the MRH Forum

Categories
- All CategoriesCategories
  - General discussion
  - Getting started
  - Dream and design
  - Benchwork and roadbed
  - Track and electrical/DCC
  - Scenery and structures
  - Locos and rolling stock
  - Operation and maintenance
  - Prototype railroading
  - Journals/Blogs
  - In Memoriam
  - MRH
  - MRH magazine help
  - MRH product support
  - MRH forum help
  - TMTV
  - TMTV general discussion
  - TMTV support
  - TMTV video segments
  - Special
  - Magazine feedback
  - Advertiser promotion
  - Hobby event notices
  - Members only
  - Moderators Only
  - MRH Staging
Topics

*** WELCOME TO THE MRH FORUM!*** View as categories instead
CURRENT MRH magazine: MRH January 2026
CURRENT RUNNING EXTRA: RE January 2026

Forum posting guidelines: MRH Forum Policies
Forum tips and tricks: MRH Forum tips and tricks

Looking for something? Try a search ...

If you're having a problem: mrhmag.com/contact_us (select: Make a request /get help)
MRH home: https://mrhmag.com … MRH Back issues: https://mrhmag.com/magazine/back-issues

New Topic

All Tags

Rick's Diner - February 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 52 4 720 1770325006
GMD-1 dimensions help

Started by Distracted Perfectionist in Locos and rolling stock: Does anybody have any data on the overall length and distance between truck centre for the GMD-1, any assistance would be appreciated.
Locos and rolling stock 1 0 4 1770324635
Kadee #5 vs. #148 couplers

Started by hoffertg in General discussion: I have been using Kadee #5 couplers on my cars for years. Since then, Kadee has introduced the #148 whisper coupler to their line of couplers. My question is, are the #148 couplers...
General discussion 58 0 13,668 1770324083
What's on your workbench? February 2026

Started by Eric Hansmann in General discussion Workbench: Winter is modeling season and your project updates are welcome here! Let’s face it, there will be six more weeks of this stuff. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their workbench progress and...
General discussion Workbench 16 2 613 1770323930
MR Subscription $$$

Started by JamesS in General discussion: I finally got the renewal letter for my MR subscription. They want $109 for 1 year only. !! That’s 9$ an issue for print and home delivery. I guess everything comes to an...
General discussion 5 1 34 1770323602
Primer dry time

Started by Rick Beatty in Scenery and structures: I'll keep this simple and precise to eliminate variables. If you were to prime a styrene building with Vallejo Surface Primer how long do you need to wait before shooting a topcoat of...
Scenery and structures 9 0 78 1770323449
Worst ideas you've ever tried

Started by DavidJones in Getting started: I'll start with. I was having trouble getting the N scale track joiners on. I saw HO scale ones at the hobby store, and thought "that's the ticket". Bigger opening, easy to...
Getting started 80 5 2,078 1770323281
Done With Foam bases

Started by Rio Grande Dan in Benchwork and roadbed: I went to three of the Big Box Lumber stores in my area and 3 years ago the price for a single sheet of 2 inch foam was around $35.00. Now a 2 inch thick sheet is now $79.00 a sheet at the lowest...
Benchwork and roadbed 67 9 2,971 1770323124
Quality Analog Volt Ohm Meter

Started by Ken Meade in General discussion: I have absolutely had it with all these "quality" analog volt ohm meters that can be found at Lowes, Home Depot, Radio Shack and other retail stores. The test leads will last only a few...
General discussion 29 3 405 1770322481
I am curious as to how many of you out there hand lay your track…….

Started by herronp in Track and electrical/DCC: ……as "misery loves company" LOL. If you do what scale and method do you use. Thanking you in advance……. Peter
Track and electrical/DCC 30 1 242 1770322408
BLI bouncing loco

Started by R0ckie in Track and electrical/DCC: New twist in this loco. I posted earlier that it would stop moving and the front axle on the front truck would bounce up and down. Checked everything but no luck. No other locos do...
Track and electrical/DCC 3 0 114 1770322334
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 568 13 10,155 1770322280
Jan Publishers Musings - more short discussion

Started by debaker02 in Track and electrical/DCC Fire: For this text I believe MRH to be wrong. 📷 The first paragraph lists normal operating conditions as .2 amps. It's still going to be about 12-14 volts while you drive around. Then says...
Track and electrical/DCC Fire 79 7 1,510 1770321856
Raton Pass in Z Scale

