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HO Scale Model Train Layouts – Why You Should Consider HO Scale

January 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
ho-loco-70x70

By Dan B Morgan HO scale model train layouts are incredibly popular. However in the United Kingdom they are referred to OO scale. They are not exactly the same but very close. The popularity has come about because you don't need a lot of space to enjoy a well detailed model railroad. Model Railways in HO scale are 1:87, which means they are 1/87 the size of a real train. This is a great size to be able to handle, but not too small that you struggle to see all the detail. HO model railways can be easily created on a 4 foot x 8 foot table or as large as you want to go. Adding some … [Read more...]

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Model Railroading 101

August 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
tcmrmS009

Here are some model railroad basics; things you should know before investing in model railroad trains. If you're planning on building a model railroad layout then this is the essential information you'll need before starting out. Pick a Railroad... Any Railroad Choosing a specific railroad to focus on can make the hobby much more more economical. Your railroad can be modern day like the Union Pacific, BNSF, or Canadian National. Or it can be a "fallen flag", a railroad that's been taken over by a larger company. Many modelers choose the railroad whose trains they watched passing by as a … [Read more...]

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Freight Yard Disaster

August 16, 2009 By 1 Comment

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...]

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Uncouple Tip

August 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Uncouple Tip

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...]

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Model Railroading Magazines

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Model Railroader Magazine

Are you reading model railroading magazines to stay current and learn more about this great hobby? I find that reading current magazines helps me stay fresh with what's new as well as picking up tidbits of useful info. I decided to check to see what's available today and share it with you. Since Amazon.com is a great source for books and other stuff (I've personally bought not only books but computer parts and even a replacement stylus for my PDA phone) I thought I'd look there. Since we're communicating via the internet I figure Amazon.com is a good resource. Here's what I found (I'm … [Read more...]

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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...]

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How To Apply Ballast

July 22, 2009 By 1 Comment
Track Ballast

by Arizona Rock & Mineral Many people ask me how to apply ballast even if they have done it before. They must not be satisfied how theirs turned out so the very best way will be presented here. I use several techniques and each one has an advantage over the other as the desired effects or the situations vary. A neat looking roadbed is a major accomplishment and very satisfying to look at when finished. Basic Information The best rule of thumb is to apply it slowly and carefully. Each step is very important to follow because "now", you will be in control of its finished … [Read more...]

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The Art of Applying Decals

July 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Details

by Joe Czapiga The art of applying thin film wet decals to models is one that only gets better with practice. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. Patience and persistency will allow you to produce models that look as good, if not better than the models in all your favorite magazines. I am sure many people have many different methods of applying decals successfully. The methods I use were mostly developed by trial and error and lots of query at every hobby shop I've gone to. As for the myth that you won't be able to produce a great looking model until you have 20 years … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Freight Car Tips, Locomotives Tips, Passenger Car Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

Using RTV Molds For Creating Scratch-Built Models

July 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

by Tony Segro RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanized) Rubber molds are simple to make and can allow you to cast several identical detail castings for your scratchbuilt models. RTV Rubber is a two-part mixture made by Dow-Corning. It comes in various styles. I find 3110 the easiest to use because it does not require an expensive vacuum pump to decompress air bubbles. Take the detail you wish to copy, called a MASTER, and glue it into a cardboard or styrene box with dimensions about one inch longer than the master by one inch wider than the master. When placing the master in the box, you will … [Read more...]

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Tree Construction Technique

July 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Trees

by Lynn Goblin Materials A Tree Trunk Armature Use anything that looks like a miniature tree of the scale, height, and species you want to model. I prefer sage brush twigs for larger deciduous trees like mature oaks and cottonwoods. For birches and smaller deciduous trees, I use pieces from a decorative broom I bought at a Ben Franklin craft store. You can, of course, use anything that looks like a tree, from yarrow and goldenrod weeds; to herb and tree roots; to manufactured cast metal and plastic armatures. Ground Foam Ground foam represents the leaves of the tree. You can … [Read more...]

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