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
  - Modular and TOMA modeling
  - 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 October 2026  NEW
CURRENT RUNNING EXTRA:  RE October 2026  NEW

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

need for extra track?

Started by greg ciurpita in Track and electrical/DCC Track Planning Turnouts prototype railroading: i'm often puzzled why there are extra tracks or turnouts. I read that Tony Koester didn't understand the need for a turnout in prototype trackage he modeled until he switched on...
Track and electrical/DCC Track Planning Turnouts prototype railroading 2 0 69 1793893414
Airbrush mini compressors

Started by jimcubie1@gmail.com in General discussion: Is there a mini compressor anyone would recommend?
General discussion 58 2 4,915 1793893134
WAYPOINT: Web-Based Layout Operations Software

Started by david_d. in Operation and maintenance Operations Software: I have a very small HO shelf layout called Moline Alley that's basically set up like an Inglenook. It occupies a 13"-deep, 6-foot-long shelf over my home office desk. In the past, I operated it...
Operation and maintenance Operations Software 49 9 1,386 1793892762
Building Riverbend

Started by thewizard1 in Scenery and structures: After leaving Beaver Falls heading north through the mountain you come to the town of Riverbend. After crossing the Emerson river is the town of Moosehead. It has taken me awhile to decide...
Scenery and structures 271 20 5,899 1793892721
Traction motors on flat car images wanted

Started by Tom D Holley in Locos and rolling stock traction flat car: I have 10 of the old white metal traction motor castings that I machined to accept wheel sets. I want to load them on to a company service flat car. I have scoured the old inter-web for images and am...
Locos and rolling stock traction flat car 2 2 58 1793892377
Good Industries for Small Switching Layouts

Started by ArborRails in Dream and design Shelf Layout Operations Switching Layout Industry: Hey all, In my free time, I like to research and theory-craft interesting industries that are well suited for small switching layouts. I thought I would share some of the ones I've compiled...
Dream and design Shelf Layout Operations Switching Layout Industry 225 41 9,958 1793892365
N&AC 2.0 Track Planning

Started by anteaum2666 in Dream and design Track Planning layout design Benchwork: Welcome to my Blog! After 10 years of fun I had to take down the Nicholas & Ashley Creek RY for a move to a new home. I saved most of the major scenes and have started planning for the new space....
Dream and design Track Planning layout design Benchwork 241 14 5,023 1793892333
Questions on first time painting w/acrylic paint in air brush

Started by JK-28 in Locos and rolling stock Airbrushing Painting acrylic: I am preparing to paint plastic rolling stock with acrylic hobby paint like paints found in craft stores. What type of thinner do I need to run acrylic paint through an airbrush? Is...
Locos and rolling stock Airbrushing Painting acrylic 23 1 406 1793892314
What’s on your workbench? November 2026

Started by Eric Hansmann in General discussion Workbench Photos project sharing: Holy cow! MRH Forum modelers posted and shared nearly 300 comments and projects to the Workbench thread last month! Thank you for taking the time to comment and post photos and descriptions of your...
General discussion Workbench Photos project sharing 39 5 1,391 1793892041
Great Scale Model Train Show at Timonium, MD This Coming Weekend

Started by Ken Meade in Hobby event notices Train Show: Yep, this is a true model train show. No doll houses, no "other stuff". Just trains on a modelers level of interest. A huge White Elephant table. Several modular layouts by major modular...
Hobby event notices Train Show 21 3 535 1793890350
CN and CP Manitouwadge subdivisions - railroads you can model

Started by Brad Ketchen in Journals/Blogs: When I was 14 or 15, I met my friends, or shall I say mentors, Bob and Peter Winterton who both model the CPR North of Lake Superior in Ontario. Their history lessons, modeling expertise and...
Journals/Blogs 29 1 11,811 1793889803
Mod Podge

Started by Rick Beatty in Scenery and structures Scenery how-to materials: Mod Podge Gloss has been suggested for creating water scenes. I decided to get some and experiment. I see it comes in many different size containers - 2 fl oz to 128 fl oz. I only need a...
Scenery and structures Scenery how-to materials 25 1 609 1793889281
DCC for a small HO Steam Locomotive

Started by RyanAK in Track and electrical/DCC climax DCC conversion sound decoder: Hi, gang. I have myself committed to a bash of a Bachmann 50-ton Climax and could use some advice on adding DCC and sound. Here’s where we’re going: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷...
Track and electrical/DCC climax DCC conversion sound decoder 38 6 701 1793886900
Universal Coupling Joint for Drive Shaft

Started by Ken Meade in Operation and maintenance Repair gears: Now I need a universal coupling joint for this DD35 truck. The one that's on there now is cracked. Here's a picture of the existing one. I opened the crack a little bit and put some CA glue in...
Operation and maintenance Repair gears 31 1 425 1793886257
Another JMRI OperationsPro worked example

Started by Craig Thomasson in Journals/Blogs: This blog post will cover a JMRI OperationsPro worked example with emphasis on the features mentioned in this post . It builds on the fine example done by David Haynes and adds some additional more...
Journals/Blogs 35 0 11,967 1793885483
Bellows Falls Subdivision build

Started by skiwiggy in Journals/Blogs: This Journal/Blog will showcase the construction and scratchbuilding of structures along the Rutland Bellows Falls Subdivision. Various Scenes starting in Bellows Falls Vermont, heading...
Journals/Blogs 871 20 37,377 1793884547
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 961 48 48,127 1793884507
Another terrible HST crash in Spain. Something went seriously wrong.

