Improve your model train layout using our modeling tips and tricks for theme design, scratch building, and incorporating additional features to make your railroad stand out.
There’s little doubt that steam locomotives have a certain romanticism to them. More than half a century beyond their final days in revenue service, they still remain integral to railroad imagery in popular culture today. If you’ve experienced them in action, whether at a museum or in service, you’ll understand why. From the sound of …
Continue reading “Five Essential Elements for Modeling the Age of Steam”
From the dawn of railroading, stations have served as an important focal point on just about every system. While their purpose is primarily functional, few inanimate structures are able to inspire the same level of emotion as these iconic landmarks. From the tearful farewells of soldiers going to war to the heart-warming reuniting of distant …
If you’re looking to take your layout to the next level, adding sound effects is a great way to transform your railroad and bring an added level of realism to your scene! From in-cab locomotive sounds to ambient effects and immersive surround sound setups, there’s no shortage of possibilities for adding sound to your layout! …
Continue reading “Adding Sound to Your Model Railroad: Sound Systems and DCC”
A significant moment in your model railroading journey is when you start thinking about your layout as more than just pieces of track on a level surface. We previously covered how to build realistic hills and mountains for your layout. And while that allows for elements like tunnels, it also creates space for you to …
Continue reading “Up and Over: How to Build a Bridge for Your Model Train Layout”
If your railroad is set in a snowy environment, you’ll also need the appropriate equipment to help the railroad deal with the weather. In this article, we’re exploring 5 essential rail vehicles for use on a snow-themed layout!
From the crunching of leaves under your feat, to the slight crisp in the air, Fall is high on the list of most people’s favorite seasons. It’s no secret as to why – vibrantly colored forests, elaborate halloween decorations, and of course, pumpkin spice! What’s not to love? For model railroaders, Fall presents a challenge …
Continue reading “5 Tips for Building a Model Train Fall Layout”
MOW (or Maintenance of Way) trains are an essential yet often overlooked component of every railroad’s roster. Usually having the appearance of a somewhat normal freight consist to the untrained eye, MOW trains are quite literally the trains which keep the railroad running. In this article, we’re going to explore the different types of MOW …
Found across the country from small towns to major cities, yards are the beating heart of the railroad. A typical freight yard will often lie at a strategic point in a railroad’s system, usually where multiple routes come together. Here the railroad can switch cars between trains, store equipment while not being used, and service …
Continue reading “5 Tips for Making a Model Train Railroad Yard”
Streetcars can be a great addition to any layout, whether featured as a major component, or as an element of interest in a larger scene. In this article, we’re going to look at the hallmarks of North American streetcar systems, and how to incorporate them into your layout.
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