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 March 2026
CURRENT RUNNING EXTRA: RE March 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

BIG BOY,....or big mistake ?

Started by railandsail in Prototype railroading: Did super power steam make it easy for diesels to sweep the field? Which railroads got it right?,...which got it wrong? Bigger isn't always better. Diesels get it wrong too. ...a...
Prototype railroading 78 2 1,111 1776554302
Marshfield. A developing story

Started by Railman284 in Scenery and structures early rail: 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 early rail 51 25 2,111 1776553315
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 4,567 28 526,315 1776552768
HO Atlas Photo-etch Roof Walk?

Started by WANDRR in Locos and rolling stock: I've got an unpainted Atlas HO ACF 6 Bay Cylindrical Covered Hopper (3960 cu. ft. Center Flow) that I want to add a better roof walk to. Does anyone know if I can find a photo-etch...
Locos and rolling stock 10 0 1,840 1776550821
Differences between NMRA (regular) HO and Proto:87

Started by Andy Reichert in Dream and design: 📷 A fuller explanation and detail is on the web page https://www.proto87.com/What_is_Proto87.html RE: 📷 There is a "Ed McCamey" Proto:87 wheels and...
Dream and design 84 10 2,605 1776550723
PLIOBOND? GLUE FOR FAST TRACKS?

Started by Tim Bratcher in General discussion: Was about to embark on making some of my own turnouts with a Fast Tracks jig, but when I went looking for Pliobond, I was rather surprised that it is virtually unavailable--environmental regulations...
General discussion 23 3 533 1776550663
Looking for a track plan peer review: 11'x2" x 11'x2" HO shelf layout focused on switching and interchanging between levels via yard.

Started by Smoothinto2nd in Dream and design Shelf Layout Track Planning Switching Layout layout design: I've got a Tuff Shed office (that needs to stay functionally an office) that I have free rein over. I realized at standing height that if I'm creative, I can make a loop around the room. I've been...
Dream and design Shelf Layout Track Planning Switching Layout layout design 38 3 1,044 1776550459
Upcoming PNW trip

Started by DaleMierzwik in General discussion: I have an upcoming trip to the Pacific Northwest. I am spending a few days in Auburn with my oldest son and his wife and then driving down to Eugene to visit my youngest son, wife and grand kids. I...
General discussion 10 2 127 1776550447
Prototype Photographs 2026

Started by Nick Santo in Prototype railroading Photos: Hello! I enjoyed all your photographs from 2025 and before! Thank You for posting them!!! Please feel free to add photos when you have them! I’m sure I’ll have more to add this...
Prototype railroading Photos 147 5 4,981 1776550257
walthers united petroleum refinery versus north island refinery

Started by Kirk W in Scenery and structures: Are the two Walthers kits, united petroleum refinery and north island refinery the same kit with different names? If not, how are they different? 📷 📷
Scenery and structures 1 0 23 1776549104
A HA soldering iron …..

Started by Lirrlirr in TMTV general discussion: Joe has an “A-HA moment” video in TMTV about a small cordless soldering iron for DCC work. I have a brand new Athearn Genesis loco with loose connections… under warranty, but the vendor blew...
TMTV general discussion 14 2 476 1776545583
Let’s talk Ops: Before you plan your dream layout

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Read this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have below. ◄ Back to issue home page 📷 Want more articles like this one?...
Magazine feedback 51 13 1,173 1776544513
Limited Modeler: Ballville layout design evolves

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 Please post any comments or questions you have here. ◄ Back to issue home page 📷 Want more articles like this one? Give...
Magazine feedback 35 20 1,211 1776544466
novel layout features or operation

Started by greg ciurpita in Dream and design: i'm often dissappointed by magazine layout tours that are often cookbook descibing layout statistics: size, mainline length, min curve, frog #s, ... besides showing the layout. I liked...
Dream and design 34 1 661 1776543689
Timonium Train Show This Weekend

Started by Ken Meade in Hobby event notices: The Great Scale Model Train Show will be at Timonium this weekend, 11 and 12 April. My club, the PWMRC will be in the south hall this time with about 50 modules or so with the blue skirting. We...
Hobby event notices 15 2 419 1776542953
Speed-Mo: One person's overview

Started by Tim Bowser in Modular and TOMA modeling: Modular railroading. The differences in the standards can be disorienting at best, and inflammatory at their worst. I fell into this portion of the hobby almost by accident, when my wife took it upon...
Modular and TOMA modeling 60 18 1,260 1776542684
Digitrax Zephyr for first control system?

