Library - "Model Railroads and People" Magazine Articles

Category Description: How people interact with model railroads.

1996 NMRA Prize Parade

Model Railroader 1996-10 pg. 94     Scale:      Author: Jeff Wilson

Photos of all the winners of the 1996 NMRA show.

A Hobby With Something for Everyone

Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 93     Scale: (none)     Author: Lionel Strang

Discovering a "toy-train" layout in the basement of an accomplished HO-scale modeler.

A Model Railroader Pioneer Remembered

Scale Rails 2006-02 pg. 15     Scale: (none)     Author: Bob Charles

This article reviews the accomplishments of Charles Howell Day. He was the first person to create a dedicated model railroading store in January, 1933. He later created many HO-scale products.

A Return To Christmas Past

Model Railroader 1990-12 pg. 158     Scale: (none)     Author: John Karp

Recalling the days of model trains in department stores.

A Sense of Accomplishment

N Scale Railroading 2005-03/04 pg. 62     Scale: (none)     Author: Russ Kaufman

Achieving a sense of accomplishment in the hobby of model railroading.

Abandonment!

Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-03 pg. 59     Scale: (none)     Author: Jeff Reynolds

Organizing the move of a model railroad, including bringing in the right people to help you.

An American Flyer Holiday Season

Model Railroad News 2008-12 pg. 98     Scale:      Author: Roy Inman

This installment of the monthly column includes a story of how Dr. Peter Loab discovered American Flyer S through department store layouts during the holiday season. This column also describes my web site's list of links for S-scale modelers maintained at http://www.fourthray.com/Peter/Research/SScale.htm.

An American's Impressions of British Model Railroad Exhibitions

Model Railroader 1991-03 pg. 84     Scale: (none)     Author: Paul J. Dolkos

The author visited some of the British layout exhibitions to see how things are different between there and the U.S. Layouts are smaller, and they use space very effectively. Includes a side bar on designs for "fiddle" yards. Lots of photos.

An Important Milestone

Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 104     Scale: (none)     Author: Tony Koester

Important considerations for that moment when you reach the golden spike on your model railroad.

An Update on TAMR Promotions

Model Railroad News 2010-06 pg. 0     Scale:      Author: Sawyer Berry

Promoting the TAMR group.

Ben Davis III

N-Scale 2000-09/10 pg. 53     Scale: (none)     Author: Jim Fitzgerald

Ben was the originator of NTRAK. He passed away in July 2000.

Bridging the Gap

N-Scale 2000-07/08 pg. 30     Scale: (none)     Author: Joseph & Clayton Barry

Father and son work together because of the Web.

Choosing a Train Set

Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 124     Scale: HO     Author: Martin C. Oetting

This article reviews some of the popular HO-scale trainsets available in 1985.

Cutting Up Magazines

Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-11 pg. 76     Scale: (none)     Author: Robert Turner

The author talks about how he cuts pages from model railroad magazines and stores them in a filing cabinet for future retrieval.

Editor's Favorite 60 Photos

The Keystone Modeler 60 July 2008 pg. 10     Scale: (none)     Author: Al Buchan

Various photos covering N, HO, S, O, and G-scale models.

Ferroequinology at ICU - 1981 Version

Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 96     Scale: (none)     Author: Ed Vondrak

The author describes the unusual class he taught at Indiana Central University. The class title is Latin for the study of iron horses. The students learn how to build a model railroad.

First Brass Engine

Model Railroader 1990-01 pg. 150     Scale: (none)     Author: Alan Mende

How to Be a Modeler's Wife

Model Railroader 1989-07 pg. 111     Scale:      Author: Norma Wehlitz

Tips for women based on 38 years of being married to a model railroader.

How to Host an Open House

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-11 pg. 100     Scale: (none)     Author: Arlan Tietel

Tips on how to have an open house.

In the End What Happened?

N-Scale 2002-03/04 pg. 37     Scale: (none)     Author: Clayton Barry

This article discusses the problems encountered by family members of a model railroader how has passed away. What happens to the layout, to the locomotives and rolling stock, and to the structures?

