It's always good to take a look at how far our model railroads have come. Happy model railroading, everyone!
Category: Model Railroading
How to Build a Grade Crossing on an HO Scale Model Railroad
Building a convincing grade crossing on my HO scale model railroad was something I really wasn't looking forward to. I debated whether to buy a crossing kit at the hobby shop and be done with it, but I decided they were too expensive. I turned to YouTube, the model railroader's best friend. Who am I …
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Part Two: Mistakes on My First and Second HO Scale Model Railroads that Taught Me What Not To Do
I have to admit, my second model railroad was more of a "get a table built so I can run trains" kind of layout than a well-designed plan. I stayed with two mainlines, and allowed for a twenty-two inch radius on the outside. I again used Linn Westcott's book, How To Build Model Railroad Benchwork, …
Mistakes on My First and Second HO Scale Model Railroads that Taught Me What Not To Do
My purpose in sharing these thoughts and photos is to assist you in the development of your HO scale model railroad. If there is a set of rules for model railroaders, I haven't seen it. Rule number one should be, Do Not Hurry! No matter how bad you want to see trains rolling by at …
Memories of the Steam Train Festival in 2009 at the Steam Railroading Institute
I think I was born about fifteen years too late. I would have loved standing along the tracks watching huge steam locomotives roll by, pulling long lines of freight or passenger cars. Steam was almost completely replaced by diesel by the time I was born. There were still a few steam engines working in various …
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Grandchildren Watching the Maple Valley Short Line is the Reward of Model Railroading
Hours and hours invested in a model railroad often result in a few moments that make the entire effort worth every moment working. For a model railroader, the work is fun so it's not as though I don't love every minute with my layout. The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad is my third layout …
Detail Scenes of the Maple Valley Short Line HO Scale Model Railroad
Maple Valley Manufacturing is a large facility just outside of town. Three Tower Bridge stands between the small town of Maple Valley and the factory. Close-up views of the inside of the factory provide detailed scenes on the HO scale model railroad. To create the illusion of depth and detail in the facade, I built …
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Two Mistakes to Avoid as You Build Your HO Scale Model Railroad
I understand that experience is a great teacher. With model railroading, however, small mistakes can have a cascading effect that will make operating your railroad a frustrating experience. If you are going to use extruded foam as the base of your layout, be sure to notice the edges of the foam. Undoubtedly, there will be …
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Under Construction: The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad
As construction of a model railroad progresses, it's easy to forget the former struggles and triumphs. I'm happy I took lots of photos as I was building The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad. I'm not finished with the layout. I am not sure a model railroad is ever completed because it's so fun to …
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Things I Did Right on my HO Scale Model Railroad
The Maple Valley Short Line is a work in progress. As I shared in "Mistakes I Made on my HO Scale Model Railroad," model railroading is a great teaching tool because there is always something to learn. I suspect that any serious model railroader would say the same thing. This is the pencil drawing of …
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A Coffee State of Mind 