Peter's Model Railroading | My Library | Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-10
Articles Listing

Visiting Tom Combs' Cascade Pacific

Photos accompany this article about how the owner's layout has changed, thanks to the help of friends.

SP Caboose/combine 401: an On30 to On3 Kitbash

The author kitbashed a Bachmann On30 passenger car into this combine. Includes model and prototype photos.

Detailing With Markers

Using magic markers can make some scenery and structure painting jobs easier and quicker.

Rusty - A Four-wheel Climax

The model is built to Gn15 scale. These cars were used to pull logs out of forests. They were ugly, but powerful. The mechanism for this odd car came from a Bachmann On30 streetcar. Scale drawings and close-up detail photos are included.

Modeling The Jersey Central Lines' Back Track Behemoths Part II

This installment of the article concludes by discussing the tender, its sound system, added details, and painting and lettering.

A New Layout Part II

This installment covers the construction of the benchwork on top of shelf system brackets. The author attempts to use the minimal number of tools showing that in two weeks the "dirty" job of benchwork can be completed.

From Out of the Past: The Isle Royale Copper Company Railroad

This railroad served the copper mining industry on the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Old prototype photos, track plan, and locomotive roster are included. A sidebar describes how a layout can be designed to model this railroad.

Model Railroad Maintenance of Way Part 1

This article covers using the NMRA standards gauge to check your rolling stock's wheels, verifying the correct coupler height, measuring the cars' weight, and lubricating if necessary. Coupler trip pin adjustment is discussed, and a portable test track is described.

Jigs and Fixtures

The author describes his experience building jigs for trestle bents for his On30 layout.

Essential Freight Cars Part 24

This installment covers the Pennsylvania Railroad's R50B express reefer car. The railroad had well over 500 of them in service from the late 1920s through the 1950s. Model and prototype photos of the car are included in the article.