Model Railroader

GREAT LAYOUTS BEGIN WITH GREAT TRACK

The Waltherstrack ™ lineup is a complete system of HO track components. High- density foam roadbed provides a solid foundation. Meticulously engineered flex track and Dcc-friendly turnouts feature code 70, 83 or 100 rail for years of reliable...

EMD GP7S DELIVER HEAVY-DUTY DETAIL!

Walthersproto EMD FP7 Locomotives Loaded with roadname-specific details, the Walthersproto EMD GP7 brings one of the railroading world’s most iconic diesels to life in HO scale. Each model is accurately detailed and decorated to match its specific...

Modeling the New River Subdivision

This 19 x 24-foot HO scale Chesapeake & Ohio layout is set in 1957

Kickin’ it old school

How to use older materials in today’s modeling

Get ready for modeling season

PLUS

• Build a manual rotary switch control • Highball! Model an O scale ball signal • Visit the Brush Creek & Western HO layout

Next issue

In September, check out the Greater Kansas City Model Railroad Club, improve realism on your layout, create an O scale ball signal, try dyeing your track, and more!

PLUS

• Build a flag pole • Create an abandoned railroad scene • Visit Doug Tagsold’s Colorado & Southern

GENERAL PURPOSE FOR ALL PURPOSES.

Looking for the ultimate in a HO scale General Purpose locomotive? The Rapido GP38, PRSL GP38 and the GP39 have it all. Style, detail and power. These GP locomotives have it all and then some! From Rapido's revolutionary dead-straight metal side...

PLUS

• Visit Big Sky Country in N scale • Make car card racks from PVC trim • Build a town at your workbench

Step by Step

Upgrade a modern passenger car

Run your trains!

I fell in love with the Great Northern Ry. when I was very young. It started with a Varney F3 in GN’s simplified scheme. Before long I settled on the Cascade Division as the basis for my model railroad, specifically the portion from Skykomish to...

FOUNDATION INNOVATION

Great model railroads are built on great track, and great track begins with a firm foundation. Made from ultra-dense closed cell foam, WalthersTrack Roadbed provides the stability you need for your track. Tough, yet flexible enough for curves. Firm,...

Take me to the river

Cut a scene into existing benchwork

Upgrade a brass steam locomotive

Tips for improving the running quality and details on an HO scale 2-6-2

Next-level scratchbuilding

A variety of techniques were used to model these refrigerator cars in S scale

On the cover:

Passenger trains line up for loading at Pittsburgh Station on the Model Railroad Club Inc. HO scale layout.

SCALETRAINS EMD GP30

An Electro-Motive Division GP30, one of the most recognizable diesels of the second generation, is now available in HO scale from ScaleTrains. The Rivet Counter line model has railroad-specific details, semi-scale Type E couplers, and all-wheel drive...

BLI’S READING T-1 4-8-4

An unusual steam locomotive, born of wartime necessity, has joined Broadway Limited Imports’ N scale lineup. e Reading Co. class T-1 4-8-4 Northern, converted from 2-8-0 Consolidation locomotives near the end of World War II, mostly handled fast...

RAPIDO’S UPDATED RS-11

A new run of HO scale Alco RS11 diesel locomotives is now available from Rapido Trains. e model features many newly tooled, railroad-speci c details; illuminated number boxes, class lights, and control stand lights; and a new vepole, skew-wound...