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UglyK5 Layout v5.0 Blog

Started by UglyK5 in Journals/Blogs: I’ve started building the fifth iteration of my model railroad, and will blog about it here. We moved three times in the last three years. I had hoped to reuse the many modules that I had...
Journals/Blogs 20 7 593 1769137115
Finding nylon mounting screw other than 2-56 to mount a motor for DCC

Started by Scott Sonntag in Locos and rolling stock: Hello everyone. I recent bought an old Varney 4-6-0 Casey Jones with a decent motor that still runs well. I would like to convert the engine to DCC and would like to use the existing...
Locos and rolling stock 10 1 182 1769137032
Smiley's Tow Service Woodland Scenics Kit

Started by Ryan Boudreaux in Scenery and structures: I pulled out the old kit, dusted it off and it’s been through probably three moves, boxed up, unpacked, reboxed again, and unpacked again. Must have bought it at a train show some 30+...
Scenery and structures 10 2 401 1769136961
12 mm long flock used in scenery

Started by herronp in Scenery and structures: Have any of you had any luck using these long strands with a static grass applicator? Try as I might they don’t stand up very well and look more like cut hay than tall grass. I've had luck...
Scenery and structures 4 0 44 1769136286
Let's See A Model Of... January, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 180 3 3,066 1769136219
The Winchester Branch V2

Started by Nate in Journals/Blogs: After much thought, I have decided to go in a very different direction with my layout. I had always worried about the pinch points at the widest part of the mountain climbing turnback curve, also...
Journals/Blogs 209 9 10,887 1769136188
Statler Tissue Mill in Augusta, ME

Started by Ben in Prototype railroading Paper Mill: I'm doing research for a future layout - strongly considering modeling the Lower Road from Augusta to Waterville (East Augusta Industrial Track) in the late 90s/early 00s. Initially I'll only have a...
Prototype railroading Paper Mill 46 2 1,250 1769135981
Working on my San Joaquin tribute boxcar.

Started by Kevin Parson in Locos and rolling stock Painting: Last month, @Rick Sutton shared this picture from his previous layout in a thread about making water: https://i.imgur.com/qf4JDs9.jpg - Photograph by Rick Sutton I remembered...
Locos and rolling stock Painting 22 4 796 1769135826
New TCS WiFi decoders and Android LCC Throttle App

Started by Ken Rice in Track and electrical/DCC: From an email about what they’ll be talking about at Springfield: New WiFi decoders for large scale and regular 21 pin size, from the feature list I think there’s also other new decoder...
Track and electrical/DCC 14 2 196 1769135710
MRH track plan database

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Read this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have here. Want more articles like this one? Give us a like on the lower left 📷...
Magazine feedback 15 9 455 1769135651
KC&G: Riverfront District

Started by laming in Dream and design: Hi All! I'm BAAAaack! This thread will be where I will be sharing thought processes, updating progress, along with much general drivel concerning my latest concoction: The Kansas City &...
Dream and design 495 13 9,061 1769135431
Decoder Replacement in NW2

Started by Ray Hamilton in Track and electrical/DCC: I am hoping to replace the ESU Essential Sound decoder with a Loksound 5 with a Decoder Buddy and Power Bridge III keep alive on my Walthers Mainline NW2. I just did this on a Walthers Mainline GP9...
Track and electrical/DCC 4 1 96 1769134716
Amherst Model Railroad Hobby Show this weekend - Who’s going!

Started by Neal M in Hobby event notices: It’s that time of the year and the Amherst Railroad Hobby Show is this weekend! No snow in the forecast (as of this posting)! I’ll be in the Better Living Center Section 40 chained...
Hobby event notices 36 3 573 1769134651
Camera in a model locomotive

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 ARTICLE SHOPPING LIST CAMERA OPTIONS: ESP32-CAM 2MP camera+WiFi&Bluetooth+FTDI USB to TTL Jumper, $12, Amazon free...
Magazine feedback 2 10 78 1769134225
Meet The KC&G: Mainline To The Gulf

Started by laming in Journals/Blogs: Hi All: This will be a thread dedicated to the dreams n' schemes concerning my HO scale Kansas City & Gulf proto/free lance theme, which will (eventually) include two separate layouts. One...
Journals/Blogs 3,928 27 80,666 1769133697
No such thing as stupid questions- lets test that theory shall we?