Irv Athearn - A Man Remembered

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-10 pg. 116     Scale:      Author: Dallas Mallerich III

The author describes meeting the man and what he has meant to the hobby.

Joining the NMRA

Model Railroader 2003-02 pg. 116     Scale: (none)     Author: Lionel Strang

Reasons for the existence of the NMRA and why you should join.

Keeping Kids on Track

Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 155     Scale: (none)     Author: Tim Trewhella

Building layouts that cater toward young kids.

Kids and Model Railroading

N-Scale 2002-10/11 pg. 42     Scale: (none)     Author: Bob Kendall

LGB Christmas Layout in a Mall

Model Railroader 1984-12 pg. 132     Scale: G     Author: Ken Ducat

The story about how two people built a G-scale layout in a mall.

Last Run Russ Downs

NASG Dispatch 2010-02 pg. 8     Scale:      Author: Bill Fraley

An ode to Russ Downs and what he did for the hobby.

Last Run: Jesse Bennett

NASG Dispatch 2010-12 pg. 8     Scale:      Author: Jeff Madden

Jesse, who had a large S-scale layout (20' x 44') modeling the Great Northern Pacific, passed away at 96. Includes a couple of photos of his layout.

Last Run: Stan Furmanak

NASG Dispatch 2010-12 pg. 27     Scale:      Author: Bill Fraley

Bill describes Stan's involvement in the hobby.

Lionel's Favorite Web Sites

Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 22     Scale: (none)     Author: Lionel Strang

The author's top 10 web sites for this past year.

Meet An S Gauger

NASG Dispatch 2010-02 pg. 13     Scale: (none)     Author: Gaylord Gill

A behind-the-scene look at Brooks Stover, the layout he built, and what it took for him to become a Master Model Railroader.

Meet an S Gauger

NASG Dispatch 2004-12 pg. 10     Scale: S     Author: Bill Fraley

Bill briefly introduces Bob Werre, with a couple of photos of Bob's studio where he was busy photographing SHS products.

Meet an S Gauger

NASG Dispatch 2005-06 pg. 14     Scale: S     Author: Bill Fraley

Bill introduces Tom Robichaud who is a member of the Bristol S Gauge Club.

Meet an S Gauger

NASG Dispatch 2011-02 pg. 20     Scale: S     Author: Bill Fraley

Bill introduces Cliff Brown who models the Lehigh Valley.

Model Railroad Club Tyrant

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 131     Scale: (none)     Author: Mike Alfred

How NOT to behave in a model railroad club. Club layouts are always about compromising.

Models by John Olson

Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 92     Scale: (none)     Author: Bob Brown

Bob covers a listing of John Olson's articles from 1974 to 1993 and includes many of the dramatic photos John took of his layouts.

Modular Railroading with the Four County Society of Model Engineers

Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-10 pg. 48     Scale: HO     Author: Keith Albright & Karl Bond

Although this large article contains many beautiful photographs of the club's various modules, the main crux of the text covers the pro's and con's of club memberships, how to form a modular club, and how the club's standards were formed. Quite a bit of text is devoted to how modules are constructed and transported.

More 2008 Annual Meeting Model Photos

The Keystone Modeler 60 July 2008 pg. 6     Scale: (none)     Author: Elden Gatwood

Photos of several contest and non-contest models.

More Than Bells and Whistles

Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 88     Scale: (none)     Author: Michael Gross

Adding period music or commercials playing in the background will help transition visitors to the period you are modeling on the layout.

Moving and Model Railroading

N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 56     Scale: (none)     Author: Edmund Schultz

Building a nice, sturdy box for your modules to survive a household move.

Mr. Rogers' Trolley

Model Railroader 1988-01 pg. 104     Scale: HO     Author: Paul Lally

The author talks about how he got some model railroading to appear in the popular children's show. He describes how the trolley was built.

Märklin's Train-ing

Model Railroader 1989-02 pg. 132     Scale: (none)     Author: Andy Sperandeo

Using easy-to-set-up sectional layouts to teach children about digital command control and using computers.

