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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 206 20 3,643 1792359618
Boxcar Gulch - Module

Started by Dan Bachman in Journals/Blogs Free-mo model railroad 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 model railroad layout construction 10 17 365 1792359462
Homasite, or foam?

Started by GeorgiaTrains in Benchwork and roadbed: In this modern day what makes the best roadbed - I am sure this has been asked before, I would like a current update.
Benchwork and roadbed 31 0 350 1792358033
My Fictional Southern Railway Line

Started by Sauced07 in Journals/Blogs: I don't think I have posted a drawing or plan of my layout. I'm not an artist or computer person so this is all I have. I have spoken about my layout elsewhere but figured I would keep some...
Journals/Blogs 290 20 8,382 1792357625
Where can I get N scale models of delivery drones?

Started by JimGnitecki in Scenery and structures 3D Printing N-scale: I'm building a futuristics N scale model railway whose era is "Year 2050". As you can see from this photo collage: 📷 Amazon Prime deliveries by 2050 are expected to...
Scenery and structures 3D Printing N-scale 19 2 210 1792356733
What’s on your workbench? October 2026

Started by Eric Hansmann in General discussion Workbench project sharing forum thread: Many thanks to so many of you who take time to post photos and descriptions of your hobby projects. The last few months this thread has been overflowing with fabulous work. I hope the shared...
General discussion Workbench project sharing forum thread 177 6 5,640 1792356629
A Rock Crusher in HO Scale

Started by Benny in Journals/Blogs: What's Benny been up to? I rarely hold still and if I'm busy, there's a very good chance I'm working on Something that's keeping everything else at bay. This year it has been moving back...
Journals/Blogs 26 9 6,725 1792355573
Weekly Photo Fun - Oct 18-24, 2026

Started by JC Shall in General discussion 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 created...
General discussion photography model railroad photography 9 1 178 1792354198
Let's See A Model Of... October, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷
General discussion 80 2 2,114 1792354022
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 29 0 375 1792353783
Making paper look like wood

Started by DaleMierzwik in Scenery and structures: In preparation for scratch building Powers Seafoods for the May Island RR wharf I decided to do an experiment on making paper look like wood. 📷 I started by using a 2”x3” piece from an old...
Scenery and structures 23 27 620 1792351668
O scale Dough Hill Layout

Started by TrucTrain55 in Journals/Blogs: I started this O scale layout back in 2015 and still adding and replacing some of the patterns I’ve had on here. This layout has no particular Road name running on it just what I feel like running...
Journals/Blogs 23 8 821 1792351259
Let’s talk Ops: Working with four-cycle waybills

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 66 9 1,060 1792349237
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 8 19 497 1792348229
Old magazine question

Started by keystonefarm in General discussion: Have been reducing what seems to be my second hobby after model railroading collecting train related magazines !! I've found homes for a bunch of my historical group issues for the PRR, RDG,PC and...
General discussion 27 2 719 1792345748
Industrial and narrow gauge O scale

Started by pby_fr in Journals/Blogs Weathering Narrow Gauge O ( 1:43 scale )O16.5: I bought last year one standard gauge industrial locomotive, and also a narrow gauge, both ready to run, something I didn't for decade (even my Japanese N-scale trains needed at least a chassis...
Journals/Blogs Weathering Narrow Gauge O ( 1:43 scale )O16.5 72 20 3,487 1792344162
New insights into some electrical issues from LogicTech rail (maker of Light EFX board), Miller signs and electrical theory in general

Started by DavidJones in Track and electrical/DCC DCC electrical: I had a one track mind. V=I x R where V is voltage, I is current and R is resistance. This is what I'm thinking now. I hope its...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC electrical 0 0 27 1792343996
simple jig for bending truss rods

Started by David Emery in Locos and rolling stock Freight Cars Tools Truss Rods: I got several Amesville Shops flat-cast old-time gondola kits. These include brass rod to bend for truss rods. I figured it was worth doing a bending tool, I've always had problems...
Locos and rolling stock Freight Cars Tools Truss Rods 5 7 65 1792342859
Off layout car storage

