Library - Magazine Articles by Tom Knapp

"T" is for Tiny

Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-03 pg. 82     Scale: T     Category: "Model Railroad Manufacturers"

This article introduces "T-scale", which is 1:450 (half the size of Z-scale). It is very popular in Japan, and growing in Europe, however, there are no distributors in the U.S. yet. Products sold by Eishindo are featured in the article.

A Thumbnail Switcher

Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 67     Scale: Nn3     Category: "Locomotives - Diesel"

Using a Toma Model Works kit, the author built a very small four-wheeled Nn3 industrial switcher, which includes a DCC decoder! Includes detailed instruction photos.

Modeling Pacific Coast Railway's No. 107 in Nn3

N Scale Railroading 2005-03/04 pg. 44     Scale: Nn3     Category: "Locomotives - Steam"

A Marklin Mini-Club Z-scale N0. 8896 2-8-2 chassis was used to create a model of the Pacific Coast Railway's 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotive as built by Baldwin between 1904 and 1906. The superstructure was the Aspen Model's RGS #74 kit. The locomotive has a Lenz decoder installed in the tender. The article includes a drawing of the prototype engine.

Module and Portable Layout Lighting

N Scale Railroading 2002-07/08 pg. 46     Scale: (none)     Category: "Layout Lighting"

Constructing overhead lights that run on 12V and blend into the background of the module.

Operating Switchman's Lantern

N Scale Railroading 2002-11/12 pg. 60     Scale: (none)     Category: "Scenery - People & Animals"

Using fiber optic to simulate a switchman holding a lamp.