-foot by 50-foot basement with a massive, continuous scene. About a quarter of the layout is consumed by a turntable, engine house, and large yard. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The article includes a two-page fold-out. The layout features B&O steam-era.

Hart Selective Ballast Car

Using an Athearn quad hopper, the author built a ballast hopper for the Model Railroader layout built starting in January of 1982. Includes a prototype photo and drawings for the necessary modifications.

Heavy Industry in HO-scale

The magazine revisits Dean Freytag's South Ridge Lines to see how it has progressed over 25 years. His layout is famous for the heavy steel industry he has modeled. Includes many close-up photos of some of his industries.

Heavy Loads CEBX 8OO

This article covers how the author tackled building a Schnabel car.

Heavy Pacific and Mikado

The article covers upgrading two Rivarossi HO-scale models. Includes model photos and detail drawings.

Here's What I'm Working On - Class H30's

Models made from RTV molds.

High-tech Scratchbuilding

The author describes an example of how he used a computer-controlled milling machine to cut the parts he needed to build a Denny's restaurant.

Highway Billboards from the 1930s and 40s

The article describes how to build these large signs, and includes scaled drawings as well as sample signs for Ford and Esso in the various modeling scales.

Hinged Magnetic Uncouplers

Hitting the Bricks with Stucco

The author shows and describes how she mimic's stucco on brick buildings.

HO "1937" AAR 40-foot Boxcar

A review of the Innovative Model Works' new box car (whose owner co-started Pacific Rail Shops and Intermountain). The article contains detailed information about the prototype 1937 AAR box car.

HO Pennsy I1 Decapod

One prototype photo. Model photos with changes made to the Bowser model. Lighting circuit correction is in April 2000 issue page 14.

HO Pennsylvania Cabooses

This is a product review on the Sunset Models HO-scale PRR N5a, N5b, and N5c cabin cars. In addition to the review itself, there is some historical information about the cars, and one prototype photo of a N5b.

HO Pennsylvania RR Baggage Car

Included with this review of the Walthers B60b baggage car is included prototype info about the car.

HO Scale Automatic Brake System

When you have to park part of a train on an incline while switching, the train can move on you. The author describes a system, which uses a metal ball, that keeps a caboose from rolling in such a situation.

HO scale PRR G31L #372165

The author converted a Tangent Scale Models G31b into an "L" subclass model.

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.

Hobo Signs

How to model hobo signs on the layout.

Holland in HO

A 12'x15' layout built in Holland that features main line track, electrified track, and a steam tram branch. It is set in Holland in 1914.

Homemade Flat Car Loads

The author uses wood to make forms under tarps to simulate loads. He also makes a rebar load. Includes prototype and model construction photos.

Horsehoe Curver in the 1950's

Modeling the Pennsylvania horseshoe curve. Includes history of the curve.

How to Animate Overhead Doors

The author describes how he built remote-controlled animated overhead doors for an engine house. Includes detail drawings and photos, and a parts list.

How to Build Solid Benchwork

The author describes how he decided to build this layout out of MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Includes lots of construction photos.

How to Cast a Stone Building from Plaster

The author shows how he constructed the Nuckolls Packing building found in Telluride, Colorado. Include scale drawings and a parts list. The building is made out of plaster and he shows how he hid the corners, modeled the space for the windows and doors, and how the brick was painted and weathered.

How To Make Better Scenery

The article describes how the author creates a scenic base using Woodland Scenics' foam sheets, then covers it with "ground goop" (a mixture of Celluclay, Vermiculite, flat latex paint, and white glue). The photo essay continues with ground cover, planting trees made from Peppergrass, and finishes with two scenes of a suburban front yard and static-flock grass along the track side.

How to Make Self-guarded Frogs

The author shows how he constructs self-guarded frogs, which are used in low-speed turnouts.

How to Model a Stucco Depot

Includes prototype and model photos of the Santa Fe Ry station in Lamy, New Mexico. Article covers how the author built the model from scratch, includes scale drawings, and includes a side bar on how he developed his approach to modeling stucco.

How to Scratchbuild a Handcar Shed

The author describes how he built this Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway shed. Includes finished-model photos and scale drawings.

How To: Scale Trains Evans Boxcar Kit

Only a couple of simple tools are needed to build one of these kits.

IC's Springfield Division: An Alternate Reality

This police officer's layout provides a great stress reliever. The article is mainly a narrative of operations on this layout. The article has many close-up photos, but no detailed information about the layout itself.

Images from Ed Swain's PRR Layout

A few photos of the author layout are shown.

Improving Athearn's Piggyback Flatcar

The author describes how he made some changes to this kit to have it ride lower and improve operations.

Improving Genesis Cab Interiors

Changing the interiors.

Improving the Looks of Your Iron-ore "Jimmies"

Based on real-world experience the author describes how to do close coupling, and how to create realistic loads.

Industrial Lighting

The author describes how he builds and installs industrial lighting in his structures.

Inexpensive Structures

The author builds several buildings from a single Model Power kit.

Inside the Enginehouse

Most of the article is about the Lackawanna Terminal's Scranton diesel shop, with a sidebar on how to model the structure. Includes model photo.

Installing a Working Three-position Semaphore

Using Tomar Industries Upper Quadrant semaphores and Tortoise, the author describes how he installed them and had them working, using simple electronics, to detect train presence.

Installing Sound in a GP7

The author shows how he installed a QSI Revolution A sound decoder in an older Atlas GP7. Includes modification and installation photos.

Insurance Mills

Prototype and model photos. Using a Walthers Front St. Warehouse as a starting point. Slow burning or mill construction drawings ca. 1908.

Introducing the Allegheny Midland Part 1

Tony describes his now famous AM, how he was inspired by Allen McClelland, the rational for the layout, and the track plan.

Introducing the Allegheny Midland Part 2

In this installment of the author's now-famous layout, he shows the trackplan, develops the reason for the layout's existence, describes the why behind the era and area, lists the trains to be operated, and develops plans for operating sessions.

Introducing the Franklin & South Manchester

It took George Selios two years to get part of his layout to where it is shown in this issue. Includes many quality photos of the layout, a trackplan of the finished section, and where it fits into the whole plan.

Iota: End of a Very Short Line

The author built a 17" x 56" switching layout representing the end of a short line in the Great Plains.

It sure doesn't look like a powder works!

Inspired by structures made by other modelers, the author describes how he wound building this structure. Includes scaled drawings.

It's a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

The author cut City Classics three-pack house kits in half to create 6 homes. He added different touches to each house, including a complete backyard for each.

It's In the Details

Basic information about how to further detail a diesel locomotive. Describes what level of detailing can be done and shows specific examples for HO-scale Kato GP35 and Athearn F-unit.

It's The Little Things That Count

The author photographs some close-up detailed scenes on George Selios' layout.

Jefmar's Supply Co.

The author shows how he super-detailed the interior of this structure. It includes making the cardstock walls look like wood, many scratchbuilt interior details, and a removable roof to admire the work.

Jerry Fassnacht's Pennsy and Reading

In this interview-style article, Jerry is asked about this layout that models the Schuylkill branch of the Pennsylvania RR with a freelanced connection to the Reading & Columbia branch of the Reading. The layout was built by him and his brother. Includes a track plan of the entire layout.

Jim Lorbiecki's Milwaukee Road Everett Street Station Diorama

This diorama models the Everett Street Station, or Milwaukee Union Station, which was built by the Milwaukee Road and opened in 1886. The station was located on Everett Street between N. 2nd Street and N. 4th Street in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Includes several close-up photos of the diorama.

Jim Rollwage's Union Pacific

Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Line 2 Progress Update

The author has torn down his layout and is building a new one using the "TOMA" approach. He also shares the lessons learned from the previous layout that he is addressing in the new one.

Joe Visinthine's East Bluff Terminal

This interview-style article covers how the owner got into the hobby, why he chose to model what he does, and the specifics about the layout. Includes photos and a track plan (available as an online bonus).

John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid

A description of John's beautiful layout, with floor-to-ceiling scenery. Included are many color photos, and the track plan.

John Allen: The Man Behind the Legend

Jim continues his recollections of his friend John, how they would joke around, the super-detailing and weathering techniques he learned from him, and how he built this simple switching layout called the Timesaver. Includes a few photos of John and his layout.

John Elwood's HO Empire

A beautifully-scenicked layout that measures 12' x 16'. It models the Olympic & Puget Sound Rwy. The layout features many Selios structures.

John Finnin's American Freedom Train

Modeling the train as it was in between 1976 and 1978, the author's train has been on a small tour of its own. This article describes the history of the prototype train, as well as the model train, which is now in its second incarnation.

John Longhurst's CP Rail Manitoba & Minnesota Subdivision

This is a freelanced, double-decked 17 by 20 foot layout set in the Fall of 1995. The author describes the layout's construction and operations. Includes a track plan. You can see pictures of this layout on John's blog, and he has videos of the layout on YouTube.

John Peluso's Frisco Eastern Division

This is an interview-style article about the owner and his 16'x30' double-deck layout. Includes many photos and track plans of the layout.

John Russell's Steam-era Rock Island

This interview-style article covers how this real-world railroader got into model railroading, why he models what he does, and how he built his layout. Includes photos and an online track plan.

Just the Cellar

The author describes how he models a cellar left over after the building has been removed.

Kadee Couples for Con-Cor's MP15DC

How to install Kadee couplers into this model.

Kato EMD SD38-2

The article includes a bit of history, model features, and review of the performance and accuracy of the model. Includes photos of the UP model, and a side bar of the other roadnames released.

Kato SP's

The author describes how he super-detailed an SP SD40, an SP GP35, and a Cotton Belt GP35. Includes model photos of the finished models and parts lists.

Keeping HOn3 Springs Intact

How to assemble Kadee No. 717 freight trucks without losing the springs.

Keeping the Pennsy's Spirit Alive

This 24' by 32' layout represents the PRR's Middle Division in the late 1950s. It is a one-and-a-half level around-the-walls design with a long center peninsula. The author describes the building that houses the layout, how he built the layout, constructing the scenery, and operations. Includes photos and trackplan.

Ken Davis' Great Northland Ry.

Ken has been working on the same layout for 30 years. It measures 16 by 22 feet.

Ken McCorry's Conrail

Ken's layout is a massive 32'x102', and it is double-decked to boot. Includes many photos, track plans, and answers to questions posed to Ken.

Keveny Memorial Academy

The author describes how he built a compressed scale replica of this building found in Cohoes. Includes one finished model photo and two prototype photos.

Kevin Klettke's Washington Northern

The layout fits in about 12' by 8', and is set in 1995. The Washington Northern is a fictitious line. Includes a track plan of this switching layout.

Kitbash a Canadian Pacific Railway 60-foot Mail Car

Using an MDC Harriman RPO, the author built a model of this passenger car. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as a materials list.

Kitbash a CP SD40-2F

This article describes how to build a model of the Canadian Pacific's unusual "Red Barns". It includes prototype and model photos, as well as a parts list. The author used a Rail Power Product's SD60 as the base for this model.

Kitbash a GP50

The author describes how he made his Chicago & North Western GP50 no. 5050 from an Athearn GP35 by stretching its frame. Many detail drawings and photos are included.

Kitbash the Offices of The Sun

The author describes how he built an accurate model of the structure found in Lowell, Mass. It is ten stories tall and has a wonderful external fire-escape staircase, which he modeled. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.

Kitbashed Boom Truck

The author converted an Athearn Ford F-850 to a crew cab, which is what he remembers the trucks were like when he drove them. Includes modeling the interior of the truck. There is also a sidebar on additional M.O.W. vehicles the author has kitbashed.

Kitbashed Logging Flats

The author converted some 40-foot Athearn flat cars to better fit his pre-1930s era. Drawings and close-up photos show all the work he did to do this conversion. A prototype photo of the Minarets & Western flat car is included.

Kitbashed Tunnel Motor

The author took several kits and shells to build this Danville, Tidewater & Carolina SD45T-2 "tunnel motor" engine. Includes model photos.

Kitbashed Wheel and Hoist Car

Using an outside-braced wood boxcar, the author created this unique M.O.W. car with detailed hoist. Includes photos of the finished model.

Kitbashed Wood Loading Ramp

Using an Accurail Rural Timber Overpass bridge, the author created the end-of-spur unloading ramp that appears to be made out of heavy timbers, much like the prototype.

Kitbashing a "Fire Duck"

The author describes how he scratchbuilt the amphibious vehicle used by a fire department.

Kitbashing a Backwoods Enginehouse

Kitbashing a Sierra West Scale Models engine house

Kitbashing a Bangor & Aroostook Caboose

The prototype converted troop sleeper cars into these cabooses in the mid-1950s, and so the author did the same thing using Cannonball Car Shops' kits of troop sleeper cars. Includes several prototype photos and some model photos, as well as a parts list.

Kitbashing a BAR Woodchip Car

Mimicking the prototype, the author converted a PS-1 boxcar into a woodchip car. Includes prototype photos, and model modification photos.

Kitbashing a BNSF F45B

The articles describes how the author build an A-B-A set of BNSF's F45 in the latest paint scheme (freelanced). Includes model photos, parts list, and cutting guide for the chassis modifications necessary.

Kitbashing a Business Car

Kitbashing a C&O Cabin

The author used a Korber Models kit to build a standard C&O tower. Includes photos of the completed model and prototype photos.

Kitbashing a CB&Q Combine

The railroad converted a baggage car into a gas-electric motor car in 1941. The author used a Bachmann Doodlebug as his starting point to create this unique car.

Kitbashing a CN Ingot Car

Building models of the Canadian National 60-foot flat cars which were converted to carry aluminum ingots. Article includes model photos, prototype photos, parts list, detailed diagrams, and description of how the author converted a MDC 60-foot flat car.

Kitbashing a Coal Loader

Taking part of the Walthers New River Mine kit to build a truck coal dump loader for a siding. Includes a scale drawing for a weight house, the weigh scale, and the coal truck dump. There are also several photos of the author's model.

Kitbashing a DL&W Mik Car

In this article the author describes how he built one of these cars starting with an Athearn 50-foot express reefer.

Kitbashing a Durango & Silverton M.O.W. Flat Car with Load

Modeling a unique flat car.

Kitbashing a Freelanced Combine

The author converted a MDC old-time passenger car into a pre-WW1 combine for the author's CP-based layout.

Kitbashing a Gas-electric Railcar

Article includes photos and text of how the author kitbashed a wood car with an open rear platform that ran in 1905 to 1910 on a suburban line in Kansas City. He started with a Bachmann Brill trolley.

Kitbashing a Guillford GP40-2W

The author uses two Athearn GP40-2 to build these models to represents models that used to be part of the Canadian National railroad. Includes construction photos and a materials list.

Kitbashing a LIRR SW1001

Has prototype and model photos. The author started with two Athearn SW1000 to create two models that were coupled nose-to-nose, as per the prototype. Parts list is included.

Kitbashing a Logging Industry Critter

The prototype Crestbook Timber's critter was "kitbashed" from a steam engine's tender. The author built his model using the same method. Detailed description and prototype and model photos accompany the article.

Kitbashing a Lumber and Coal Dealer

The author built a structure that mimics one of the Fine Scale Miniatures kits which he could not afford to buy at the time the kit was released, and it is now hard to find.

Kitbashing a Maintenance-of-way Truck

The author took parts from several model trucks to build this unique model. Includes one prototype and model photo.

Kitbashing a Mill Owner's Mansion

The author disassembled an N-scale model of the White House and converted into a HO-scale mansion.

Kitbashing a Modern Conrail Plug Door Boxcar

Two MDC kits were used to build this model of the 60-foot car that was new in 1993. Includes prototype and model photo, and drawings.

Kitbashing a Modern Trinity Aluminum Covered Hopper

Using various parts from Atlas, Walthers, and Intermountain cars, the author built a covered hopper from an open hopper car.

Kitbashing a PFE R-40-2-18 Reefer

In addition to explaining what all the numbers in the car's model number mean, the author describes how he modeled this car. Includes model and prototype photos, and lots of references.

Kitbashing a Pittsburgh Railways Interurban Car

The author describes how he designed and had custom-made the sides for this car, and then used a LaBelle car kit for the remaining parts.

Kitbashing a PRR G29D Gondola

The author converts a Sunshine G29A/B HO-scale kit#12.8 into a G29D. Includes prototype photos, and model construction photos.

Kitbashing a PRR H25 Hopper Car

The author takes a Bowser H21 hopper and converts it into an H25. Includes prototype photos of both to see the differences. Lots of model photos are included as well, as well as a parts list.

Kitbashing a Railroad Tug

This article covers how to build a tugboat from two Lindberg Diesel Harbor Tug kits. Contains many construction photos.

Kitbashing a Railway Express Terminal

The author used two Walthers United Trucking Terminal kits to build one Railway Express terminal..

Kitbashing a Santa Fe Bx-108 Boxcar

Model photos and scale drawings.

Kitbashing a Santa Fe Ce-6 Waycar

The author took two Athearn models to make this one caboose. The article includes prototype photos, scale drawings, a parts list, and model construction photos.

Kitbashing a Santa Fe CF7 in HO Scale

The author modeled this unique engine using the RPP shell and an Athearn F7 drive. Includes a prototype and several model photos.

Kitbashing a Shortline Sand Car

The author followed the prototype and created a model of a the tank of a tank car welded to a flat car, as was done by the McCloud River Railroad.

Kitbashing a Small Gas Station

Adding details to a gas station.

Kitbashing a Southern Pacific SW900E Loco

The author converts a Life-Like SW1200 into one of these unique engines. Includes installing lights and sound.

Kitbashing a Stock Trailer

The author used a Mini Metals tractor trailer, replaced the sides and created this stock trailer. Includes detail model photos, scale drawing, and materials list.

Kitbashing a Union Pacific Rules Car

Using two MDC Pullman Palace kit bodies the author built this car.

Kitbashing a UP Freight House

The structure started off as the Moore & Company Warehouse kit by Life-Like. The structure was made longer than the kit intended.

Kitbashing an L&N 60-ton Rebuilt Hopper

Like the prototype, the author took a Athearn 50-ton hopper and converted it to this model. Includes cutting diagrams and materials list.

Kitbashing an NJ Transit ALP-46

The author took a Roco German DB Class 101 engine and converted it to look like an New Jersey Transit engine using the plans published by Railroad Model Craftsman magazine in its March 2003 issue. Includes before and after model photos and a prototype photo.

Kitbashing Best Boats & Baits

The structure represents a normal two-story building, but with an additional story added below that sits almost at water level.

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 Chief Petroleum

This article has complete instructions on how to build this structure that has a history of several businesses, including one which required track service.

Kitbashing Doesn't Have to be a Big Deal

Changing an outside corner of a bank building kit to an inside corner made the model look completely different, yet it was such a small change.

