• 2:34

    Planning Model Railroad Layout of the Utah Colorado Western

    In Part 4 of Allen Keller’s series on the Utah Colorado Western (UCW), learn what was behind modeler Lee Nicholas’ design and inspiration for planning his model railroad layout. Many modelers who operate freelanced railroads have created elaborate fictional stories for why and where their layout is located, and how it operates the way it…

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  • 4:38

    Best Practices for Model Railroad Staging Yards

    One of the most fun aspects of model railroading is operating your layout much as the prototypes used to do – using a car card system to make up trains. Careful planning of model railroad staging is necessary for a smoothly operating system on a large layout like the Utah Colorado Western. Learn how modeler…

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  • 2:53

    Using a CTC Machine to Control Model Railroads

    Using a Centralized Traffic Control – CTC – machine to control signals and switches on layout is one of the most prototypical practices in which model railroad hobbyists can engage. In this segment of Allen Keller’s tour of the spectacular Utah Colorado Western (UCW) railroad, expert modeler Lee Nicholas demonstrates his CTC machine which emulates…

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  • 17:15

    Model Railroad Plaster Techniques for Making Scenery

    As well-known as it is for its operations-aspect, Lee Nicholas’ Utah Colorado Western railroad has a national reputation for spectacular scenery. In this segment with Great Model Railroad’s Allen Keller, UCW’s resident- scenery expert, Kelly Newton, demonstrates the techniques used to achieve such realistic and believable effects using model railroad plaster. The secrets and tips…

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  • 2:53

    Waybill Message Tubes for the Model Railroad Hobbyist

    When confronted with a problem or challenge, the model railroad hobbyist is often known to think “outside the box” for an innovative solution! See what modeler Lee Nicholas developed to quickly move his waybill information between dispatcher and train operators and make his model railway operations more efficient. As he shows Allen Keller, he used…

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  • 3:05

    Model Railway Wiring and Dust Cleaning Techniques

    When it comes to model railway wiring, Lee Nicholas, owner/operator of the Utah Colorado Western, prefers to keep it simple. He shows Allen Keller his method for hooking up his bus and feeder wires. Lee has two bus wires of different colors running beneath his layout, but when it comes to attaching feeder wires, he…

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  • 7:55

    Tips for Designing Stunning Model Train Backdrops

    In this final episode on the famed Utah Colorado Western railroad, resident-artist, Robbie Spangler, shares his tips and secrets on creating his spectacular model train backdrops using straight-out-of-the-tube acrylic paints. He begins by drawing a sketch of the distant mountains at a point where the 3D scenery meets the backdrop. The sky above the most…

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