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Building a Model Railroad: Tips and Lessons Learned
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, Read more
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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, Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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Married Forty-Nine Years to the Love of My Life
We were married on this date, forty-nine years ago. It was a Friday night, an ice and snow storm blew in during the day. The ceremony started late because my wife’s brother, mother and step-father had not yet arrived, and her brother was giving her away. My mother-in-law was bringing the wedding cake. Mary and Read more
A Coffee State of Mind 