Kitbashing EMD's GP39-2

Cover photo of a fantastic snow setting for this locomotive. Article includes prototype photos of Delaware & Hudson # 7415, #7604, and #7615. Many close-up photos of how to detail this model. The author started with Athearn GP-35s.

Kitbashing Jim Baker's Service Station

Using a Bachmann Texaco gas station, the author created a convincing model of a gas station he passes on his way to work. Includes model and prototype photos and a parts list.

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.

Kitbashing Pennsy Cabin Cars

The author describes how he converted a Tyco PRR cabin car into a better representation of a PRR N8 cabin car, and a MDC center-cupola caboose into a PRR N5c. Includes prototype photos of these cars in both PRR, PC, and Conrail livery. Also included are detailed drawings, and scaled drawings (N8 only).

Kitbashing Prairie Skyscrapers

The author bought four Walthers Valley Growers Association grain elevator kits to build this one building as he photographed and studied it in Alma, Kansas. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings.

Kitbashing Row Houses

The author learned that row houses are an integral part of older northeastern towns, so he modeled them using Tony Wenzel's Smalltown kits, the two Appliance Mart kits (No. 6020). Construction photos and a prototype photo of Bethlehem, PA are included.

Kitbashing Techniques: Building an NS Exhibition Car

Using this prototype as an example, the author describes how easy it is to kitbash an existing kit into a unique model. It includes the various tools a beginner should invest in to make kitbashing easier.

Kitbashing the TH&B's 1000-1149 Series Hopper Cars

Kitbashing a Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo two-bay hopper from an Accurail 55-ton hopper car kit. Includes prototype photos.

Kitbashing Three Lehigh Valley Cabooses

This article describes how to build the three caboose discussed in another article in this issue. The author used the MDC 3440-series cabooses as a start for the three models. Includes construction photos, detail drawings, and a parts list

Kitbashing Three MDC Tank Cars

The author describes how he built a chlorine, acid, and general service tank cars. Includes model and prototype photos.

Kitbashing Two Family Brick Homes

The author describes how he modified a DPM townhouse kit into a two-family, three story residence.

Kitbashing White Elephants

The Pacific Fruit Express rebuilt two R-40-14 cars into aluminum cars in 1947. They were painted white and were a rare sight, hence their nickname. The author used InterMountain kits to build these cars.

L&N's Henderson Subdivision

The article features the operation-oriented, 35'x70' layout based on the L&N's Evansville to Nashville route. The track plan follows a very long linear design with yards at both ends, which wind up being next to each other. Includes a diagram on how the interior walls are built. Rick is the owner of Rix Products. The layout was featured in Allen Keller's Volume 9 video.

L&NE ARA Boxcar Upgrade

Includes prototype and model photos, as well as "surgical" photos of the upgrading the author did to his out-of-production Train-Miniatures "X-29" boxcars. Includes a detailing parts list.

L-aborating On The Farmhouse

Adding lots of details to the classic AHM/Revell farmhouse. Two kits are required to create the model build by the author.

Landscaping by Guess (and by Gosh)

Blending 3D items with the background, modeling rivers and their banks, building rock out of rotten wood, integrating building flats, and adding vegetation that even surprises the builder him- or herself. Tips include such things as materials such as 3M synthetic steel wool and nylon scouring pads have enough texture to represent brambles and brush as seen on the lower embankment.

Layout Plan for a Santa Fe Branch Line

The late author discusses how he developed a track plan for a client, Jared Harper, to model the ATSF Alma District in a 13' by 19' space.

Lessons in Passenger Car Part 2

This installment covers modeling the Conrail 21 car, which is a track geometry car. Includes prototype photos of this ex-SF car, and many step-by-step modeling photos.

Let's Build a Bumping Post

This short one-page article shows how to build a conventional bumping post for the end of a track using rail pieces and brass sheet and stock.

Life-Like Proto 2000 EMD GP30 Test Report

A product review of this engine.

Lighting the Great Western Railroad

The author describes how he planned the layout's lighting and the various problems he had to overcome.

Lighting Up the Ditches

The author describes how he retrofitted his engines with 0603 LED ditch lights. Includes a sidebar on how to wire up an LED.

Lights, Sound, Action

Installing DCC, a sound decoder, and LEDs into an Athearn CF7. Includes full installation photos. Includes a sidebar by Joe Fugate about using Kapton tape instead of masking tape in DCC installations.

Lily Pads, Cattails, and Pond Scum

The author describes how he models cattails (5- to 9-foot tall herb), grasses, lily pads, pond scum, and pond water.

Limited Modeler

The author adds a Broadway Limited PRR class E6 4-4-2 Atlantic to his collection of engines needed for his next layout. He also covers prototype information, and includes photos of the prototype and model versions. He also covers the BLI H10 2-8-0, also with prototype and model photos.

Limited Modeler

The author reports on what he saw at the Marion, Ohio RPM. He also reports that rolling stock prices have gone up quite a bit, and how he plans to deal with that on his new layout that will needs hundreds of cars. He also makes a case for not over-weathering. Includes several model photos.

Loading Coal

The article covers how to build a modern-day, working concrete coal loader. Includes detailed internal construction photos, wiring diagram, hand-held control panel, and structure building information.

Long Island 4-6-0

The author modifies a Roundhouse model kit to represent a LIRR G5, which was identical to the parent company, the PRR's G5 engines. Includes a prototype photo, photos of details added to the model, and final model photos.

M&K Division of the B&O

An upside-down, reverse "F" shape, island-style layout that fills a 27' by 43' basement. The layout was designed as a railfan layout.

M&StL RS-1s

The author shares how he painted his model. Includes several model photos.

Machinery Loads for Gons

This article shows how to make loads that look like machinery that is covered by tarp, using foam blocks and facial tissue.

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.

Maine Central Covered Hoppers

The author describes how he modified MDC cars to use for heavy-duty cement and lime services. Includes one prototype photos, several model photos, and a parts list.

Mainline Through the Mountains

The master of track design discusses how he met his client's requirements for modeling a portion of the Southern Pacific's Shasta Route. The article includes diagrams for the mushroom-style, 22' x 45' layout.

Make a Realistic Lake

Step-by-step instructions on how to build a placid lake, and a sidebar on modeling rivers and creeks.

Make Conifers the Quick and Easy Way

Using furnace filters to make conifers.

Make Your Own Jersey Barriers

The author shows how he created the master for these highway barriers, and then cast them.

Make Your Own Roadbed

Using 5mm EasyMat foam, normally used to place under tile flooring, the author built a flexible, easy-to-use subroadbed.

Make Your Own Shingles

Create diamond pattern shingles gummed paper.

Makin' Pallets

A simple jig allows the quick production of a scale pallet.

Making Loads with PVC Pipe Couplings

Using common plumbing supplies, the author builds some fantasy, but believable flat car and gondola loads.

Making People Unique

The author describes how he takes the common Preiser figures and makes them more Americanized, changes their limbs, and paints them to look different.

Making the Bowser class K9A Stock Car Better

The author shows how to improve the look of the Bowser K9a kit. Includes many close-up photos.

Making Your Own Ballast

The author describes how he makes his own custom blend of ballast from fine sand. Includes information about what size prototype ballast is for a specific era, and how to color the ballast.

Marble Service Flatcars

After reading the John Nehrich article in the January 1986 issue of Model Railroader, the author followed the same approach to take two Athearn 40-foot flat car kits and built these cars. He added more rivets to the model by using CA glue rivet heads. Includes prototype and model photos.

McClanahan's Hundred

The author created a condensed and simplified Western ore mine to fit his layout, while preserving all the features one would find in such a structure. Includes model photos, scale drawings, and detailed construction drawings

Meet Gatorboard

In this article the author describes how he used Gatorfoam and Gatorplast to build a diorama, including the base and the building. Fome-Cor warps but Gatorfoam has a wood-fiber veneer on it that keeps it from warping and it takes all sorts of glues and paints very well.

Metro Model Railroad Club

This article contains a description and many photos of the Metro Model Railroad Club's permanent layout in the senior citizens' condo development located in the former St. Alphonsus Hospital in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Includes general layout shape diagrams with photo indicators.

Metroliner Diaphragm by Shapeways

A review of the Spark and Wire Models (Nicholas Gotwalt) 3D-printed diaphragm for Walthers Metroliner cab ends.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 2

This installment covers laying the girder rail and flextrack for trolley. Includes many construction photos, wiring diagram, and a sidebar on control panel construction.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 3

In this installment the article covers installing the paving and scenery of the Boston MTA layout. The street paving is done with patching plaster because of its longer working time. The article also covers ballasting, installing back drops, building landforms, and making culverts and a reservoir. Includes many construction photos.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 4

An epoxy body kit and an NWSL drive make for smooth-running PCC. Mechanical installation photos. Scale drawings. Prototype photos.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 5

Installing catenary.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 6

A few easy scratchbuilt buildings firmly root the layout in the prototype.

Mid-Continent Region Car Project

40' wood refrigerator car kits lettered for the St. Louis Refrigerator Car Company produced by Accurail.

Mid-continent Region Car Project

Information and photos of the 40' wood refrigerator car kit lettered for the St. Louis Refrigerator Car Company.

Midwest Lines

Rolf Plachter's UP-based HO-scale layout is described in this article. It includes many photos and track plan sketches, and a sidebar on brass rail. The integration of the backdrop with the openings to the other rooms is impressive.

Midwest Mod-U-Trak HO Scale Railroad

This is a club layout that integrated portability with prototype modeling. The concept came from NTrak modules. Each member of the club builds his or her own 6-foot module. Detailed diagrams are included to define the standard used by the club.

Mike Armstrong's Rock Island

An interview-style article where the layout owner covers everything about his layout. Includes many photos, and a track plan of this double-decked, 30' x 40' layout. There is a sidebar about what "negative space" means in a model railroad.

Mike Mackey's Texas & St. Louis

The author interviews the owner of this HO/HOn3. Includes many photos and a track plan of the 19' x 39', W-shaped layout.

Milwaukee Road Everett Street Station Diorama

The Everett Street Station (Milwaukee Union Station) was located on Everett Street in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim Lorbiecki built a highly-detailed diorama of it.

Minneapolis and St Louis, Winthrop Roundhouse

After a brief history and some prototype photos, the author describes how he built a model of it.

Missouri Pacific Homebuilt Caboose

The prototype built its own cabooses, which the author modeled. There are four different types discussed. Includes prototype and model photos, and a roster.

Mixed Freight

The author shares his philosophy about operations on his layout.

Model a Pond

The author covers how to waterproof the pond, adding bottom details, modeling cattail plants and dead trees, how to simulate standing water, how to pour the resin, and how to add lily pads.

Model a Stone Viaduct

Stone viaduct using wood, styrene, and foam insulation spray.

Model a Team Track

This construction how-to article not only describes the purpose and history of a team track but also how to build one (including a turnout in mostly covered track. Includes a side bar on how to protect signals and telephone poles on the layout using a counterweight system.

Model for the FBI

The author is commissioned to build a model of the Branch Davidian compound for a court trial. He used a local engraver to cut all the wall and roof pieces out of styrene to speed up the process. Includes photos of the diorama, and the story of him bringing it to court.

Model Mechanical Interlockings

This article describes how to model the piping and infrastructure for the controls of an interlocking tower. Includes lots of close-up detail photos and diagrams, including a detailed drawing of a prototype turnout point mechanism.

Model of the Month

Gauley Valley Feeds photo.

Model of the Month

Schnabel flatcar.

Model of the Month

Model of a modern truck-dump coal loader from a prototype located on the Clinchfield RR.

Model of the Month

Single-stall enginehouse with complete interior detailing.

Model of the Month

Two-stall enginehouse with complete interior detailing.

Model of the Month

A photo of a nice coal mine and double tipple structure based on no particular prototype.

Model of the Month Award

A neat gas station and repair shop with an upstairs area.

Model Railroad Maintenance of Way Part II

This installment talks about how to keep roadbed and track in good shape. It covers creating removable section of scenery to access turnout machines, creating track cleaner cars using the John Allen method, creating a magnet car for pickup metal parts, and creating your own rerailer.

Model Railroading On-the-go

The author describes his folding sectional layout which fits in the family's RV trailer.

Model Review - Walthers/Proto 2000 PRR FS-10 in HO-scale

The article reviews the Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 switcher and includes prototype photos, scale drawings, unit numbers and their information.

Model Review: Bowser N5 and N5C Cabin Cars

After covering the history of the PRR N5 classes of cabin cars, the author reviews the model produced by Bowser in HO-scale. Includes model and prototype photos.

Model Review: The Broadway Limited Imports PRR EF-15 in HO-Scale

The author offers some historical information and then reviews the model. Includes one prototype photo and several model photos.

Model Review: The Broadway Limited Imports Streamlined K4s in HO-Scale

After covering the history of this locomotive, the author provides the details about the various versions that BLI released, and then reviews his sample model. Includes several prototype photos and many model photos.

Model Santa Fe TOFC Rebuilds in HO

Creating a model of the piggyback conversion covered in the prototype article in this magazine issue (see page 104). Many detail drawings and bill of materials.

Modeling "KASE" Tower in HO Scale

After describing his layout, the author discusses how he built the "KASE" tower in Sunbury, PA. Several construction photos accompany the article.

Modeling 1950 Southern Style

Allen Keller personal layout.

Modeling a 41-foot Nickel Plate Steel Gondola

Using an Accurail kit, the author super-detailed the model. Includes prototype and model photos, a materials list, and a prototype roster.

Modeling a 650-ton Coaling Station

The model is based on Union Pacific coaling stations. The article includes model and construction photos, prototype photos, parts list, and scaled drawings.

Modeling a B&M Alco S-2 Switcher

Covers the S-2 switcher in general and the Boston & Maine in specific. The author used an undecorated Atlas/Roco S-2 to build his model. Several prototype and model photos are included.

Modeling a Burned-down Building

George describes, in a step-by-step method, how to model what are the remains of a burnt-out building. Includes photos of the completed scene.

Modeling a C&NW GP35 Slug Set Part 1

The author used a pair of Kato GP35 locomotives as the base units and a Kato F3 for various parts. The article includes lots of close-up construction photos, several prototype photos, and a materials list.

Modeling a C&O Twelve-panel Side PS-1 Boxcar

The author used an Intermountain kit to build this model. Includes prototype and model photos, including construction close-ups. The article has a sidebar on how to model rivets using the Archer Fine Transfers, which are decal-like sheets that allow modeling of straight rows of rivets.

Modeling a Cabbage Patch

Using all parts of the Busch cabbage plant kits, the author describes how he modeled them without breaking the bank.

Modeling a Camp Fire

The author describes how he built a painted turntable, through which light shines and is reflected above in the scene that simulates a camp fire.

Modeling a Changing World

In this 23' by 27' layout, the author has attempted to stay up-to-date with the current times in his layout. Some structures have been modified over the years to reflect what happened to them in the real world over the years.

Modeling a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy GP30

Prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Conrail Fuel Truck

A modern locomotive service truck built from a Bolley's GMC Topkick tanker. Many close-up detail photos.

Modeling a Conrail Hot Steel Coil Car

Article includes prototype and model photos, construction close-up photos, and a materials list. Also included is a section and some photos on how the author made the loads for the car.

Modeling a Conrail SD38

Article include several prototype photos of these diesels that were inherited from Penn Central. The majority of the article is following the author along with how he build one of these model pretty much from the ground up. Lots of detailed model photos, and a parts list.

Modeling a Conrail SW1500

Conrail has 116 of these engines. Starting with an Athearn model the author describes how he built a model of this engine.

Modeling a Cotton Gin

HO-scale drawings of the various buildings that make up a complete cotton gin, overhead drawing of the layout of the buildings, and model photos of the completed project.

Modeling a CP Rail RS-23

The author used resin kits to build the models. Includes prototype and model photos, close-up detail construction photos, and a parts list.

Modeling a CPR Enclosed Water Tower

This article covers the history and the model construction of a western Canada water tower that is of octagonal shape. Includes scale drawings, how to make the roof, and how to make the water spout.

Modeling a Frisco USRA 2-8-2

The article describes how the author bought a PRR Akane brass engine, and converted it into the Frisco model.

Modeling a Fruehauf Conrail Gondola

Covers modeling gondolas built by Fruehauf in 1971 and 1972 for Penn Central using Rail Yard Models kits. Article includes many model and prototype photos. Includes using the Coiled Wire load made by Chooch Enterprises.

Modeling a GATX Leasing MP15 in HO Scale

Companies lease equipment to see if it is useful to them, without actually having to buy it. GATX (General American Transportation Corp) leases equipment to railroads. The author used a Con-Cor HO-scale Conrail MP15 to create a model of the MP15 leased by St. Lawrence & Atlantic RR in 1991. A bill of materials and several detail diagrams are included.

Modeling a great car for loads: Pennsy's steam-era G31 gondola

The author makes a Con-Cor 52'6" mill gondola into a true representation of the PRR G31. Includes prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Heavy-equipment Loading Ramp

The article contains drawings and scale diagrams for a ramp to load heavy equipment onto flat cars.

Modeling a Komatsu D575-A2 Bulldozer

Modeling a Lehigh Valley GP9 and GP18

Using a Front Range phase III GP9 and a Proto 2000 GP18, the author describes the changes he made to accurately model these two engines. Prototype and model photos are included, as well as a parts list and a listing of the LV's paint schemes.

Modeling a Lehigh Valley Mill Gondola

A large number of the Lehigh Valley's gondola fleet were these 50-foot 13-rib straight side gondolas. The author used two Accurail 41-foot USRA steel gondola models to kitbash one of these cars. He describes the process he went through. The article includes one prototype photo, several close-up model photos, prototype roster, scale drawings, and describes how to make a steel plate load for the car.

Modeling a Load of Corrugated Pipe

The author shows his technique for using a threaded rod and aluminum foil to simulate thin-walled pipe.

Modeling a Masonry Structure with Hydrocal

The author describes how to model masonry buildings using a firehouse in Orbisonia, Pennsylvania as an example. The article covers how to cast with hydrocal, how to scribe the bricks, and how to put the structure together. Includes a scaled drawing of the building, and mold-making photos.

Modeling a Modern Sanding Facility

The author describes how the Rochester Institute of Technology MRR Club used a 34-foot, twin-bay hopper, just like the prototype, as a sand storage facility. Several other parts make up this scene, which doesn't require much space. Includes model and prototype photos.

Modeling a Modern Service Station

The author describes how to model a modernday Conoco gas station. The reason why I found this article so interesting is that this is the very gas station where I get gas every week! I never met the author, so I don't know why he picked that particular station, which is located in the far west side of Houston, Texas. The model he built looks exactly like the station.

Modeling a Muncie & Western R.R. Wood Boxcar

The article covers how to build an outside-braced model of this well-known glass-jar logo boxcar. Includes many prototype photos, boxcar ORER, model construction photos, and a parts list.

