Model Railroader

The world’s most popular model railroading magazine publishes the information you need to build your own railroad. Get Model Railroader digital magazine subscription today for step-by-step how-to projects; great model train layouts; and realistic track plans. You'll also get reviews of the latest locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories in HO, N, O, and other scales, expert tips, and more!

Make room for modules!

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Model Railroader

Memories of a master modeler

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Build a tugboat for Jones Island

DETAILING the FOREGROUND • Don’t neglect the area between your track and the fascia

Blending roads into backdrops • Continue the photo onto the foreground and the scenery onto the backdrop to blur the dividing line

Build an adjustable TRACK CLEANING CAR • A styrene box with a tempered hardboard pad can be adapted to virtually any freight car

MODELING A snowy mountain SCENE • In the Colorado Rockies, snow isn’t just for winter

A fresh start • Contributing editor Pelle Søeborg switches to modules for his latest HO scale project

Make your own STATION KIT • Commercially available siding, roofing, and details make the Wingate, Ind., depot an ideal first scratchbuilding project

How to set up REMOTE-CONTROL OPERATIONS • Not everyone has to be in the basement to run your trains

DCC, DC, or both

ScaleTrains.com HO scale EMD SD45

Rapido Trains N scale General Electric Dash 8-40CM diesel locomotive

Jacksonville Terminal Co. N scale 53-foot well car

Train on Branch

Trackside Photos

Coming up

Visiting mystical places