... The backbone of model railroading is the building of railroad models...
Ready to Work With Foam Roadbed?
Bob Fink has shared his approach to using foam on spline as roadbed. He has prepared some instructions, with photographs in PDF format so you can download and print the sheet. Bob has had a lot of luck with this fast and easy way to build track. Click HERE to view and download the file.
You kind'a hate to paint it
This is an old Quality Craft kit that followed me home from a trainshow recently. I knew it was going to be a challenge to build, but that's why they called them "craftsman" kits. After many hours of fun I'm proud of my work.
If you keep your eyes open for any of these great old kits they just beg you to build your skills while you build them.
Bob Fink MMR
Remembering old layouts and old friends
Many of us have custom decals made for our own cars. You can still find ads in the model press for custom decal printers. Some folks even use their home computers to do it. The fun is to build a car, letter it for your road, and then "interchange" it with a friend for use on his layout.
Here's a car from Fred Schneider's Cherry Valley Southern. Even though Fred is gone his memory and that of his layout live on with those of us who were lucky enough to have one of his cars. Nice job, Fred. That box car and the hobo inside will see many more miles!
How a MMR Does It
Before there was "shake-the-box", long before RTR, there were still terrific models. This miracle came about by way of a technique called "scratchbuilding". If you read the mainstream magazines you might think that this is a nearly extinct side of the hobby, but never fear. It's magic is still being praticed in basements all over the Miami Valley!
This example comes from the workbench of Bob FInk, MMR. Bob needed some B&O Wagontop boxcars, but no kits were available. Starting with a formed wood block for the basic shape, Bob added handformed ribs, detail parts, and paint to achieve the delightful result shown here.
A scratchbuilt model won't be complete overnight, but it sure will be something to be proud of when it is finished.
O Scale Beauty
Mike Mereness brought this O Scale model of a Pennsylvania RR Class L-1S 2-8-2 Mikado to the March meeting. This demonstrates the amazing detail level possible in larger scale models. Makes you dream of a half-acre basement and unlimited funds, doesn't it? Click on the photo for a full-size image. (325 KB file).
More O Scale
A GG-1 in all its glory! Rick Lach acquired this beauty at a recent train show. Brings back memories of the NE corridor in the '50s.
Foam on the Fast Track!
Ray Persing has developed a fast and efficient way to build foam roadbed and risers. He has made a fully illustrated manual of instructions available which can be downloaded HERE in .pdf format. Ray is using this technique to build his Cincinnati and Western layout with outstanding results.
Click HERE for photos of the completed project.
Good News! Ray has promised Part 2 of this seminar in the near future! Keep an eye on this space.
Note: Do you have an item for this page? bring it to a meeting to share and we'll photograph it, or you can send the photo(s) to the webmaster, along with a description of the project and he'll take it from there.
