Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Model Railroader 1985-11
Articles Listing

Ntrak Today

Photos of modules accompany this article where Jim covers the history of NTrak, how it influenced modular layouts in other scales, and why NTrak has been so successful. A sidebar about Jim Fitzgerald honors the man who spearheaded the NTrak movement.

Corrugated Siding by the Ton

The author describes how he makes large quantities of economical corrugated sheet metal using Evergreen Scale Models' sheet styrene as the template for the shaped aluminum foil. The article also covers painting and weathering the aluminum foil.

The Utah Colorado Western

The layout fills most of the 33' by 30' basement. The single track mainline represents a bridge line between Craig, CO and Heber, UT. In addition to the description of how the layout was built, the article covers operations and includes a track- and elevation plan.

Free-rolling Steam Locomotive Drive

The author converted an NYC Mohawk such that it can be pushed down the track by hand. The conversion included building a multiple-thread worm, thrust ball bearings, and a coreless motor. The idea is that if you can easily push the engine down the track, when it receives track power, it will run very smoothly. Detailed photos and diagrams are included.

Missouri-Kansas-Texas Pacifics

The author describes the MKT H-3 Pacific engines and the article includes prototype photos, scale drawings, and notes on how it might be modeled in HO.

Clean Track, Clean Wheels

This article is nice review of all the methods we can employ to keep our track and models' wheels clean. It covers the reason for dirty track, using liquid and abrasive track cleaners, and cleaning locomotive and car wheels.

The C/MRI: A Computer/Model Railroad Interface Part 9

This installment covers computer cab control, layout wiring, and I/O connections. It includes electronic schematics for 15VDC power supply.

Kitbashing Middletown & Unionville Caboose No. 00

The author used two Mantua old-time combines to kitbash this model. Scale and cutting diagrams are included. It has model photos, but no prototype photos.

Ray's Bar

This fieldstone-covered small structure is made from Strathmore, balsa wood, and commercial doors and window castings. A scale drawing and some construction photos are included.

Symposium on Electronics

The electronic schematic of an automatic switching circuit is covered. The idea is that an engine can be moved automatically from a point A to a point B, back again, and, with the turnout automatically flipped, on to point C and back to A. This might be good for an automatic Doodlebug passenger service on a layout.

The Third Street Industrial District

A hypothetical 2 x 10 foot switching layout is described here. There are 15 buildings, many of which are served by the railroad. The track plan was designed to allow for future expansion.

Trainland U.S.A.

Iowa farmer, Red Atwood, with the help of full time and seasonal "employees" turned his basement into a Lionel museum, which is still open during the Summer season. The article includes a trackplan, and many photos.

Santa Fe Zebra-striped Geeps in HO

This article describes how the author super-detailed and then painted the SF model.