Modeling a New Haven Piggyback Flat Car

After describing the prototype, the author describes how he took an Intermountain flat car to model this New Haven car. Includes several prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Northern Pacific W-3 Mikado

After a brief history about the engine, the author describes how he super-detailed a Rivarossi USRA Mikado. What is interesting about this article, even if you are not interested in this particular prototype, is that there are lots of close-up detail photos with each of the parts identified by name. A great way to learn more about steam locomotives in general.

Modeling a Pair of DL&W Snowplows

The author built one single-track snowplow using the existing Walthers kit, and one double-track snowplow using a brass Overland Models kit. Many construction photos as well as some prototype photos are included.

Modeling a Pennsy BM70nb RPO

The author used a Rivarossi model as a starting point, replacing the roof and adding many other details to make an accurate model of this car, which was a rebuild done in the 1950s. Includes a prototype photo, some model photos, and a parts list.

Modeling a Phase II RS-3

The author built this model using an Atlas RS-3 chassis and an undecorated Bowser/Stewart Phase IIa RS-3 shell. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos, as well as a parts list for this superdetailed model.

Modeling a PRR Alco RS-3

The author describes how he built this model from a Stewart Hobbies kit, including assembly and painting. There are many construction photos.

Modeling a PRR BM70KA Baggage-Mail Car

The author details, with text and many photos, how he built one of these cars starting with an NKP Car Company model. Includes prototype photos.

Modeling a PRR Camp Car

The author built a model of the PRR passenger car that was recycled as a work train service car. Includes one prototype and several model photos

Modeling a Railway Express Terminal from a Walthers Kit Part 1

Walthers' new Railway Express Transfer Building and Freight House is modeled after a real structure in Jersey City, New Jersey. The article includes prototype photos and lots of construction photos. A large part about this article is the construction of a removable interior for the building.

Modeling a Railway Express Terminal from a Walthers Kit Part 2

This installment covers how to install the interior into the building, completing the interior, and finalize the overall structure.

Modeling a Removable Scrap Load for a Gondola

The author shows how he uses various bits of leftover material to make a realistic-looking load for a gondola.

Modeling a Rock Island U25B

The author converts a Bowser U25B to make it look like the one he photographed in 1977.

Modeling a Sanding Facility

The author describes how he built this modern-day version of a sanding facility that includes a building that is no longer used (implying history). Includes scale drawings, materials list, and prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Secret Prototype

It was a challenge for Chris White to build his 11' x 13' layout modeling the Russian prototype. The layout is small. A sidebar is included discussing the "joy of terminal operation".

Modeling a Southern Pacific SD50

Prototype and model photos. Detail photos of the various enhancements made to the Life-Like 2K SD60 model.

Modeling a Stockcar in its Golden Years

The author used a Westerfield kit to build a model of the Canadian Pacific's Fowler stockcar as it was in 1965 when it was used to carry petroleum products.

Modeling a Tarpaulin-covered Load

Using tissue paper to cover loads that come from the parts bin.

Modeling a Temporary Yard Office

This article covers how to build a model trailer that is used a temporary yard office. Includes several prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Transit Mixer

How to model a concrete mixer. Includes a parts list, a bit of prototype history, and terminology used in the concrete business.

Modeling a Union Pacific "Flared" SD70M

Using an Athearn model, the author describes how he built this specific model. Includes model and prototype photos, including close-up construction photos, as well as a parts list.

Modeling a Union Pacific Tunnel Motor

Using an Athearn model, the author created a modern version of an SD40T-2. Includes parts identification diagrams, lots of detail diagrams, and a full parts list.

Modeling a UP C30-7

The author took a Rail Power Products shell and an Athearn underframe, and built this model. Includes a parts list, and several prototype and model photos.

Modeling a Well Used Gondola

The author started with a Proto 2000 52' 6" drop-end gondola kit, stripped the sides, and replaced them with modified brass panels to represents the damage done to them over time. Includes many detailed photos, several prototype photos, and information about how super-detail, paint, and weather the model.

Modeling Amtrak in the West: An F40PH and Superliner Train

Using the shell of a Life-Like F40PH, the chassis by Proto Power West, and the cars by Con-Cor, this modern train can be modeled in HO. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.

Modeling an Engine Terminal

The author built a small diesel engine terminal, which consists of an engine house, a fuel stand, a sand tower, and a sand house. He describes how he prepared the track area, and how he built the various structures including a utility pole. Includes some sketch diagrams.

Modeling an F2A and B Set for the Atlantic Coast Line

Prototype photos as well as model photos are included in this article about the EMD locomotives. There are also construction/detailing and paint masking photos of the models.

Modeling an HO scale PRR Fairbanks-Morse C-Liner

The author describes how he super-detailed the Life-Like Proto 1000 model. Includes prototype and model photos, including close-ups of construction details and detail drawings.

Modeling an Illinois Central Boxcar

Building a replica of the IC's 11280 boxcar. Mostly text, not many step-by-step photos.

Modeling an Irving Gas Station

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this Canadian gas station that looks like any small-town one. Includes a prototype photo, construction photos, scaled drawings, and a materials list.

Modeling an LIRR MP15AC

After a brief history of the LIRR, the author describes how he used an Athearn MP15AC to model this engine. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as a parts list.

Modeling an ND and NDa Cabin Car

The author describes the last of the four-wheeled "bobber" cabin cars. He uses an older wooden HO-scale kit to built his model. Includes several prototype photos, drawings, and many model photos.

Modeling an NYC m.u. Coach

The author describes how he converted a Branchline 80-foot coach kit into this powered coach. Includes a prototype photo, scaled drawing, and construction photos.

Modeling an Old-time Feed Mill

Prototype and model photos of a feed mill. Includes scale drawing and construction photos.

Modeling an SD60

Using an Athearn GP50 to build this model. Includes prototype photos, unit roster, modification diagrams and photos, and parts list.

Modeling an SP B39-8 and a Cotton Belt Dash 8-40B

After a brief history, the author describes how he used unpowered Rail Power Products Dash 8-40B for the shell and an Athearn GP50 for the drive mechanism to model both of these engines. Includes model and prototype photos, and a parts list.

Modeling ATSF SD45B Units

The author describes how he started off with a Rail Power SD45 shell and an Athearn frame, along with many other parts to build this model.

Modeling Back Stairs

In addition to several prototype photos, the article also includes model photos of how the author added exterior stairs to the buildings.

Modeling Board-and-Batten Structures

Creating homes and a church using either basswood or styrene. Detailed instructions, many photos, and a scale diagram for the church.

Modeling C&NW and CSX SD60's

Includes parts list, model and prototype photos for superdetailing models for this modern prototype.

Modeling California's Sugar Beet Industry

The history and current state of the sugar beet industry is discussed in this article. Also included are scale drawings of a beet dump and loader located along the SP RR in San Ardo, CA. This article also describes the special beet gondolas used to transport the cargo. The article wraps up with information about how to model the structures, the cars, and the beets.

Modeling Chain-link Fencing

Using lacy netting, the author describes how he makes realistic-looking fencing.

Modeling China's - and Now Iowa's - Mighty QJ 2-10-2's

These engines were brought to the U.S. for possible tourist service from China. The article includes prototype photos of the engines in their native China and now in Iowa. The second half of the article covers how to model this engine using the Bachmann HO-scale model.

Modeling City Alleyways

The author describes how he modeled an alleyway at the backs of businesses. Also covers making the street surface, adding foundations to existing buildings, and making electricity poles with wiring. Includes many photos and a parts list. There is also a sidebar on how to make street lamp shades.

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.

Modeling Congressional/Senator Parlor Cars

Information about these cars, as well as how to model one.

Modeling Consumers Fuel

Consumers Fuel Co. is based in Martinburg, W. Va. The author build a selectively compressed model of the collection of structures. A prototype layout plan is provided. Scale drawings and possible trackplans are included.

Modeling Country Fences

The author presents ideas for modeling a stone fence using pieces of cork, and post fences using twigs with holes drilled in them for the barb wire.

Modeling Cowl-Length REA Delivery Trucks

REA would use old, but functional trucks during busy times, so one would see Model T delivery trucks into the 1950s sometimes. This article covers how to kitbash a Jordan 1929 REA Ford. Also discussed are how to model a 1/35 Chevrolet truck, and an S-scale REA truck. The article includes lots of model photos.

Modeling Deciduous Trees Using Furnace Filters and Weeds

The author takes us step-by-step through the process of making trees from furnace filter material, and how to make palm-flower trees.

Modeling DT & I's Distinctive GP9's

Adding cab details, painting, decal lettering, and weathering. Prototype and model photos.

Modeling Erie's 28th Street Terminal

Using two doors, the author modeled a slightly compressed version of the terminal. Includes prototype and model photos, and a track plan (of the prototype and the final model).

Modeling Farm Building

The author used his in-laws' real farm in Minnesota as a go-by for building this model. There are many prototype photos and scale drawings accompanying the article. The large article also covers creating and installing crops of soybeans.

Modeling from the Prototype

The author describes his visit to Joe Heumphreus' 15'x20' Sierra Railway layout. Includes many photos of the layout and the equipment run on it, as well as a track plan.

Modeling from the Prototype

This article covers Bill Kachel's Pennsylvania Railroad Cosmopolitan Division. It measures 52' x 88' and is set in 1965. After the basic introduction, this article is a photo essay documenting the layout.

Modeling Georgia in the 1940's

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

Modeling Grade Crossings

The article covers all the parts that make up a grade crossing, with prototype spacings and distances between the various components. Scale drawings are included for the crossing signals and gates.

Modeling Green Mountain Rwy. Caboose No. 50

Reworking a brass caboose.

Modeling HO Pennsylvania Railroad Position List Signals Part 3

This installment covers some variations on the basic single-arm PL mast signal. Includes model and prototype photos, wiring diagrams, prototype engineering drawing of the signal head, and some model construction photos.

Modeling Illinois Central's 2-Stall Engine House

Prototype and modeling photos.

Modeling J.B. Hunt and Schneider Navistar International 9700s

Using the Walthers cab-over tractors kit, the author built two models. Includes super-detailing parts list and some model photos.

Modeling L&HR's RS3's

This article describes the history of the Lehigh & Hudson River Railway's RS3s and how to model them using an Atlas engine. Includes prototype and model photos, and a parts list.

Modeling Leased SD90MAC's on Vermont's Green Mountain Rwy.

Article includes prototype and model photos. After discussing the prototype, the article describes how to model this locomotive using Kato's SD80MAC and SD90/43MAC.

Modeling Less-common Tank Cars

Kitbashing and scratchbuilding were needed to build a unique tank car. Details construction photos accompany the article, as well as a parts list.

Modeling Louisville & Nashville Phase 2 GP30's

Prototype and model photos. Includes a materials list.

Modeling Maine Central's Phase 3 RS3

Model and prototype photos. Many detail installation and construction photos.

Modeling Northern Pacific Trains 57 and 58

Number 57 left Duluth with the North Coast Limited and returned as number 58. The author started with Model Power's USRA Light Pacific. Article includes model and prototype photos, scale drawings and detail close-ups.

Modeling Pennsy's Class P70gsR Coach

As part of the Cincinnati Limited, the author describes the prototype car, and shows how he modeled it.

Modeling Pennsy's Class POS211 Observation

The author kitbashed a Rivarossi observation car body and Laser Horizons' side panels. Covers the history and includes a prototype photo.

Modeling Pennsylvania Railroad EMD SW7 & SW9 Switchers

The author describes a bit of history about these two switchers, and then describes how he modeled them. For the SW7 he used an undecorated Athearn model as a starting point. For the SW9 he used the Life-Like Proto2000 PRR model. The article includes model photos, detail drawings, prototype photos of both engines, and tables listing the PRR roster of both engines.

Modeling Philadelphia & Reading "Russian Decapod" No. 1127

Article includes history of the 2-10-0 destined for Russia in the early 1900s. 200 of these didn't make it there, so the article covers where they ended up and more specifically covers the P&R 1127. Includes many prototype photos. Many close-up photos of the modifications made to the model are also included.

Modeling PRR L1S #520

The author starts with modeling the 90F81A BLI L1S tender.

Modeling PRR Telegraph & Signal Department Relay Cases and Battery Boxes in HO Scale Part 1

The series starts off by covering battery boxes, which housed the batteries to power nearby signals, crossing gates, flashers, and other electrical devices. Includes many model and prototype photos, scaled drawings, and instructions for how to model them in HO-scale.

Modeling PRR's Unique Class X42 Mail Storage Cars

The X42 60-foot box car was used to store mail (pre-sorted and bagged). The author describes how he built the Funaro&Camerlengo resin kit of this car.

Modeling Pulpwood Loads

The author describes how to find the proper logs out in the backyard, how to prepare them, and how to install them on a bulkhead car. Includes a sidebar on how pulpwood is moved by rail in the real world.

Modeling Realistic Pulpwood

Prototype and model photos of pulpwood stacks and transportation.

Modeling Realistic Water Scenes Take Two

The author describes how he modeled slower-moving water ways on his layout, including covering the construction of the abutments and the bridges that go over them. Includes many construction photos.

Modeling Ridge Shingles

The author shows and describes how to use automotive putty to model ridge shingles on the roof line.

Modeling Seaboard Coast Line E3/E6 No. 501

The author describes how he kit-bashed a Broadway Limited E6 A-unit. Includes a number of prototype photos, many construction photos, and a parts list.

Modeling Secondhand Parlor Cars for the LIRR

In 1961 the LIRR bought 26 heavy-weight parlor car from its parent the PRR. These were re-painted. Some PRR-leased cars were also used (kept in the PRR color scheme). The author describes how he modeled them using Walthers' cars. Includes LIRR and PRR prototype photos, and a couple of completed model photos.

Modeling Slate Roofs

The author describes where slate roofs are found, how the roofs are made, and how to model them.

Modeling Soo Line 2600-series Milk Cars

These ten cars were built in 1924. The author built his model from a flat car kit, a roof from another kit, and scratchbuilt the main body. Many prototype and model construction photos, as well as scale drawings are included.

Modeling Southern Pacific's GP38-2

The author started with an Athearn GP38-2 model and super-detailed it. Includes detailing diagram and model photos.

Modeling Southern Ry. 55-ton Offset Side Hoppers

These twin-bay steel hoppers are modeled by the author using an Athearn kit. The article includes prototype and model photos, and a parts list.

Modeling State Line Tunnel on the NEB&W

This article covers the construction of the tunnel. It includes prototype and modeled photos that share a striking resemblance.

Modeling Tarpaper Roofs

Information on how to use tissue paper to model weathered freight car roofs.

Modeling Tenements

Tenement housing provides opportunities for detailing. The article includes scale drawings, construction details, close-up photos, and a side-bar on how to make clothing.

Modeling the "Ma & Pa"

An 8' by 22' shelf layout set in 1946. Includes history about the Maryland and Pennsylvania railroad. The author covers how he built the layout and how it is operated.

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.

Modeling the B&O's St. George Float Bridge

The author built this bridge using slides he took in the 1970s before the bridge was removed. Includes prototype and model photos, scale drawings, complete construction details, and a sidebar on how to integrate a car float into layout operations.

Modeling the B-27 Baggage Car

Using the Model Railroad Warehouse etched brass sides and ends for the B-27 Horse-Baggage car, and several other parts, the author describes how he built this B&O car (some prototype history is included). Includes many construction photos.

Modeling The Belin Works Boiler House

The author continues the series by describing how he scratchbuilt the structure. Also includes one more prototype photo and a materials list.

Modeling the Boone, Iowa, Yard Office

Prototype and modeling photos, as well as scale drawings of this modern-day structure owned by the UP. It houses the yardmaster's office, crew quarters, and training center for new employees.

Modeling the Class T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4 5523 Part 1

This article starts off describing how the author built this engine from a Bowser boiler and a PennLine chassis and tender. Includes construction photos as well as detail drawings.

Modeling the Class T1 Duplex 4-4-4-4 5523 Part 2

This installment covers building the tender, painting, weathering, and applying decals (including drawings of prototype placement of the decals), and installing wiring, DCC, and lighting.

Modeling the EBT's Stone Yard Office

This structure was originally built as a farmhouse, but was soon after converted to the yard offices for the EBT's yard in Orbisonia, PA. The author describes how he took the photos, converted those photos to HO-scale, and constructed the model from those drawings. The walls were cast in plaster, and he even copied the exact layout of the random stones. A sidebar on how to scratchbuild double-hung windows is included. There are many prototype and model construction photos accompanying this article.

Modeling the Holiday Season

The author presents the various solutions her and her husband have found to temporarily decorate their HO-scale layout for the Christmas holidays. Ideas include wreaths, garland, blow-up yard decorations, street light decorations, a lit Christmas tree, hanging signs, town square display, and figures.

Modeling the Ibex Tipple

The author describes how he built the tipple. Includes model and prototype photos, and scale drawings.

Modeling the Ill-fated PRR/New Haven Federal of January 15, 1953 Part 1

After describing the historical event, the author covers how he modeled the passenger cars that were part of the train.

Modeling The Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part 1

This article covers many steam locomotives of the CNJ. It contains many prototype photos, and a track diagram of the Wilkes-Barre Mountain area. A sidebar discusses the details of a CNJ Mikado.

Modeling the Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part I

The author describes how he converted a Broadway Limited USRA Heavy Mikado into a model of this locomotive. The articles includes a parts list, modeling photos (including intermediate modifications).

Modeling The Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part II

This installment of the article concludes by discussing the tender, its sound system, added details, and painting and lettering.

Modeling the M&StL Through Mason City Part II

The author describes how he was committed to modeling this town using the actual trackplan. Prototype and model photos are includes, as well as prototype trackplans for the diesel house and the depot area. The layout trackplan is also included. Finally, he covers the three "jobs" in how the layout (and the prototype) is operated.

Modeling the Matchless Mine

Modeling a small mine complex. Includes prototype and model photos, including scale drawings.

