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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 110 6 1,771 1793983293
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 30 19 826 1793983164
Droopy coupler (Walthers Amtrak)

Started by GerardW in Locos and rolling stock Rolling Stock Walthers couplers: One of 6 couplers (on a set of 3 cars) on a 85' Walthers Amtrak rolling stock is "droopy." I've tried adding thin layers of Kapton tape but it's not helping much. When the coupler is in...
Locos and rolling stock Rolling Stock Walthers couplers 8 1 120 1793982992
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 247 14 5,107 1793982937
Silver Creek Railroad - Layout Journal

Started by Thomas1911 in Journals/Blogs: Hello all, I’m starting this journal to chronicle my freelanced Silver Creek Railroad that I introduced some time ago in my Shamrock Logging & Navigation Co. journal. The SCRR and...
Journals/Blogs 16 20 912 1793982537
Airbrush Time, Vallejo or MicroMark

Started by Joe Circus in Scenery and structures Airbrushing Painting Paints: I have that portable airbrush itching to spray paint. I need to buy some. I'm painting HO scale buildings. My first interest is painting the brick in ( slightly ) different colors....
Scenery and structures Airbrushing Painting Paints 5 0 27 1793981700
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 23 1 367 1793979587
Rick's Diner - November 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 60 3 1,101 1793979424
What's the equivalent of Shapeways nowadays?

Started by Brian O'Meara in General discussion 3D Printing stl file: Years ago, if someone had a model to print, Shapeways was the place to go. What's the goto now? There seem to be a lot of companies, plus many people have 3d printers. But if I just want some stl...
General discussion 3D Printing stl file 6 1 220 1793979054
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 458 7 15,978 1793978987
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 4,742 28 535,650 1793978541
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 70 2 736 1793978057
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 31 1 754 1793978044
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 139 0 2,492 1793976691
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 1,681 28 45,192 1793976629
The Iron Range: DSS&A and LS&I ore country in N scale

Started by Jonathan T Parsons in Journals/Blogs N Scale new layout Planning layout design: I've wanted to build this railroad since I was a kid, and this year the room for it finally exists — mostly. The garage is 21' × 19', ceiling just under 8'. Layout goes in as the room finishes, so...
Journals/Blogs N Scale new layout Planning layout design 8 5 395 1793975920
VIdor HO micro layout (a PREC switching shortline )

Started by EMD_Rich in Journals/Blogs: I thought I'd create a thread somewhere to share my adventures in creating my freelance small leasing/operating company called Premier Equipment Company and as I world build. The brainchild...
Journals/Blogs 26 12 1,123 1793975026
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 79 3 1,770 1793968740
Very important Fascia HEIGHT question (for train safety, not appearance)

Started by JimGnitecki in Benchwork and roadbed Benchwork Fascia: My 4 foot x 12 foot "island table" model railway currently under construction is N scale. I am about to screw on 3/16" thick by 6" high Maple plywood fascia all the way...
Benchwork and roadbed Benchwork Fascia 62 3 1,043 1793966515
Big public THANK-YOU to Mike Hughes for the N scale drones he made for me!

Started by JimGnitecki in Locos and rolling stock 3D Printing N-scale: Recently, I posted asking where I might be able to find N-scale models of industrial sized drones for my futuristic Year 2050 N scale railway - the type & size of drones that futurists say will...
Locos and rolling stock 3D Printing N-scale 8 9 148 1793965603
Boxcar Types for Lumber

Started by WestoftheRockies in Locos and rolling stock boxcar prototype railroading: Hi everyone! I hope the fall season is treating you well! I just had a question about boxcar types. I know for the longest time, back in the day at least, RRs used boxcars for loading...
Locos and rolling stock boxcar prototype railroading 21 2 331 1793965155
Interesting and Cost Effective Way to Create New Structures

Started by ArcadiaJunction in General discussion Buildings: 🎬 Model Railroad Structures at Very Low Cost - Character on a Budget 📷
General discussion Buildings 1 2 130 1793959991
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 231 3 5,563 1793947290
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 16 3 386 1793946179
Blockbuster Video: It's 1999

Started by Dan Sullivan in Scenery and structures N-scale Nostalgia: A true gen-X institution that has, sadly, faded into oblivion. To be resurrected, if I can figure it out, on the New Jersey N scale layout. The windows, and ticket sign look like they will...
Scenery and structures N-scale Nostalgia 7 5 162 1793944535
Nicholas & Ashley Creek Railway

