Category Description: Scenery details all along the railroad tracks.
A Simple Roundhouse Detail
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-08 pg. 87 Scale: HO Author: Jack Burgess
Discusses how the author built a turntable track that stores freight car wheel sets. There is a lot of detail in this little project.
Adding Overhead Wire to Our Traction Layout
Model Railroader 1989-02 pg. 82 Scale: HO Author: Bruce Goehmann
Provides a lot of detail about how to do overhead traction wiring, including the nomenclature. Includes prototype, detail, and model photos.
Building Better Abutments
Model Railroader 1987-11 pg. 120 Scale: HO Author: Robert Smaus
Using a plywood mold, build 1920's-looking bridge abutments from plaster. Includes how to build the abutment wings and piers using plaster also.
Building Semaphores in 14 Easy Steps
N-Scale 2000-07/08 pg. 60 Scale: N Author: Brian F. Reynolds
14 steps to building a working semaphore. Detailed photos accompany the text. Instructions support both upper quadrant and lower quadrant type of semaphores.
By The Tracks
N-Scale 2003-03/04 pg. 26 Scale: N Author: John Gerdes
Building a small scene that might be used as a play area for city kids.
Canadian Pacific Railway Stand Plan Bridge Warning
N-Scale 2003-05/06 pg. 31 Scale: (none) Author: Patrick Lawson
Scale drawings of CPR telltales circa 1919.
Dean Odiorne's Ground Throw / High-level Switchstand
Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 100 Scale: HO Author: Don Mitchell
Build your own ground-throw, high-level switchstand. Includes construction photos and a diagram.
Detailing With Markers
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10 pg. 57 Scale: (none) Author: Ernest H. Robl
Using magic markers can make some scenery and structure painting jobs easier and quicker.
Diesel Locomotive Servicing
Model Railroader 1982-06 pg. 59 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
This article has many prototype photos and a full design diagram of what can be found at a diesel servicing facility.
Easy Prairie Grass
N Scale Railroading 2004-09/10 pg. 16 Scale: N Author: Michael Pagano
Creating prairie grass using a refined felt grass method, with an airbrush.
Fast and Fun Foam Mounds
Model Railroader 2004-09 pg. 24 Scale: (none) Author: Lionel Strang
Model the mounds of coal or ballast using pieces of foam insulation.
Fences on the Rutland
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-09 pg. 73 Scale: Author: Randy LaFramboise
How to model metal wire "sheep" fences and barbed wire fences.
Manual Crossing Gates
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-04 pg. 77 Scale: (none) Author: Charles Yungkurth
Prototype photos and scale drawings accompany this article on the manually-operated crossing gates, some of which still exist.
Modeling Junk
Model Railroader 1989-07 pg. 76 Scale: Author: Carl Caiati
Various ideas and several photos on how to model junk.
Modeling PRR Mileposts
The Keystone Modeler 74 Summer 2010 pg. 12 Scale: Author: Frederick Monsimer
Has lots of example mile posts, most made out of cast iron. Includes scale diagrams.
Modeling Tight Lock Fence Wire
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 64 Scale: HO Author: John Ostler
This article describes how the author builds HO-scale tight lock fences. Includes prototype photos and photos of the construction of the fence (including a jig).
Modeling the Prairie
Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 34 Scale: Author: Horst Meier
The author describes how he builds North America's Gree Plains scenery from ground cover, to sand, to sparse grasses, high grasses, and bushes, weeds, and flowers.
Period Crossing Signal
Railroad Model Craftsman 1977-07 pg. 68 Scale: HO Author: Irv Schulz
Building a freelanced crossing signal intended for a turn-of-the-century layout.
Realistic N Scale Pole Lines
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 93 Scale: N Author: Keith M. Kohlmann
Using Atlas telephone poles as the basis for a six-arm telegraph pole.
Signs of Life
N-Scale 2002-03/04 pg. 56 Scale: N Author: John Gerdes
Photos of completed junk pile, pump-house, and abandoned site.
Slow-action Crossing Gates Part 1
Model Railroader 1987-11 pg. 80 Scale: HO Author: Gordon Odegard
This installment covers the design and construction of the modern-day highway crossing gate. Detailed parts drawing, construction photos, and wiring diagrams are included.
The Belknap Monument
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-05 pg. 88 Scale: HO Author: Trevor Marshall
This model was inspired by the discovery of a cannon beside the Boston & Maine Hillsboro branch.
The Charisma of Trivia
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 98 Scale: (none) Author: Carl Caiati
Adding lots of left-over parts, fully painted and weathered, to the layout adds to the clutter that makes a scene more believable. The author describes how he uses paintbrush bristles for weeds.
The Scenery Clinic Pt. VI
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-04 pg. 78 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
In this installment Paul covers how to ballast track. Included is a sidebar on how to model service roads.
The Scenery Clinic Pt. XIV
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-03 pg. 50 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
Using paver sand for ground cover and track ballast.
Wood Highway Crossings
Model Railroader 1984-12 pg. 86 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
The author followed the prototype information found in the "AT&SF Systems Standards" books for modeling a highway crossing. He used Northeastern stripwood. The articles covers installing wood crossings in curved track and in turnouts. In addition to staining and weathering information, the article also has HO-scale crossing signs. There is a diagram that lays out the locations of the various signs both for the road and the track.