Modeling the Milwaukee Road's SD10

The author used an Athearn SD9 model to create a copy of this engine. Includes the prototype's history, roster, photos, as well as model photos and parts list.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Box Car Fleet Part 8

This installment covers modeling the PRR's X26c using the Sunshine resin kit. Includes model and prototype photos, service information,

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Box Car Fleet Part 8A

This installment focuses on the Pennsy's X26c kit by Funaro & Camerlengo. Includes model and prototype photos.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Box Car Fleet Part 9

Discusses the PRR's X37b class using the Sunshine resin kit. Includes a full description of the prototype, with photos of the prototype and the model.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Flat Car Fleet

This installment covers modeling the F30 class. Includes prototype and model photos. The author took a brass F31 model and cut it to the right length to model the F30.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 18

Prototype and research information, as well as information about how to build a model in HO-scale of the PRR's G28.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 18

This is a repeat of an earlier article.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 19

This installment covers updates regarding the G31A, G31B, G31D, and G35 classes. Includes several prototype photos, and model super-detailing close-ups.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 2

This installment covers the GR and three-foot longer GRa. These were created around the 1900s and most were retired by the 1950s. It was essentially a flat car with wooden side extensions. Includes model photos, original scale drawing, and complete description of the construction of the Funaro & Camerlengo resin kit. The GRa model is built from a Westerfield kit.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 2

This installment covers the PRR's GR and GRa classes of gondolas. Several HO-scale models are mentioned as possible models, but the Funaro & Camerlengo resin kit is the one used in this article. F&C also made an S-scale model of this kit. Includes many construction photos.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 3

This installment covers the class GS and GSh, which were built between 1902 and 1909 and retired into the 1940s and 1950s. They were short (40-ft) cars. The article describes how the author modeled these cars using HO-scale resin kits from several manufacturers.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 4

This installment covers the G22 class (including various sub-classes) of these 46-foot gondolas.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 5

This installment covers the G24 class, which includes prototype photos and drawings and model photos of the PSC HO-scale model.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 6

This installment covers the G25 class of gondolas. Includes prototype information, a diagram, and one photo. The rest of the article reviews the Westerfield and Walthers models and what the author did to improve them.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad's Gondola Fleet Part 7

This installment covers the G26 class gondolas, the first of the 65-foot long ones. After a good-sized historical account of this class of car, the author describes his building of the Eastern Car Works HO-scale kit.

Modeling the Piggyback Cars of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western

Building the flat cars from parts of other kits.

Modeling the PRR Boxcar Fleet Part 3A

Describes how the author created an accurate model of this car. The article includes many large close-up photos, a scale drawing of the prototype car, and a sidebar and what models are available in HO, N, and O-scale.

Modeling the PRR F30E

The author shows how he scratchbuilt one of these cars. Includes model photos and construction detail drawings.

Modeling the Rutland's 70-tonner in HO Scale

The author used a Bachmann GE 70-tonner for this project. The article covers detailing and painting the engine, and installing DCC and sound. One prototype photo and a parts list are also included.

Modeling the Shamokin Yard and Railroad Facilities

The author shares information about how he is modeling the yard in his 50'x23' layout. Includes prototype and model photos. as well as the track plan.

Modeling the SPSF Meadow Subdivision

The author's layout is built around the theme of the SP and SF's merger being approved (it was rejected in the real world). The layout measures 34'x30', and the article includes a track plan and many photos.

Modeling the Steel Business

This article describes what makes iron and steel manufacturing a good candidate for modeling, and what it takes to plan a steel mill-based layout. It describes the basics of a steel mill, what types of cars are used, and which materials are needed, processed, and produced,

Modeling the Stone Avenue Depot Part One

This installment starts off the project of building a model of this depot made out of hydrocal castings. Although the focus is the depot, it is actually a good article on how to make castings.

Modeling the Stone Avenue Depot Part Two

The final installment covers completing the construction of the entire depot.

Modeling the Yosemite Valley in HO Scale

A complete tour, with lots of photos, of the layout. Includes track plans and prototype photos.

Modeling Those Green M&St.L Boxcars

The M&St.L had 700 boxcars built in 1952 that were painted a signature green. In addition to the history, the author also describes how to model this car.

Modeling Tight Lock Fence Wire

This article describes how the author builds HO-scale tight lock fences. Includes prototype photos and photos of the construction of the fence (including a jig).

Modeling Tips for Attaching Freight Car Running Boards

This is a sidebar to a larger article, in which the author describes the finer details about how to properly attach a running board (a.k.a. roof walk) to a box car. Also described are how to install the end supports and straps, as well as grab irons.

Modeling Track

The author shows how to make a Peco turnout look more realistic.

Modeling Track

George shows and describes how he colors flextrack ties and rails, applies ballast, and weathers track. Includes several model and many prototype photos.

Modeling Track Scales

How to build a model of a narrow gauge track scale. Includes how to glue down track using Walthers Goo.

Modeling Two Distinct Central Vermont GP9's

Super-detailing and installing DCC and sound in two GP9's. Article shows many close-up photos, as well as a diagram for a brake cylinder pipe bending jig.

Modeling Two Versions of Burlington Northern SD60Ms

Model and prototype photos.

Modeling United Electric Railways Flat Motor No. 1534

Modeling this motor car is a challenge since it is basically a flat car with two small cabins on top, with mostly open space. The author accomplished this using a NWSL Sagami motor mounted under the frame. Photos of part close-ups are included.

Modeling Water with Plexiglass

The author describes building a low-height trestle bridge that runs across a lake. Includes photos of the entire construction process.

Modeling Western Mountain Railroad Operations

A large layout in moderate space. The scenery reaches floor to ceiling. A huge helix dominates the space representing logging industry.

Modeling with Nut-bolt-washer Castings

The author describes how to work with these nbw castings, and how to install them with greater success. A trestle bridge bent is used as an example in this article.

Modernize a Bachmann 89-foot Auto Transporter

The author describes how he improved and modernized the Bachmann auto transporter car to better fit in the 1970s or 80s. Includes prototype photos of many railroads' cars.

Modernizing an Intermountain PRR G24 Gondola in HO scale

The Intermountain kit was for the as-built, composite, version of the car, so that author describes how he modified it to have steel sides, as that was done in the PRR during the 1930s. He shows how he modified the car, using brass for the new sides, adding Archer 3D rivets, and added weight to the model.

Modifications to the IHC Log Car

Houston, East and West Texas Railroad log car. Includes prototype and model photos.

Modifying the BLI I1SA Models to Represent Locomotives Operated on the Shamokin Branch in the 1950s

The author describes how he modified the BLI models to accurately represent the engines he found in the book on the branch. Includes model and prototype photos, and a parts list.

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.

Modular Railroading with the Four County Society of Model Engineers

Although this large article contains many beautiful photographs of the club's various modules, the main crux of the text covers the pro's and con's of club memberships, how to form a modular club, and how the club's standards were formed. Quite a bit of text is devoted to how modules are constructed and transported.

Modular Signals

Using 14-pin header plugs and DIP sockets (used for integrated circuits) to make it easy to remove signals for dusting and layout maintenance without having to worry about the wiring.

Moore's Modern Mill

The author shows how he built a freelanced feed mill from scratch for very little money. Structure includes a covered driveway, transformer posts and platform, and is accompanied by scale drawings.

More About Plaster

The author is learning how to cast structures in plaster, and this month's experience includes building a masonry building. The finished model is beautiful.

More Convenient Loco Storage

The author describes how he built a storage case for each locomotive, so that they can be driven onto and off of it onto the layout without needing to touch the engines. Includes many construction and usage photos.

Mormon Rocks

Creating a 3D backdrop of the famous Mormon Rocks, Utah. Includes step-by-step photos of how the author built this scene.

Morning at Mac Street

This article is a "railfan" view of Jim's layout, with lots of close-up photos. Includes a lower-level revision track plan.

Motor and Locomotive Speeds

The author shows how to accurately measure and calculate an engine's scale model speed.

Mount Gilead, a Town on the Move

Designs for various custom modules that allow the author to build a layout that can be moved.

Moving a Reefer Block on the Silver Palace Line

A layout that fills an entire room, except for access holes.

Moving Targets

This article describes how the author built moving switch stand targets. The only restriction is that the targets are not on the turnout's headblocks. It includes construction diagrams and photos.

MR Workshop

Bob Opie shares his construction of a track cleaning car that uses two blocks of wooden on trucks, with a block freely sliding vertically in between them, with a rubber band providing the downward pressure, which does the actual track cleaning work. The block can be Homasote or a Bright Boy.

Mr. Rogers' Trolley

The author talks about how he got some model railroading to appear in the popular children's show. He describes how the trolley was built.

MTH PRR H10s in HO Scale

The author's review of this model starts off with stating that MTH does not work the PRRT&HS Modeling Committee, which results in a model that isn't quite as accurate as the HO-scale Broadway Limited Imports' H10s model, where the Committee's advice was sought. The MTH model has some innovative features that are covered in the article. A listing of the inaccuracies are made in the article, with ideas on how to resolve those, if the modeler is interested. The article comes with a lot of close-up photos.

MTH PRR Work Equipment

This article covers the PRR's Jordan spreader and Russell Single-Track snow plows. Includes model and prototype photos.

My First Model

The author built four versions of the grain mill (in S- and HO-scale) until he was happy with it. He describes how he built the model shown in the photo.

My Turnout Scratchbuilding Journey

The author shares the mistakes he made and what he did to correct them in building his first hand-made turnout. He consulted both Charlie Comstock's video and the Fast Track turnout templates.

My Visit to the Legendary Gorre & Daphetid

The author shares photos and his impressions as a visitor (and photographer and operator) of this famous layout. Bob's own Sn3 layout has some influences of John's layout in it, shown in a sidebar.

New Badger Creek Lumber Co.

Lots of model photos.

New Decks for the F34 Flat Car

The author shares how he created etched brass decking for the F34 car.

New England Enginehouse

This scratchbuilt structure provides a single-stall for a steam-era enginehouse, which includes a small repair shed. The author details how he built the walls to give them strength, while still maintaining the board-by-board construction look. Scale drawings are included.

New England in a (Big) Bedroom

A large bedroom track plan modeling the Housatonic's Canaan to Pittsfield line.

New Machinery for a Damaged Brass Pacific

The author describes how he replaced the frame and mechanism of a badly-behaving brass locomotive with Bowser parts.

New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

New Sound System Enhances Broadway Limited HO Scale PRR I1sa 2-10-0

In addition to the engines review, the article also includes a brief history of this locomotive.

New Splash of Color for CSX Locomotives

Building and painting a B36-7. Includes prototype and model photos, and a parts list for super-detailing the model.

NKP's Wood Caboose

Background information about the radio-equipped wood cabooses, followed by how the author modified his Overland brass model.

Non-flicker Lighting for Passenger Cars

After setting up the requirements for their lighting system, the author set out to design, build, and test the components. The result is a design can be adjusted for each individual passenger car, is economical, and is truly flicker-free. Includes a parts list, and how to wire up a passenger car truck for electrical pick-up.

Nordi's Garage

The articles shows how the author constructed an automobile garage based on the one in Troy, New York. Includes a prototype photo, model photos, scaled drawings, detail drawings, and color signs for the building (HO-scale).

Norfolk & Western Coal Battleship Gondolas

These cars were built by the N&W in 1920 and had a 100-ton capacity. The article includes scale drawings, and two model photos.

Northern Pacific RS-3 no. 852

The author converts an undecorated Atlas RS-3 into a model of this locomotive. Article includes prototype photos and model details.

Nostalgic Warehouse

The author describes how he built this heavy weathered fertilizer warehouse modeled after one in Ringoes, N.J. Includes models photos and scale drawings.

Nut-Bolt-Washers

This article covers how to better install the NBW castings.

Oh #@*%, a flat!

In this brief article, which includes one model photo, the author describes how he modeled a scene where the Model T owner is looking on his flat tire, with emphasis on how to properly make the tire look flat.

Old But Still Superior

The author describes how he kitbashed the Superior Sandwich Factory structure.

On the Beam (Gotta' Dance)

Bridge construction

Once-a-year Layout

Why go through all the effort to make benchwork, when you can lay all the track on a wooden floor in a spare room. The author describes how he helps his son build a track plan that can have multiple trains running.

One Module Challenge Grand Prize Winner

Having won the annual TOMA challenge, the author, a professional railroad, describes his module, how he built it, and how it will fit into his eventual whole-room layout. Includes track plans, and a cost break-down of the module's construction.

Operating Gates of Industrial Spurs

A brief description of a diagram that shows how to using a fascia-mounted push-pull knob to open and close gates on a spur.

Operational Large-scale Switch Stands

The author scratchbuilt a number of large-scale-like switch stands to actually control the turnouts on his layout. They operate like the real thing. The author cautions that these only work on hing-type turnouts, and not on continuous-rail turnouts. Includes many construction diagrams, including jigs.

Operations in Allagash Country

The author shares his experience holding operating sessions on his layout. Includes many photos of his layout.

Operations on Gil Freitag's Stony Creek & Western

After an introduction to Gil Freitag and his layout, the author covers how Gil treats operating his layout. Includes a track plan of Gil's layout, and lots of photos of his fantastic models.

Other Double-Switches

Other track configurations that accomplish the same thing as a double-switch, but they do take up more space.

Our Seaboard Central Part 1

The Model Railroader magazine staff built this layout in front of a live audience at the 50th anniversary of the NMRA. The new 4'-7" x 8'-6" layout is intended to extend the Kitty Hawk Central they covered starting with the December, 1981 issue of MR. The article includes behind-the-scenes photos, a track plan, and discusses the construction of the bench work, track and wiring. It also includes sidebars on creating and installing end-of-train devices, and the construction of their simple switch machine.

P.J. Mattson's Raccoon Valley Railroad

This large, double-deck layout covers over 42 feet by more than 20 feet. There is a lot of traffic on this layout. Includes many photos and a trackplan.

Paint Shop

This issue's column discusses how the author painted a SCL GP38 using the "Family Lines System" logo on a three-color paint scheme.

Paint Shop: Seattle & North Coast EMD Switcher

Information about painting this model

Painted-on Wall Signs

The author describes how to accomplish the same painted-on signs look on buildings like George Selios does.

Painting a Brass Steam Locomotive

The author takes you through all the steps required to paint a brass steam locomotive.

Painting and Detailing a Southern Pacific SW1500

Taking an Athearn model, and adding some details, produced a model of this engine. Parts list included as well as some model photos.

Painting and Weathering Plaster

Various stages of painting and weathering are shown for modeling brick and stones.

Painting Faded Signs

Using press-on lettering and a couple of airbrushing techniques, the author shows how to model faded signs on brick buildings.

Painting Wheelsets

The author shares his method for painting wheelsets with an airbrush, but with no masking required.

Painting Wooden Freight Car Floors

The author shows techniques for painting plastic models such that their floors look like they're made from wood using an airbrush. Very realistic looking.

Paper-leafed Deciduous Trees

Using punchings from check-cancelling machines in banks, the author makes leafs for his trees. The tree trunks are made from natural plant materials.

Passenger Cars Part 1

The article is about building the cars you want for your fleet by combining unique sides with common carbodies. The author started with an HO-scale Eastern Car Works car, removed the molded-on details, added the new sides, updated the underbody detail, installed grab irons, added an interior, painted and applied decals, and installed diaphragms and window shades.

Passenger Servicing Facilities Part 3

Their construction on your railroad. Model photos. Cleaning Passenger Cars.

Passenger Station for Grand Riviere

The author used three kits to make a unique building that resembles two structures on the Alaska RR. Includes cut list, parts list, and detailed construction notes.

Pekin Pellston & Peoria RR

Pelle Soeborg's Daneburg Subdivision

ExactRail acquired Pelle's layout, who shipped it from Denmark. Includes many photos and a track plan.

Peninsula Club's New HO Layout

This 30' by 60' layout was being built by the Peninsula Model Railroad Club at the San Mateo (California) County Fair Grounds. The handlaid track is code 70. The photos include ones of unfinished areas so that we can see their benchwork.

Pennsy Shark Attack

The author modified a Model Power model, which is a PRR RF-16 version, to model a PRR FR-15 one. Includes detail photos and diagrams, and a parts list.

Pennsylvania Class X23 Boxcar

The author improves the Cannonball Car Shops' kit, which has some issues that don't compare well with the prototype. The article includes a bit of history on this car built by the PRR starting in 1912 (over 7,000 of them). Model construction photos and diagrams, as well as a parts list are included. Also included is one prototype photo and scaled drawings.

Pennsylvania Open-top Stock Car

The PRR didn't have many stock cars, but the one the author built fits in the 1900s time frame. He built one in HO scale and one in 3/8" scale, Gauge 1. Includes a bit of history, model photos, construction photos, and construction and scale drawings.

Pennsylvania RR's ACF 44-seat P85B coaches

This article describes this particular passenger. There is a paragraph at the end on how to model it in HO-scale. Includes one prototype photograph and scaled diagrams.

Pennsylvania X45 50' Boxcars

After a brief history of this car, the author describes how he modified an Accurail's 50' AAR car to build his model. Includes many model and prototype photos, and a sidebar called the "Guide to PRR Boxcar Lettering Schemes".

Period Crossing Signal

Building a freelanced crossing signal intended for a turn-of-the-century layout.

Perry Shibbel Fruit & Produce Co-Op

This is a kitbash based on the F&M Schaefer Brewery kit first marketed by AHM.

Personalize Your People

The author suggests that we should spend some extra time on our figures to make them be positioned in a pose other than the way the manufacturer produced them, and painted in a different style. European figures can be Americanized. Lots of tips on how to do these, as well as a good number of photos of examples.

Pine Tree Art

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

Planning a "Walk-in Island"

The author describes why he designed his layout the way he did featuring the PRR's Shamokin branch. It is an island design with several peninsulas.

Plastic Pipe Roadbed

Using 1/2" inner-diameter PVC pipe to form the basis of the roadbed, which allows for natural easements in all three directions.

Plastic Surgery for Plastic People

The author describes the ways he modifies figures to fit the scenes.

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.

Port of Los Angeles Project Railroad Part 1

This 30" by 6-foot module seems to relay the busy L.A. port in a modern-day setting. The busy trackwork allows plenty of switching. It is designed to fit most HO-scale modular layout standards. The author built it on a movable cart for easy transport. Many construction photos are included, as are a trackplan and completed layout photos. There is a sidebar on the author's checklist of the do's and don't's of layout design

Port of Los Angeles Project Railroad part 2

This module has lots of track and serves at least five industries. This installment covers cutting up commercial turnouts to make them fit, how to deal with rail size differences (code 100 to 83), wiring, switch stands, how to make roads, and how to have track buried in pavement.

Port of Los Angeles Project Railroad part 4

This final installment covers installing the removable liquid bulk terminal, adding details, using European kits, fencing, dirt, ballast, backdrop installation, and a sidebar on painting and weathering.

Powering the Turntable at New Lisbon

The author wanted a simple turntable driver, so he uses a reversible 24-volt 2rpm DC timer motor, which is controlled with two pushbuttons. Includes model photos and detail drawings.

Preparing a Brass Diesel for Painting and Operation

This article describes how the author painted an HO-scale Hallmark Santa Fe GP50. Before painting the author stresses making sure the model is a good runner by discussing couplers, tracking and traction, electrical pickup, and thinking about super-detailing. The "Paint Shop" column on page 114 of this issue shows the final result and includes painting instructions.

Presentation Car 422

Photos of a scene on Maynard Mitchell's C&NW Eagle River Valley, Wisconsin, railroad under construction.

Product Review

Jim provides a history of the RS-1 and then reviews the performance of the Kato HO-scale model.

Product Review

Revised Metroliner diaphragm by Shapeways, and Rapido's PRR F30A, F30D, and F30G ready-to-run flat cars.

Product Review

Reviewed is Walthers Proto PRR Class PS6L.

