Category Description: Small structures found near the track.
A Manual Signal That Protects a Crossing
Model Railroader 2010-04 pg. 67 Scale: Author: Harold Russell
This article describes the construction of a hand-operated interlocking device to protect a shortline junction near Caledonia, N.Y. Includes scale drawings and prototype photos.
A Small Brick Multi-use Structure
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 66 Scale: (none) Author: Lewis Matt
The author describes how he built this building that could be used as either a yard office, crossing watchman's shelter, or a scale house. He draws bricks on cream-colored file folders. Includes scale drawings and step-by-step instructions.
A Small Handcar Shed
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-10 pg. 70 Scale: O Author: Peter Barney
This structure is typical, but it is not based on any prototype. It roughly measures 16 by 8 by 10 scale feet (l x w x h). Includes a scale drawing.
AR Tower Part 3
The Keystone Modeler 39 October 2006 pg. 8 Scale: HO Author: Ron Hoess
Prototype photo of the interior of the tower. Modeling the switch levers and their cabinet, track diagram, and the completed interior detailing.
Adena, OH Coal Loader
Railroad Model Craftsman 1980-07 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Author: Chuck Yungkurth
Prototype photos and scale drawings are included in this article about a small coal loader in Adena, Ohio. The loader was on a spur of the Nickel Plate Road, and the photos were taken around 1970.
An Interlocking Tower
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 29 Scale: HO Author: Mark Sowa
The author kitbashed a switch tower and a tool house kit by Bachmann into one cohesive structure. Model photos only.
Build a Hobo Shack for Your Railway
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 46 Scale: G Author: Graham Duncan-Smith
Using various materials the author created several structures that look like the random materials a hobo might find from which to build his home.
Building Blocks
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-04 pg. 51 Scale: HO Author: Jeff Johnston
Creating blocks of wood which are then covered with scale strip wood, door and roof treatments. Simple and effective. Includes step-by-step photos.
Building Burnsville Jct.'s Service Platform
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-01 pg. 53 Scale: HO Author: John Brown
The author describes how he built this platform used to service engines. Includes materials list, and prototype and model photos.
Building a Simple Line-side Structure: Milk Station
O Scale Trains Magazine 33 July 2007 pg. 43 Scale: O Author: Martin Brechbiel
The author describes how he scratchbuilt this small milk shed structure and platform. Includes drawings, and construction photos.
Building a Tool and Section Car House
Railroad Model Craftsman 1974-02 pg. 48 Scale: HO Author: Doug Leffler
Prototype and model photos, scale drawings, and construction details accompany this article about how to build this simple structure.
Building a Working Train Order Signal
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-01 pg. 59 Scale: HO Author: Mike Chandler
The author describes how he built this working train order signal. It is a model of a unit that is not attached to the structure itself. It uses two Tortoise machines to operate the two blades. Construction photos and diagrams are included.
CNS&M Flagstop Shelter
Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 73 Scale: Author: William C. Schaumburg
This article describes a small shelter found along the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee railroad tracks. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings (just the prototype information, no modeling notes or photos).
Caboose Stove-oil Tank
Railroad Model Craftsman 1977-07 pg. 47 Scale: O Author: Wayne Wesolowski
Prototype and model photos of a gravity-feed caboose oil storage tank filler.
Coal Storage Bunker Part 2
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-02 pg. 33 Scale: HO Author: Chuck Yungkurth
In this installment of the series the author actually describes the construction of this structure as found in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Includes many construction photos and drawings.
Coal Storage Facility
Railroad Model Craftsman 1973-09 pg. 29 Scale: HO Author: Walter Olevsky
The author converted a gondola into a yard coal storage bin by cutting it in half, adding a fake bottom, and several details. Prototype and model photos included.
Coal Yard Scale and Office Building
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-11 pg. 58 Scale: (none) Author: Chuck Yungkurth
This structure belongs to the coal storage bunker covered in the January and February 1972 RMC issues. It has a covered scale building connected to a small office. The office building is still being used (at the time of the article). Prototype photos from most angles, and scale drawings accompany the article.
Common Standard Section Tool House
N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 35 Scale: (none) Author: (none)
Original scaled drawings of a Union Pacific standard section house. Drawing is pretty low-quality and there is no text with it.
Compact Covered-hopper Loader
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Harold Russell
The modern-day loader is located on a farm and is used to load corn and soybeans into hoppers. Consisting of not much more than a duct and the structural members to hold it up, it makes a small track-side industry to model. Includes many prototype photos and scale drawings.
Conrail Track Scale and Switchman Shanty
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Author: Harold Russell
Includes prototype photos and scale drawings for both structures. They are modeled after the ones found in the Coxton Yard of the Lehigh Valley RR in Coxton, Pennsylvania.
