I recently discovered a surprising fact on my model railroad. I don't have enough trees! After setting about thirty more pine trees, I took a good look over my scenery, and, sure enough, I have to make more trees. Thanks to so many great modelers who post terrific videos on YouTube, I have learned how …
Continue reading Easy Floral Wire Trees for Your Model Railroad
When you're making plans to build a model railroad, scenery is going to be a big part of it. If you want your layout to be at all convincing, and I can't imagine starting a project like this without deciding to make it as realistic as possible, trees are going to play a huge role. …
Continue reading Adding Trees to the Maple Valley Short Line Railroad
The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad is operational. I have been running trains on the main lines without any major interruptions or catastrophes. From the moment I first drilled holes in the cement blocks, to securing the last piece of HO scale flex-track, this has been an enjoyable journey. But the journey is far …
Continue reading Building a Control Panel for the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad
The Maple Valley Short Line RR is now operational. I can successfully run two trains simultaneously on two long lines. The outer loop rises to four inches at 2% starting at the Maple Valley River Bridge. The inner line completes a circuit by passing through two tunnels, crossing the Maple Valley River, and winding through …
Continue reading Wiring the Maple Valley Short Line – Part 2
The Maple Valley Short Line is the largest HO scale model railroad I have ever built. My first was a free standing reverse-dogleg L-shaped layout. It was a learning experience, as all layouts are. I took it apart and moved it twice before finally cutting it apart for the last time. My second model railroad …
Continue reading Wiring The Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad
I want to be clear that any links or referrals I include to experts in model railroading are an effort to be helpful and not a result of having any kind of sales affiliation with them. Many helpful skills in model railroading can be learned by watching YouTube videos. Just about any question you have …
Through over fifty years in HO scale model railroading, I have wide and varied experience building structures for my layouts. My first balsa and cardboard kit was the Purina Feeds Mill I was very proud of. I no longer have it and wish I did. Another was a scratch-built cabin my uncle and I made …
I am thrilled, excited, relieved, exhausted, and happy to report track on the entire Maple Valley Short Line Railroad is finished! Well, the track is all in place. Installing ballast is yet to come. This model railroad is the largest layout I have ever built. I started with a blank canvas three years ago and …
Continue reading Model Railroad Progress on the Maple Valley Short Line
I can't stress enough that you can do this. Believe me, if I can paint backdrops and have them turn out half-way decent, you can do it too. In Part 1, I included a list of the paint colors most often used for painting backdrops. All of the paint is acrylic, which cleans up easily …
Continue reading How I Painted Backdrops for My Model Railroad – Part 2
First, let's get this straight. I am not an artist (and maybe you'll agree when you look carefully at the photos of my backdrops.) The only time I have ever taken an art class was in the 7th grade. Mr. Nagle gave me good grades for my drawings but my interest in art didn't grow. …
Continue reading How I Painted Backdrops for My Model Railroad – Part 1
A Coffee State of Mind 