Started by Joseph Lavender in Journals/Blogs: Back in late 2023, I started construction on the first ATSF Raton layout in Z scale. I had just come off a very busy year—my second book had been released, and I was inducted into The Explorers...
Journals/Blogs 75 15 2,470 1770321303
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 1,119 69 92,895 1770319822
Power pickup issues - Electrical gurus needed

Started by UP-Railroad 844 in Track and electrical/DCC: Currently in the long process of restoring/fixing an old Motorized heljan crane. Just about half of its functions overall were having issues, that being gantry movement, trolley movement and...
Track and electrical/DCC 75 2 824 1770319680
Rapido D&RGW Steel Cabooses

Started by ezlyamuzd66 in Locos and rolling stock: My first two cabooses arrived today direct from Rapido but as I had to get them thru Rapidos US website (they were sold out thru their Canadian website) I paid the Don tax on each. Landed here in...
Locos and rolling stock 4 4 81 1770319556
Tons of Model Railroader Mags and in a Cunundrum

Started by MickC1 in General discussion: Hello all, By edict of the boss (my wife) we are cleaning out. As a result, I have years worth of Model Railroader magazines (up to about 2016 or so) that I would like to give away to...
General discussion 27 1 378 1770319208
Looking for PTB-100 replacement

Started by VSOTTO in Track and electrical/DCC: Does anyone have suggestions for replacement PTB-100 programming track booster? Or does anyone have one sitting around they would like to sell? Yes, I know this is ancient technology and...
Track and electrical/DCC 1 1 25 1770318360
Holding Modules in Alignment

Started by Lone Geep in Benchwork and roadbed: I recently got to the point I was able to clamp my 2 corner and 1 straight module together and run my first inter-modular movement on my layout. I still have lots of work to do before I can arrange...
Benchwork and roadbed 12 5 322 1770318290
Let's See A Model Of... February, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 22 3 497 1770316868
MRC Tech 6 sound controller

Started by bill from texas in Track and electrical/DCC: Greetings, I'm in the process of building my new railroad empire. My last one was 30 years ago. I needed a new power pack and ended up getting the MRC tech 6, mainly because it could run old analog...
Track and electrical/DCC 4 1 81 1770316458
DCC short protection with an Arduino - target $10 per block?

Started by joef in Track and electrical/DCC: Let's start a thread to discuss developing an Arduino DCC short protection circuit with a target price of $10 per block. Under $10 per block would be ideal, but if it comes in at $11 or $12 per...
Track and electrical/DCC 112 5 1,026 1770314347
Scala N : Plastico Cavallersolaro

Started by Costanzo in Scenery and structures: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
Scenery and structures 12 16 388 1770312148
MRH 2026 Reader Survey - Take it now!

Started by MRH in General discussion: 📷 MRH READER SURVEY 📷
General discussion 34 13 2,350 1770311439
Tuning HOn3 trucks

Started by FIdeCA Fanático in Locos and rolling stock: Hello, I have quite a few HOn3 freight cars that do not roll as well as I'd like. I cannot afford to replace all of their trucks with Blackstone ones. Are there any methods that you have...
Locos and rolling stock 3 0 82 1770310232
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 74 7 1,400 1770309995
LEDs and Resistors - Proto GP-7 Upgrade

Started by B&O Joe in Track and electrical/DCC EMD DCC decoder: I am working an a PRR proto 2000 GP7 and would like to cut apart the light bar so the headlight, number board lights, and marker lights are all controlled by different functions. As such, that would...
Track and electrical/DCC EMD DCC decoder 16 2 152 1770309533
Modeling damaged sides of a railroad car

Started by Deemiorgos in Locos and rolling stock: Has anyone here created a damaged side of a railroad car? Like that of recent or old scrapes, dents, gouges, etc.
Locos and rolling stock 21 0 367 1770308896
I’m surprised

Started by Watawna in Magazine feedback: I’m surprised no one mentioned this: can you spot the typo 😳 📷
Magazine feedback 4 0 186 1770308619
40' vs 50' (Ice vs Mechanical) reefers in late 1960s and fruit packing houses

Started by Yannis in Locos and rolling stock: Hello everyone, While in the process of designing a fruit packing house and the corresponding car spots (California, Pasadena, 1969), I came up with a few questions regarding reefers after...
Locos and rolling stock 20 3 287 1770308605
Roomettes Lighting under new ownership

Started by mmount in Advertiser promotion: 📷 Hi all, As you may have heard, the Roomettes product line was purchased by my wife Erica and I in September 2025. We are currently shipping Roomettes HO and N scale...
Advertiser promotion 4 2 151 1770306669
Forum Issues

Started by Bshoop in MRH forum help: I tried contacting the link regarding issues with the Forum. 📷 This is what I got... 📷 It seems like with the constant tweaks to the Forum, I have lost...
MRH forum help 2 0 105 1770304766
layout switch location?