Product Review: BLI's PRR BF-16's in HO Scale

The author reviews the Broadway Limited Imports, LLC's recently-released HO-scale version of the Baldwin RF16A and RF16B freight locomotives. These locomotives include improvements over earlier models from other manufacturers such as correct nose contours, factory applied Trainphone apparatus and more details and features than the prior models. The article includes a brief historical overview of the prototype engines. Prototype and model photos are included to compare their details

Product Review: Rapido PRR X31A Boxcars

Includes model and prototype photos.

Progress Report on the Franklin & South Manchester

Completion of South Manchester is covered in this article. Trackplan and many (large) layout photos accompany the article.

Protect That Intersection

Adding animated lights via street traffic signals. The author uses LEDs to create HO-scale single-head, two-head, and overhead traffic lights. Construction and final product photos are included. Also covered is the construction of the electronic circuit that drives the traffic lights (both home-made and ready-made circuit boards and parts are discussed, including parts lists), how to power the circuit, and wiring the traffic lights.

Protofile Part 60

This installment covers the Soo Line "Super Jumbo PS-2" covered hopper. Includes a prototype and a model photo, and a parts list.

Protofile Part 61

This installment covers the Souther Pacific cushion underframe boxcars and how to model them.

Protofile: Modeling a U.S. Leasing Airslide Covered Hopper part 62

This article covers the Rock Island covered hopper, and the author shows how he modeled one starting with a Eastern Car Works Airslide covered hopper kit. Includes model and prototype photos, as well as one drawing.

Prototype Scenes, Freelanced Layout

This 19' by 34' layout features the fictional merger of 5 eastern railroads set in eastern Pennsylvania in the late 1960s to early 1970s. The father and son team Bill and Steve Brown worked on this layout for over a decade.

PRR 32' TrucTrain Tandem Axle Closed Van Trailers

After a few prototype photos and some history behind these two-axle trailers, the author describes how he modeled them. Includes several model construction photos and diagrams.

PRR class GLa hopper car: HO scale

The author reviews the HO-scale GLa hopper kits produced by Bowser after a description of the prototype cars. Includes one model and one prototype photo.

PRR Class H30 Three-Bay Covered Hopper Part 1

The author describes improvements he has made to the Bowser model. A large part of the article is to simulate shadow-lines on the model, because our models are seldom viewed under ideal lighting conditions.

PRR Dennison, Ohio Oil House

The author scratchbuilt a compressed model of the Dennison, Ohio oil house from drawings found at the PRRT&HS archives.

PRR G22 Gondola Subway Adaptor Cars

These were special cars for moving standard-gauge subway cars within regular freight trains. The shows how he built his, after introducing the prototype information and photos.

PRR G24 Gondola Modernization in N Scale

Much like the previous article, this one covers the conversion applied to an Intermountain N-scale version.

PRR H25 "Sawtooth" Quad Hopper

After a bit of history behind the development of this particular hopper, the author builds his models from an Athearn 40-foot, 70-ton quad hopper (the two center hoppers have to be reworked). Prototype, and model and construction photos are includes, as well as a part list.

PRR H30 Covered Hopper

Product review of the HO-scale by Rail Shop, which starts off with prototype information about this car, and then covers the construction of the kit.

PRR H30 Covered Hopper Model: HO Scale

This is a product review of the Bowser model. It also includes quite a bit of history on the prototype car, including the N&W similar cars. Includes one model photo of the completed car.

PRR Modeling Featured at Chicagoland RPM

A photo essay of PRR models shown at the Chicagoland RPM.

PRR Standard Highway Overpasses

Covers the standard PRR highway-over-track bridges. Many good-quality close-up prototype photos show the construction and design of these bridges. Includes scale diagrams and step-by-step instructions on how to build one in HO-scale.

PRRPro Class X31 Preliminary Feature

Includes only model photos.

Publisher's Musings

Joe is actually dismantling his Siskiyou Line layout.

Publisher's Musings

The author is considering not using any under-the-layout turnout throwing mechanisms for his new layout, but rather flicking the turnout by hand using an embedded spring. Power-routing will be done with frog juicers.

Publisher's Musings

The author shares his progress of dismantling his current layout.

Publisher's Musings

Layout design with the "shadowbox" look.

Publisher's Musings

The author makes an argument for larger layouts, and how one might approach building a satisfying layout that grows over time.

Publisher's Musings

The author introduces himself as the editor-at-large for the magazine.

Quarry Critter

Using a Funaro & Camerlengo Plymouth switcher, the author built a static model of a quarry critter.

Quick and Easy Flextrack

Using DAP All Purpose Adhesive Caulk or topper tape to more quickly lay flextrack (the tape provides a sub-roadbed).

Quick Upgrades for the Walthers B60b

The author discusses the changes he made to this model to make it even more accurate. Includes lots of model photos.

Rail Lines to the Shoreline

This article focuses on the ships used to transport goods that are carried by rail on land. It covers sea-going vessels, coastal vessels, harbor craft, car floats, and piers and cranes.

Railfanning on the Feather River Route

This article describes Jim Pendley's 20'x46' layout which has as its focal point a replica of the Southern Pacific's Keddie Wye. The article includes lots of high-quality photos of the layout and the equipment running on the layout. There is also a link to video taken of the layout.

Railfanning the Great Lakes Western

A visit to the PebbleCreek Model Railroad Club in Goodyear, AZ. Includes many photos of the layout, and one of their outdoor G-scale layout.

Railroading in 3-D... More of the Story

Railroading in a Drawer

The author built a pull-out drawer that acts as a staging yard. It is located under his layout and can hold entire trains. Lining up the drawer with the yard track allows trains to be moved into and out of storage. The article describes how he built the drawer and the electronics needed to show a green or red light indicating the status of the drawer alignment.

Railroading Salt Creek Style

This club layout resided in Elmhurst, IL. It features four levels and mostly scratchbuilt structures and vast scenery. The club's history is covered.

Railroading with Marklin

This layout features Marklin trains of European descent. The author started building the layout in 1977. It includes overhead catenary, and typical European scenery.

Rails on the Ceiling

The author describes his garage-based 7' x 16' layout that resides near the ceiling when not in use. Includes photos of the pulley system he built and many layout photos.

Rails Through Lake Country

The author discusses the trackplan he developed for the Northern Pacific in Minnesota layout.

Rapido PRR AS-18m in HO ScaleRapido PRR AS-18m in HO Scale

The author reviews the ALCo RS-11 (DL-701) freight road units. Includes model and prototype photos.

Ray's Bar

This fieldstone-covered small structure is made from Strathmore, balsa wood, and commercial doors and window castings. A scale drawing and some construction photos are included.

Re-paint the Athearn GATC 2600 Airslide Hopper

Painting, applying decals, and weathering of this car.

Re-work a Plastic Steam Locomotive

The author describes a series of compromises he had to make to eventually create a 2-6-0 engine that ran well on his layout. Includes lots of construction detail photos. Once the engine ran well, he added many details, many of which were built from scratch, such as the cylinders. Prototype WI&M photos are included at the end of the article.

Real Scrap Loads for your Gons

Using actual rust particles falling off of a car were used to show an empty gondola as having been recently used, but not quite cleared out.

Realistic Brick and Stone Buildings in 7 Steps

The author describes how she uses cosmetic sponges to paint and weather a South River Modelworks brick and stone structure.

Realistic Locomotive Assignments

The author followed prototype practices for operating his layout (featured in the August 1994 issue of Model Railroader). The article covers the research he did and has many photos of his layout.

Realistic Telegraph Poles

Using Rix green-tinted plastic crossarms, the author shows how he scratchbuilt telegraph poles. Includes the jig used, construction photos, and a prototype photo.

Rebuilding a Docksider

Redetailing a Sakura Docksider.

Rebuilding the White Mountain Branch

The author describes the process of removing a large section of his established layout and replacing it with some new, and the reason for doing this.

Recreating Wisconsin's Past

This article describes the METRO Model Railroad Club of Port Washington, Wisconsin. The double-decked layout fits inside about 50 feet by 16 feet. Includes lots of photos but no trackplan.

Red, White, and Blue - A Salute to EMD's SD40-2

Modeling SD40-2 in red CP Rail and blue Conrail.

Red-orange and White on "The Peoria Way"

Modifying and painting models of the Toledo, Peoria & Western GP38-2 diesels.

Refining Your Goals

This article is about Robert Hoffman and his desire to change the area he wanted to model. There isn't much information about Robert's layout in the article, but it describes some unique issues he dealt with, such as being able to have operations in the dark.

Remembering the Gorre & Daphetid Part 1

Full article on the now famous John Allen layout, with lots of photos (both color and black&white) taken by John himself (he was a professional photographer). The article includes a trackplan of the final G&D. Shown are the floor-to-ceiling scenery. The article also includes John's first 4x8 layout (track plan and photos).

Remembering the Gorre & Daphetid Part 2

In this installment, the author covers the large yard at Great Divide and the extensive locomotive servicing facilities located there, to provide the nucleus for an overview of John Allen's approach to the hobby, including the clever use of mirrors. Many black-and-white and color photos are included in this article, including under-construction photos and a track plan.

Remembering the Gorre & Daphetid Part 3

This installment covers some of the more spectacularly-scenicked areas of the layout are examined in detail, and the lighting effects, including "black light", are reviewed. Includes both black-and-white and colored photos, includes some under-construction photos showing the placement of the mirrors.

Remembering the Gorre & Daphetid Part 5

This final installment includes a closer look at the towns of Andrews and Port. Includes black-and-white and color photos.

Remembering the Louie

The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad's Thirteenth Sub. A point-to-point layout with four railroads.

Remotoring for Better Performance

The author describes how to remotor (mostly) steam models by AHM/Rivarossi, Athearn, Bowser, MDC, and Mantua (Tyco). An Athearn GP9 is also covered.

Removable Flat Car Loads

The article describes how the author was trying to model a single flat car and have its load be swapped out when it was supposed to return empty. This proved harder to do that originally thought because the deck was glued to the car's frame with superglue.

Renumbering Kato HO Locomotives

Renumbering a Kato Amtrak F40PH using Microscale's decal set.

Repair-in-Place Modeling

A handful of photos and a description of the author's RIP track scene.

Replacement Grain Hatches

Detailing hatches on covered grain hoppers.

Replacing Gears In an HO Lifelike Proto 2000

The Life-Like GP7 and GP9 are known to have gear problems. This article is about how to fix them. Includes step-by-step photos.

Repowering a B23-7 for the Emporia Sub

The author describes how he repowered E&P B23-7 engines with Atlas drive mechanisms.

Repowering an Alco Models NYC T-motor

This article describes how to convert a 1974 Alco Models locomotive to run much better using the Hollywood Foundry BullAnt drives. Includes prototype photos, and model construction photos and diagrams.

Repowering and Painting Pennsylvania R.R. MP54 Cars

The author describes how he upgraded a pair of old brass electric multiple-unit coaches. He used the NWSL PDT trucks for improved performance. Half of the article is devoted to accurately painting these models.

Repowering Mantua's Camelback Mikado

The author describes how he upgraded the engine's motor with a Sagami can motor.

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.

Resin Casting a 1920s Era Santa Fe Class RR. W Reefer

A step-by-step article describing how to author went from building the master to pouring the resin. The model is a 1927 reefer class RR.W with a distinctive ventilator hood designed by the Santa Fe. Also includes prototype photos.

Resistance Wheelsets

This article covers how to add resistance wheelsets so that freight cars' presence can be detected by electronic circuits.

Return to Allagash Country

A railfanning story with photos based on the author's layout.

Rich Sorensen's Wabash Valley R.R.

The 38' by 30' layout spread over four rooms in Rich's basement models the eastern mountains in West Virginia.

Right from the Start

The author described how he used the various modeling and design books out there to build his own 16 by 27 foot layout. He didn't start out with that size, though. Includes photos and a track plan of his layout, which is set between 1970 and 1990 in St. Louis County, Missouri.

Rio Grande Modernized Waycar

Rather than scratchbuilding models, we can modify existing models to more closely resemble the prototype, and then repaint them.

River City Western Railroad

Beautiful photos accompany this article about the River City Modelers Club's 41'x48' two-level layout.

RMC Railfan Trip on the Gorre & Daphetid

The RMC Staff and private car No. 4, the Ramsey, recently headed west for a fan trip over portions of the spectacular G&D in the Akinbak Mountains area. This is a photo article, which photos shot by John Allen himself, of the layout following a train around. The photos are large (a number are full-page) black-and-white ones showing the large vistas on John's layout.

RMC/Dremel Kit-bashing Award

John kitbashed several kits from different manufacturers to create this large Victorian-style passenger station/general headquarters building.

RMC/Dremel Kit-bashing Award

This model is of a retired NYC Alco FA. Part of the body has been removed and the interior engine compartment is visible on this partially demolished model.

RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award

The author created an SD9 from two Athearn GP0 shells.

RMC/Dremel Kitbashing Award

Some quick notes about how the Pacific Fast Mail Santa Fe 2-8-0 was converted into a 0-8-0.

Rob Spangler's Western Pacific 8th Sub

Done in an interview style. The article includes a track plan, many photos, and the author's commentary sprinkle in as sidebars.

Rock Island 17604 Caboose

Just a photo and a parts list for how to create one of these models using an Eastern Car Works kit.

Rock Island F7A Units

A couple of photos of the author's combining the Intermountain bodies and the Stewart chassis to build the engines.

Rock-fill Crib Walls

The author describes how to model crib walls as an alternative to sheer rock faces or brick retaining walls.

Rod Stewart's Three Rivers City

When I first saw Rod' layout in this issue, I was very impressed because it looks like something George Selios would do. It turns out he is one of Rod's idols. The article includes a track plan of this huge layout, and describes how Rod finds time to model, and how he is building his layout. Includes a side-bar on using LED lamps.

Roll Your Own Boxcar Door Battens

Battens were a large sheet of heavy paper nailed over the door opening which helped to protect cargo against damage from the weather, dust, and cinders. This article describes how to model them. Includes a copy of the AAR pamphlet from December 1941.

Rolling Stock Grade Brake

The author describes how he built a handbrake to hold a car on a grade.

Ron Christensen's C&NW and Milwaukee Railroad

A photo essay of the author's layout.

Ron Patzer's Erie-Lackawanna Railroad

The 27'x47' layout is set in the early-1970s. Includes many photos and a track plan of this double-decked layout.

Rooftops - The Wasted Space

Adding details to the roofs of buildings.

Roque Bluffs Lightweight Benchwork Part 2

Using a spare shelf in a bookcase, the author describes how he built several layouts that fit in the space. This installment covers how to light the shelf, how to make lightweight benchwork, preparing for roadbed and water surfaces, and assembling the benchwork.

Roque Bluffs, Handlaid Turnouts Part 5

This installment covers how to handlay Proto:87 turnouts. Included are diagrams that describe each part of a turnout, what a check gauge is supposed to check, and how to file points. Lots of photos show tips on handlaying turnouts, verifying your work, and how to lay track for in-street modeling.

Rotary Car Dumper

The author built a real working car dumper modeled after a prototype unit. Includes model and prototype photos, scaled drawings, and a materials list.

Rube's Rhubarb Plant

The author describes how he built a rhubarb processing facility. Includes model photos and scaled drawings.

Rugged Mountain Vistas On the HO scale Franklin & South Manchester Line

The magazine visits George Selios' layout for the sixth time, this time reporting on the completion of the layout with the recent addition of New England mountains. In addition to many large photos, this article also contains the current trackplan.

Rugged Yet Semi-portable HO Pike

A 4' x 7' layout that is "kid-proof". This layout includes just about everything a steam era pike should have, including a turntable, tunnels, and plenty of switching.

Russians and Yellow Jackets

This article covers two locomotives of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Ry, and how the author built his models.

Sagging Roofs the Easy Way

In this article the author describes how he models a sagging roof, how to show protruding rafters, how to do tar paper roofing, and how to model metal walls for a lean-to.

Salt Weathering a Tin Roof

The author shows how he was able to simulate a tin roof on a boxcar. The trick is to use sea salt for the effect.

San Juan Central Part 5

In this installment Malcolm describes how he builds scenery using layers of insulation foam. Lots of final photos as well as construction photos show how he does it. He covers foam rocks, coloring foam rocks, adding ground cover, grass, and weeds, creating roads, modeling Caspia Pine trees and Caspia Aspen trees, and modeling water.

Sanding Facility

This steam-era sanding facility article includes scale drawings and photos of the author's scratchbuilt model.

Santa Cruz Portland Cement Part 1

History, theory, design, and model of the Portland Cement. Includes prototype and model photos, track plan, and layout photos. Great ideas for modeling track through an industrial complex.

Santa Cruz Portland Cement Part II

In this installment the author finishes the immense-looking structure and discusses painting and weathering. Many different angled photos of the final structure are included.

Santa Fe Alco PA-1 and PB-1 Passenger Diesels

The author describes how he created these models from undecorated Athearn models, including super-detailing work.

Santa Fe All the Way

Diaphragms on passenger cars. Free-lanced, 1940-1960.

Santa Fe Beer Cars

This article describes the 62-foot long insulated boxcars that are assigned to transporting beer for the Coors company. The article includes model and prototype photos and detailed construction photos of where the author took the Eel River Models car and converted it into one of these models.

Santa Fe in the Southern Great Plains

A point-to-point shelf layout modeling the Oklahoma Texas border during the post-WWII era.

Santa Fe Zebra-striped Geeps in HO

This article describes how the author super-detailed and then painted the SF model.

Santa Fe's GP60m

Prototype information and how the author modeled it using a Athearn GP50 kit.

Scenes from Clark Propst's M&StL Layout Under Construction

A photo essay of the author's layout.

Scenic Facelift: Adding a New Bridge to an Old Module

This issue's cover photo was taken on the same module, with snow added. It shows the old bridge (a Central Valley model). The new BLMA 150-foot brass bridge was added and the author describes how he did that. Includes many construction photos.

Scientific Models / Micro-Mark HO Scale PRR Standard Branch Roads Passenger Shelter

A product review of the kit.

Scranton, 1937: The Steamtown Diorama

This is the story of how the model railroad display at the Steamtown National Historic Site came about and what it is supposed to model. Includes several photos of the layout, as well as one prototype photo from era the layout is to represent.

Scrap Iron Load for a Gondola

Cube 1/2" diameter aluminum foil for a convincing load.

Scrap Loads

This article is really more of a large tip; use the leftover scraps, filings, etc. left on your workbench after a project and sweep them into a storage container. Later, use those to make loads for gondolas that are headed for the scrap yards.

Scrap Loads for Gondolas and Hoppers

The author describes how he made the scrap loads for his cars. The key material he used was Magic Scraps®.

Scratchbuild a "Scrap" Stone Building

Using pieces of leftover styrene and other parts, the author describes how he built a building that appears to be made out of stone.

Scratchbuild a '70s Gas Station

The author shows how he built this model.

