Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Model Railroader 1985-12
Articles Listing

Harry Clark's Indian Creek Valley Ry.

This large layout literally fills the 22-foot by 50-foot basement with a massive, continuous scene. About a quarter of the layout is consumed by a turntable, engine house, and large yard. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The article includes a two-page fold-out. The layout features B&O steam-era.

Our Seaboard Central Part 1

The Model Railroader magazine staff built this layout in front of a live audience at the 50th anniversary of the NMRA. The new 4'-7" x 8'-6" layout is intended to extend the Kitty Hawk Central they covered starting with the December, 1981 issue of MR. The article includes behind-the-scenes photos, a track plan, and discusses the construction of the bench work, track and wiring. It also includes sidebars on creating and installing end-of-train devices, and the construction of their simple switch machine.

Introducing Scales and Gauges

This article describes most of the model railroading scales.

Remotoring for Better Performance

The author describes how to remotor (mostly) steam models by AHM/Rivarossi, Athearn, Bowser, MDC, and Mantua (Tyco). An Athearn GP9 is also covered.

East Stroudsburg Interlocking Tower

This article about the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western RR includes a couple of prototype photos, a model photo, and scale drawings.

Mini-mirrors

Integrating small mirrors into the background scenery can make the scene appear larger than it really is. The article covers how mirrors can be used to reflect just light so as to highlight a scene that is otherwise dark.

The Toy Train Museum

This museum, located near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is maintained by Train Collectors Association to keep historical records of our hobby. It has layouts and displays of significant models.

Rushing Water

Using white cotton and epoxy, the author describes how to model rushing water.

The C/MRI: A Computer/Model Railroad Interface Part 10

This installment covers the computer cab control software. The BASIC program design is discussed and the source code to listed in the article.

"Don't touch the track or the trolley wire"

The author reflects on finding a layout where the owner used live 115-volts overhead wire for running its large-scale models.

Choosing a Train Set

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

Three Cars for Upper Kennebecport

A small switching puzzle (solution is offered on page 180).

A Pennsylvania RR Scale House

Scale houses are found near the throat of a yard to weigh cars as they enter or leave the yard. This article has a prototype photo and scale drawings of one such structure found in Lewistown, PA.

Building the Joplin & Southern Part 1

Building a simple 4'x8' starter layout. This installment covers the styrofoam base, track, roadbed, and wiring.

They Don't Build 'em The Way They Used To!

The author reflects on how layouts were built in the 1940s, when they didn't have the tools we have now.

Eagle E7 in HO

Using a Cary cast white-metal body on a Model Power E7, this article describes how accurately model a Missouri Pacific E7.

Rubber Rocks, Wire Weeds, and Other Scenery Tips

The author describes how he makes rocks using cut-up sponges. From the left-over parts he makes ground foam. The article also covers making small weeds using multi-strand electrical wire.