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
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 …
Continue reading How to Easily Make Trees for Your Model Railroad
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
A Coffee State of Mind 