Scratchbuild a Depressed Center Flatcar

The author describes how he built a six-wheeled depressed-center flatcar using styrene and ABS plastic.

Scratchbuild a Fleet

Using 0.020" styrene, the author shows how he builds a fleet of row boats.

Scratchbuild a Semaphore

The author describes the basics of a semaphore, how we can build one, and how to make it operational using a Circuitron Tortoise. Both HO- and O-scale are discussed.

Scratchbuild a Water Tank

The author describes how he built a water tank from styrene. Includes construction photos, a scale diagram, and a parts list.

Scratchbuild an Enginehouse in HO Scale

Model photo and scaled drawings included. It is a two-stall rectangular structure that might be found on a branchline.

Scratchbuild the Star Hotel

The author describes how he built this hotel. The article includes scaled drawings and model photos.

Scratchbuilding a C&NW Northern Star Station Office

After describing this mobile-home-style office buildings, the author describes how he built one for his 1976-era layout. Includes prototype photos and drawings, and several model construction photos.

Scratchbuilding a Country Depot

The author describes how he built the Rutland's South Shaftsbury, Vermont, depot. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos, as well as scaled drawings and a materials list.

Scratchbuilding a Deck Plate Girder Bridge

After an unfortunate accident with a brass bridge, the author decided to try his hand at scratchbuilding one. This article describes in detail how he did it, and how he painted and weathered the model. Included are construction photos and a few detail drawings.

Scratchbuilding a Niagara, St. Catharines & Toronto Line Car

Completely built out of styrene, this car features an adjustable platform used for working on overhead catenary. Includes prototype photos, scale drawings, and model construction detail photos.

Scratchbuilding a Rural Gas Station

The author built one building modeled after two dilapidated ones he found while traveling through a small town in southwestern Virginia. Included are the scale drawings of the building he made, as well as the materials list.

Scratchbuilding a Shallow-relief Model Based on the Crowl Store

The author took the photos taken by Robert Mohowski (shown in the article in this same issue) and built this shallow structure. Includes model and prototype photos, scale drawings, a parts list, and detailed information on how to build the more complex parts, such as the curve window tops.

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.

Scratchbuilding a Simple, Free-lance Log Car

The author describes how he built this whole car out of K&S brass structural shapes. Includes lots of construction photos, a parts list, and detail drawings.

Scratchbuilding a Small Miner's Shack

Wanting to practice a new technique he learned from a book, the author built this model. Includes many photos.

Scratchbuilding a Snowshed

For an HOn3 modular layout, the author decided to build a snowshed, modeled after a Canadian Pacific prototype.

Scratchbuilding a Stone Roundhouse

The author describes his method for simulating brick walls, especially dealing with the curved front and back walls. After creating the design, the article continues with the actual construction steps. Several construction photos are included.

Scratchbuilding a Turntable

Step-by-step instructions on how the author built a turntable. Includes lots of photos and drawings.

Scratchbuilding a Wood-bodied Business Car Part 1

After introducing the reason for this project, the author builds a number of subassemblies.

Scratchbuilding a Wood-bodied Business Car Part 2

In this installment the author takes the parts he built in the previous installment, and builds the car. Included are close-up photos and drawings (with a sidebar).

Scratchbuilding a Wood-sheathed Caboose

The author describes and shows construction techniques for building a wooden caboose, made out of wood. Includes model photos, and scaled drawings for a Canadian National caboose.

Scratchbuilding an HO Factory

This article covers building a factory. Included are diagrams, and detailed construction photos of the windows.

Scratchbuilding Clark's Filling Station

The author describes how he built this Saxton, Pennsylvania cottage-style gas station suitable for the 1930s. He used drawings from the December 1996 issue of RMC, which are duplicated in this article.

Scratchbuilding River Fish Filet

Although the article is about building the structure, a significant part is about the large number of signs using on this building. The model is based on a 1936 photograph of "Roadside Stand Near Birmingham, Alabama".

Scratchbuilding Skei Coal & Salt Co.

A modern building that serves the local government with salt for heavy winter days. Includes model and prototype photos, and scale drawings.

Scratchbuilding Steam-era Water Tanks

The author describes how he modeled a 1870s water tank. Includes many photos and scaled drawings, as well as a materials list.

Scratchbuilding Stone Structures

The author used Chooch Enterprises flexible retaining wall sections glued to styrene sheet to form the walls of the buildings.

Scratchbuilding the BC&G's Mack Model AC Railbus

The article has model and prototype photos of the railbus, including interior ones. It also includes an exploded parts diagram and a parts list. He built it using the NWSL Flea III as the driving mechanism. The model also includes sound and DCC.

Scratchbuilding the F24 Flat Car

This article shows step-by-step how to scratchbuild this MOW car. He describes the tools he used to the various parts, so it is a good general article on scratchbuild freight cars as well.

Scratchbuilding the Farmer's Gilt Edge Creamery

The author built a copy of a midwestern creamery in Steele County, Minnesotta. Because of the complex curves, the structure was built with home-made castings. Prototype and model photos (including close-up construction photos) are included, as well as scale drawings.

Scratchbuilding the Great Falls Station Part II

This installment includes building the station walls and the roofs. Includes sidebars on using brick paper, and building window mullions.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 1

This is the introductory installment of a series for scratchbuilding an HO-scale water-powered sawmill. The prototype of this saw mill, found in western North Carolina, was built in the early 1940s, and is based on prototype photos found in the book Foxfire 6 (1980), which came from a collection of articles published in the Foxfire magazine. The owner of the mill was Ben Ward. This installment offers a design diagram of how the equipment was powered inside the buildings, an overall overhead photo of the completed diorama, and text that covers the overall construction sequence. It took the author 4 years, off-and-on, to build the model.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 2

In this installment the author shows how to he built the bandsaw filing room, which houses customized workbenches to sharpen and weld the handsaw blades, and a small workbench for general equipment repair. Shelves in the back of the room are used for machinery parts storage. Includes construction photos, diagrams of the floor, walls, windows, and interior details, and a parts list for building this in HO-scale.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 3A

This installment covers the construction of the woodworking shop, which houses the turbines, drive pulleys, and belts and shafts that power the bandmill equipment and the woodworking shop machinery.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 3B

In this installment the author describes how he scratchbuilt the many interior details for the woodworking shop. Photos and diagrams help in illustrating all of the machinery that is modeled. The article ends with a description of adding the building's exterior details and surrounding scenery.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 4

This installment covers the construction of the scrapwood storage bin. Includes construction photos, HO-scale diagrams, and a materials list.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 5A

This installment covers the construction of the bandmill, which houses the log-handling equipment, handsaw, and circular-saw machinery used to produce finish lumber. Includes HO-scale diagrams and construction photos.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 5B

This installment covers the construction of the bandsaw section. Includes photos of the interior details, HO-scale diagrams, and a materials list.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 5C

This installment covers the construction of the lumbering section, where rough-cut lumber is cut into finished boards. Includes construction photos, and HO-scale diagrams.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 6A

This installment covers the construction of the support features surrounding the sawmill buildings, including the dam components and the log pond they create, the log dump, the log drag and walkway, and the lumberyard where the newly cut wood is dried, cured and stored.

Scratchbuilding Ward's Sawmill Part 6B

This installment focuses on combining the sub-assemblies to complete the diorama, and the site details, such as power pit components, the incline section roof, the log pond, the loading dock, the lumber piles and rack, and the various miscellaneous details to complete the scenes. Includes model photos and detail drawings, materials list, and a Northeastern Scale Lumber Co. conversion chart for the old-to-new parts numbers for HO-, S-, and O-scale.

Scratchbuilding with Monster Model Works Etched Wood Part 2

In this installment the roof and additional details are modeled.

Scratchbuilding Without Brass Part One

Locomotives don't have to be made out of brass; they can be made out of styrene, and the author shares his methods for doing so. He uses existing mechanisms. He describes how to form the boiler, how to make styrene domes and stacks (using a "finger" lathe), and how to make the cylinders.

Scratchbuilding Yancy's Coal Dock

The author describes how he built a coal dump, a truss bridge over a road, and the office for this industry that sells coal to local customers. Includes model photos and scale drawings.

Scratchbuilding Your First Wood Structure

The author takes us through the steps to build a small B&O Railroad station. Includes scale drawings, parts lists, tools list, and step-by-step instructions with photos.

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.

Scratchbuilt Road Signs

The author shares, with lots of photos, how he built his own roadway signs using online research tools.

SD60

The author describes how he detailed and painted the EMD SD60 demonstrator.

Seaboard Airline Class B6 Boxcar

This model was based on the Red Caboose PRR X29 box car. The author improved and weathered the model. Includes many close-up photos and one prototype photo.

Sectional Way to a Great Shelf Layout

The Chicago & North Western of 1959 comes to life on the HO scale Morton Division. This is an L-shaped layout composed of 18- and 24-inch wide modules. It has interchanges and two staging areas.

Secure Your Loads with Foil Tarps

Using aluminum foil to make tarp load covers.

Selective Compression and Landforms

Using selective compression to bring mountains closer to the track.

Selios - A Scrapbook

Good quality photos of scenes on George Selios' layout. The text describes a number of modeling and weathering techniques George uses for his scenes and structures. One interesting note is that George doesn't use an airbrush!

Setting Structures on Hillsides

This article covers how to deal with modeling structures set into a steep hill. It shows the author modifying a portion of his layout to place a school church.

Shadowing and Highlighting: Special Weathering Techniques

The author takes an HO-scale McKean NYC PS-1 box car and describes how he built it, detailed it, and then paints and applies decals to it. Next, he gets into the meat of the article, which is his technique for weathering a freight-car-red box car. Several prototype example photos are included.

Shallow-relief Structures

The author describes how he built shallow-relief structures for his shelf layout to convey the idea of trains passing behind lots of structures and to only be able to view parts of the trains passing through the city scene.

Shay

A summary of imported brass Shays in HO narrow and standard gauge with photographic studies of typical representatives of the sidewinder breed of steam locomotives.

Shiny White Reefer for the Southern Pacific

How to model, paint, and decal these types of cars.

Short Line with an Interurban Heritage

Valley City Street & Interurban Railway as an HO switching layout. Has some interesting track arrangements.

Signals on the Wyoming Division Part 1

This article covers how Automated Block Signals function on this large, free-standing, mushroom-design, HO-scale layout. The article includes a full track plan for each of the three levels. It covers how ABS works, and how to deal with special conditions on the railroad.

Signals on the Wyoming Division Part 2

This installment covers how the signals were designed and built, and how they work.

Simple 3-Step Weathering

After preparing the model, the author applies washes, then does specific highlighting, and some chalks. Two different models transition-era box cars are shown going through the steps.

Simple Coal Unloader

The author describes how he built a portable coal unloader scene on his layout. Includes one prototype photo and several layout construction photos.

Simple Crossing Gates

This brief article discusses how to use N-scale crossing gates in an HO layout.

Simple T1 Tender Modifications

The author describes how he removed portions of the Broadway Ltd's T1 tender cowling to simulate the removal of those sections that were done to the prototype tenders.

Simplifying Hip Roofs

The author describes how he makes hip roofs.

Siskiyou Line - 1 Retrospective

The author, having moved to a different state, reflects on his previous HO-scale, 1,100sqft layout. He covers his approach for dismantling this layout, over a period of many months, and how he stored everything in preparation for the move. Contains lots of photos of his now-former layout.

Slip-Switch - The Start

Building the plywood support for a slip-switch.

Slow-action Crossing Gates Part 1

This installment covers the design and construction of the modern-day highway crossing gate. Detailed parts drawing, construction photos, and wiring diagrams are included.

Slow-action Crossing Gates Part 2

This installment covers command control and DC bi-directional circuitry necessary to have a realistically operating crossing gate. It also covers the gate, LED, and bell circuitry, the power supply, and the finishing touches to complete the installation.

Small Building for Storing Long Parts

The author describes how he built a structure that could be used around most factories or engine facilities to store lengthy metal parts such as boiler flues, pipes, bar stock, and angles. Includes model and prototype photos, and scaled drawings.

Snow Fighting Equipment on the Union Pacific

After covering the history of snow-fighting equipment on the UP, the author describes the various models he has on his layout. Includes several model photos.

Soldering Tracks

This article covers the basics of soldering rail joiners and soldering wire to the rails.

Some Structures for the Gold Hill Central Part 2

This installment describes the various structures built for the 5' by 8' layout. Most were kitbashed and so the article includes diagrams of how various parts were combined to create the unique structures shown in the photos.

Some Tips for Detailing Structures

Not really a separate article as such, but it deserves attention. This article gives lots of tips and techniques about detailing, painting, and weathering DMP structures.

SOO and GN 5-foot Box Cars From Accurail's HO Scale Kits

The author changed the doors to plug doors to model SOO Line grain-loading cars, and to duplicate some Great Northern cars. Includes prototype and model photos.

Sound Advice

The author examines how manufacturers tackle the difficult issue of sound reproduction inside our small locomotives. Covers both steam and diesel engines. Includes a sidebar on the history of sound in model railroading.

Sound for Brass Steam

The author describes how he went about installing a sound decoder into a Soo Line 2-8-2 Mikado from Division Point Hobbies.

Sound for the Bachmann HO Climax

The author installed the SoundTraxx DSD-090LC Light Steam decoder into this locomotive's tender shell. Modifications were necessary. Also includes the parts list and how to program the decoder.

South-Central Ontario, 1958

Model Engineers Society layout of modules. The articles has many photos and module diagrams.

Southeast Division of the Milwaukee Road

A large, around the wall layout with several peninsulas for modeled industries in a 25 x 35 foot basement. The author writes about how he got into the hobby, why he models what he does, and describes the construction of the layout, his motive power, and operations.

Southern Railway F3s of the 1950's Part 2

Model detailing

Southern's Old Cumberland River Crossing

The author models a prototype scene where the track crosses a trestle bridge and immediately goes into a tunnel on the other side, which appeared near Burnside, Kentucky.

Souvenirs and Memories

This article describes what the author and his model railroad friends remember of the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania. The article accompanied by photos from his and his friends' layouts depicting the area. The scenes are very detailed and realistic.

SP Yard Office

This article covers the prototype yard office building of SP's El Paso Adair Yard. Includes photos and diagrams, as well as a bill-of-materials.

Spanning the Bear River

Dick built a very close match to this 812-foot long bridge that sits at 190 feet above the water of the Nevada County Railroad. Many construction photos and drawings are included with the article, as well as a prototype photo.

Speeder Setouts

How to accurately model a speeder set-out track and surrounding scenery.

Splendor in the Grass

Using Silflor grass materials the author shows how he models realistic grass patches.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle Yellow and Green

Painting an RS-3. Includes prototype and model photos.

Squeezing Sound into a Diesel Switcher

Installing a Soundtraxx system in a switcher by replacing the motor with a smaller one.

Stack-by-stack, not Board-by-board

How to build stacks of boards the easy way.

Steam Heat Comes to the Cobwebs, Dust & Ashes

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a small central heating plant. Includes model photos and scale drawings.

Steel Benchwork

This article describes how to actually use steel to make a free-standing layout. The layout fits in a 32'x33.5' room and is shaped like a U. The article isn't so much about the layout, but on the actual steps taken to build a sturdy and economic layout benchwork.

Steve Frey's HO Milwaukee Road

A 12' by 13' island layout with one peninsula along a wall (connected to his Dad's layout), this young man describes how he started and built this layout.

Store Fronts

The author kitbashes a Smalltown USA "Tony's Gym" kit. Includes many construction photos and a parts list. Contains a sidebar on another way of doing chrome.

Street Cars in a Coffee Table

Modeling the Pittsburgh area in the 1940s in a 2'3" x 5'2" coffee table in HO! Includes a track plan.

String Trees

The author shows how he makes small trees using carpet thread, cotton string, jute, and clothesline material. Each produces a different-looking tree.

Stringing Telephone Wires

The describes how he added telephone wire to his modular diorama using "invisible thread". The article also covers his method for construction the poles and a handy tool for unrolling the thread spool.

Structures as Background Scenery

Using N-scale structures in the background of an HO-scale layout creates a forced perspective.

Structures on the D&S

Several structures on the author's layout are featured because of how he modified kits to make them unique.

Superdetailing an Athearn D&RGW SD40T-2

The author describes how he upgraded this model. Many construction photos and a parts list are included.

Superdetailing HO Automobiles

The author makes etched-brass parts to be able to super-detail his automobiles. Includes a brief pictorial on how photo engraving works.

Superdetailing Life-Like Proto 2000 E8's for the DL&W

The title of the article says it all. Includes model and prototype photos, and detail drawings. The article also includes installing a Soundtraxx decoder, and implementing working Mars light.

Superliner Marker Lights

Battery operated marker lights for the last car in a train.

Surplus Vehicles

The author took two vehicles, originally design as military vehicles, and repainted them to be used by civilians in every-day use.

Switch Control Linkage

The author describes how he constructs his turnout linkage mechanism for both manual and power operations.

Switching the Coast Daylight

Watching Train 98 at San Jose circa 1955. The story is told via photos on the author's layout. Includes prototype operations information.

Taconic-type 4-8-4s

Building a flagship steam engine for the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society's HO-scale New England, Berkshire & Western RR. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as construction photos and diagrams.

Tame Those Old Brass Growlers

Using an Atlas frame and mechanism to improve the running characteristics of an Alco Models brass model.

Tangent Scale Models G31B Gondola

This is a product review of the model. The article includes the history of the G31 class and subclasses, and prototype photos.

Tank Car Kit Swap

The author describes he process for wanting a tank car that is not available in HO-scale, by combining parts from several produced models. Includes prototype and model photos, including construction detail photos, such as how to get the dome to fit the body. Also included is a parts list.

Tank Farm at Chateaugay

This article describes combining several kits to build a unique fuel dealership that is serviced by the railroad. This is a structure built for the Rensselaer Polytechnic club's layout.

TCAX Thrall Door Car

Just a photo and a parts list for how to create one of these all-door box car models using a Life-Like model.

TCS-WOW 101

The author describes how he installs WowSound into an Athearn SW1500. Includes step-by-step photos.

Ted Hough's HO Canadian Pacific Ry.

A 12 by 28 rectangular, around-the-walls kind of layout featuring Canadian railroading. The layout was started by Ted's brother Don and later moved to Ted's basement. The layout had been featured in Model Railroader before.

The Appalachian Southern

A double-deck HO-scale layout for a medium-sized room.

The Argus Tap & Die Co.

A wood L-shaped building that can be used for a small business or light industry. The author describes how he built this structure. Includes model photos, and scaled and detailed drawings.

The Art of Using Mirrors

This article was composed by Bob Hayden from handwritten notes of an unpublished article that John had been working on in 1970, but he never submitted to Model Railroader magazine for publication. His layout contained some 30 mirrors. This article covers how and why John installed them.

