Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-09
Articles Listing

Modeling a Conrail SD38

Article include several prototype photos of these diesels that were inherited from Penn Central. The majority of the article is following the author along with how he build one of these model pretty much from the ground up. Lots of detailed model photos, and a parts list.

Detailing an Apalachicola Northern, ex-East Camden & Highland, FMC Boxcar

The author discusses the modifications he made to the MDC's model of this prototype. The weathering on the author's model is particularly striking (rust spots).

Kitbashing an O&W-based Crossing Shanty

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.

Johnstown America's Grainporter

The Magor Company started building aluminum carbodies for covered hoppers to reduce the weight of the cars. The Johnstown America Corporation builds aluminum-bodied, coal-carrying Bethgons.

Using Decoder Pro

This article does a good job reviewing how the Decoder Pro software application works. It lacks details about how to hook the computer up to your DCC programming track. The application is free.

Essential Freight Cars Part 6

The article covers the Southern Pacific's single-sheathed boxcars, and modeling the B-50-13 and -14 cars. A side bar on modeling KC brakes and release rods is included. Several close-up detail photos of the model are also included.

Scale Miles-per-hour At a Glance

This article covers the formula used to calculate your locomotive's scale speed. The author made some handy tables for determining a locomotive's speed without needing to use a calculator.

Using Styrene

This is an introductory article about why and how to use styrene. It discusses the benefits of styrene versus some of the other building materials. There is also a short discussion on which glues to use with styrene.

Kitbashing a Railway Express Terminal

The author used two Walthers United Trucking Terminal kits to build one Railway Express terminal..

Three Ways to Gilpin

This large article covers three layouts and lots of prototype information and photos about Colorado's two-foot Gilpin tramway. One layout is in 1/2" scale, another in Sn2, and the last one in HOn30.