I love looking at photos and videos posted by fellow model railroaders. I have learned a great deal about scenery by watching others do what they do best. I recently discovered I've been making a mistake. When I go into my train room, I tend to look at my whole layout from one end to …
Continue reading More Scenery Details on the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad
One of the beautiful things about model railroading, and scenery in particular, is that beauty is in the eye of the creator. If you think it's incredible, then it is. We all like to be told our work is terrific, but the truth is you are the only one to please. I pondered backdrops for …
Continue reading DIY Model Railroad Backdrops: A Beginner’s Guide
One of the beautiful things about model railroading, and scenery in particular, is that beauty is in the eye of the creator. If you think it's incredible, then it is. We all like to be told our work is terrific, but the truth is you are the only one to please. I pondered backdrops for …
Continue reading Painting Beautiful Backdrops for Your Model Railroad
In a previous post, I wrote about scratch-building small cabins with balsa wood. By trial and error, sometimes resulting in more error than success, I filled in the window frames without actually making windows. I simply framed the space and added some trim. I decided to try my hand at building paned windows that I …
In a previous post, I wrote about scratch-building small cabins with balsa wood. By trial and error, I filled in the window frames without actually making windows. I simply framed the space and added some trim. I decided to make windows in advance and pop them in place as I'm building new structures. I first …
Continue reading Scratch Build HO Scale Windows for a Rustic Cabin
My Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad is looking really good, if I do say so myself. In previous posts I wrote about making printed buildings with cardstock and balsa. I have many of them. I decided to try scratch building. The first thing required is a dedicated work space. Mine is a lap-desk and …
Continue reading Using Balsa Wood to Scratch Build Structures for Model Railroads
My Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad is looking really good, if I do say so myself. In previous posts I wrote about making printed buildings with cardstock and balsa. I have many of them. I decided to try scratch building. The first thing required is a dedicated work space. Mine is a lap-desk and …
Continue reading Scratch Building Balsa Cabins for Model Railroads
Blog and Photos by Dale Parsons Strong model railroad benchwork will guarantee stress-free HO scale, or your favorite scale, railroading for years to come. Linn Westcott's magazine-style book, "How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork" is a great resource for information about a solid structure for your trains and scenery. Whether you plan to use an …
Continue reading How to Build Strong Model Railroad Benchwork
I started working on my backdrop factory two years ago. I don't have enough space on my layout to use the factory as a free-standing kit. I started by cutting the pieces down so they could be glued together side-by-side. I have four inches of space between the wall and the rail siding. I was …
Every artist sees far beyond the simple strokes with which a masterpiece begins.
A Coffee State of Mind 