Started by greg ciurpita in Track and electrical/DCC: seems many of us are more cognizant of turning off our layouts when not in use. It therefore makes sense to put a switch powering the layout close to the door, avoiding any excuse to turn it...
Track and electrical/DCC 29 0 474 1770302537
Weathering brick buildings

Started by Rick Beatty in Scenery and structures: I found this image: 📷 What technique would you use to put the dark areas on the brick?
Scenery and structures 3 1 71 1770302222
Which trucks do people prefer on rolling stock?

Started by shoggoth43 in Locos and rolling stock: The Run Like a Dream series is a big proponent of standardizing on equipment. That said, what do people generally find works well for trucks and wheelsets? Is the Accurail Trucks and Intermountain...
Locos and rolling stock 15 1 349 1770298370
Suggestions on how to create the "MMID Pride" lettering for Maryland Midland locomotive

Started by Nevin W. Wilson in Locos and rolling stock: I'm finishing a model of Maryland Midland 2060 GP38-3 which is the MMID's heritage locomotive and it is coming along quite nicely except that there is a relatively small "MMID Pride"...
Locos and rolling stock 9 0 144 1770295022
MR January Issue, Lego Trains

Started by musgrovejb in General discussion: Maybe I missed the memo. But when did Lego trains get moved from toy train to the model railroad category? So, catching up on my magazine reading. When reading January’s issue of...
General discussion 68 8 1,677 1770294108
how do you mount you DCC command-station/booster on your layout?

Started by greg ciurpita in Track and electrical/DCC: i'm trying to figure out where to locate and how to mount a command -station. Doesn't look like it has screw holes to hand on board. looks like it and the power supply need to sit on a...
Track and electrical/DCC 26 1 437 1770292599
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 344 8 81,819 1770291309
Micro-Trains Acquired by Atlas (it's official)

Started by jeffshultz in Hobby event notices: Rumors are being posted that Micro-Trains, a well-known manufacturer of N, Z, and lately HO scale model railroad products has been acquired by Atlas Model Trains. A official announcement is...
Hobby event notices 91 10 2,675 1770286042
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 17 2 494 1770284939
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 49 23 807 1770265973
The Ruphe & Tumbelle Railway Company, What's New

Started by On30guy in Journals/Blogs: Hello all. 📷 I've been posting here for a few years now and have decided that instead of starting separate little blogs for every little idea I have I should consolidate things a...
Journals/Blogs 4,264 24 415,004 1770262207
Decal Situation - Help!

Started by byls1960 in General discussion: I have gotten myself in a situation. I have started to weather a box car. I have applied some dull coat already. Unfortunately, I want to apply some graffiti decals. The instructions say to apply to...
General discussion 12 1 385 1770259352
Rick's Diner - January, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 221 6 3,797 1770258348
Barchester, Pennsylvania

Started by Robert (Robin) Mountenay in Journals/Blogs: I haven’t been a regular poster here, though I have shared pictures of several of the layouts I’ve built, including my latest, Barchester. This layout depicted a central Pennsylvania...
Journals/Blogs 652 47 32,179 1770257530
Cincinnati West-B&O/PC 1975

Started by RSeiler in Journals/Blogs: Welcome to the Cincinnati West thread! Thanks for stopping by. The photos are hosted here on MRH, so this thread will remain intact as long as MRH exists. Click on 'Read More' for an index with...
Journals/Blogs 4,440 28 521,959 1770256125
Archiving Slides & Scans

Started by dmir.steve in General discussion: Hello. Over the past 18 months I've collected a decent selection of slides for various projects I am, or will be, working on. The slides have been scanned at a local photo lab at highest...
General discussion 17 1 287 1770254021
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 55 3 927 1770247419

>> Refresh page

Modal title

Smileys & People

Animals

Food & Drink

Symbols

Travel & Places

Alphabet

Activity

Insert Code

Source Code

Insert Link

38 Members

115 Guests