A Whitcomb Industrial Locomotive
Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 114 Scale: Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
A short article about a 30-ton Whitcomb switcher, which includes prototype photos and scale drawings.
ABCs of Boxcars
Model Railroader 1987-11 pg. 110 Scale: (none) Category: "Freight Cars - Boxcars"
Describes the history and evolution of boxcars.
ABCs of Switching Cars
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 108 Scale: (none) Category: "Operations"
This introductory article discusses what switching is, how to uncouple cars, and how to deal with trailing point and facing point turnouts
ABCs: Going Beyond the Train Set
Model Railroader 1987-12 pg. 120 Scale: (none) Category: "Layout Construction"
A basic hand-holding article starting with the train set loop track and adding turnouts, flexible track, and dealing with derailments and buying new equipment.
Branch Line for the Turtle Creek Central Part 1
Model Railroader 2005-01 pg. 60 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
In 2002 Model Railroader ran a series of articles building a 4x8 foot layout. This series of articles will add a 2' x 6' extension to that layout. However, the article includes diagrams of how just using this branch line module only, one could have operations.This installment covers the trackplan, the benchwork construction, and using foam to build the scenery foundation.
Building a Foam Core Board Layout
Model Railroader 1991-01 pg. 117 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
The objective of this project was to build an HO-scale layout that uses only simple construction techniques, no messy materials, no power tools, lightweight materials, and all materials must be transportable in a small car. This installment covers the construction of the table, the "legs", and installing Unitrak track.
Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 2
Model Railroader 2003-02 pg. 78 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
Laying track and building foam hills.
Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 3
Model Railroader 2003-03 pg. 80 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
This installment shows how to add bridges, forests, rocks, and rivers.
Car Kits and Kadee Couplers
Model Railroader 1991-03 pg. 110 Scale: HO Category: "Freight Cars"
The author takes the beginner through the process of building freight car kits from several popular manufacturers. He also covers building and installing couplers.
Citibank Station: 1990
Model Railroader 1990-12 pg. 132 Scale: (none) Category: "Layouts"
In 1986 Citibank wanted to create a "Christmas present to New York" in their 5-story atrium. Clarke Dunham was hired to build it. The huge triangular layout features two loops of HO-scale trains, and one each of S-scale and 3-rail O-scale.
Design a Better Layout
Model Railroader 2005-12 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Category: "Layout Design"
Article covers studying the prototype, preventing the spaghetti bowl layout, developing scenes, operations, providing people space, backdrops, staging, track interaction with roadways, viewing height, and sticking to your design criteria.
Introducing Scales and Gauges
Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 92 Scale: (none) Category: "Model Railroad Terminology"
This article describes most of the model railroading scales.
Ntrak Today
Model Railroader 1985-11 pg. 70 Scale: N Category: "Modules"
Photos of modules accompany this article where Jim covers the history of NTrak, how it influenced modular layouts in other scales, and why NTrak has been so successful. A sidebar about Jim Fitzgerald honors the man who spearheaded the NTrak movement.
Our Seaboard Central Part 1
Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 86 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
The Model Railroader magazine staff built this layout in front of a live audience at the 50th anniversary of the NMRA. The new 4'-7" x 8'-6" layout is intended to extend the Kitty Hawk Central they covered starting with the December, 1981 issue of MR. The article includes behind-the-scenes photos, a track plan, and discusses the construction of the bench work, track and wiring. It also includes sidebars on creating and installing end-of-train devices, and the construction of their simple switch machine.
Scratchbuilding Your First Wood Structure
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 91 Scale: HO Category: "Structures - Depots/Stations/Yards"
The author takes us through the steps to build a small B&O Railroad station. Includes scale drawings, parts lists, tools list, and step-by-step instructions with photos.
The Silver City Central
Model Railroader 1994-12 pg. 120 Scale: N Category: "Layout Construction"
Jim focuses on building the cookie-cutter benchwork for this 3.5' x 8' layout. Includes benchwork diagrams and trackplan. Looks like a nice design that can later be integrated into a larger layout.
Total Layout Design
Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 90 Scale: (none) Category: "Layout Design"
This article discusses some basics for designing satisfying model railroads. Topics covered are design decisions that affect operating and scenery.
Tracks and Rocks for Our Branch Line Part 2
Model Railroader 2005-02 pg. 76 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
In this installment the author discusses how to lay track, build a bridge, and cast rocks.
Turtle Creek Branch Line Part 4
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 66 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
In this part of the construction series the author builds the coal mine kitbashed from two kits, and adds other details. This is the last installment of this series.
Zero 1 for N Scale
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 62 Scale: N Category: "DCC"
The author describes how he managed to get command control into his N-scale engines. He used the Hornsby Zero 1 system.