Started by MSutinen in General discussion: Like some (many?) of us, I have more freight cars than my layout can hold at one time. I'm considering a small cabinet to hold the excess with a foam pad on the bottom of each drawer. My question...
General discussion 79 4 2,871 1792342532
Premier Equipment Company (PREC)

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 18 11 768 1792341662
Picture Fun with AI

Started by anteaum2666 in General discussion Photos AI: @RSeiler posted some photos he touched up with AI. I decided to give it a shot, using Microsoft CoPilot. Below is my first attempt. I thought this would be a fun place for people to post pics they've...
General discussion Photos AI 115 7 4,251 1792341600
Let's see your Brick Buildings with window, door, and dock trim other than Green!

Started by Joe Circus in Scenery and structures Painting Brick Building Brick Structure: I've done these 15 kits ( the one with 4 dock doors is two kits combined ) in the last 2 months. I have every shade of green there is in cheap craft paint, in an attempt to create more variety. But...
Scenery and structures Painting Brick Building Brick Structure 91 5 1,401 1792341206
Fun T-Trak modules

Started by Brian O'Meara in Journals/Blogs modules N-scale T-Trak: With my kids, I'm making a few N scale T-Trak modules. The goal is to take them to shows, but also to use them at home as a home layout but without having them on permanent display. One of the goals...
Journals/Blogs modules N-scale T-Trak 3 3 119 1792341127
Rick's Diner - October, 2026 Edition

Started by Kevin Parson in General discussion: 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 📷
General discussion 142 5 2,935 1792339936
What I learned this month - December, 2016 - Calipers for Modeling

Started by Matt Goodman in Journals/Blogs: I've purchased several calipers over the years, with the most recent (and highest end) set arriving this week. That got me to thinking about their relative strengths for my uses and...
Journals/Blogs 13 1 2,619 1792336784
non-radial turntable track

Started by greg ciurpita in Track and electrical/DCC: trying to fit a turntable and engine storage tracks in a corner. any thoughts on keep all the tracks parallel to fit the space? 📷
Track and electrical/DCC 14 1 316 1792332381
Brushes for scenery

Started by David Emery in Scenery and structures Scenery how-to plaster: Since we've talked about figure brushes, I thought I'd talk about what I'm using for scenery. For coloring plaster, I like 2" or 1" cheap 'chip brushes'. I've created...
Scenery and structures Scenery how-to plaster 8 8 222 1792329784
No more plaster scenery?

Started by Andy Reichert in Scenery and structures Scenery Scratchbuilding plaster: Today's New York Times news paper headline: Sculptors (and presumably many Model Railroaders) Panic as Specialty Plaster Used in Artworks to Be Discontinued Artists are scrambling for...
Scenery and structures Scenery Scratchbuilding plaster 34 1 719 1792328969
Buffalo Creek & Gauley 2-8-0 #13, modeled using LEGO

Started by Emperor of the North in Journals/Blogs: Hello friends and modelers. This is my first post on MRH. My name is Glenn Holland, I'm a young mechanical engineer in the rail industry, and my modeling efforts are done with Lego bricks. I've...
Journals/Blogs 28 15 3,939 1792328660
Camera Recommendations

Started by soo.line.steve in General discussion photography Cameras: I’m looking to upgrade from my iPhone 17 to a dedicated camera setup for shooting both my modeling projects and for railfanning. I’ve been reading about mirrorless cameras compared to DSLR’s...
General discussion photography Cameras 14 0 193 1792318805
What if? The Staggers Act of 1954

Started by jeffshultz in General discussion: Here's an ultimate "What if?" - What if the Staggers Act had been passed in the early 1950s and the railroads deregulated then instead of the 1980s?
General discussion 23 5 413 1792317110
Publisher’s Musings: Celebrating our 200th issue!