Started by Andy Reichert in General discussion: No news at this early stage, but how one train managed to rear end another is indicative of a very serious problem. Andy
General discussion 70 3 1,628 1793884316
Billboard reefer paint

Started by dperry in Locos and rolling stock: The context is an ancient Ambroid kit of a billboard reefer advertising Olympia beer. The kit is O scale, wood, and now completely assembled. It was a fun kit to build and will be...
Locos and rolling stock 13 2 338 1793882950
Weekly Photo Fun - Nov 1-7, 2026

Started by JC Shall in General discussion Photos photography model railroad photography: It's another week . . . post 'em if you got 'em. There were a few late-comers in last week's post . Check them out, then come back here afterward. Please avoid posting photos manipulated or...
General discussion Photos photography model railroad photography 14 1 686 1793873263
Let's See A Model Of... November, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 23 0 667 1793843131
Flexible Hose Connectors for Drive Shafts

Started by Ken Meade in Locos and rolling stock Repair: I received some hose replacements and some solid couplings to repair the drive shafts on my DD35 as pictured below. I think the couplings may be to long so I'm opting for the hose coupling. The...
Locos and rolling stock Repair 15 5 336 1793842496
Soviet Modular Collective

Started by Rustman in General discussion Train Show Free-mo Speed-Mo: This past weekend at the Timonium show several of us setup... 📷 📷 📷 This show was the first time that a few different members of the Soviet Modular Collective gathered...
General discussion Train Show Free-mo Speed-Mo 2 23 294 1793840188
Customer Service Worth Noting - Spring Creek Model Trains

Started by jeffshultz in Journals/Blogs Track shipping customer service: I ordered some track from Spring Creek Model Trains ($27 per #6 Code 83 turnout was simply impossible to pass up) last week and was charged $25 shipping on a $126 order. Okay, shipping...
Journals/Blogs Track shipping customer service 20 18 626 1793831783
DCC Controller recommendations for EASY operation

Started by JoeyBoerner in Track and electrical/DCC DCC: I’m sure this has been discussed elsewhere, so I welcome links to existing discussion, but I couldn’t find any topics with my specific request, so I’ll ask here to get it started. My...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC 54 1 1,328 1793826870
Henderson Bay Railway & Transportation Co.

Started by Reg Hearn in Journals/Blogs On30: Wait! You thought it was the Henderson Bay Branch! That journal shall stand. Though serious consideration is being given to the demise of the layout...
Journals/Blogs On30 98 6 6,726 1793822957
Nicholas & Ashley Creek Railway - v2.0

Started by anteaum2666 in Journals/Blogs Layout: I officially "broke ground" on version 2.0 of the Nicholas & Ashley Creek Railway on February 19, 2026. It's been about 7 months since our move and I'm excited to get back in the game!...
Journals/Blogs Layout 133 11 5,328 1793821427
Weakly AI Foto Phun November 1 - 7, 2026

Started by jeffshultz in General discussion AI: The Weakly AI Foto Phun is for photos, both model and prototype, that have been manipulated via AI for more than simply removing a pole or adding a sky backdrop. This week's starter image...
General discussion AI 6 6 256 1793820079
Canadian Pacific branchline and logging road

Started by Stephane in Journals/Blogs Canadian Pacific: Well, here we are, I've finally started construction of an HO layout! I started in N-scale back in 2018, and I never got that layout finished. I worked on it on and off until about 2023, and...
Journals/Blogs Canadian Pacific 36 21 1,516 1793819533
AI's advice on limiting rail expansion and contraction due to temperature changes appears to be holding well - an update

Started by JimGnitecki in Benchwork and roadbed Track layout design: As some of you know, I am building a model N scale railway in a detached garage, NOT used for vehicles so there is no "big" door opening, only a regular "people...
Benchwork and roadbed Track layout design 14 1 270 1793819200
Rick's Diner - November 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 43 3 837 1793818062
Achievable? 28-ton Narrow Gauge Climax

Started by RyanAK in Journals/Blogs Narrow Gauge Scratchbuilding climax proto-freelance: Some here may remember that I have a long interest in the short lines and logging railroads of my native Pennsylvania. Particularly, the White Deer & Loganton has had a firm grip on me for...
Journals/Blogs Narrow Gauge Scratchbuilding climax proto-freelance 95 6 1,677 1793808353
Best Monitor For Photo Editing

Started by soo.line.steve in General discussion photography: I got some great and helpful replies to my question about camera recommendations so thought to ask a new question about computer monitors and photo editing. I’m currently scanning my collection...
General discussion photography 10 1 253 1793806977
Silesian Mountain Railway Germany/Czechoslovakia/Poland 1950-1970 (ish) A Make-Believe Railroad (MBR)