Started by anteaum2666 in Journals/Blogs: I've been working on my HO Scale Nicholas & Ashley Creek Railway for a couple of years now, but really started in earnest over the past few months. Since my efforts include many topics...
Journals/Blogs 1,063 15 103,892 1793943752
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 46 5 1,680 1793939880
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 4,462 28 424,786 1793939641
Dutch Country Railroads

Started by Mitchell Schuessler in Journals/Blogs Operations Planning Penn Central Reading Company: I figured this would be a good place for a supplemental blog to my article “Dutch Country Conrail” in the April 2025 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. I have a few threads floating...
Journals/Blogs Operations Planning Penn Central Reading Company 365 20 15,299 1793937773
Landisburg in On30 Module, built by Ron Lane, looking for information

Started by MannsCreekRR in Modular and TOMA modeling On30 Module: I visited a layout last week and in his entry way he had an On30 module that the owner had purchased. He was looking for information on who constructed it. I recognized it right away as the module...
Modular and TOMA modeling On30 Module 2 1 122 1793934694
CNW Peninsula Div Returns

Started by richhard444 in Journals/Blogs CNW Dream and Design layout rebuild: Hi All I am starting to rebuild the CNW Peninsula Div. layout after moving to a new house, due to a very sad situation. My wife and I split up. I had to tear down the original layout which took 23...
Journals/Blogs CNW Dream and Design layout rebuild 3 1 119 1793934280
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 62 1 1,448 1793932813
North meets South: A Canadian modeler's side trip down Ferrosur's Mexico-Veracruz Line S

Started by Chris VanderHeide in Journals/Blogs Ferrosur Mexico Ferromex HO scale: Following a visit to my wife's hometown in Orizaba, Veracruz over the 2024 Christmas holidays to visit family I've started taking an interest in the railways of southeast Mexico. We got a...
Journals/Blogs Ferrosur Mexico Ferromex HO scale 153 15 4,533 1793931083
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 24 1 476 1793926859
Pokey 3.0 - Scenery

Started by pldvdk in Scenery and structures: With the completion of the fascia on my layout, it's time to start a new chapter in the ongoing saga of the Pokey 3.0! This thread will follow the scenery work (and other odds and ends) that...
Scenery and structures 788 10 21,317 1793924509
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 967 48 48,333 1793923920
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 15 1 302 1793923235
New forum feature for all users: TAGS

Started by joef in MRH forum help Forum Tags: We have enabled tags for general forum use. Previously, you needed to be a superuser or admin to have access to tagging. Here's some how-to's on using tags ... Tagging topics While...
MRH forum help Forum Tags 34 5 1,068 1793920581
Boxcar Gulch - Module

Started by Dan Bachman in Journals/Blogs Free-mo layout construction: When I was 7, my father introduced me to model railroading when he brought home an HO engine and a few boxcars. I was hooked and over the next 5 years we built a layout in our basement. Then my...
Journals/Blogs Free-mo layout construction 25 25 1,192 1793917976
Let's See A Model Of... November, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 24 1 741 1793916316
Lunde Studios kit assembly

Started by Rick Beatty in Scenery and structures Structures Structure Kit help: Rather than hi jacking the thread on colors for brick buildings I am starting a new thread for Lunde kits. I started looking at pictures of them for color ideas and noticed something odd....
Scenery and structures Structures Structure Kit help 39 4 764 1793914876
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 226 41 10,110 1793911975
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 22 3 587 1793910543
Shamrock Logging & Navigation Co. - Layout Journal

Started by Thomas1911 in Journals/Blogs: Hello all, First, a short introduction. My name is Thomas. I’ve been reading MRH and mostly lurking here on the forums for quite a few years now. Like most here, I’ve had a near life-long...
Journals/Blogs 84 27 4,806 1793910038
Freight Cars for "Mortals"

Started by James Six in Journals/Blogs: This BLOG about my evolving freight car fleet. I want to share what I am doing and hope others will too. Everyone is invited to discuss what the see and read here. You are also invited to...
Journals/Blogs 320 4 106,594 1793905930
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 18 1 846 1793902532
Airbrush mini compressors

Started by jimcubie1@gmail.com in General discussion: Is there a mini compressor anyone would recommend?
General discussion 60 2 5,072 1793897171
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 39 6 740 1793893893
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 1,427 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 5,967 1793892721

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