The Bank on the Corner

Modeled after a real bank on a street corner, this unique structure is sure to draw attention with its patina roof dome.

The Beginnings and Growth of HO Scale

The first ad showing an HO-scale freight train.

The Belknap Monument

This model was inspired by the discovery of a cannon beside the Boston & Maine Hillsboro branch.

The Big Truck Bash

The author describes how he took existing HO-scale trucks and kitbashed them into specific models he wanted. Various different truck types are discussed.

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.

The Camera Never Lies

Several ideas on improving models: weathering trucks and wheels, adding lots of people to scenes, adding lots of vehicles, making sure that structures are embedded in the scene, how to deal with the edge of the layout in photos, and several other tips.

The Cannonball and Safety Powder Works

This square (50' x 50'), multi-roof structure can be used as any kind of small factory. The author describes a story about the structure, how to build it, and then how to make it look like it has just exploded! Includes scaled drawings and several model photos.

The Cedar Falls Office, Barber Shop, and Cafe

The modeled small wood-frame building has served many purpose since it was built in the 1880s. Includes prototype photos of the Cedar Falls, N.C. structure, as well as scale drawings and finished model photos.

The Christmas Challenge

The author and another modeler were asked by a wife to build a model railroad that shows off some of the industries owned by her husband... no monetary restrictions. They designed and built a 43" by 10' 4" layout in just three months, which included scratchbuilt structures.

The D&H's Re-powered RS3's

Includes prototype information and how two authors independently modeled this engine using a Stewart and an Atlas kit.

The Davies Steel Coke Plant Part 1

The author starts of the series about how to model a coke processing plant. This installment covers the history and purpose of coke and the coke plant, how to size the model, what construction materials to use, how to add common details, how to build the oven foundation, how to build the oven, and detailing the oven. Included are many model photos, and several scaled drawings, including one on how to scratchbuild the oven doors.

The Davies Steel Coke Plant Part 2

This installment of the series covers the exhaust gas system, the governor house, the west end control building, the dump house, the crusher house, the conveyors, and the transfer house. In additional to model photos of these buildings, there are also scaled drawings included.

The Davies Steel Coke Plant Part 3

In this installment, the author covers the construction of the east coal bunker and the quench tower. Included are lots of model photos and scaled drawings. This completes the structure. In the October 1991 issue, he covers the rolling stock and locomotives that were used in these types of facilities.

The Denver to Cheyenne Local

Modeling the Union Pacific trains 52 (southbound) and 57 (northbound) between Denver and Cheyenne.

The Details are in the Decals!

The author paints, applies decals, and weathers a SOO Line SD60M. Includes sidebars on how to correctly spray-paint a model and its wheels.

The DL535E: Narrow Gauge Diesel of the North

These Alco-designed locomotives were built for the three-foot gauge of the White Pass & Yukon. The article describes the history of the engine, and how to model one using the Precision Scale model. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.

The Donald Clerke Memorial Bridge

Retrieving and restoring a bridge from a friend's layout.

The Easton Lumber Company...

A freelanced railroad based on California logging lines that fits on a 42"x84" module. Includes a track and materials list. The article continues with the expansion modules to the base module, including all the way up to the final design for a spare bedroom layout.

The Eastwyck & Fensterstock Construction Co.

The author describes how he built a structure and diorama because of his interest in construction equipment.

The Enduring Philadelphia Row House

After describing the prototype buildings and the research he did into them, the author describes how he casts the parts from RTV molds. Includes a parts list, and many construction photos, as well as some prototype photos.

The Erie's Prefabricated Honesdale Freight Station

Prototype photos and scale drawings.

The Farm Town

A lot of activity can be modeled in a small farming community, including the Farmer's Co-op, stock pen, and a small depot. Includes photos of the author's diorama.

The Franklin & South Manchester 1 Year Later

Dave visits the layout a year after his last visit, to report on what George Selios has done on his layout. Includes many photos, a track plan diagram of the finished area, how George controls his trains, and the various scenery techniques he uses.

The Fremont & South Park R.R.

This article is a fictional story about how Lynn Draper's rendition of his railroad came about. It is accompanied by photos of his layout, a track plan, and how the layout was built using I-beams. The layout measures 27' x 12'.

The Gladstone & North Houghton

Fred Carlson's G&NH "G"-shaped layout models the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where iron ore is king. He is an MMR. The article contains lots of close-up photos, a description of how the layout was built, the motive power and rolling stock, and operations of the layout. A track plan is included. Another magazine article on the layout can be seen in the Railroad Model Craftsman February 1996 issue. Online photos for this layout are available at this Rocky Mountain NMRA Region web site.

The Gold King Part II

This installment completes the construction of the gold mine by focusing on the ore bin, roofing, timber bunker, stairway, and trestle. Includes scale drawings and model photos.

The Golden Era Los Angeles in the 1950's

12 by 19-foot layout features the SP in L.A. The article is a photo essay that takes you around the layout.

The Granite Mountain Railway Part 3

Revisits the construction of this layout, dealing with open houses, and interjects philosophy about building a large layout. Includes track plan and many photos of the layout, including the CTC panel and the helix in the garage.

The Granite Mountain Railway Part II

This installment covers the primary purpose of the layout: operations. Also covered are the Dynatrol command control, scenery design, and the added narrow gauge line.

The Hazzard County Short Line

A track plan and operational scheme for a 4x8 layout.

The History of the Crescent Lines

A fictional story about how the layout owned by the Crescent City Model Railroad Club came to be. Includes several photo of the layout.

The HO Scale Arizona Southern

This 9' by 9' free-lanced layout is set in 1908 in southeastern Arizona. Includes photos and a trackplan.

The HO Scale Galilee & Golan Heights RR

A 5 x 9 foot ping pong table was converted into a layout that went to Israel.

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.

The HO Scale Modular Layout of the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders

A photo essay of the club's layout.

The HO-scale Windsor Railroad

This freelance layout measures 23' by 27' feet and is supposed to represent the New Jersey and New York area. The article includes a track plan of this M-shaped layout, as well as a number of close-up photos.

The Houston Society of Model Engineers

The club is building a layout in a vacant room in the Houston Belt & Terminal RR's Union Station building in downtown Houston, Texas.

The Iron Wood RR

This spare-bedroom layout features very nicely done scenery with scratchbuilt structures set in early 1940s.

The Ironhead Timber Co.

The 10' by 16' layout features a lot of detail and very nice scenery. Not all of it was finished at the time of the article. The theme is logging railroading in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1900s.

The Jasper & Keystone RR

The layout features a single mainline with grades of 2.5 to 3 percent. The layout was started as a modified version of Plan 48 in Linn Westcott's book"101 Track Plans".

The K10 Hobby Shop Layout

This interview-style article converses with the hobby shop owner, Ken Kroschwitz, and others involved in the project, about the history of the store and the layout. Includes photos and a track plan of this 60' x 81' layout.

The Kanawha Valley RR

Building a small West Virginia-based layout for the son of a friend.

The Kansas City Southern Lines

This is a 15' x 30' layout in Wilson Hunt's garage.

The Kingfield Chemical Co.

A small structure of free-lance design which captures the feeling of a large New England mill, and was based on an O-scale mill complex built by Al Hanson. Includes scale drawings, parts list, and construction photos.

The Lakeside Lines Shops Rebuilds a Locomotive

Detailed photos and description. Sound is through a Soundtraxx decoder.

The LaPointe Depot

This article describes how the author scratchbuilt this depot, which has the same color scheme as the other depots on his layout. Includes a side bar on how to make the fish scale shingles used for the structure's roof. Scale drawings and many construction photos are also included.

The Last Run of the Pennsylvania & Maryland

A fictional story built around the author's layout. Lots of photos, but no layout data.

The Lauderdale Shore Line Model Railroad Club's Modules

A description of how this club's 20 modules were built, and what the various members of the club do.

The Light at Thatcher's Inlet

The lighthouse at Mystic Seaport, CT serves as the role-model for the structure built by the authors. Information about how it was built, along with scale drawings and a prototype photo, are included.

The Limited Modeler

The author continues to refine his plans for his new layout based on new prototype information he has found. Includes many period photos of the Fremont, Ohio area. Includes cabooses.

The Limited Modeler

The author continues to update his plans as new prototype information comes to his attention, including updating a caboose, engines, and his track plan. Several prototype photos are included, as well as model photos.

The Limited Modeler

The author states that he has built 9 layouts and is about to start his tenth, and he is tired of starting over again. He covers his latest track plan (shown) for modeling the NYC in Fremont, Ohio in the 1910s to 1920s, and dives into the things he has learned that he likes and doesn't like and how that will impact his new layout. Includes photos of his previous layouts.

The Limited Modeler

The author shares his trouble deciding on which year to model, and building a layout that might shift between different years for a particular operating session.

The Locust Grove & Western RR Revisited

An interesting story of how a club moved around, and then was able to set up in a museum Winter 2005. Covers lots of lessons learned. Nice photos of the modules.

The Lowly Shed

Description for building a handcar or storage shed. Two different models are shown in the photos.

The Marker Lamps at the End of the Tunnel

This article discusses the micro-sized LED's available, how to work with them, and, of course, it covers installing them in marker lamps attached to cabooses. Although the article covers an HO-scale installation, the author is convinced that this is also doable in N-scale. Includes installation photos and a wiring diagram.

The Markham Railroad Modellers Club

A large club layout built in 1,500 square foot of space overlooking Toronto's CNR.

The Maumee turns a Mike

The author describes how he modeled the steam engine servicing facilities on his layout. Includes model photos and a track plan of the area discussed.

The Midwest Lines

This article describes the 33' by 52' layout built by Rolf Plachter.

The Modern South Penn

This 12 by 24-foot layout models portions of what might have been the future version of a the South Penn RR (which was never completed). This line ran between Harrisburg and Pittsburg, PA. The author's version assumes the line was built and later became part of Conrail via all the of PRR mergers. Includes trackplan, layout photos, area map, and schematic trackplan.

The Mojave Western System

This former professional railroader started constructing this layout in 1957 as a branch to his ATSF prototype layout. However, he discovered that he preferred free-lance modeling, and so the branch became the main layout's focus. The layout is entirely double-decked, except for a peninsula.

The Mountain Park Extension

The author describes how he extended his layout and the decisions he had to make. Includes a sidebar on how he built the mountains, and another one on how ore is processed. Includes a trackplan of the new area. An interesting modeling idea is how he shows the interior of the mine shaft in the edge of the layout.

The New Haven's Magnificent War Babies

Modifying a Life-Like DL-109 model to reflect Alco's original design. Includes prototype and completed model photos, as well as a parts list.

The New Jersey & Western RR

Description and photos of this 25 x 36 foot layout set in the early to mid 1950s. No track plan.

The New Numark Valley

The author visits Bill Kupiec's layout. An article about Bill's previous layout appeared in the September 2001 issue of RMC. Bill moved and his new covers 15 by 42 feet. The freelanced, almost completed layout is modeled after railroads that moved anthracite from eastern Pennsylvania to New York City and New Jersey.

The New Poco Valley

Reclaiming the space used by his children's layout, the author expanded and completed the basement before building this "E"-shaped layout. The article briefly describes the construction process, but its focus is on operations. Includes photos, trackplan, and operations sequence and forms.

The Northwest Timberline

Many photos of the dual-deck layout built by Jim Lorbiecki. The U-shaped layout measures 8' x 17' x 24', with a peninsula that adds another 3.5' x 7'. Includes diagrams roughly indicating where the photos were taken.

The Northwest Timberline

This article describes of Jim Lorbiecki's double-decked, U-shaped logging-based layout. Includes lots of photos of the layout.

The Pasadena Model Railroad Club

This large layout was built in a refurbished bowling alley. It has some impressive specs.

The Pennsy in Britain

A Proto:87 switching layout, named Federal Street.

The Pennsylvania Railroad

The layout features signature scenes of the PRR's 4-track mainline in a 13'x37' layout. Staging tracks are in a separate room. Includes many photos and a track plan.

The Pennsylvania X-29 Boxcar

This is a product review of the Red Caboose HO-scale model of the PRR X29, which contains lots of prototype information as well.

The Penokee, Grandview & Winnipeg Railroad

This article is about Ralph Wehlitz' HO-scale that was started almost 50 years ago. This U-shaped layout measures 26' x 24' and is set on July 4th, 1963.

The Perfect Storm

The author decided that now was the perfect time to tear down and rebuild about 70% of his layout that was mostly complete. He documents his 14-month journey with text and many photos.

The PRR F33 Deep Well Flat Car

The author provides historical background and his description of building the Funaro & Camerlengo PRR F3 resin kit. Includes prototype and model photos, and how he built the large crate load.

The PRR PBM70A in HO Scale

"PBM" stands for passenger-baggage-mail car. This article covers painting an NJ Custom Brass PBM70.

The PRR's Last Baldwin RS-12

The author builds a model of PRR #8110, one of the last diesels ordered from Baldwin, starting with a Bowser RS-12.

The PRR's Williamsport Division, circa 1935

Two railfan friends combine their efforts to build a large layout in one of their garages. It is a folded dog-bone design with a branch line and offline staging. See the layout on their Facebook page

The Quabbin Shore & Hampden Ry.

This layout models a short line in a New England setting. The initial simple linear layout grew to a 15 by 28 foot layout. The trackplan and many layout photos are included.

The Quartz Creek & Union Pass

Bill Barr's U-shaped fictional railroad that takes most of a 22' by 22' outbuilding. The time period is the mid-1920s when Bill was a young boy.

The Ramapo Valley

The layout is an around-the-wall style layout with a large J-shaped peninsula into the middle of the room. It features lots of switching. There a quite a few close-up photos of the layout. The layout is loosely based on the Erie Lackawanna in northern New Jersey. It models a double-track mainline between Hoboken and Ridgewood with one branch line.

The Raton Division

This 24' x 27' around-the-walls layout models the ATSF from Trinidad, Colorado to New Mexico border. It has beautiful desert scenery, and operation was important.

The Reading Lines

This point-to-point layout set in 1955 attempts to adhere to the Reading Railroad's operating standards. In additional to prototype information, this article covers construction, scenery, equipment, and operation.

The Recycled Theater

Modeling a contemporary CVS Pharmacy store in a building that used to be a movie theater. The articles includes N-scale drawings of the building which was completely scratchbuilt from styrene.

The Rio Grande's Hart Lake Division

This bedroom-sized layout packs a lot of railroading at 10' x 12'. Article includes trackplan (island-style) and layout photos. The whole family works on the layout.

The Road to Enchantment

This article describes a potential track plan based on the Enchantment branch of the ATSF.

The RvP Division

Rudi von Prittwitz built this 23 x 68 foot layout in his attic. It is based on the Southern Pacific from the 1950s onward. The layout features beautiful scenery, large yards, and tall mountains.

The Salt City Express

Freelanced layout based on the Pennsylvania Railroad's Horseshoe Curve line.

The Santa Rita Mini Layout

The author describes the 6'8" long by 8" deep shelf layout he built due to space-constraints.

The Shawanga Valley

A T-shaped layout that started off as an around-the-wall shelf layout with the later addition of a duckunder (the author regrets doing that). The article has black&white and colored photos of the layout.

The Siamese Connection

The author describes how he models often forgotten details of facilitating fire fighting of commercial buildings with a Siamese connection (for attaching fire hoses), a wall post indicator valve, and a fire alarm.

The Sierra Grande & Western RR

Two friends built a 16'x30' basement layout in the shape of an "M". Includes photos and a track plan.

The Sierra Silverton RR

An almost-around-the-room point-to-point layout with some interesting switching track.

The Slippery Slope: Modeling Two WP Covered Hoppers

The author converted the Athearn 55-foot ACF Centerflow WP hopper cars from 4 bays to 3, replaced grab irons and ladder rungs, and added roof hatches. Painting and weathering completed the project. The WP covered hopper roster is given, as well as a parts list. Includes prototype and model photos.

The Solano: Modeling a Railroad Car Ferry

The article describes the full-scale 424-foot car ferry model, as well as its history. There are model and prototype photos accompanying the article.

The Soo's Red Wing Division

The author covers building a 4' x 8' layout from benchwork design through scenery. Includes parts list, trackplan, and layout photos. Steps covered are: benchwork, tracklaying, adding turnouts, painting track, constructing scenic ridge, adding scenery, rock casting, streets and roads, and details. Includes a sidebar on flextrack.

The South Penn RR

This 22' by 24' layout models the South Penn railroad (which was proposed but never completed in the real world). Included are the track plan, layout photos, and modeled area map and elevation.

The Southall Division of the Boston & Maine

A group of friends worked on this hobby shop layout (Maine Trains, South Chelmsford, MA). Features nice detail and a track plan to keep trains running.

The Sterlingworth Steel Hopper Car

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this 1900s steel hopper out of styrene and brass. Includes model drawings and photos. A sidebar is included on how to build a rivet machine, which was documented in the June 1968 Model Railroader issue.

The Stiff Leg Derrick at Incline

This is a follow-up article to the author's May/June 2006 Gazette article where he modeled the foundation of this derrick.

The Stonega Branch

Building a 4 by 6 foot layout. This installment covers how the project came about, building the benchwork and scenic dividers, installing track, completing the backdrop, and installing the rough scenery.

The Stonega Branch Pt II

This installment covers installing DCC, wiring the railroad, using DCC for turnout control with Digitrax' DS64, and some more scenery work. The last part of the article covers the fifth day of construction and the fact that the layout is used in shows.

The Stony Creek & Western RR

Gil describes how he developed his layout, and how he operates it. Includes many photos and a track plan.

The Story Behind the Bear Creek & South Jackson

Chip interviews Charlie Comstock about his three versions of the Bear Creek & South Jackson, including how he set up some of his famous photo shots. The article is accompanied by track plans for his version 1 and version 3 layouts. A special diagram shows the space-saving wye.

The Substation at Winterthur

The author describes how he researched and then scratchbuilt an electrical substation for his traction layout. Includes a photo of prototype substation, construction photos, and scaled drawings.

The Third Street Industrial District

A hypothetical 2 x 10 foot switching layout is described here. There are 15 buildings, many of which are served by the railroad. The track plan was designed to allow for future expansion.

The Tilbury Cement Co. Part 2

This installment covers the construction of the model of this prototype structure. The author shows how he makes the silo's outside wrappers, creates the cone covers, the various structures, and the platforms. Constructions photos and drawings are included.

The Tower Handcar

Prototype information and the construction of a model that was used to maintain PRR catenary.

The Transformation of a Caboose

The author found a Chicago & Great Western caboose sitting on a siding somewhere. Then a year later found that it was renovated, had its cupola removed. So, he decided to scratchbuilt one out of wood and styrene (includes information about how to bond wood to styrene). Includes prototype photos, scaled drawings, detail drawings, and some construction and completion photos.

