Bending the Iron
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 68 Scale: Category: "Track"
To simulate the action of throwing a turnout, the author uses keys and switch locks to throw his layout's turnouts. Some modification of the switch lock is required and fully described.
Boxed Benchwork
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-12 pg. 73 Scale: HO Category: "Layout Construction"
Building a light-weight plywood shadow-box style modular layout for easy transportation.
Enhancing Maine Two-foot Trucks in On2/On30
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-07 pg. 69 Scale: On2 Category: "Freight Cars"
How to add brake beams to the trucks to make them prototypically accurate.
From Bathurst to Bayview
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-04 pg. 67 Scale: HO Category: "Layouts - HO - Large"
Three friends build this large layout in an office space to represent the Bayview Junction near Lake Ontario, Canada, including its wye. The article describes how they built it and includes many close-up and several overhead photos.
Mike Culham's Great Central Railway
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-03 pg. 86 Scale: O Category: "Layouts - O"
This is an L-shaped 32-foot long layout that measures only 30 inches wide. It offers lots of switching.
Modeling Green Mountain Rwy. Caboose No. 50
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-08 pg. 64 Scale: HO Category: "Cabooses"
Reworking a brass caboose.
Modeling a Water Crane
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-02 pg. 62 Scale: On2 Category: "Structures"
A simple project of a watering crane used on the two-foot gauge Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes in Kingsfield, Maine. Period prototype photos are included, as well as scale drawings, and completed model photos.
Modeling the Monson
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-10 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Category: "Railroads"
Prototype description of the 2-foot Maine gauge line. Includes diagram for possible track design. Sidebar on the slate industry on the Monson.
Modesto & Empire Traction Pt. 1
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-10 pg. 67 Scale: (none) Category: "Railroads"
This article covers the history of this railroad which can be found in Modesto, California (85 miles east of San Francisco). Many prototype photos accompany the text which also covers the GE 70-ton engines used by the railroad. The M&ET's route map is included as well as diagrams for a potential scale model of this railroad.
Salt Weathering a Tin Roof
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-10 pg. 51 Scale: HO Category: "Painting & Weathering"
The author shows how he was able to simulate a tin roof on a boxcar. The trick is to use sea salt for the effect.
The Advantages of Glass
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-01 pg. 84 Scale: Category: "Scratchbuilding"
The article describes how to use microscope glass to model real glass in structures and equipment.
The Belknap Monument
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-05 pg. 88 Scale: HO Category: "Scenery - Trackside"
This model was inspired by the discovery of a cannon beside the Boston & Maine Hillsboro branch.
The Cheltenham Granary
Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 55 Scale: S Category: "Structures"
The author describes how he modeled a granary that used stone walls for the lower half and exposed cribbed wood walls for the upper half. Includes a sidebar on crib joints are made. Includes many construction photos.
The Markham Railroad Modellers Club
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-08 pg. 74 Scale: HO Category: "Layouts"
A large club layout built in 1,500 square foot of space overlooking Toronto's CNR.
What's the Rush?
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 70 Scale: (none) Category: "Operations"
The article covers ideas the author has implemented on his layout to make operating sessions last longer and be more fun, even though the layout may be small. He discusses two-person crews, having operators create their switch lists, developing traffic and schedules, implementing switch locks, manual uncoupling, slowing down the fast clock, enforcing top speeds via DCC decoders, and adding sound.