East Stroudsburg Interlocking Tower
Model Railroader 1985-12 pg. 98 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
This article about the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR includes a couple of prototype photos, a model photo, and scale drawings.
Enhancing an N-scale Tower
Model Railroader 1999-12 pg. 106 Scale: N Author: David K. Smith
The article describes how to upgrade a Dimi Trains kit to make the model look like the prototype tower along the Northeast corridor, which the author photographed. Includes drawings of the changes made to the stock kit. Includes tips on how to create the corbels and how to build scale stairs.
Erie RR Gantry Crane
Model Railroader 1985-10 pg. 76 Scale: (none) Author: C.R. Yungkurth
Small cranes like these could be found at medium to large freight stations on team tracks. They were used to unload materials from flat or gondola cars onto other flat or gondola cars or onto local freight trucks. The prototype model described here was found at the Erie RR track at the Calumet Iron Works. Scale drawings and overhead truck design diagrams are included.
GO Tower on the MR&T
Model Railroader 1988-01 pg. 100 Scale: HO Author: Gordon Odegard
The author describes how he built this freelanced generic interlocking tower for the Kalmbach club layout. It includes construction photos, drawings, a bill of materials, and track placement.
How to Scratchbuild a Handcar Shed
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-12 pg. 49 Scale: HO Author: Tracy McKibben
The author describes how he built this Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway shed. Includes finished-model photos and scale drawings.
Illinois Central Scale House
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-03 pg. 24 Scale: O Author: Wayne Wesolowski
Prototype and model photos accompany this article about a very small structure which is vital to the financial success of the yard operations of a railroad. Also included are scale drawings.
John Street Tower
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-04 pg. 28 Scale: (none) Author: Julian Cavalier
Prototype photos and scale drawings of the tower found on the CN and CP main lines in Toronto.
Kitbashed Wood Loading Ramp
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-01 pg. 91 Scale: HO Author: Chuck Davis
Using an Accurail Rural Timber Overpass bridge, the author created the end-of-spur unloading ramp that appears to be made out of heavy timbers, much like the prototype.
Kitbashing a Coal Loader
Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-06 pg. 54 Scale: HO Author: John Brown
Taking part of the Walthers New River Mine kit to build a truck coal dump loader for a siding. Includes a scale drawing for a weight house, the weigh scale, and the coal truck dump. There are also several photos of the author's model.
Kitbashing a PRR Tower
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-08 pg. 70 Scale: O Author: Ron Gribler
Starting with an Atlas O-scale signal tower to create this PRR tower. Fully detailed interior is visible via the removable roof.
Kitbashing an O&W-based Crossing Shanty
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-09 pg. 60 Scale: (none) Author: Don Spiro
The article includes a prototype photo, model construction photos, and a parts list. The author build the model from a set of plans for a standard NYO&W shanty. Scale drawings are included for this simple project.
Milwaukee Road's Water Tank at Straw, Montana
Model Railroader 1978-01 pg. 107 Scale: Author: Harold Russell
One prototype photo and scale drawings accompany this one-page article about the water tank.
Modeling HO Pennsylvania Railroad Position Light Signals Part 5
The Keystone Modeler 39 October 2006 pg. 28 Scale: (none) Author: Jack Consoli
This installment covers building a two-arm bridge signal. Includes prototype and model construction photos as well as scale drawings.
Modeling HO Pennsylvania Railroad Position List Signals Part 3
The Keystone Modeler 37 August 2006 pg. 36 Scale: HO Author: Jack Consoli
This installment covers some variations on the basic single-arm PL mast signal. Includes model and prototype photos, wiring diagrams, prototype engineering drawing of the signal head, and some model construction photos.
Modeling Telephone Poles
Model Railroad Hobbyist 2009 July pg. 51 Scale: Author: Bob Grech
Step-by-step instructions on how the author builds his own telephone poles.
Modeling Track Scales
NMRA Bulletin 2002-06 pg. 21 Scale: HO Author: Pete Moffett
How to build a model of a narrow gauge track scale. Includes how to glue down track using Walthers Goo.
Modeling a Heavy-equipment Loading Ramp
Model Railroader 1990-01 pg. 122 Scale: HO Author: Harry W. Brunk
The article contains drawings and scale diagrams for a ramp to load heavy equipment onto flat cars.
Modeling a Temporary Yard Office
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-11 pg. 74 Scale: HO Author: Wayne A Sittner
This article covers how to build a model trailer that is used a temporary yard office. Includes several prototype and model photos.