The Tule Springs & Western... Revisited

The author revisits Frank Burke and Lynn Austin's two-car garage layout ten years after the first report. It describes the layout and the changes made in the last ten years. Includes lots of close-up photos of this nice layout.

The Two-faced Doodlebug

The author describes how he modified a Bachmann Doodlebug for bi-directional service (cabs on either end of the engine), modeled after the ones used by the Erie. Includes model and prototype photos.

The Tygard Valley Division

This article covers Tony's Western Maryland-based freelance layout, how it was constructed, how it is operated. Most of the article is a photo essay. The layout is in two rooms. Includes a track plan.

The Utah Colorado Western

The layout fills most of the 33' by 30' basement. The single track mainline represents a bridge line between Craig, CO and Heber, UT. In addition to the description of how the layout was built, the article covers operations and includes a track- and elevation plan.

The V & O Story 4

This installment covers the room preparation, benchwork, lighting, roadbed, trackwork, electrical work, and the CTC control system.

The Waupaca-Green Bay Rwy. Enginehouse

The author describes how he built this two-stall, multi-level roundhouse. Includes scale diagrams and prototype photos.

The Weber Valley RR

Pronounced "weeber", this layout represents a short line set in northern Utah's Wasatch Mountains. This is a teenager's layout, who "tricked" his dad into doing some of of the not-so-fun work. Her mother painted most of the backdrop, which looks to be fantastic work. The layout is shaped like a lower-case "e", and fills a room of almost 12' by 12'. Color photos show off the excellent scenery and backdrop work.

The Wertz Feed & Supply Co.

Modeled after a small mill in Wernersville, PA, the author shows how he built this structure. Includes prototype and model photos as well as scale drawings.

The White Pass & Yakima RR

Hobby shop owners helped start this modular club layout. They own the four corner modules, while other members are free to create straight modules. Includes overhead photos and close-ups of some of the modules.

The Wisconsin & Calumet

A regional railroad that operated passenger, piggyback, and varied freight service. Include many prototype photos, railroad maps, and suggested track plans.

The York Haven RR Co.

This layout acts as a fictional bridge route between the New York Central and New Haven railroads, and runs from Silvernails, NY to Hagerstown, MD. It is set between 1940 and 1953. The layout started out at 36" above the floor, but was raised later to 47" by the owner's operating crew. The layout forms a triangle and measures 25' by 35'. The scenery and weathering is very realistic.

There Comes a Time

Installing and test bridge piers.

Thoughts on Modular Traction Design

The author is proposing three standards for interchangeable modular layouts using traction, as inspired by the NTrak standard. The standards are "rural/farm", "big city", and "heavy electric" modeling. Various track plans and model photos of the author's modules are included.

Three Layouts, Three Different Prototypes

This is a preview article of three of the layouts open for the 2011 NMRA convention, namely Andy Schnur's HO-scale C&O, Jim Dias' HO-scale Western Pacific, and Jack Burgess' Yosemite Valley Railroad. Includes photos of the layouts.

Thundering Water and Belching Steam

1950s on Bill Emond's Whiskey River Division.

Tips By George

Tips for how to make city structures look old. Includes two photos of George's layout.

Tissue Paper Signs

The author describes how to make computer-printed signs out of tissue paper.

To the Mines for Silver

1900s railroading in Idaho comes alive in the HO Pacific & Idaho Northern. This is a 12' x 15' bedroom-size layout that goes around the walls, with a peninsula added, and a lower level that has a return loop into an adjacent closet. The scenery is beautiful with the railroad crossing the snaking river several times. There is a sidebar on how to model mountain streams.

Touring the Lowville & Beaver River RR

This brief article shows off photos of the RMC project layout.

Touring the SP Western Division

This around-the-walls with a peninsula layout features a large model of the SP's Oakland Mole passenger station. A sidebar shows how two Walthers kits were combined to create a smelter and refining complex.

Track and Control for Jerome & Southwestern Part 2

In this installment the author covers laying the track (including tuning turnouts), installing two-cab control, building the control panel, wiring philosophies, and wiring switch machines. There are many close-up photos of the progress, complete electrical diagrams, and a scaled image of the control panel.

Track and Power for the South Plains District part 2

This installment of the sectional layout construction covers the scenery base, tracklaying using sectional track, wiring, and rail command control

Tracks and Rocks for Our Branch Line Part 2

In this installment the author discusses how to lay track, build a bridge, and cast rocks.

Trackside Photos

This is a full-page photo of a scene on George Selios' layout.

Trackwork on the Lowville & Beaver River Part 3

This installment focuses on laying the track and building the bridges. It also includes a sidebar on how to make molds for the bridge piers and how to make track connectors for a portable layout.

Trade Topics

The author provides a review of the Bowser PRR G5 4-6-0 model. Includes historical information, product photos, and the model's performance.

Train Eater - A Vertical Staging Yard

The problem of simulating a lot of interchange traffic with connecting railroads within the confines of a relatively small layout was solved by building a vertically-moving rack of staging tracks. Includes construction photos and diagrams.

Train Room Confessions

Covers how to build a 30-foot flat car. Learning how to build a flat car is the basis for building a gondola, box car, or reefer.

Train Room Confessions

Not every car needs a load, but the author describes several he has built, and shares photos.

Transamerica Distribution System Part 6

Building the 48-foot Great Dane ThermaCube. Detailed construction photos.

Troy on the NEB&W

Truck Modification for Broadway Limited Imports PRR P70 and P70R HO Coaches

This article covers how to disassemble the trucks, and making the pick-ups function as equalizers.

Trucks of the '40's

At the time of the article there were no 1940s truck models available, so the article describes how to kitbash dump, tank, flat, and shipping trucks from available cabs and bodies.

Tunnel Through the Wall

The author describes how he hid an unsightly hole in the wall by modeling a coal breaker plant on one side and a coal unloading shed on the other side. He also describes how he dealt with hiding a pole in his layout, by curving the back drop around it, while the track goes into a tunnel behind it.

Turning a Layout Hi-tech

Photography by Bob Werre. The author describes his process for switching to DCC, replacing wiring, installing stationary decoders for Tortoise switch machines, implementing a computerized CTC panel, and animating signals.

Turning the Tables

The author describes how he retrofitted an Atlas turntable under his upper-level benchwork and built a turntable bridge.

Turtle Creek Branch Line Part 4

In this part of the construction series the author builds the coal mine kitbashed from two kits, and adds other details. This is the last installment of this series.

Twenty-five Years on the Cat Mountain & Santa Fe

The author talks about how he built several layouts and improved his idea of what an ideal layout would be. He then covers his current "domino" modular design with minimal scenery. Includes lots of photos and several track plans, including the latest one.

Twenty-four Square Feet of Model Railroading Fun!

The author describes his 4'x6' layout.

Two for the Load

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a lumber load for a flat car, and a pulpwood load for a gondola.

Two Gizmos for the Workbench

The author describes how he built two devices to hold his HO-scale models while he works on them. One is a positional cradle that uses a piece of a downspout padded with foam and an adjustable bracket, and the other is simple long piece of downspout padded with foam for holding cars or engines. Includes construction diagrams and photos.

Two Kitbashed Cabooses

A description of how Stan Rydarowicz built two Chicago & Western Indiana cabooses. A prototype and model photo is provided for each of the two cars. The project was started with an Athearn "blue box" caboose.

Two Small Bridges Part 2

This installment covers building a riveted plate girder bridge. Prototype and model photos are included, as well as a scale drawing. Various close-up photos of prototype bridges provide a clear view of the details to consider when building this model.

Two Track Plans for an L-shaped Space

Two track plans are described for building a switching layout in an L-shaped corner.

U.S. Army Transportation Corp. No. 4700N

Using a standard gauge Kato NW2, the author shows how he kitbashed it into this narrow gauge engine. Includes construction photos and one prototype photo.

Union Pacific SD40-2 Snoot #3406

In addition to prototype information (and photos), the author describes how he superdetailed an Athearn SD40-2 to look exactly like the prototype. Includes parts list.

Union Pacific's "Harriman" Standard 24'x64' Depots

When Harriman took over the reigns at UP in 1900, he developed a standard for equipment and structures, including depots. The author models one such depot starting with an American Model Builders kit.

UP's Desert Victory SD40-2

This article describes how to detail and paint an Athearn unit to show this unique paint scheme.

Update A Common Water Tower Kit

The author shows how he converted an HO-scale Atlas water tower into a more-realistic looking tower by using parts of the kit and scratchbuilding some other parts. Includes a materials list, several key construction step photos, a scale drawing, and how to model the wire the spout.

Updating an Athearn Standard Coach

Includes diaphragms, how to use dividers to place details.

Updating the PRR Northeast Division

The author updates us on the improvements he has made to his layout (his last article was in the March 2001 issue of RMC). Includes close-up photos of his new, detailed scenes.

Upgrade an Athearn Switcher

The author describes how he upgraded his SW1500 with ESU Loksound DCC sound decoder, LED lights, and a stay-alive ESU Power Pack Mini. This includes installing the sugar cube speaker, and using it with the Iowa Scaled Engineering ProtoThrottle. Includes many step-by-step photos.

Upgrading a Bachmann Coaling Tower

Using the Bachmann kit, the author enhanced the scene building a foundation and bunker, the hoist and drying house, the sand bin, adding tipple details, and concludes with painting and weathering the models.

Upgrading a PRR H21 Hopper

After describing the history of this quad hopper, the author describes how he detailed the Bowser HO-scale model. The article includes several prototype photos and lots of model close-up photos.

Upgrading HO Hopper Car Kits

The author describes how he super-detailed an Athearn hopper car to make it look better so that it matches the Westerfield cars he also runs on his layout.

Upgrading the Bowser class GS Model

The author describes how he modified the Bowser HO-scale kit to model this car.

Upgrading the Bowser GLA Hopper

The author explains why some HO-scale modelers might still want to upgrade an older model, such as this Browser model, and shows several details he added to his model.

Upgrading the MDC Shay Part I

The author states that the model runs very well if as built, but adding an NWSL metal gearbox and a Sagami motor with flywheels really makes it purr. Also discussed are contact wipers, side rods, and universal shafts

Upgrading Walthers' Royal Packing 40' ART Steel Reefer

Uranus No. 2 Mine

The author describes how he built a small ore-loading bin and bucket conveyor. Includes model photos and scaled drawings.

Urban Railroading in a Gulf Coast Port

This is an industrial layout in a 12' x 13' room. The layout includes a port peninsula.

Urban Scenery

Putting city buildings on a second level above the track can make the city look dense, yet still allow the trains to move on through. The author describes how he makes rounded backdrops, uses mock-ups, builds roads, and the buildings themselves (painting, weathering, roofs, signs, and lighting). Includes a sidebar on how to cut out windows when scratchbuilding a wall.

Urban Switching in HO

A track plan of a 12 by 16 feet layout is presented that can be used for inner-city modern switching operations. It is a G-shaped design with a swing gate bridge.

Using a Double Slip-Switch, or Read All About It!

Lots of photos of the turnout set to various positions.

Using Rock Molds

The author describes how he built the walls of a rock quarry by using real rock of which he made the molds.

Using Semi-scale wheels and couplers

Changing the wheels and couplers of freight cars to more-to-scale ones improves the look of the models. He uses wheels from Reboxx and Intermountain, and couplers from Accumate. He uses the Reboxx Exxact Socket tool to improve the free-rolling characteristic of the trucks.

UTLX Tank Car

After describing the prototype, the author covers modifications that can be made to the Tichy Train Group model of this car. Includes many model photographs.

Variations On The Access Hatch

The author describes how the Columbia Gorge Club has self-storing access hatches. The article includes a track plan of the club's layout, as well as details about the layout itself.

Vic Kuklin's Modern-day Colorado Midland Ry.

This double-decked layout, in the owner's imagination, had the Colorado Midland Railway continuing on to August, 1960. A trackplan and photos of the very nicely-detailed layout accompany the article.

Vintage Variety

The author describes how he scratchbuilds trucks seen on the highways pre-WWII. Includes prototype photos, model photos, and some detail drawings.

Visit Paul Novak's Gold Creek Railway

The author describes his introduction into the hobby, and then describes the layout that will be open as part of the 2014 NMRA convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The layout is set in the 1950s. There are lots of photos accompanying the article.

Visiting Fred Carlson's Gladstone & North Houghton

The article describes Fred's layout set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which measures 26' by 25' in an L-shape. It covers the layout's construction and design, operating, and plans for the future. Many photos and a track plan are also included

Visiting Larry Wright's Beaver Valley & Pennsylvania RR

The layout measures 35' by 55' in an around-the-walls style in Larry's basement. It is set in 1936 and features aspects of the Ma & Pa railroad if it had made it to western Pennsylvania. Includes many photos and a trackplan.

Visiting the Blackhawk Valley R.R.

This simple around-the-room layout fits in a 13' x 26' space. The photos in the article only cover a 2' x 8' area that is "finished". The track is all handlaid code 70 rail. The author enjoys rail-fanning his layout.

Visiting the Hampshire County R.R.

An L-shaped, freelanced layout measuring 5 ft by 12 ft featuring the times of the Great Depression shows that a small layout can still provide lots of fun.

Visiting the Sheridan & Bruce Lake Rwy.

G-shaped layout with small storage tracks behind the layout wall. Nice weathering.

Visiting the Sicamous R.R.

The author describes the history of this L-shaped layout that he built out of two modules, with an added return loop in a closet.

Visiting the Spring Creek Valley Rwy.

The layout fits in a 12' by 35' room. According to Jim Ellis, the owner, it represents a bridge route between Niagara Falls and Toronto. This layout was started in 1964.

Visiting Tom Combs' Cascade Pacific

Photos accompany this article about how the owner's layout has changed, thanks to the help of friends.

Walthers HO Caboose Assembly Tricks

Installing wire grab irons, truck clearance issues, and repositioning the body bolsters.

Walthers N6b, Corrected and Backdated

The author shows how he modified the model to make it more accurate. Includes only model photos.

Walthers Trainline Track Cleaning Car Upgrade

The author replaced the body of the car to better represent the UP he models.

Walthers' HO Scale Broadway Limited

How the new Broadway Limited can be used to make prototypical trains. Various time periods are covered.

Walthers: Fairbanks-Morse H1O-44 Diesel Locomotive w/DCC Sound

After a history lesson about this engine, the author reviews the Walthers' model.

Water Tank Tips

Making the Atlas water tank kit look more realistic. Includes model photos.

Water Tower

The drawings are in N-scale, but the model built is in HO-scale. Also includes a tools list. The article is basically a construction photo essay.

Water Tower Animation

This brief article shows how the author built an animated spout on a water tower using a Circuitron Tortoise slow-motion switch machine.

Waterfront at Wiscasset

The author describes building a 4x8-foot waterfront layout in six months. Only includes photos of the layout.

Weathering

A brief article on why one would one to weather equipment, and how the author weathers a freight car using thinned acrylic paints and pastel chalks.

Weathering a Flat Car Deck

The author modifies an Intermountain flat car's deck to match the decrepit look of a prototype flat car that he was able to photograph from above. Includes prototype and model photos.

Weathering a Little at a Time

The author shares his techniques for weathering cars and engines by applying many thin layers using various methods. Included are how to weather the hard-to-weather box-car-red cars.

Weathering a Pickup Truck

The author describes how he dents a model, paints it, and then weathers it (using a Walthers resin kit of a 1941 Ford pickup truck).

Weathering Brick and Stone

This installment covers coloring stonework and adding details.

Weathering Corrugated Siding

Using heated up olive oil to burn weathering into aluminum foil siding.

Weathering Diesels

The author has developed some techniques, which he shares in this article, from weathering over 100 engines for the Colorado Model Railroad Museum as well as 50 of his own engines.

Weathering for Realism

The author describes how he weathered an Accurail CN outside-braced box car, peeled paint on a Roundhouse 50' box car, a Bowser PRR round-roof box car, and an Accurail CB&Q single-sheathed box car. Includes a couple of prototype photos, along with completed model photos.

Weathering Freight Cars Part 1

The author describes his methods for weathering freight cars using oil paints. Includes two pages of color photos of weathered models, including freight-car-red models. He uses both hand and air brushes. The article also covers faded paint and lettering and weathering wood.

Weathering Freight Cars Part 2

This installment covers how to model physical damages. Examples of gondolas and hoppers are shown in color photos.

Weathering How-to: Wall Signs

The author takes a step-by-step approach to making very thin signs to embed on the surface of a wall. Includes many construction photos.

Weathering Open-Top Cars Part 1

Making our models look more realistic by using various techniques to show their age.

Weathering Roof Techniques

This installment covers shake shingle, tarpaper roofs, and using tissue paper for tarpaper.

Weathering Roof Techniques Part II

This installment covers corrugate metal roofing, and board on board roofing.

Weathering Structures

This installment covers weathering and aging strip wood and clapboard siding, staining strip wood and siding, and dry-brushing.

Weathering Tangent NP Combination Door Boxcars

The author describes how he weathered these models as they were in 1977 as he found period photos of them.

Weathering Track

George Sellios' techniques for detailing flextrack on the Franklin & South Manchester.

Welte Lumber & Millwork

Using three Atlas Lumber Yard kits, the author kitbashed this structure. Included are diagram of kit modification details, and how the buildings are composed. Other details, such as the cyclone, stairs, walkways, gantry, water tank, and more are all covered by text and diagrams.

Western Maryland GP7

Starting with an Athearn GP7, the author made a chopped nose model.

Wetland Detailing

The author describes the methods and materials he uses to add life to lowlands, such as trees, fish, weeds, and several miscellaneous man-made details.

What I'm Working On

The author is modeling the Union Tunnels in Baltimore. Showing construction photos.

What's in Your Corner?

The author built an abandoned branch line track over a creek in the corner of his layout to make effective use of the dead space. Includes a sidebar on the history of the Wilkes-Barre & Hazleton interurban railway.

What's Neat

Using roots from bushes as tree roots on the layout. A visit to Gulliver's Gate museum in New York. How to do advanced consisting with Soundtraxx' decoders.

What's Neat

Graffiti painter Peat "Eyez" Wollaeger. Joe Atkinson's Iowa Interstate. The layout at the Magic House in the St. Louis Children's Museum. A visit to Trainland store.

What's Neat

This column covers using dried leaves for scenery, a visit with the North American Prototype Modelers layout, and how to do a wintertime train station photo.

What's Neat

This column covers how the author built an oval N-scale display layout for Athearn to use in their show booths, he also reports on what he did over the winter on his own layout, he visits the Joe and Tony Pellegrino layout, and checks in with Rice Campbell to see how he is progressing on his layout.

What's Neat

This column covers how to create a model scene for a magazine cover, how Tony Pellegrino integrated operations into the design of his layout, and a visit with John Peluso's HO-scale layout.

What's Neat

This column covers how to create a model roads, Carlton Brown of TrainTraxx shares a freight car locating tag system to make operation interesting, and photographing G-scale steam locomotives.

What's Neat