Model Railroading Blog
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****************************************************** New and Updated Pages... RailfanningCheck out the new photos sent in by Eduardo from Morocco! Permalink -- click for full blog post O Scale DioramasHi... Im not sure if my works qualify as a real model railroad. I am building structures, and not a real layout yet. Anyway, please do check my blog, Permalink -- click for full blog post Anyone Need Foam Blocks?One of our visitors, GR, writes, "I read that block foam packaging material may sometimes be recycled by using it to make model villages or bases for hobby buildings and figures. Does anyone in VB need or want some block foam (a.k.a. "Styrofoam")? I received a cabinet in boxes cushioned with blocks of foam I would now like to recycle. I prefer not to throw it in the trash and fill up and pollute the landfills." If you would like some of these foam blocks, send me an email with your address and I will pass it on to GR.
-GJW New Toolbar!Check out the new BYMR Toolbar that you can add to your browser! It has a number of cool tools - a calculator, search bar, ToDo List, weather, radio and some of the best links to the BYMR site and Blog page. The best part of it is that it also has a message box where you can send me a quick message or question without having to go through email. I'm excited about it. Check it out!
BYMR-ZineThe first issue of the BYMR-zine will be coming out very soon. Don't miss it! If you haven't already subscribed, go to the BYMR-zine page to sign up now! Permalink -- click for full blog post Train Camera for Your Model TrainsUsing a Train Camera System to enhance your model railroad layout - a way to view your train layout from a different perspective. Permalink -- click for full blog post Your Model Railroading Tips and CommentsShare your own model railroading tips and comments to help other model railroaders improve. Permalink -- click for full blog post Bullfrog SnotHave you tried any Bullfrog Snot on your locomotives yet? If you want better traction, this is just what you need! Bullfrog Snot is a liquid plastic (non-organic) product available from a manufacturer in California (Frogs Frills and Daffodils), which you can apply to the tread of your locomotive wheels. It dries 24 hours later to form a thin green tire for your wheels that will give you significantly better traction for your locomotive power on grades as well as better pulling power on flat runs. So now you can tell your wife that you are going to order some Bullfrog Snot off the Internet! After the shock has worn off, you can say that it's Snot what she thinks. O Winston LinkFamous train photographs by O Winston Link inspire us to build great model railroad scenes. Permalink -- click for full blog post National Train Day!Check out the Second Annual National Train Day scheduled for May 9, 2009. Multiple events are planned to occur in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, LA, Chicago, etc. Don't miss the celebration in your area! Model Railroading Tips / NewsletterIntroducing a new email-based newsletter containing lots of model railroading tips and techniques to help you build and maintain your model railroad empire. Permalink -- click for full blog post Hartford National 2009Don't forget to register for the National NMRA Model Railroad Convention in Hartford, Connecticut scheduled for July 5-11, 2009. Check out the convention website at www.hn2009.org! HelpersIn the latest issue of Model Railroader, Andy Sperandeo wrote a very informative one-page article on "Helper Operations", in which he talked about the various prototypical ways in which helper engines can be used to get your trains up steep grades. Double-heading is the simplest of these and of course involves adding an extra 1 or more engines at the front of the train to help pull the train up the grade. This is fine if the train is in a straight line, but if the grade involves going around a curve, you end up with a problem called "stringlining", where the cars in the middle are pulled back by the weight of the train and pulled forward by the engines and end up being forced off the track. In that case, you may need to use pusher engines at the rear or in the middle of the train to prevent this. Pushing against a caboose may be okay if it has a steel frame, but many do not prototypically and you don't want to put your crew in danger, so you may have to do some switching to get the caboose off then back on again after the climb is finished. You can also use a pusher with the coupler locked open, so that when the grade climb is finished the train simply pulls forward and the pusher falls back without requiring an uncoupling procedure. The pusher then goes back down the grade to return to its base. Check out the article for more details on p.114 of the April, 2009 issue of MR. Narrow Gauge Model RailroadsNarrow gauge model railroading is becoming increasingly popular in the hobby. This page will give you some basic information about this gauge and why it's catching on. Permalink -- click for full blog post Using Google Earth to Discover Prototype Track PlansHow to use Google Earth to find prototype track designs to use for your own model railroad track planning Permalink -- click for full blog post Train Photos / GalleryGallery of prototypical and/or model train photos and model railroad layout photos Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Train SuppliesMany of the model train supplies that you will need to build your model railroad can be found on this page. Permalink -- click for full blog post Time for SoundA great, very inventive article by John Thompson on how to use sound loops from old railroad clocks to add a variety of railroad sounds to your S scale trains. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Railroad ShowcaseThis is a chance for you to showcase YOUR model railroad with a whole webpage on the internet dedicated to your layout, diorama, structure-building, kitbashing or other projects. Permalink -- click for full blog post Bobs Model Railroad LayoutShowcase of a model railroad layout with DCC and computer control, an operating signal system and automatically controlled reversing loops Permalink -- click for full blog post Train Brain: Computerizing Your LayoutUsing the Train Brain modules from CTI Electronics to achieve state-of-the-art computerized train, signal, turnout and lighting control. Permalink -- click for full blog post "East Meets West"I really enjoyed the article appearing in the January, '09 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman entitled "East Meets West - Modeling the Rio Grande Southern and East Broad Top", written by Linn Moedinger. The reason I liked it so much was that fact that Linn wanted to model 2 railroads that really weren't associated with each other in real life. But he liked both of them, and so he used his imagination to make up a story about an imaginary world where the Rockies were pushed up against the Alleghenys millions of years ago. In that world, these 2 railroads were therefore destined to meet. His fantastic layout attests to to the fact that they did meet (in his train room at least).
