Conquering "Schematicophobia"
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-08 pg. 81 Scale: (none) Category: "Electronics"
While not fully understanding electronics, you can still build circuits that are found on the Web. This article covers a circuit that reports a train's presence on track via infrared components, and displayed via LED's on a control panel.
Easy Turnout Controls
Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Category: "Layout Construction"
Using a slide switch to control turnouts manually through cabinet knobs that stick out through the front fascia. Includes wiring diagrams for controlling the power to the turnout's frog.
Ex-press Rivets
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-01 pg. 58 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
Using a drill press, the author creates rivets in styrene without going through the expense of purchasing a dedicated rivet puncher. He talks about using this press to create rivets for a PRR flat car on his web site at: http://home.earthlink.net/~mmr346/mmr-cars/mmr-cars1.htm
How Fast? How Far?
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 76 Scale: (none) Category: "Electronics"
This article describes how to build a speedometer/odometer for your model trains. It involves a gondola, a bicycle speedometer, and some metal parts to make this device.
It's a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-07 pg. 40 Scale: HO Category: "Structures"
The author cut City Classics three-pack house kits in half to create 6 homes. He added different touches to each house, including a complete backyard for each.
Modeling Farm Building
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-02 pg. 59 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Homes"
The author used his in-laws' real farm in Minnesota as a go-by for building this model. There are many prototype photos and scale drawings accompanying the article. The large article also covers creating and installing crops of soybeans.
Moving Targets
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-12 pg. 87 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Track-side Details"
This article describes how the author built moving switch stand targets. The only restriction is that the targets are not on the turnout's headblocks. It includes construction diagrams and photos.
Scratchbuilding the Farmer's Gilt Edge Creamery
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-05 pg. 58 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Industrial"
The author built a copy of a midwestern creamery in Steele County, Minnesotta. Because of the complex curves, the structure was built with home-made castings. Prototype and model photos (including close-up construction photos) are included, as well as scale drawings.
The LaPointe Depot
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-11 pg. 52 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Depots/Stations/Yards"
This article describes how the author scratchbuilt this depot, which has the same color scheme as the other depots on his layout. Includes a side bar on how to make the fish scale shingles used for the structure's roof. Scale drawings and many construction photos are also included.
The Marker Lamps at the End of the Tunnel
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-01 pg. 84 Scale: HO Category: "Cabooses"
This article discusses the micro-sized LED's available, how to work with them, and, of course, it covers installing them in marker lamps attached to cabooses. Although the article covers an HO-scale installation, the author is convinced that this is also doable in N-scale. Includes installation photos and a wiring diagram.
Top Ten Most Overlooked Model Railroad Tools
Scale Rails 2006-01 pg. 65 Scale: (none) Category: "Tools"
Pliers, drill bit holder, knives, scriber, fake fur, and EZ Line.
Wetland Detailing
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-04 pg. 66 Scale: HO Category: "Scenery - Waterside"
The author describes the methods and materials he uses to add life to lowlands, such as trees, fish, weeds, and several miscellaneous man-made details.