More Structures from Railroad Cars
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-03 pg. 79 Scale: (none) Author: Dick Flock
Prototype photos of railroad cars that now serve a second life as office buildings and storage facilities.
Moving Targets
Railroad Model Craftsman 2008-12 pg. 87 Scale: HO Author: Gerry Leone
This article describes how the author built moving switch stand targets. The only restriction is that the targets are not on the turnout's headblocks. It includes construction diagrams and photos.
Prototype View - Hancock Yard
NASG Dispatch 2009-04 pg. 10 Scale: Author: Jeff Madden
This photo essay includes a basic drawing of the Hancock, West Virginia/Hancock, MD yard of the Baltimore & Ohio. Photos are of yard track, the former passenger station at Hancock, MD, four-track signal bridge, a handcar shed, the Hancock Tower, and the old freight house.
Retaining Walls
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-03 pg. 64 Scale: Author: Bob Walker
Bob describes various retaining walls, how to model them, and the article is accompanied by three model photos.
Route to the Redwoods Part 71
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-11/12 pg. 76 Scale: O Author: Boone Morrison
In this installment the author describes how he built two Dolbeer Donkeys. These were used to move extremely large logs around in the woods. Include prototype and model photos.
Scratchbuilding a Shallow-relief Model Based on the Crowl Store
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 85 Scale: HO Author: Don Spiro
The author took the photos taken by Robert Mohowski (shown in the article in this same issue) and built this shallow structure. Includes model and prototype photos, scale drawings, a parts list, and detailed information on how to build the more complex parts, such as the curve window tops.
Scratchbuilding a Standard PRR Tool House
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-01 pg. 95 Scale: O Author: Thomas Houle
The author scratchbuilt the entire structure from wood. Includes scale drawings and model photos.
Simple Crossing Gates
Model Railroader 1999-11 pg. 117 Scale: HO Author: John Nehrich
This brief article discusses how to use N-scale crossing gates in an HO layout.
Slow-action Crossing Gates Part 2
Model Railroader 1987-12 pg. 100 Scale: HO Author: Gordon Odegard
This installment covers command control and DC bi-directional circuitry necessary to have a realistically operating crossing gate. It also covers the gate, LED, and bell circuitry, the power supply, and the finishing touches to complete the installation.
Storage Shed & Scenery
N-Scale 2003-07/08 pg. 32 Scale: N Author: Robert L. Hundman
Scratchbuilding a storage shed and a scale house. The author's Abingdon module is also starting to get some scenery.
The Atlas Switch Tower
N-Scale 2003-05/06 pg. 70 Scale: N Author: Walt Huston
This is an easy-to-build kit. The author did some kitbashing, and added a LED light.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Co. Standard Cattle Guard
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 46 Scale: (none) Author: (none)
The title of the scale drawing doesn't match what the actual drawing shows, which is a 20-ton coal house.
The General Store at Crowl, Pennsylvania
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-12 pg. 83 Scale: (none) Author: Robert E. Mohowski
The author describes his visit to the general grocery store that sat right at the PRR track, visiting with the current owner reminiscing what it was like back in the day. Includes old and new photos.
The Lowly Shed
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-07 pg. 60 Scale: HO Author: Bob Walker
Description for building a handcar or storage shed. Two different models are shown in the photos.
The Stiff Leg Derrick at Incline
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2008-11/12 pg. 69 Scale: HO Author: Jack Burgess
This is a follow-up article to the author's May/June 2006 Gazette article where he modeled the foundation of this derrick.
Upgrading a Bachmann Coaling Tower
Railroad Model Craftsman 1994-01 pg. 96 Scale: HO Author: Greg Martin
Using the Bachmann kit, the author enhanced the scene building a foundation and bunker, the hoist and drying house, the sand bin, adding tipple details, and concludes with painting and weathering the models.
Utility Poles
O Scale Trains Magazine 23 November 2005 pg. 60 Scale: O Author: Garry Woodard
Describes how Gary built his telephone and telegraph poles. The article includes typical prototype sizes for the pole and the cross arms and how to simulate the insulators (using beads). Includes step-by-step construction photos.
Warehouses and Rails Part 2
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-01 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Harry Bonham
The installment covers the McCracken Van & Storage Co. It includes historical description, prototype photos (old and recent), and scale drawings.
Wawa Tower in S-Scale
The Keystone Modeler 53 December 2007 pg. 27 Scale: S Author: Bill Lane
Model photos of this structure.
Yard Office - Supply Shed
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-09 pg. 32 Scale: O Author: Wayne Wesolowski
This structure is a freelanced building that could function as a yard office and a supply shed for a small railroad yard. Includes finished model photos, scale drawings, and close-up detail drawings.