Tips and Tools
Simplify the process by adding expert tips to your skillset and essential tools to your workbench. With practical advice on planning and building taught by masters of the hobby, you’ll spend less effort getting the job done and more time enjoying the fruits of your labor.
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2:39Model railroading construction requires various tools depending on the task at hand. You likely already have most of the basic tools you will need for your model railroad in your toolbox, but there are some tools you may have never heard of that can make your modeling process much easier. Most specialized tools are fairly… Read more »
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1:08
A model railroad display, by its very nature, is miniature. The N scale is one of the smallest scale measurements with a ratio of 1:160. Small buildings nestle amongst the town, tiny people occupy the sidewalks, pocket-sized trees fill the landscape, and little trains run the tracks in model railroad layouts. Modeling is a work… Read more »
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3:06
Jim Hertzog had no choice but to master concrete model train roads for his Reading Railroad layout as they are typical of Pennsylvania. Concrete can be tricky to recreate as its subject to cracking and breaking over a period of time. Jim has developed a simple method of creating concrete roads by using styrene and… Read more »
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5:15
A useful tool to have in your arsenal of model railroad train supplies is a trammel. Essentially, a trammel is a large compass that will help you accurately draft curves before placing the sub-roadbed and laying flextrack. Building your very own trammel is cheap, easy, and requires few materials. This tool will assist you in… Read more »
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1:46
Installing model railroad fascia board can serve multiple purposes. For instance, it marks the edge of your layout and provides an overall polished look to your entire design. Fascia board can also provide valuable space for hanging informational materials and organizing your railroad model essentials. Expert Allen Keller explains how to make the most of… Read more »
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8:00
Enhancing the quality of your model railroad layout doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, there are various common household items that can transform the overall look of your design. NMRA Master Model Railroader Gerry Leone shares four of his favorite model railroad tips that require few resources but ultimately produce significant upgrades to… Read more »
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1:48
In this segment, George Sellios addresses how having a model train layout located in the area where he holds a lot of his shop materials requires a bit of cleaning. Keeping and maintaining a layout as big as his can be difficult at times. To help you keep your own layout clean, George demonstrates his… Read more »
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10:30
If you like building structures, few tools are more valuable in gluing model railroad buildings together than clamps. They help ensure tight, square joints which makes assembly easier and finished structures look better. NMRA Master Model Railroader, Gerry Leone, shares tips on the wide range of clamps available, from simple and inexpensive to more costly… Read more »
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4:33
If you’re looking for one single, easily added detail that can take your layout to the next level of realism – think signage! In the next in his video series on the Conrail New Jersey, Model Railroad Academy’s Allen Keller finds out from builder, Matt Snell, how easy it is to make model railway signs…. Read more »
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