Library - Magazine Articles by Earl Smallshaw

Forced Perspective

Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 114     Scale: (none)     Category: "Structures"

Forced perspective can be created by building smaller-than-scale structures and trees.

Modeling Tenements

Model Railroader 1989-02 pg. 76     Scale: HO     Category: "Structures - Homes"

Tenement housing provides opportunities for detailing. The article includes scale drawings, construction details, close-up photos, and a side-bar on how to make clothing.

Progress Report on the Franklin & South Manchester

Model Railroader 1990-03 pg. 88     Scale: HO     Category: "Layouts"

Completion of South Manchester is covered in this article. Trackplan and many (large) layout photos accompany the article.

The Donald Clerke Memorial Bridge

Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 92     Scale: HO     Category: "Structures - Bridges"

Retrieving and restoring a bridge from a friend's layout.

The Sterlingworth Steel Hopper Car

Model Railroader 1978-01 pg. 71     Scale: HO     Category: "Freight Cars - Hoppers"

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this 1900s steel hopper out of styrene and brass. Includes model drawings and photos. A sidebar is included on how to build a rivet machine, which was documented in the June 1968 Model Railroader issue.

Urban Scenery

Model Railroader 1989-07 pg. 102     Scale: HO     Category: "Structures - Towns/Cities"

Putting city buildings on a second level above the track can make the city look dense, yet still allow the trains to move on through. The author describes how he makes rounded backdrops, uses mock-ups, builds roads, and the buildings themselves (painting, weathering, roofs, signs, and lighting). Includes a sidebar on how to cut out windows when scratchbuilding a wall.