Organizing a Round Robin

Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-04 pg. 66     Scale: (none)     Author: Jim Providenza & Bill Kaufman

A round robin is a small group of people to circulate among the member's layouts for either construction or operating sessions, or both. The authors discuss how their own group is organized.

Reflections on John

Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-12 pg. 136     Scale: (none)     Author: J. Anthony Koester

More reflections by Tony on the wonderful modeler, John Allen.

S Tracks

NASG Dispatch 2010-04 pg. 19     Scale: S     Author: Sam Powell

"The Magnificent Seven" - Seven S gaugers who influenced Sam. They are Ed Schumacher, John Bortz, Frank Titman, Wally Collins, Claude Wade, Walter Graeff, and Jesse Bennett.

Sharing the Jow: Open House at Todd Teaster's NYS&A

Model Railroad News 2010-03 pg. 82     Scale: N     Author: Steven Goehring

What is it like to visit an N-scale, finished layout where the trains are running.

Sharing the World's Greatest Hobby

N Scale Railroading 2002-11/12 pg. 23     Scale: N     Author: George Irvin

Introducing people to N-scale by building and donating a 2' x 4' layout that can be built in two weeks.

Teenagers and Model Railroading - Say What???

Model Railroad News 2010-01 pg. 104     Scale:      Author: Sawyer Berry

Communicating with other teenagers about model railroading.

The Holiday Season... Time to Remember

Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 60     Scale:      Author: Wayne and Mary Cay Wesolowski

Use of various traditional Christmas artifacts, such as ornaments, to promote model railroading during the holidays.

The Incredible Large-scale Models of Russell Clapper

Railroad Model Craftsman 1979-03 pg. 91     Scale: (none)     Author: Ken Kraemer

In 1917 Russell started scratchbuilding his own two-inch scale models. He wound up building a collection of 138 models which he now describes as the "Clapper Railroad Museum". The article is accompanied by a good number of photos of his models.

The Model Railroader Staff

Model Railroader 1978-08 pg. 105     Scale:      Author: Cathy Schneider

13 staff members are profiled, includes photos.

The Models of Seattle

Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 46     Scale: (none)     Author: Tony Koester

Covers the contest models of the 1972 NMRA annual meeting in Seattle, WA. Of particular interest is the Gil Freitag model of Carson City stamp mill that won first place. This structure is still prominently featured on his layout today, so it is over 35 years old.

The Narrow Gauge Scene

Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 82     Scale: (none)     Author: Charlie Getz

The author describes some of John Allen's contributions to the hobby. Includes three Bob Hayden photos of John's layout.

The Narrow Gauge Scene

Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-09/10 pg. 86     Scale:      Author: Charlie Getz

Charlie talks about how this is his 201st column and reflects on past works.

The Pertinent Pieces

Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 127     Scale: (none)     Author: Tony Koester

Doing research and keeping track of data you've collected may come in handy later with modeling.

The Riddle of Mel Thornburgh's Workshop

Model Railroader 1985-10 pg. 100     Scale: (none)     Author: John Page

The author talks about his visit with Mel, a popular author in the 1940's and 1950's issues of Model Railroader. Envisioning Mel to have a tremendous workshop, only to discover that all the work was done by hand and on an old dining room table.

The Upcoming 23rd Annual Sn3 Symposium

Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-02 pg. 89     Scale: Sn3     Author: Tom Troughton

Photos of layouts open for the tour accompany the information about the Sn3 convention to be held in St. Louis, Missouri.

Trains of Thought

Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 98     Scale:      Author: Tony Koester

Seeing a photo of a layout with a siren mounted in the town's water tower reminded Tony of his childhood.

Why N Scale?

Model Railroad News 2009-01 pg. 104     Scale: N     Author: Phil Scandura

The author gives his opinion about why someone might consider modeling in N-scale in this month's column.

Wooden Trains for Christmas

Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-12 pg. 81     Scale: (none)     Author: Robert D. Turner

This article covers what is currently available for small kids in the world of wooden trains.