Category Description: Ideas and thoughts about model railroading in general.
Consider Narrow Gauge
Model Railroader 1978-08 pg. 89 Scale: HOn3 Author: James Scott Eakins
The author describes narrow gauge modeling and compares it to standard gauge modeling.
Creating... A Railroad Notebook
NASG Dispatch 2010-02 pg. 22 Scale: Author: Sam Powell
Keeping notes about your layout in a three-ring binder, even if some information is stored in a computer program, because you can bring a notebook with you when visiting friends.
Crossing the Line
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 131 Scale: (none) Author: Tony Koester
Thoughts about realizing that there's only a limited amount of time to accomplish the modeling work one can accomplish in life.
In Defense of Freelancing
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-12 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: John Ostler
The author makes the point that even those who claim to be building prototype layouts are still freelancing. He says that those people are really freelancers working within a prototype theme. The article discusses the unfortunate compromises we all have to make to fit a layout in our given space.
My Two Cents Worth
1:64 Modeling Guide 2009 Fall pg. 26 Scale: Author: Wayne Schneyer
Although S tinplate layouts are fun for small kids with all their animations, does it really inspire the more serious model railroaders to leave their current scale and model in true S scale? That is the question the author poses.
Narrow Minded
O Scale Trains Magazine 02 May 2002 pg. 14 Scale: O Author: Bobber Gibbs
Why narrow gauge? O-scale narrow gauge is more fun and allows for more space, argues the author.
Narrow Minded
O Scale Trains Magazine 32 May 2007 pg. 45 Scale: Author: Bobber Gibbs
The author answers his own questions he posed in the previous issue's column about what he enjoys most in the hobby.
Phil's Pet Peeves: an Appeal to Industry
Model Railroad News 2008-11 pg. 103 Scale: Author: Phil Scandura
The author shares some of his frustrations with the hobby.
Project Practice Promotes Progress
Model Railroad News 2008-10 pg. 102 Scale: Author: Steven Goehring
Sometimes it takes guts to start on a new part of the hobby. The author talks about how he got started weathering his fleet.
Random Thoughts About Planning and Layout
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 96 Scale: G Author: Peter Jones
Garden railroads are easily identified by their use of space (European vs. U.S.). A bigger layout is not necessarily better.
S Tracks
NASG Dispatch 2009-04 pg. 12 Scale: Author: Sam Powell
Sam has come to the conclusion that we tend to criticize our own and even others' layouts. This article reminds us that this is just a hobby and that model railroads are because we enjoy the act of creating and enjoying the results.
S Tracks
NASG Dispatch 2009-12 pg. 24 Scale: Author: Sam Powell
Stress is the killer of and model railroading, in moderation, can be the cure, or so the author proposes.
Scales and Teens: The Basic Choice
Model Railroad News 2010-03 pg. 88 Scale: Author: Sawyer Berry
How to decide which scale to model when you are a teenagers, with a limited budget and limited space.
Straight & Narrow
NASG Dispatch 2010-12 pg. 22 Scale: S Author: Jeff Madden
Is Sn3 able to compete with the other narrow gauge scales? The author describes what happened with Bachmann introducing On30.
The Straight & Narrow
NASG Dispatch 2004-12 pg. 8 Scale: S Author: David Heine
The author makes an argument for why one might want to model in narrow gauge.
Where's the Leading Edge?
Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 147 Scale: (none) Author: Tony Koester
Of what would a layout consist to be considered to be on the leading edge of model railroad philosophy?