He could have done it even without having to make up an excuse. In fact, I had to smile as I read, in his words, " I like the Rio Grande Southern and the East Broad Top and they needed to connect. End of story. It exists and I'm happy with it." I think that freedom to build whatever railroad you like including or not including a prototype or in this case putting 2 of them together whether they were together in real life or not is a fascinating, enjoyable and very creative aspect of this hobby. You shouldn't feel restricted by rules of real life (except maybe by things like gravity). Some people would have said, "But that didn't really happen". Well, neither did The Polar Express, but it still makes a good story. The bottom line is you really only have to please yourself. If you're happy with it and if you and your friends are having fun with it, you did the right thing! Model Railroad OperationsIf you are at all interested in model train operations, there is an excellent article in the latest issue of N-Scale Magazine called "Operations for a Newbie: a Veteran's Perspective" written by Larry Hickman and Greg Jones. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series and is written from the perspective of a real railroader, working a total of 41 years on four railroads including the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail and CSX. Larry is also an accomplished HO scale model railroader, so he is able to integrate both worlds with a rare expertise that really helps the rest of us modelers to know how things really worked and how to incorporate the prototype methods into our own layouts. I'm already looking forward to Part 2. Common Electrical Switches Used in Model RailroadingA description and comparison of some of the more common electrical switches used in model railroad wiring. Permalink -- click for full blog post Decorating Your Layout for the Holidays"Modeling the Holiday Season" by Debie Baker-Snell is a nice article in the Dec., 2008 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman all about decorating your layout for the Holidays. Several holiday tips are outlined, including how to attach little wreaths (that you can buy from your local craft store) to the front of your engines or the backs of your cabooses. Another neat decoration is to use metallic yarn to wrap around some of your evergreens or around lampposts. You can also buy scale-sized holiday figure sets through the Walthers Catalog. You can add different-colored LEDs to an evergreen to make a Christmas tree that can be removed and replaced with a regular evergreen when the Season is over. Craft stores also have small decorative red bows that can be attached temporarily to street lamps. Small decorative signs or reindeer can be added to houses or buildings for roof decorations. Let your imagination be your guide. Show off your decorated layout to all your family and visitors to your home this season. This is something everyone would enjoy! Train Layout Design ElementsHow to use train layout design elements (LDE's) to develop your own model railroad trackplan Permalink -- click for full blog post Modeling a Winter SceneHow to create a complete winter scene for your model railroad, including methods of making snow, ice and icicles. Permalink -- click for full blog post Building your own model railroad websiteIf you're at all interested in building your own website or starting your own blog about model railroading, SiteSell now has a special going on. You can obtain the complete course, all the tools on how to find and use the right keywords, instructional videos, domain name, everything you need to develop a very successful website of your own for only $100. This entire website that you see here was created by me in my spare time (which isn't much) with the sole investment of $100 (The usual non-special price is $299). The site paid for itself within the first 8 weeks and traffic is growing more and more every week. There have been over 55,600 page views on this site since its inception in April, 2008. It's actually been fun to build and exciting to watch the reaction. If you belong to a railroad club, you could assign different articles to be written by various members of the club and have a complete site written and running in only a few months. Or if you want, SiteSell Services can build the whole thing for you according to your specifications. The other option is to have SiteSell provide you with a personal coach to help you. I elected to do it myself by taking the self-study course, although I'm sure it would have been easier with a personal coach. At any rate the decision is yours. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time while the rates are low. Let me know if you do. There's like a whole brotherhood of SBIers out there that are very friendly and help each other out every day in the forum. Click below to get to the SBI (Site Build It! by SiteSell) Homepage and read more... Tip from a visitor on ScratchbuildingIn the Scratchbuilding page on this site, a method of making windows for a styrene wall is described. One of our readers sent in a comment which should make this a much easier process... "When cutting window openings in styrene, (For starters I would suggest .040 not .060) you can cut the lines for the outside of the window, and then cut an X from corner to corner. This allows the opening to be snapped out without having to glue the rest of the wall back together. Use a small file to clean up the opening. Much less work!" - Russ Venlos Thanks, Russ, for the great tip! I'll be anxious to try this soon. Permalink -- click for full blog post Pokie Roads Layout Expansion ProjectMy new N Scale layout is currently under expansion. Pictures are now available to show (show off?) the progress. I'll post more updates as the process continues. Let me know if you have any comments... Railroad Position SystemAn exciting new development in model railroad electronics is the RPS, or Railroad Position System. This is like GPS for your railroad! Requirements:
~ DCC control, No complicated wiring is necessary. It can be used for location of trains (e.g, in a hidden staging yard), train identification, control of signals, turnouts, trains, sounds, lights and other automated actions. It can actually create a map of your layout by following the loco around the track. Starter set costs around $400 including base station, transmitter and 3 receivers. Building Your Model Railroad - A Comprehensive GuideAll the information, tools and techniques you need to design and build your own realistic, artistic and fully operational model railroad. Permalink -- click for full blog post Traffic Signals for Your Model Railroad LayoutHow to install traffic signals on your model railroad layout. Permalink -- click for full blog post A New Model Railroad Layout!Ideas, dreams and musings about building a new model railroad layout in addition to the main layout. Permalink -- click for full blog post Making Roots for Trees...This is another great tip from Model Railroader magazine, written by Cody Grivno, entitled Model the Edge of a Forest on a Bluff, Oct., 2008, pp.34-35. demonstrating how to attach metal tree branches from a Woodland Scenics tree kit to the trunk of a Grand Central Gems fir tree by drilling small holes in the side of the trunk, gluing in the branches, covering the attachment with putty, painting with Polly Scale Earth color and imbedding the tree on the layout at the front of a forest or on a hillside. Great stuff! A New Model Railroad Magazine!A new free e-zine called Model Railroad Hobbyist will be available in January, 2009 for your viewing pleasure right on your computer screen! It's all electronic and will give you lots of model railroad news and informative articles about model railroading. It's all supported by sponsors, and did I mention, it's free! Here's the link. Check out the demo pages...
Model Railroad Operation: A New Adventure!How to conduct sessions for model railroad operation. Permalink -- click for full blog post Superelevating Model Train Track CurvesHow to superelevate the outer rails of flextrack in a model train track curve. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Train Track CodesDescription of various track codes and tips for laying model train track for a realistic and prototypical appearance. Permalink -- click for full blog post Visual Illusions and Mirror Tricks for Your Model RailroadTips on how to use illusions to enhance your model railroad layout. Permalink -- click for full blog post Sitemap for Building Your Model RailroadSitemap for Building Your Model Railroad - Navigate to any page on the site with one click. Permalink -- click for full blog post Building a WebsiteDescribes the basic process of building a website for your model railroad club or to display your own train layout, and what's required to accomplish this. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Railroad Scenery DetailsThe addition of multiple details to your model railroad scenery will greatly enhance the interest and dimension of your layout and its theme. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Trains and Railroads: Resources and ReferencesWhere to find more information about model trains and model railroad supplies, the best resources and references. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Railroad Wiring for Automated Train OperationAutomated electronics prove to be very useful in advanced model railroad wiring applications, including automatic train stops, train delay, slowdown or reversing operations. Permalink -- click for full blog post Potomac Junction '08 ConventionDon't forget to sign up for the MER (Mid-Eastern Region) NMRA model railroad convention coming up in mid-October (Oct. 16-19) in Reston, VA. Sign up before Sept 1 when the price goes up! Animated Train Layout EffectsIncludes a discussion of ready-made animated train layout effects and various types of animation parts that you can use to create your own animated effects. Permalink -- click for full blog post Model Railroad Crossing GatesHow to model operating railroad crossing gates and lighted crossbucks, including bell sounds, all occurring automatically as your train approaches. Permalink -- click for full blog post DioramasThis is a great website containing everything you need to know about building dioramas plus a lot of other information about fantasy art, animation projects, telescopes, terrariums, model rockets, etc. The Diorama section includes articles on landscaping, terrain, making trees and rubber molds, and a tutorial on creating your own model diorama from start to finish.
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