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 7 9 159 1792315820
IRRY fall 1979

Started by VP in Journals/Blogs Operations Freelance proto-freelance: Nov 10, 2023 Report + Quote Reply
Journals/Blogs Operations Freelance proto-freelance 28 6 472 1792315691
Publisher’s Welcome: Powered pin vise update

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy this issue! Share this: 📷 📷 📷 📷 ARTICLE SHOPPING LIST General Tools cordless electric screwdriver, $26, Amazon Prime: https://link.amazon/B0fvOFGCC 3-Jaw...
Magazine feedback 2 1 155 1792303573
MRH 2026-10 - October 2026

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: MRH: October 2026 📷 Read online ► Download & read offline ► ► Get the bonus extras for this issue ...
Magazine feedback 3 3 858 1792302116
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 18 9 691 1792298382
New layout with two previous modules integrated into it; in the making...

Started by Deemiorgos in Dream and design: I need help on how to wire this layout so it is able to be switched back and forth when needed from DCC to DC. I am researching how to completely isolate the two power systems, but it is...
Dream and design 46 5 1,210 1792296960
Stewart F-unit paint removal

Started by ezrails in MRH forum help: What is the best procedure for paint removal from Stewart EMD F-7s
MRH forum help 7 0 231 1792293944
Tamiya Paint applied to Railroad Colours

Started by xdford in Locos and rolling stock Paint: HI All, Is there anyone out there who is familiar with making Railroad paints from Tamiya Acrylics and Enamels or knows of any sites? I do not do much painting but I am a LONG way...
Locos and rolling stock Paint 3 3 181 1792293852
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 766 10 20,552 1792292491
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 18 1 188 1792289721
Another Vote for Wire Connectors

Started by kenheywood in Track and electrical/DCC DCC Wiring electrical: While designing and running an operations session, I had a detection block go dead. Locomotive consist stopped in its tracks (literally). Check breakers - OK. Get out the DVM - south rail dead. Ah,...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC Wiring electrical 38 8 805 1792288474
Weekly Photo Fun - Oct 11-17, 2026

Started by JC Shall in General discussion Photos: It's another week . . . post 'em if you got 'em. Please avoid posting photos manipulated or created with AI -- there is another thread for those.
General discussion Photos 21 4 750 1792286392
Modeling a Rail to Marine Coal Transfer Pier In the back woods.

Started by Michael Tondee in Journals/Blogs Scenery Structures Freelance: What to do when you’re out of space? Find more. Easier said than done, right, but my Hargetts Hollow removable diorama that sits in front of a not often accessed closet door is one example of...
Journals/Blogs Scenery Structures Freelance 148 13 4,099 1792284906
It's official - "Run like a Dream: Locomotives" now done!

Started by joef in General discussion: UPDATE: The ebook version of the full book is now available for download on the MRH Store: https://store.mrhmag.com/store/p215/ebook/run-like-a-dream-locomotives.html If you want to get...
General discussion 99 40 3,358 1792280795
The electrical wiring bus wire plan I came up with for my Year 2050 Futuristic BC North Railway

Started by JimGnitecki in Track and electrical/DCC DCC N-scale wiring diagrahm: Here is the electrical wiring bus wire plan I came up with: 📷 The Digitrax PM74 is able to provide 4 breaker proected outputs, each of which can feed a power district or act as...
Track and electrical/DCC DCC N-scale wiring diagrahm 8 1 105 1792278767
Electrical Impulses: The DCCNext decoder

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 1 2 76 1792278512
Looking for Opinions on My Track Plan

Started by dge1993 in Dream and design layout design: Hi all! I'm looking to build a layout after moving to a new home. It is a HO shelf switching layout in an "L" shape in my spare bedroom. My goal with this layout is to have...
Dream and design layout design 75 3 1,969 1792278199
Turning paper into wood

Started by MRH in Magazine feedback: 📷 Buy 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 1 3 64 1792277869
Weakly AI Foto Phun - October 11 - 17, 2026

Started by jeffshultz in General discussion model railroad photography AI photorealistic: The Weakly AI Foto Phun is for AI created images or enhanced photos. If it's just normal Photoshop gymnastics, check out the Weekly Photo Fun thread instead. Today's starter image came from...
General discussion model railroad photography AI photorealistic 16 7 491 1792277361

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