Started by PM Railfan in General discussion: This months MRH has an article about K. Patterson's devastating fire. We all feel the loss on that one. Hopefully we all gained some safety knowledge and awareness from this. Aside from...
General discussion 116 4 1,125 1769132982
Second MRC PFE reefer car kit project

Started by Deemiorgos in Locos and rolling stock: I used to have a model like this, but it got damaged and is long gone. I was very lucky to find another kit at a local hobby shop. I am going to do this with one using a different approach...
Locos and rolling stock 55 6 1,076 1769132859
January magazines status UPDATE

Started by joef in Magazine feedback: Unfortunately, the January magazines are going to be several days late. It could not be helped … we’re selling some land (funding for the new steel outbuilding housing SL2) and several days were...
Magazine feedback 28 18 1,487 1769132793
Changing from Atlas to Kadee couplers on the O Scale 50 Ton Hopper

Started by Kurt Thompson in Locos and rolling stock O scale: OK. I have a couple of the 50 ton two bay hoppers. I want to change the Atlas coupler to a Kadee for standardization. I got the truck support plate removed after loosening the 4 mount screws hoping...
Locos and rolling stock O scale 3 0 33 1769129917
Marshfield. A developing story

Started by Railman284 in Scenery and structures: Before we visit Marshfield let us visit Miller's Slough with a view of the Mill from the slough; 📷 and the community that developed around it. 📷 Following the tracks...
Scenery and structures 25 20 978 1769127603
Rick's Diner - January, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 175 6 2,852 1769126053
What's New to You? January 2026

Started by Edmund in General discussion: Here's a thread where you can brag a bit and show off any new goodies you picked up for your modeling workshop or layout. Post plenty of photos, please! I stumbled across this...
General discussion 78 18 2,229 1769125866
Hey, do you smell smoke?

Started by bear creek in Track and electrical/DCC DCC Short Fire: Timing is everything...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC Short Fire 10 0 258 1769124891
I can't seem to find out an answer about coke storage at a blast furnace

Started by DavidJones in General discussion: I'm putting mine in!!! Its working out great. I've watched plenty of youtube videos of them unloading coke from railway cars etc, and I've seen one 'salt barn' type of storage location,...
General discussion 8 1 147 1769124658
Stripping wire

Started by eastwind in Track and electrical/DCC: This question is about stripping the outer insulation from multi-conductor wire. In my case I have some 16/2 wire where the outer insulation is about 5/16" outside diameter, and the inside...
Track and electrical/DCC 2 0 60 1769122669
Walters Switch Machines

Started by cpierre in Track and electrical/DCC: Walters Switch Machines work as advertised on the bench. Installed back on the layout the machines will not switch the track. There are no obstructions of the switches.
Track and electrical/DCC 0 0 33 1769121349
workbenches!

Started by missabe406 in General discussion: Wont be building an at home layout till I move again, but I've set up a workspace to work on some projects in the meantime. Mostly weathering and detailing some locos and rolling stock, as well as...
General discussion 80 4 3,330 1769118872
PNWR Trouble in Toledo, OR

Started by Ken Hatch in General discussion: Looks like the Portland & Western "Toledo Hauler" had a bit of a mishap today, 1/21/2026. 📷 Lisa Fieber photo
General discussion 9 9 350 1769117756
Easy Mount Servo Bracket 2 Limit Switches

Started by Sumner in Track and electrical/DCC: This is an adaptation of the servo bracket that I have up ( HERE ) that you can mount two micro limit switches on if you need two. If you went to that link you would of seen that there are some tools...
Track and electrical/DCC 2 0 43 1769117558
An Operating Steam Throttle You Can Customize

Started by Geoff Bunza in General discussion Throttle Steam Loco: An Operating Steam Throttle You Can Customize ...
General discussion Throttle Steam Loco 427 33 19,881 1769116820
Ah-Hah Moment: Economical DCC short protection

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 ARTICLE SHOPPING LIST DCC short protection board, ~$8 + shipping (or $34.95 for 5 + shipping), Voltscooter Engineering: ...
Magazine feedback 14 9 601 1769116160
Electric ALCOs?

Started by Ancientmariner in Prototype railroading: I saw a news blurb on another website about the Cuyahoga Valley tourist operation receiving a grant to electrify a pair of FPA4s. What do y'all think? What good is an ALCO that doesn't smoke and make...
Prototype railroading 17 3 233 1769115650
Pacific Harbor Lines Shelf Layout Build

Started by Ivan I in Journals/Blogs: It goes like this: I want a model railroad. I'm going to build one. 📷 Ten years have gone by and numerous designs have been dreamt up, but none of them stuck - except for this...
Journals/Blogs 340 8 81,404 1769115064
BN 8th Sub (Issaquah Branch) 1/29 Scale (Outdoors)

Started by Craig Townsend in Journals/Blogs: I've never taken the time to draw up a track plan for the layout, but I finally sat down and drew up a track plan of the layout I'm building. Details to follow in next post to keep the lead post...
Journals/Blogs 151 3 10,126 1769112846
Monon Modelers

Started by hoffertg in General discussion: I'm asking this question out of my own curiosity. How many Monon modelers are out there in Model Railroad Hobbyist land? If you care to identify yourself that is great. I live in North Central...
General discussion 27 1 2,511 1769111500
Would you want this layout?