Started by Joe Garfield in Getting started: Would anyone have reservations about using Digitrax Zephyr as a first train controller? I know NCE has a lot of praise but I hate the screen and generally don't like TV remotes. The Zephyr is $200,...
Getting started 90 2 5,373 1776542574
Let's See A Model Of... April, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 79 4 2,193 1776542527
Kato AC4400, refurbish job

Started by railandsail in Locos and rolling stock BNSF: At the most recent train show in Deland, FL I ran across a fellow selling a down & out Kato engine boxed up as parts in an old Athearn box. He said he was just not interested in rebuilding...
Locos and rolling stock BNSF 4 1 26 1776541868
Apparent concerns with the Proto:87 Standard

Started by Andy Reichert in General discussion #how to: Some recent posts on turnout construction have mentioned an apparent lack of Support for Proto:87 in the US MR community. Rather than have that distract further from the turnout topic, I'm...
General discussion #how to 227 3 4,991 1776541382
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 4,124 28 84,590 1776539797
Japanese model trains

Started by ABMinOR in Locos and rolling stock: Greetings, My wife and I just returned from a trip to Japan (our first) and I thought I'd start a thread to discuss Japanese railway modeling. No, I'm not planning to abandon my North...
Locos and rolling stock 46 8 819 1776539180
3D Printed Wheel Masks

Started by Mitchell Schuessler in Locos and rolling stock 3D Printing Weathering Tools custom Painting: Hi all, I’ve recently prototyped some 3D printed wheel painting jigs or wheel masks. I made them in HO scale for 33” and 36” wheels. They bolt/snap fit together and require no...
Locos and rolling stock 3D Printing Weathering Tools custom Painting 3 2 63 1776538734
Fitting one brands shell on another's frame

Started by CAR_FLOATER in Locos and rolling stock: Here's a topic I haven't seen before (please correct me if I'm wrong), but does anyone out there have experience mating one manufacturer's body shell on another's frame (or the flip side of...
Locos and rolling stock 17 0 2,449 1776537811
Excel Railcar -- a 36"x90" Carshop Switching Layout

Started by CN/IC Isaac in Journals/Blogs: Having now torn down the old Heyworth Spur, moved and settled into the new house (see my last thread here:...
Journals/Blogs 25 11 1,008 1776537486
April magazines delayed ... no foolin'

Started by joef in General discussion: Healthwise, this has been a rough spring for me. Not life threatening, but still quite debilitating. First was a delayed reaction back injury from a car accident a year ago. I'm definitely on the...
General discussion 42 25 1,436 1776537392
HO rail Jig

Started by Gp10trainman in Track and electrical/DCC: Some time back I saw a jig that could be used for soldering rail together. It would clamp it in place so no worry about movement. It could also clamp different sizes together (code 83 to 100, etc)...
Track and electrical/DCC 10 2 226 1776536104
QSI decoder dying?

Started by Lone Geep in Track and electrical/DCC: Awhile ago, I bought a used P2K GP9 off facebook marketplace with DCC and sound. The box says its a QSI decoder, which I understand they are known for failing after awhile. Shortly after I bought it,...
Track and electrical/DCC 15 1 277 1776534676
NYC Hudson cab color?

Started by Robert Curtis in Locos and rolling stock: Does anyone know what the main color of the inside of the cab of a NYC Hudson's was? I'm getting ready to work on a brass loco and that is one of the things I'm having a problem finding.
Locos and rolling stock 4 2 225 1776525295
Structures for the May Island Railroad and Navigation Co.

Started by DaleMierzwik in Journals/Blogs: This thread will be for following the design and construction of the structures on the May Island Railroad & Navigation Co. There will be some jumping around as I don’t typically...
Journals/Blogs 171 25 6,853 1776520691
Rick's Diner... April, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 96 7 1,980 1776520027
Canal & RR rock wall

Started by greg ciurpita in Scenery and structures gregc: just above mi 165 on C&O 📷 rock faces here and on Western Maryland Scenic RR are rarely without vegetation
Scenery and structures gregc 29 7 877 1776516520
Can you identify this figure?

