Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Magazine Authors
Magazine Articles By Bill Wade

0-4-0T Porter Part I

The author starts building the Backwoods Miniatures' kit, which is based on a freelanced design. It shows the kit's parts, a few early construction photos, and photos of the company's other locomotives.

0-4-0T Porter Part II

The article continues by working on the super-structure of the kit, building the cab, and their detailing.

0-4-0T Porter Part III

The author continues his construction series on this Backwoods Miniatures locomotive, completing the work, and painting the model.

15th National Narrow Gauge Convention

Photos and a brief summary of the convention.

Almost Heaven! Cass, West Virginia

A visit to the Cass Scenic Railroad. Several prototype photos.

Are You In The Mood?

Consider period music to put you in the mood for modeling, or to enhance the overall experience of your layout.

August 15, 1945... President Truman Has Just Announced... The War is Over!

Using a 1:35 scale figure to model a town's statue dedicated to the war heroes of WWII.

BenchTest

Reviewed are Realistic Cedar Shingles by Sierra Scale Models, Northwoods Green Trees by Timberline Designs, the C&S Jefferson Depot kit by P-B-L, Flatcar Loads by Stewart Locomotive Works, S Scale Rule by the Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association, Lionel Hobbyist Advertisements by Lionel Trains, and the PRR 2-10-0 by Omnicon Scale Models (reviewed by Dick Karnes).

Best of the Best

Where are the entry-level, below-$20, products in S-scale?

Building the Berlyn Locomotive Works C&S Type II Coal Car

The author briefly covers the prototype car, then reviews what can be found in the Berlyn kit, and finally describes the actual building of the kit. Includes model and construction photos.

CAD is no longer a Cad!

Computer Aided Design is now an integral part of the manufacturing of model railroad products.

Change Times... Changing Tunes... Sometimes!

An editorial about how people used to complaint about things not being available in S-scale. Now that more products are available, people still complain.

Conventions - 1994

The author reports on the 1994 NMRA convention, the 1994 NASG Convention, and the 1994 National Narrow Gauge Convention. Several photos are included, including the contest winners in the NASG Convention.

DCC and Me Part I

The author introducing himself and the reader to the new world of DCC. This installment covers a lot of the common terminology used.

DCC and Me Part II

In this installment, the author installs the components of the Wangrow Electronics System One DCC system.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

What kinds of questions are faced by those who enter the model railroading hobby?

Detail The Tail

The author describes how to super-detail the back end of an F-unit locomotive, a section that is often overlooked. Includes a photo, drawings, and a parts list.

Detailing American Model's Passenger-Car Trucks

The author describes how he super-details the rather bland American Models passenger car trucks. Includes a diagrams, a couple of model photos, and a parts list.

Detailing the Hartoy Trucks Part II

This installment covers adding details such as exhaust and connections for the trailer. Includes several model photos.

Diesel Detailing Part 1

This installment covers using B.T.S. detailing parts to super-detail the pilot of an American Models GP9. Includes one prototype photo.

Diesel Detailing Part 2

This installment covers detailing a diesel engine's cab.

Downtown Deco's Blue Angel Smoke Shop/Lou's Tattoo Parlor

The author describes the construction process of the double-store downtown building.

Flat Car Loads

Using the HO-scale Tichy Train Group kit #3056 Cement Pipe Flat Car Load on an S-scale car.

Flat Car Loads Part I

This installment covers how to model a load-that-was, i.e. what remains after a load has been recently removed from the car.

Flat Car Loads Part II

Covered machinery loads from Stewart Locomotive Works.

Flat Car Loads Part III

This article is also a product review of the Building & Structure company's laser-cut low-profile crate used as a flat car load.

Getting 'In the Chips'

A brief overview of the wood chip hopper car, and then more in-depth about how to model such a car in S-scale using an American Models two-bay hopper. Included prototype and model photos, as well as many construction photos and a parts list.

Growth of the Scale

How can we encourage people into the hobby of model railroading, and, specifically, into S-scale? The author offers a few ideas.

Hail to the Engineer

For the 1996 U.S. Presidential election, the editor proposes finding one who is a model railroader, because many of our skills apply to that job.

Horseshoe Curve 1995

A review of the 1995 NASG Convention in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Includes a number of contest model photos.

In Search of Steam Donkeys

A review of the book.

It Ain't Prototypically Correct!

Capacity data and actual wheels used on prototype cars can be inconsistent.

Kitbashing a Mail-storage Car Part I

The author builds a UP baggage car from American Models cars. The article describes how he did it, and includes construction photos and drawings, as well as a parts list.

