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Team Tracks - An Industry for Any Layout

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:46:38 +0000

Model railroad operations usually involve delivering and receiving cars from industries. Some modelers enjoy the challenge and drama of modeling heavy industries like steel mills, paper plants and bustling ports. There is a lot to be said for this type of modeling, but one drawback is the amount of real estate such scenes consume.

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Inspirational Images - Tunneling in on the Rio Grande

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:37:28 +0000

Sometimes all it takes is one detail to help you visualize where you are going and motivate you to get moving.

A Rio Grande "Mudhen" thunders out of the new bore on the narrow gauge layout. Even without the rugged mountains in place, there is no doubt where this railroad is heading.
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Freight Car Friday - NS 202168

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:12:09 +0000

Because a change in traffic patterns can't keep a good car down... This Norfolk Southern gondola is a heavily rebuilt car now used for hauling low-density scrap and trash. On this date it appears to be doing some company service, loaded with used ties.

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Manufacturer Profile - Pikestuff

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:30:45 +0000

The latest in my ongoing series of model manufacturer profiles: Pikestuff. You've undoubtedly seen their buildings on many HO and N scale layouts. Pikestuff's modular building assemblies make kitbashing easy. In fact, it is probably a fair bet that more of their buildings are assembled not according to the directions than are.

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Inspirational Images - A Track Less Traveled

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:30:06 +0000

Not all tracks are created equal. The mainlines might get most of the attention, and maintenance, but all of that traffic has to originate somewhere. Branchlines, yards, industrial tracks, shortlines and spurs - all receive maintenance to varying degrees. Looking at some tracks, it is hard to imagine how they could support anything more than a hi-rail truck. Minutes later, a 100 car coal train can be seen trodding along at 10 mph. on the last leg of its journey to the power plant.

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Freight Car Friday - PTTX 601809

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:01:17 +0000

PTTX 601809 is an old intermodal flatcar now reassigned to haul pipe. It is seen here heading east toward Steelton, PA where it will be given another load.

PTTX 601809, a F89J flatcar with a new job.
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Modeling Rocks Made Easy

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:18:26 +0000

A ceiling tile is the starting point for great model rocks.
©2012 Ryan C Kunkle, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Great looking rocks can be just above your head. How? Ceiling tiles! You've probably seen these white tiles in your office or maybe in your own home. And you've probably never thought, "that looks like a good source of modeling material."

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Trash to Treasure

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:32:48 +0000

A broken paper shredder yielded an opportunity for a scavenger hunt this week. With the motor burned out and nothing to lose, I decided to see what could be salvaged. You never know what little modeling gems might be hiding in there.

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Inspirational Images - On the Ready

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:31:22 +0000

A pair of B&O steam locomotives and a brace of Pennsy Geeps sit ready for their next assignment in Pot Yard in Alexandria, VA. All three sets have been turned in the engine facilities and will soon be heading back north.

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Freight Car Friday - PC 501271

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:04:06 +0000

Ore cars, or jennies, are specialized gondolas suited for the unique properties of iron ore and taconite. Because of the exceptional density of the load, ore cars are typically quite small. This car has the same capacity by weight as a 100 ton coal hopper. Also like many modern coal cars, this car is emptied via a rotary dumper.

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