A High End Build
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-09 pg. 54 Scale: O Category: "Freight Cars - Stock Cars"
Bob describes how he built a super-detailed, high-quality stock car to Proto 48 O-scale standards.
A Styrene Tender
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-04 pg. 68 Scale: HO Category: "Locomotives - Steam"
Bob describes how he built a tender for a steam locomotive that he couldn't buy ready-to-run. Includes many detailed construction photos.
Adhesives and Chemistry
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-12 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
Bob covers several glues, but the majority of the article is about how he makes his own stains.
Attachment and Adhesives
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-06 pg. 62 Scale: Category: "Tools"
This article quickly covers some of the standard glues modelers use, and some others not often needed, and several tips on holding things together while the glue dries.
Back to Simple
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-11 pg. 72 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Evaluating the complexity of a project, purposely choosing a simple project, or making a project simple can yield a lot of dividends for the layout without it taking a long time to complete.
Background Buildings, Flats and Philosophy
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-12 pg. 98 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
The author presents many ideas about how to make thin background buildings look more three-dimensional. He also discusses forced perspective.
Bob Walker's Dream Layout
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 92 Scale: On3 Category: "Layouts - O"
The author writes the scratchbuilding column, but this article describes his large On3 layout. It models the Rio Grande Southern in 1942. About half of the layout is scenicked and looks beautiful.
Bricks and Masonry
Railroad Model Craftsman 2004-10 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
Practical modeling ideas for brick buildings.
Challenges
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-04 pg. 50 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
How do you tackle a huge, complex, or intimidating scratchbuilding project? One bite at a time! The author describes various large projects he started, facing his initial fears.
Details, Again
Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 76 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Bob's history as a detail manufacturer, balancing between buying and making your own details, and how details bring a scene to life.
Distress
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-03 pg. 64 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Using various tools to distress wood to give structures that aged and weather-beaten look.
Doors
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-01 pg. 74 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author describes how to model various doors, some of which may have to be built from scratch.
Doors, Windows, and Details
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-08 pg. 72 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
Scratchbuilding supplies for scale doors and windows. Includes several nice finished models.
From The Beginning
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-12 pg. 66 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
The article covers the author's opinion of why we should consider scratchbuilding.
Home Improvements
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-07 pg. 80 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author discusses how models you built a while back may not look right anymore. Either your skills have improved or they are not the right size. He suggests not throwing the models away, but rather built them into a new structure, or moving them to the back of the layout.
How I Scratchbuilt My First Steam Locomotive Part 3
Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-12 pg. 96 Scale: On3 Category: "Locomotives - Steam"
In this installment of the construction of the Virginia Midland 4-6-0 covers the running gear, boiler, and cab. Includes diagrams and close-up photos.
Jigs and Fixtures
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
The author describes his experience building jigs for trestle bents for his On30 layout.
Labor of Love
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 78 Scale: Large Scale Category: "Locomotives - Steam"
The author describes what he went through to try to build a static one-inch scale model of a Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0.
Large Projects
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-02 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
Dealing with building those very large structures on your railroad, such as roundhouses, large passenger stations, or long trestle bridges.
Large Projects Part II
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-03 pg. 70 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
This installment covers how the authored dealt with building a large 32" by 48" stamp mill complex for his layout.
Made for Television
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-10 pg. 76 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
Bob describes how he built and uses a lap tray for doing some light modeling work while watching television.
Making Stone Walls
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-02 pg. 74 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
How to make a wall master and then casting a number of them for structures.
Metal Working III
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-08 pg. 56 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The metal working series continues with this installment that covers drilling and tapping.
Metal Working IV
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-09 pg. 58 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
This installment covers using a lathe to mill metal.
Metal Working Pt II
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-07 pg. 52 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Bob continues his article on how to do metal working, covering filing and soldering.
Metal Working Pt. I
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-06 pg. 62 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The basic about how to work with metal and some of the tools required.
Metal Working V
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-10 pg. 76 Scale: Category: "Tools"
This installment (the last one) covers a basic milling machine and how to work with it.
Modifying Doors and Windows
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 70 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
The author describes various means for modifying commercially-available door and window parts.