Kitbashing A Mail-storage Car Part II

This installment covers the underbody detailing, installing diaphragms, and painting and lettering the model. Includes detail diagrams for the underbody piping and parts installation, the making of several detail parts, and a few photos.

Layout Unlimited's Steel Coils

Steel coil loads made out of injection-molded styrene, and a rack specifically made for an American Flyer gondola.

Mainstreeter Models' Gondola Load

The scrap metal load was included with the gondola the company sold, but it is also available separately.

Modeling Track

The article covers how rail size is related to rail weight, how that relates to rail height in the model, and what is recommended for laying S-scale track. Also covered are weathering rail, applying ballast, fish plates, switch details, and switch stands.

Modern Modeling

Information about how to model railroad trailers (i.e. those of semi-trucks) in S-scale. Includes several model and prototype photos.

Mr. Plaster's Paster Products

Several HO-scale loads and crates are available from Mr. Plaster that are usable in S-scale.

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

Why would we want to model a narrow gauge?

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

The author kitbashes Model Die Casting's HO-scale three-bay hoppers as reasonable models of the EBT Sn3 cars.

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

Scratchbuilding a freelanced Sn3 flat car. Includes construction photos, diagrams, and a parts list.

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

This column covers narrow-gauge critters, including the ones that are available, and ones that can be kitbashed. Includes several model photos.

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

Modified flat cars that were used for hauling logs, based on the scratchbuilt car documented in the February 1995 issue of this magazine.

Narrow Budget Narrow Gauge

The author describes an industrial critter that was scratchbuilt that he got in a trade.

Narrow Gauge Convention

The author reports on what took place at the 1996 Sixteenth National Narrow Gauge Convention in Durango, Colorado. The event was so large that it required two locations. Includes a photo of Doug Jolly's Sn3 Modeler Award-winning "Silver Star Mine" (also won third-place in the Module category).

Narrow Gauge Narrow Budget

Russ Haigh's 20"-gauge mine tram is covered in this article, which uses N-scale power. Includes several photos of the briefcase-sized layout.

National Conventions of 1997

The author recounts his visits to the 1997 NMRA, NASG, and Narrow Gauge Conventions. Includes photos taken at the shows.

Nineteenth Annual Fall S Fast An Interesting Event

A report with a few photos taken at the annual show.

Ninth National Sn3 Symposium

A report and some photos taken at the event.

NMRA/NASG Joint Convention

The 1990 NASG Convention will have an opportunity to expose non-S modelers to our scale, or so the author speculates.

Old Pullman Track

B.T.S. is the exclusive dealer for this brand of code 100 rail track.

On3 to S

The story of how to convert a Flying Zoo On3 2-6-0 to standard-gauge S-scale. The work was done by outside contractors. Includes several photos of the completed model.

On30 to S? Why Not!

The author takes a Bachmann On30 2-6-0 locomotive and converts it for use as an S-scale model.

Ophir Section Car Shed & Depot Outhouse

The author reviews the two kits made by banta modelworks (they are sold together in one box).

Photos from Poughkeepsie

The author visits Stan Stokrocki's L-shaped, 25-foot long, modular layout, and Bill Marks' layouts. Includes photos of both, and a track plan of Stan's layout.

Plentiful Pallets

How to scratchbuild wooden pallets.

Possibilities

Al Westerfield indicated to the author that they can produce S-scale flat kits that they have already done in HO-scale, if the demand is there.

Possibilities

Consider using etching brass to create your own passenger car sides that could be mounted to an American Models car body.

Possibilities

Helping manufacturers with prototype data, so that a particular model could possibly be produced.

Possibilities

The idea of bringing wanna-be manufacturers with money together with manufacturers short on cashflow.

Possibilities

Small plastic manufacturing companies could be turned into producing model railroad products, if we provide them with the necessary data; the company doesn't have to be a pure model railroading-only company.

Possibilities

What S needs is a distributor, to help cut down on the amount of time cottage industry manufacturers have to spend on "administrivia".

Possibilities

What benefit would an S-scale distributor have to the community?

Possibilities

Sn3 needs an affordable steam locomotive to attract modelers that are turned-off by the high cost of brass models.

Practice Makes Perfect

Hardly anyone is born with model-building talent, so we all must learn how to do it. What else is required?

Procrastination

How to handle it, and how to overcome it by pushing projects along just a little at a time.

Publisher's Message

This is the first issue under the new name. "S/Sn3 Buyer's Guide" has been renamed to "S/Sn3 Modeling Guide".

Publisher's Message

The publisher talks about burn-out in publishing a regular magazine.

