Archive for October, 2012
Waterfront Project | Turnout Build 2
In the previous turnout article, we showed the very basics of attaching our turnout stock rails to the ties. In this article, we’ll take a look at our turnout in its near complete form and we’ll also point out a few mistakes we made so you can avoid making them too. This is less of […]
Micron Art | AZL Add-On Details
Micron Art has announced they will be producing replacement handrails for the AZL GP38-2 diesel locomotives in etched stainless steel, as well as many super detailing elements. These details will be a welcome addition to the modestly priced AZL locomotives and knowing Micron Art’s commitment to both Z scale and to high quality, I’m sure […]
Desktop Layout | Milwaukee Road 1
Our first desktop layout is clearly a desert-themed operation so I wanted to go in a very different direction on this second layout. With the recent release of the AZL Milwaukee Road GP38-2, Rob Kluz over at Ztrack Magazine suggested I do a Milwaukee Road layout. Not a bad choice at all when you consider […]
Waterfront Project | Turnout Build 1
This weekend I began working on the turnouts for the Waterfront Project using the #8 Fast Tracks turnout fixture and Code 55 unweathered rail, a good match for Micro-Trains Line flex track. I had always referred to these Fast Tracks tools incorrectly as jigs. A quick definition of jigs vs. fixtures: a jig is a […]
Waterfront Project | Fast Tracks Turnouts
This week should be fun, as I’ll be building the turnouts for the Waterfront Project layout. I’ll be using what I feel is the best combination of Z scale track and turnouts, Micro-Trains flex track and Fast Tracks turnouts. Yes, the Fast Tracks turnouts do require a bit more work than an out-of-the-package turnout, but […]
OnDrew Hartigan | Model Railroad Benchwork
If you’re building a small switching layout or a full modular model railroad layout, it just makes sense to build it on a high quality foundation.
The LHS | Local Hobby Store
In the not too distant past, the local hobby store (LHS) was the go-to place for model railroading supplies. You could see new products in person, ideally talk to other model train enthusiasts and generally begin or reinforce the feeling of your model rail community. Then came the fairly sophisticated options of eBay, warehouse hobby […]