Library - Magazine Articles by Jeff Wilson

16 Cool Tools

Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 88     Scale: (none)     Category: "Tools"

Description of 16 tools needed to do scratchbuilding.

1996 NMRA Prize Parade

Model Railroader 1996-10 pg. 94     Scale:      Category: "Model Railroads and People"

Photos of all the winners of the 1996 NMRA show.

Better Benchwork for Small Layouts

Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 78     Scale: (none)     Category: "Benchwork"

Building a cookie-cutter style 4 x 8 layout.

Boxcar Questions

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 40     Scale: (none)     Category: "Freight Cars - Boxcars"

When were running boards banned? Did boxcars haul grain?

Car Weighting

Model Railroader 2003-02 pg. 56     Scale: (none)     Category: "Freight Cars"

A basics article on using a scale, weights, and double-side tape to properly weigh cars to their NMRA specs. Shows types of weights available.

Cleaning Track

Model Railroader 2002-12 pg. 60     Scale: (none)     Category: "Track"

Tools and methods.

Decaling

Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 102     Scale: (none)     Category: "Freight Cars"

The basics on applying decals.

Despruing Nippers

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 25     Scale: (none)     Category: "Tools"

PBL product review.

Doodlebugs

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 44     Scale: (none)     Category: "Locomotives - Gas Electric"

EMD's GP9

Model Railroader 2002-12 pg. 74     Scale: (none)     Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"

Prototype photos, scale drawings.

Electricity

Model Railroader 2002-11 pg. 54     Scale: (none)     Category: "Electronics"

The basics of electronics. Article contains some errors, but shows how to measure voltage and amperage, what the difference is between parallel and series, and how to wire up toggle switches.

Figure Painting

Model Railroader 2003-03 pg. 52     Scale: HO     Category: "Scenery - People & Animals"

This article describes how to paint unpainted Preiser figures. Paint and colors are discussed, as well as how to paint facial details.

Grade Crossings

Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 44     Scale: HO     Category: "Scenery - Streets"

Modeling modern rubber and older wood crossings. Complete installation photos.

Ground Foam: Realistic Scenery Made Easy

Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 87     Scale: (none)     Category: "Model Railroad History"

Ground foam rubber was introduced in the 1975 by Woodland Scenics.

It's In the Details

Model Railroader 2003-11 pg. 56     Scale: HO     Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"

Basic information about how to further detail a diesel locomotive. Describes what level of detailing can be done and shows specific examples for HO-scale Kato GP35 and Athearn F-unit.

Laying Roadbed

Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 105     Scale: (none)     Category: "Track"

Using cork to layout roadbed.

Modelers' Guide to EMD's F7

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 84     Scale: (none)     Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"

Prototype photos, drawings

Pipeline On Rails

Model Railroader 2005-11 pg. 56     Scale: (none)     Category: "Railroads"

The article describes the railroads' role in the oil industry during the 1940's. Includes prototype photo of the Mid-Continental Petroleum Co. refinery in Tulsa, OK, a refinery in Louisiana during WWII, and fencing around refineries. Sidebars on tank car classification, typical daily refinery output, refining in 1940, and storage tank sizes and capabilities are also included. There is also a 3-D graphic of a potential model.

Prototype Info

Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 40     Scale: (none)     Category: "Railroads"

TTX's new twin-28 articulated spine cars. NYC and PRR reporting marks can still be seen on some equipment that is still in the process of being divided up. What are cab signals?

Prototype Info

Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 48     Scale: (none)     Category: "Railroads"

What do diesel names and classifications, such as SD60 and U30B, mean? For what were doghouses on top of tenders used? (contains photo of PRR 2-10-0)

Questions and Answers for Beginners

Model Railroader 1994-12 pg. 86     Scale: (none)     Category: "Model Railroad Terminology"

This article poses and answers a lot of the questions beginners have about model railroading.

Resin Vehicle Kits

Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 109     Scale: (none)     Category: "Model Automobiles and Trucks"

Weathering Rolling Stock With Powered Pastels

Model Railroader 2010-04 pg. 38     Scale:      Category: "Painting & Weathering"

Shows how to apply chalks to weather freight cars and locomotives.