Started by shoggoth43 in General discussion: Some impressive work... 🎬
General discussion 24 7 908 1769110589
What's on your workbench? January 2026

Started by Eric Hansmann in General discussion Workbench: We are ringing in another New Year with your project updates! I suspect we will see a wide variety of work this month as the December shares were stellar! I thank everyone who contributed their...
General discussion Workbench 189 7 5,120 1769110290
Publisher’s Musings: 2026 survey & Ken Patterson’s fire

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Read this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have here. Want more articles like this one? Give us a like on the lower left 📷...
Magazine feedback 32 11 718 1769109569
Tom Johnson's Cass County Railroad

Started by TomJohnson in Journals/Blogs: 📷 Hello! It has been a long time since I have posted anything here. I had a blog (journal) going several years ago under the L&IN and INRAIL theme that had a big following. That...
Journals/Blogs 1,089 68 91,409 1769108767
Aurora Miniatures HO Scale 66' Railgon Gondola Review

Started by BAMT in General discussion: Hello, I did a review of the Aurora Miniatures HO Scale 66' Railgon Gondola. This is my first Youtube video so I'd appreciate comments on what I can improve. I have a decent collection and wanted to...
General discussion 10 4 254 1769108680
Powering down Digitrax UT6D throttle

Started by hoffertg in Track and electrical/DCC: I have a new Digitrax UT6D throttle. Everything works great but I am having difficulty on doing a complete shutdown of the throttle. The unit will go into a sleep mode where the green LED flashes but...
Track and electrical/DCC 1 0 43 1769108679
Chicago Switching Layout

Started by Windswept Rails in Dream and design Switching Layout chicago street running industrial: Hi everyone, this is my first post (and a long one sorry!), but I have seen posts on here as a non-member and it's been invaluable for my research. I'm based in Scotland, so I can only use...
Dream and design Switching Layout chicago street running industrial 217 9 7,171 1769104823
Limited Modeler: A power plant dedicated layout

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have here. Want more articles like this one? Give us a like on the lower left 📷...
Magazine feedback 6 16 198 1769102436
CP Rail's Newport & Lyndonville Subdivision

Started by CP Rail Vermont in Journals/Blogs HO scale Weathering Scenery: About a year ago I started a Facebook Group dedicated to construction of my layout and sharing photos as I went, but unfortunately I haven't been posting much on the MRH forum. I'd like to...
Journals/Blogs HO scale Weathering Scenery 1,812 33 131,360 1769101772
The Tiburon Museum layout

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Read this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have here. Want more articles like this one? Give us a like on the lower right 📷...
Magazine feedback 4 8 381 1769100203
MERG LCC Special interest group 2026 Zoom meetings

Started by JohnmH in Track and electrical/DCC: I am currently trying to gauge the interest on holding a number of Zoom meeting to fall inline with American time zones. While the largest number of MERG members are based in the UK. We are always on...
Track and electrical/DCC 8 2 244 1769098067
What determines a HO scale locomotive's minimum turn radius?

Started by High-nose lover in Locos and rolling stock: Contrary to what my username suggests, I am also fond of GEVO locomotives. However, I have very little room to accommodate even HO 22" radius curves. I have heard that some six axle locomotives...
Locos and rolling stock 31 3 791 1769097891
Quin's Auto Repair Scratch Build

Started by Craig Townsend in Scenery and structures: I thought I better pull the threads from my main layout blog and start and individual thread on the next structure on my to do list for the layout. Alongside T-D Feeds , Acme Pawn and...
Scenery and structures 26 3 958 1769096393
Trackplan Database - Have you posted yours?

Started by MRH in Dream and design: Post your trackplan. We want to see it! 📷 Please include as much of the following with your plan as possible: Prototype modeled (if any) Scale Minimum radius Room size Turnout...
Dream and design 481 7 1,037,975 1769095229
On30 Sugar Cane Shelf Layout

Started by OquirrhRW in Dream and design: Hello, I am a new member who has been a long time rail and modeling enthusiast that finally has space for a shelf layout along a wall in my garage. The concept for the layout is a...
Dream and design 14 9 419 1769090646

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