36-ton Shay
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 25 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Steam"
Converting the Atlas Shay into a light-weight wood-burning unit. Includes many close-up photos of the cosmetic changes made.
CSX Legacy: Rare Ancestor GP40s
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 35 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
The author created six different models from the Atlas GP40 to add "color" to his CSX standard roster. Includes photos and descriptions of each.
Changing 3-Axle Sideframes
N-Scale 2005-07/08 pg. 52 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
Converting a 3-axle EMD sideframe to a GE sideframe, as part of placing a Bachmann Spectrum CW40-8 shell on a Kato SD40-2 mechanism.
EMD GP35 Phase 2
N-Scale 2003-01/02 pg. 39 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
Starting with an Atlas GP35 Phase 1, the author built a GP35 Phase 2. Shows model photos, modification diagrams, and close-up detail photos.
EMD SD28
N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 32 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
The author converted an Atlas SD35 and replaced the shell with one from an Atlas GP38. Includes a prototype photo of this rare locomotive.
MOW Hi-Rail Truck
N-Scale 2003-05/06 pg. 60 Scale: N Category: "Scenery - Vehicles"
Follow-up supplement to an article by Jake Schultz in the September/October 1999 issue of N-Scale magazine. The article shows how to build a running maintenance-of-way truck.
Modeling a Flood
N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 45 Scale: (none) Category: "Dioramas"
With all the recent flooding in New Orleans, Texas, and Florida, the author thought it might be a nice idea to model a flooded area in an NTrak module. The article has many photos of a 1990 flood in Caryville, Florida. No actual modeling is done or shown.
Pocket Switcher
N-Scale 2006-07/08 pg. 60 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
Modifying the typical Japanese-looking electric engine into an Americanized diesel switcher. Includes installing a decoder. They are part of the Kato Pocket line.
S2 Gearing Improvement
N-Scale 2002-11/12 pg. 62 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
The Arnold/Rivarrossi S2 apparently has problems with their gears breaking. This article covers how these problems can be fixed. This will also reduce the noise of the gears.
SW1200 Worm Gear Replacement
N-Scale 2003-07/08 pg. 70 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
Shows how to replace the plastic worm gear on a Life-Like SW1200 with a brass worm gear from Kato. Includes a drawing of the jig used to remove the worm from the motor shaft.
Shay Improvement
N-Scale 2006-07/08 pg. 28 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Steam"
This article covers modifying the couplers to look more prototypical, installing the DCC decoder (with lots of close-up photos on the modifications made), and making some minor cosmetic improvements to the engine.
Sunlight Warm Up Your Shots
N-Scale 2005-11/12 pg. 46 Scale: (none) Category: "Photography & Videography"
Two photos showing the difference between indoor and outdoor photography of an engine.
Super-detailing an Atlas Rio Grande GP35
N-Scale 2002-10/11 pg. 28 Scale: N Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"
Close-up model photos, prototype photos, parts list, and detailed instructions.