I get a call Friday asking if I could come in Saturday to cover for another volunteer that can't make it in. Normally, I volunteer at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum on Tuesdays, but I didn't have any plans for Saturday so I said yes. Coming in on a Saturday would give me a chance to work with some folks I normally don't get to work with, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to learn something new. I did learn some new stuff but I also re-learned something I already knew; or so I thought. It was time to pull one of the freight trains off the main line into the Midland Yard and … [Read more...]
Uncouple Tip
August 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
One of the things I've learned while volunteering at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum (TCMRM) is how quickly and easily uncouple cars without lifting them off the track with your hand. A simple plastic stir stick, available at most fast food restaurants that serve coffee, can be used as shown in the pictures at right to uncouple two cars. Simply insert the pointed end of the stir stick into the coupler and rotate clockwise until the coupler arms release each other. The cars shown in the pictures are O Scale cars with Kadee couplers. I haven't tested this on smaller scale … [Read more...]
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
August 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
On June 10th, I paid a visit to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota to take some pictures for an article I was working on for the Model Train Tips Newsletter. I also just wanted to check out the trains; I hadn't been to the museum in several months and this seemed like the perfect excuse. The centerpiece is a large O-gauge model railroad on display for the public. Each of the four main lines are 220' long which translates into two scale miles of track! In addition to the four main lines there are several yard lines, some of which can be seen in the photo at … [Read more...]
Largest Model Railway Display in the World
July 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
While volunteering at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum I was introduced to a fantastic model railroad website and I want to share it with you: Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, the largest model railway display in the world! The layout is located in Hamburg, Germany and visiting it is certainly on my personal "bucket list" (things to do before I kick the bucket!) Their website is in english and has plenty of photos and some outstanding videos. Be sure to check it out! Maybe you'll want to add it to your bucket list. PS; If you've been to the Miniatur Wunderland, please share your … [Read more...]
Model Railroading; The World’s Greatest Hobby!
June 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Model railroading is considered by many to be the world’s greatest hobby and is one I’ve wanted to engage in since I was a kid. I visit model railroading shows and exhibits every chance I get and feel like a kid again every time I go! I live near Minneapolis, Minnesota and when the Mall Of America first opened in the early 1990′s I took my young daughter to check out the mall and ride the indoor amusement rides at Camp Snoopy. One of the businesses that set up shop at the new mall was a model train store with an incredible model railroad exhibit. They charged an admittance … [Read more...]
