Model Railroading Blog

Common Electrical Switches Used in Model Railroading

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:00:00 GMT

A description and comparison of some of the more common electrical switches used in model railroad wiring.

Decorating Your Layout for the Holidays

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:47:48 GMT

"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 Elements

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:02:36 GMT

How to use train layout design elements (LDE's) to develop your own model railroad trackplan

Modeling a Winter Scene

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:52:30 GMT

How to create a complete winter scene for your model railroad, including methods of making snow, ice and icicles.

Building your own model railroad website

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:45:47 GMT

If 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 Scratchbuilding

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:11:19 GMT

In 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.

Pokie Roads Layout Expansion Project

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:09:04 GMT

My 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 System

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:38:06 GMT

An exciting new development in model railroad electronics is the RPS, or Railroad Position System. This is like GPS for your railroad! Requirements: ~ DCC control,
~ N-Scale or larger locomotive with decoder and open grill on top,
~ a PC or MAC computer,
~ JMRI (a freeware computer software program),
~ a transmitter in your locomotive,
~ 3-4 receivers mounted over your layout, and
~ line-of-site from your loco to receivers. (May not work for trains in large tunnels unless you put receivers in the tunnel) 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 Guide

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:03:38 GMT

All the information, tools and techniques you need to design and build your own realistic, artistic and fully operational model railroad.

Traffic Signals for Your Model Railroad Layout

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:56:06 GMT

How to install traffic signals on your model railroad layout.

Your Model Railroading Tips and Comments

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:21:53 GMT

Share your own model railroading tips and comments to help other model railroaders improve.

A New Model Railroad Layout!

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:56:25 GMT

Ideas, dreams and musings about building a new model railroad layout in addition to the main layout.

Making Roots for Trees...

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:14:33 GMT

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!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:37:41 GMT

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!

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:07:26 GMT

How to conduct sessions for model railroad operation.

Train Camera for Your Model Trains

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:33:29 GMT

Using a Train Camera System to enhance your model railroad layout - a way to view your train layout from a different perspective.

Superelevating Model Train Track Curves

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:48:59 GMT

How to superelevate the outer rails of flextrack in a model train track curve.

Model Train Track Codes

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:28:54 GMT

Description of various track codes and tips for laying model train track for a realistic and prototypical appearance.

Visual Illusions and Mirror Tricks for Your Model Railroad

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:45:35 GMT

Tips on how to use illusions to enhance your model railroad layout.

Building Your Model Railroad - Sitemap

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:50:52 GMT

Building Your Model Railroad - Sitemap: Navigate to any page on the site with one click.

Building a Website

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:54:21 GMT

Describes 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.

Model Railroad Scenery Details

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:46:27 GMT

The addition of multiple details to your model railroad scenery will greatly enhance the interest and dimension of your layout and its theme.

Model Trains and Railroads: Resources and References

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:04:50 GMT

Where to find more information about model trains and model railroad supplies, the best resources and references.

Model Railroad Wiring for Automated Train Operation

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:41:22 GMT

Automated electronics prove to be very useful in advanced model railroad wiring applications, including automatic train stops, train delay, slowdown or reversing operations.

Potomac Junction '08 Convention

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:15:47 GMT

Don'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 Effects

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:12:02 GMT

Includes 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.

Model Railroad Crossing Gates

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:35:22 GMT

How to model operating railroad crossing gates and lighted crossbucks, including bell sounds, all occurring automatically as your train approaches.

Dioramas

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:45:36 GMT

This 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.

Search Page

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:35:49 GMT

Search page to find anything on or off this site about model railroading.

Overview of Model Railroading

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:44:29 GMT

Just thought I would share with you a page I wrote for the new Google Knol featuring a general overview of the hobby and a brief guide for those who are just starting out.

Train Signals for Your Model Railroad

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:02:47 GMT

How to set up a system of train signals on your model railroad layout.

How to Build an 18 inch Gauge Railroad!!

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:58:03 GMT

This is an amazing website showing how one couple in Oregon built the railroad of their dreams. The first page is about a problem they had with the local land laws which is unfortunate, but this seems to be resolved now. The scale is a little bigger than I'm used to working with. Looking at the pictures of their layout and especially the construction photos, you really can appreciate the amount of work and effort that went into it... Incidentally, check out the bridge construction. You might get some ideas on how you can scratchbuild your own trestle bridge - in a smaller scale, of course.

Lighting Effects for Your Model Railroad

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:34:56 GMT

Special lighting effects for your model railroad layout, including lighted building signs, billboard lights, street lamps, emergency vehicles, neon signs, theatre marquees, fiber optics, etc.

Modeling Fake Fire and Smoke Effects

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:22:27 GMT

How to create simulated or fake fire effects, arc welding and smoke effects for your model railroad. Using electronics to enhance your train layout.

The longest model train in the world!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:28:32 GMT

Check out this video of Miniatur Wunderland containing the longest model train ever constructed - over 300 feet long!

Model Train Couplers

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:51:26 GMT

All about model train couplers different types of couplers and uncouplers, and installation tips.

Advanced Model Railroading: Special Effects and New Ideas

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:47:27 GMT

How to create special effects for model railroading and other new ideas. Tips on sound and lighting effects, animation, signal systems, mirrors, fire and smoke, automation and other details.

Sound Effects for Model Railroads

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:05:59 GMT

All about sound effects for model railroads, including various sound systems available, and tips on creating your own railroad sound system.

Model Railroad Wiring

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:20:37 GMT

Overview of different types of model railroad wiring

Model Railroad Wiring Tips

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:11:01 GMT

Tips and techniques for model railroad wiring gauges, making connections, buses, terminal strips, etc.

All About Turnouts

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:09:49 GMT

Everything you need to know about model railroad track turnouts for your layout.

Lift-Out Model Scenery

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:28:13 GMT

How to make a removable lift-out section of model scenery for your train layout to access hidden tracks.

Model Buildings from Scratch

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:27:17 GMT

Tips on the best methods of creating model buildings from scratch.

Model Railroad Photos: Tutorial

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:18:27 GMT

All about how to take great model railroad photos the best tools and techniques.

Train Derailments

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:39:02 GMT

Troubleshooting model train derailments

Airbrushing

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:45:40 GMT

Tips and techniques on airbrushing for model railroad applications.

Soldering Tips

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:55:23 GMT

Soldering tips for model train track rail joints, adding feeder wires to tracks and soldering wires together.

Model Train Scenery

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:42:14 GMT

All aspects of building and developing model train scenery, including creating terrain and rock formations, tunnels, ground cover, trees, roads, water effects, etc.

Train Photos / Gallery

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:26:15 GMT

Gallery of prototypical and/or model train photos and model railroad layout photos

Train Control Panel

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:25:32 GMT

How to make an electric train control panel with remote turnout switches, accessory switches, turntable controls, etc. for your model railroad layout.