More About Plaster
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-01 pg. 64 Scale: HO Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author is learning how to cast structures in plaster, and this month's experience includes building a masonry building. The finished model is beautiful.
More On Walls
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-01 pg. 80 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
How you build your structure's walls depends on whether or not their interior will be visible. Includes a discussion on how to strategically light the interior of the building.
More Workbench Ideas
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-03 pg. 70 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
The author describes the tool carousel he built to keep his modeling tools nearby without taking up a lot of desk space.
More on Fixtures
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-02 pg. 62 Scale: Category: "Tools"
Several different jigs are described, e.g. flat car stake pockets drilling jig.
More on Roofs
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-11 pg. 74 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Bob describes various roofing techniques and how he builds the foundation of his model roofs. It follows up on his February, 2005 column on roofs.
Not Quite Buildings
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-08 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures - Bridges"
Scratchbuilding retaining walls, culverts, and abutments.
Out of the Fringes
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-11 pg. 79 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Bob discusses what could be considered the fringes of our model railroading hobby.
Paper
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-03 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Using paper for scratchbuilding. There is commercial paper, and the author also discusses how to take photos of prototype structure walls, print them, and apply them to your scratchbuilt structure.
Photo-modeling
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-02 pg. 72 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Using photos of prototype buildings or structures on the layout, the author describes how he photographs and prints walls to be glued to structures. This is great for back-of-the-layout type of structures.
Railroading Salt Creek Style
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 54 Scale: HO Category: "Layouts - HO - Large"
This club layout resided in Elmhurst, IL. It features four levels and mostly scratchbuilt structures and vast scenery. The club's history is covered.
Rear Walls
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-02 pg. 74 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
Showing the rear wall of structures presents a different opportunity for modeling.
Retaining Walls
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-03 pg. 64 Scale: Category: "Structures - Track-side Details"
Bob describes various retaining walls, how to model them, and the article is accompanied by three model photos.
Scale Drawings
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-04 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author discusses how to convert scale drawings in a scale other than the one you are modeling into the scale you are modeling. Conversion factors are listed.
Scratchbuilding Freight Cars
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-04 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Category: "Freight Cars"
The article covers how the author built a commissary car, but it covers a lot of information about why you might want to scratchbuilt your own freight car and what the general steps might be.
Scratchbuilding in Another Scale
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-09 pg. 58 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
The author discusses occasionally building something in another scale to not only keep your interests high in the hobby, but also to gain a different perspective and learn some new techniques.
Signs
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-11 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
The author discusses various ways we can make signs for our structures, including using a digital camera.
Something From Nothing
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-12 pg. 80 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Using the scrap box to build models, the author describes how he built a simple shed.
Sound and Motion
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-08 pg. 66 Scale: (none) Category: "Electronics"
The author discusses some ideas for adding sound and animation to the scenery, and how not to overdo it.
Storage, Again
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-12 pg. 74 Scale: Category: "Tools"
Bob describes using every nook and cranny in your modeling space for extra storage. He uses his tubes of long stripwood, locomotive repair cradle, and paint bottle carousel as examples.
Taking Notes, Keeping Track
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-01 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author makes a case for keeping track of notes and time spent on scratchbuilding projects. This would then make it easier to guesstimate your next project.
The Lowly Shed
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-07 pg. 60 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Track-side Details"
Description for building a handcar or storage shed. Two different models are shown in the photos.
The Workbench
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-02 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
The author discusses several ideas for suitable work spaces.
Things to Do Before Supper
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 86 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The author describes various small things he does before he is called to the dinner table.
Using Styrene
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-09 pg. 82 Scale: (none) Category: "Structures"
This is an introductory article about why and how to use styrene. It discusses the benefits of styrene versus some of the other building materials. There is also a short discussion on which glues to use with styrene.
What You'll Need to Scratchbuild
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-01 pg. 66 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
Review of a large collection of handy tools for doing scratchbuilding work.
Working with Plaster Part I
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 95 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
This introductory article covers the various types of plasters available, how to create your own molds, and how to cast with plaster.
Working with Wood
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-05 pg. 76 Scale: (none) Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The article discusses when it is best to use strip wood and when sheet wood is better for models.