Publisher's Message

The June 1995 Model Railroader had a 8-page section in the middle of the magazine all about what is available in S-scale at that moment. The author is encouraging all to take advantage of this and help continue to promote and grow S-scale.

Publisher's Message

The publisher writes about what they did over the summer to improve the S/Sn3 Modeling Guide, started BTS Distributing, and new BTS structures.

Publisher's Message

The Pop Valve returns in this issue, and the noted losses of famous people.

Publisher's Message

A review of the author's companies' accomplishments for 1997, and concern for the Asia products due to their financial woes.

Publisher's Message

The author describes what they went through buying Master Creations' product line, and discusses the future of this magazine.

Railmaster Exports' 1938 Chevy Coupe Convertible

A review of the construction of this two-door passenger car kit. Includes a photo of the kit parts and of the completed model.

Railmaster Exports' 23 Ton Sn3 Boxcab Diesel

The author reviews the kit of this 2.75"-long locomotive, powered by a NWSL PDT. Includes kit and final-model photos, and a copy of the kit's scale drawing.

Railroadin' on the Internet

A (dated) update article on new web sites and e-mail addresses available.

Railroading' on the Internet

A review of what is available on the Internet in 1995 for model railroading resources. Includes a sidebar on Web terminology.

Railway Express Agency Tractor-Trailer

The author reviews the Hartoy Mack BM tractor and the Fruehauf Aerovan 22' trailer.

Remember With Respect

Remembering the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII, the author reviews the people and companies that suffered due to the war.

Respect Through Knowledge

So, why doesn't model railroading receive the same level of respect as other pastimes?

Ridgehill Scale Models' Dynamite / Storage Shed

A review of this first structure kit by the company.

S-Helpers Service's EMD SW-9 Switcher

The author describes the prototype SW-9 switcher, and covers how to spot the difference between it and the SW-1200 model that followed it. Includes photos of the interior and exterior of the S-Helper Service's model.

S/Sn3 Buyer's Guide and Living Catalog

The editor introduces the first issue of this magazine, why there are punched holes on the pages, and what is included in this issue.

Say What? Communicate!

Telling manufacturers what you would like for them to produce requires precision, including a specific acceptable price range.

Shiloh's Lighted Signals

This is a review of the two-light standard target, model no. SS7, featuring green-over-red. The mast is a scale six inches in diameter and 21.5 feet high.

Short Dreams

Consider modeling a shortline, if you are short on model railroading resources (time, money, space, etc.).

Spring "S" Spree

Spring 'S' Spree

A brief summary of the event, and several photos taken there.

Spring S Spree

The author reports on the show. There were two layouts and Russ Haige's Sn20 layout in operation. Includes several photos, including new-product ones.

Spring Spree '94

A report and some photos taken at the event.

The Berlyn Locomotive Works' Sn3 C&S Type II Stock Car Kit

A review of the construction of this kit.

The Color of Flesh

Just what is the color of "flesh"?

The Dreaded Deposit

What it actually takes, financially, to produce a brass piece of equipment.

The Dreaded Nitpicker

Avoid being a nitpicker, so that you can enjoy the hobby.

The Eleventh Sn3 Symposium

A review of the 1996 Sn3 Symposium held in San Diego, California by the San Diego Sn3 Fellowship.

The Gas Electric Known as M-1 Part 1

The author describes the prototype and the Railmaster Exports kit of the East Broad Top's gas-electric motorcar. Includes several prototype photos and model construction photos, with copies of the instruction sheet's drawing.

The Great Layouts

What makes a layout "great"?

The Real McCoy

Various conditions and scenarios may lead us to think a model's color should be one way, but it really wasn't in the prototype. The author offers reasons why.

The Tenth Sn3 Symposium

A report of the Sn3 annual show in Arizona. Includes manufacturers' reports and some photos.

Tomalco's Sn3 Turnout

Tour the Penn-Southern Railroad

A visit with Carl Vanvick who had recently switched from HO- to S-scale. The proto-freelance layout takes up the entire 2,700sqft basement. He kept his previously layout's benchwork when switching to S. The article includes many photos, and basic track plan diagram.

Twelfth Annual Sn3 Symposium

The author provides a report and photos of this annual event.

U.S.R.A. Single-Sheathed Boxcars and Stock Cars

The author reviews the two new models brought out by S-Helper Service.

Virginia's Prank

How to build an outhouse from scratch. Includes photos and diagrams.

Whether to Weather

Should you really weather your models? If so, how? The author gives some tips and suggestions.

Wood-Side Refrigerator Car

A thorough review of the Crown Models' reefer car.

Writing for the SBG

Tips and instructions for how to prepare, write, and send an article to this magazine.