Started by DavidGibson in Journals/Blogs European: My layout while purporting to be the Silesian Mountain (range) Railroad (East Germany to Czechoslovakia/Poland 1950s-1970s) it is mostly make-believe. I am not worried if the buildings look right or...
Journals/Blogs European 45 17 1,543 1793805126
72nd Street Industrial Cutoff

Started by AzBaja in Journals/Blogs: Working on fleshing this out, 22.5" x 99" wall along back and right edge. Curve is access to main layout. Atlas code 80 track and customline turnouts. Goal is to...
Journals/Blogs 39 1 7,091 1793797203
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 4,461 28 424,748 1793783300
The Beaver Falls RR

Started by thewizard1 in Journals/Blogs HO scale: This thread probably should be called how to build a railroad backwards. You will understand why I say this as I explain the history. I left the hobby for a number of years, I returned in late 2016....
Journals/Blogs HO scale 1,680 28 45,155 1793779571
Stepping into O scale

Started by dperry in Journals/Blogs O scale: I am a long-time HO modeler with a garage layout in progress. Glacial progress. I have been thinking about O for a number of years and a while back I finally did something about it: I...
Journals/Blogs O scale 119 10 5,735 1793778760
A New Start: Beyond Stonehammer

Started by Deemiorgos in Journals/Blogs CN layout design proto-freelance: Ryan has inspired me to start a new topic about my new layout. The location will still be in the Maritimes/Eastern Canada circa 1956 far up the river from the Bay of Fundy hence the...
Journals/Blogs CN layout design proto-freelance 24 19 696 1793772989
Promoting Proto:87

Started by ednadolski in General discussion CORPM project sharing: I will be displaying some of my models at the upcoming CORPM in a few weeks, and in addition to some of my N scale stuff I figured this was a good opportunity to share some of the Proto:87 models...
General discussion CORPM project sharing 24 9 2,302 1793769577
Andre Ming

Started by Ancientmariner in In Memoriam: Andre Ming has passed away, from complications following heart surgery.
In Memoriam 184 13 6,341 1793768172
Embedded Track

Started by byls1960 in General discussion: What type of modeling technique can be used to model track like this? This is from google earth. 📷 Its a siding track at a fly ash facility 📷
General discussion 3 1 192 1793760692
An N-Track Variant of David K. Smith's Jersey City Industrial Railroad Plan

Started by nscale4x8 in Journals/Blogs Module N-Trak N-scale: I have run out of space for more 3D printed structures on my 4'x8' NScale " Cleveland Flats Industrial Railroad ". It's time to build an annex. I considered another 4'x8' to bring the total...
Journals/Blogs Module N-Trak N-scale 53 3 3,173 1793752293
Looking north on model railroads is completely arbitrary

Started by Alex Wood in Dream and design Track Planning Layout Dream and Design: Continuation of discussion from this thread: https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/looking-for-opinions-on-my-track-plan-13882149?trail=50 So my original post I was responding to was...
Dream and design Track Planning Layout Dream and Design 135 0 2,424 1793749540
What's New to You – October 2026 (... a little early)

Started by blhs569 in General discussion General discussion Layout Tour Nostalgia: I use to enjoy following this series, but I noticed its absence lately. Looking back, the last one was back in April. So I'll start this one off (so excited about my newest acquisition I couldn't...
General discussion General discussion Layout Tour Nostalgia 43 13 1,401 1793748997
An idea to reduce voltage loss due to limited capacity Digitrax Zephyr and Digitrax PM74 terminal wire size limitations

Started by JimGnitecki in Track and electrical/DCC DCC Digitrax Wiring: I have discovered something that Digitrax does not publicize very well if at all: The Digitrax Zephyr and Digitrax PM74 apparently will not reliably accept any wire gauge larger than 16...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC Digitrax Wiring 51 2 631 1793745024
floods in 4 Corners region

Started by David Emery in Prototype railroading: Has anyone heard updates on Durango & Silverton and Cumbres & Toltec after the flooding in that part of the country? dave
Prototype railroading 4 3 380 1793745015
Large Concrete Pads for Buildings

Started by Jake G in Scenery and structures Scenery AI: Hello, I was wondering if Illustration board would be a good idea for large concrete pads as shown in my rendition (AI generated). I plan on using evg4518 styrene paving plates for sidewalks as well....
Scenery and structures Scenery AI 7 2 315 1793736504
Another dead loco…..

Started by Lirrlirr in Journals/Blogs HO scale DCC Sound: Walthers Proto….it’s been running just fine since I bought it about 2 months ago…. Today it was running as it always has, then made some clicking noises and died. No sound,...
Journals/Blogs HO scale DCC Sound 33 7 1,240 1793734268
OpenSCAD Tidbits: Brick Patterns

Started by Glenn Butcher in Scenery and structures: Been messing with making stone walls for an upcoming D&RG Antonito depot project (stone walls, a bit of an anachronism on that wood-structured railroad), occurred to me that there's enough recent...
Scenery and structures 207 8 3,934 1793733896

>> Refresh page

Note: Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Many features may not work properly without it. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.