Started by Rick Beatty in Scenery and structures: This picture is from Walther's website. It is their new DQ kit with the Spaces Interior Lighting and Detail Insert. 📷 Can anyone identify the figure serving through the window?...
Scenery and structures 11 4 399 1776514170
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 252 9 8,635 1776508517
IR structures and vehicles Fall 1979

Started by Vince P in Scenery and structures: Starting this post to separate my layout section from the others so they don't get so lost First build here will be my Coal Tower remnants from an earlier era when steam was king Be...
Scenery and structures 46 11 1,987 1776477506
Modeling a New York Central K3q Pacific

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback Steam Loco: 📷 Read this issue! Please post any comments or questions you have here.
Magazine feedback Steam Loco 33 1 3,416 1776476985
From HO Milan Branch to proto-freelance

Started by rrfaniowa in General discussion O-scale proto-freelance milan branch: Hello all: Just a notice to those who may have followed my progress on a prototype HO layout modeling the Iowa Interstate Milan Branch, I have made a major shift to proto-freelance O-scale....
General discussion O-scale proto-freelance milan branch 4 14 277 1776476722
What is a good source for undec passenger cars

Started by JeffBulman in Locos and rolling stock: Where is a good source for undec passenger cars. I just picked up the BLI F units in my home road the Aberdeen Carolina and Western and I need some undec passenger cars to paint and decal as...
Locos and rolling stock 17 1 417 1776476192
There is always something new to try

Started by John Buckley in Scenery and structures: Hello all. I bet most of you understand the phrase, "proof of concept". Well i had an idea and this picture shows if it would work or not. This is just a piece of 1mm premium eva foam. I...
Scenery and structures 4 2 289 1776475170
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 38 9 1,383 1776468824
More Paint Stripping - Athearn Blue Box

Started by kenheywood in Locos and rolling stock: I notice a lot of comments on stripping paint and reference to Super Clean. Before I got started on my Rapido RS11, I thought I'd try my hand on an old Athearn Blue Box F7. A soak overnight managed...
Locos and rolling stock 12 4 302 1776465722
True Line Trains

Started by duckdogger in Locos and rolling stock: I have their U2G Northern from 2010. Still in the factory packaging. Says DCC sound. I have reached out to them for the setup/wiring instructions. Anyone have them and would send me a copy?
Locos and rolling stock 8 2 719 1776461077
IR Power & Rolling Stock fall 1979

Started by Vince P in Locos and rolling stock: Here's a P2K SW8 I've been working on for a while that stalled out after a move so this will be IR SW8 #99 one of a small handful of SW8-SW900m units Proto pic I'm working from is BN #99...
Locos and rolling stock 311 13 7,901 1776460428
Re-powering questions

Started by Hamms in Locos and rolling stock: I have some older custom BB locos that I want to repower. Goal is to have gentle starts/stops and smooth low rpms; loco's will not be going very fast around the layout (30smph tops). I've read lots...
Locos and rolling stock 23 3 813 1776459720
What's on your workbench? April 2026

Started by Eric Hansmann in General discussion Workbench: Last month many of you brought your workbench and layout projects to the table with 200+ posts on the thread. Thank you for sharing! We begin anew for April and I am looking forward to seeing more of...
General discussion Workbench 88 4 3,385 1776459613
Rivarossi Wheels

Started by Al Carter in Locos and rolling stock: I finally found an E8-B dummy unit, Rivarossi... with, of course, "pizza cutter" wheels. Running on code 83 rail, I need to replace the wheels, or entire trucks. I'm not a machinist, nor...
Locos and rolling stock 20 2 454 1776458189
Industries in Augusta, Maine

Started by Ben in Prototype railroading: In Augusta there is (or was) a propane dealer that had a spur off the old MEC Lower Road (422 Riverside Dr, Augusta, ME 04330). Per railroad.net, they did receive tank cars of propane at one time....
Prototype railroading 79 1 1,506 1776454110
is DCC jam up/delay a real thing

Started by DavidJones in Track and electrical/DCC: that people have encountered in real (model) life? Its one of the rationale for LCC proposed- basically getting too much info going through the DCC system that commands (like slow down) get...
Track and electrical/DCC 38 1 804 1776453667
Digitrax PS2012E Power Supply Adjustments

Started by Ken Meade in Track and electrical/DCC: I just bought a new Digitrax PS2012E power supply for my empire. My other PS2012E was powering three boosters but the instructions say it should only be used for two. Upon installing the new power...
Track and electrical/DCC 14 2 287 1776451348
Using AI to make custom photo quality backdrop scenes

Started by Tim VanMersbergen in Dream and design: I have always appreciated photo backdrop scenes but as a modeler of 1969, it’s very difficult to find or take and edit the pictures I really need. I’ve found usable scenes but they are...
Dream and design 64 31 3,158 1776448231

>> 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.