Tag: featured
Getting Kato Unitrack Grungy
It’s time now to get our sectional track attached, weathered and ballasted on our layout base. On a layout this small I find just a single pair of feeder wires is sufficient to provide even power across the whole layout. I could use Kato’s own Terminal UniJoiner for the job but I really do prefer […]
Wireless Ambient Sound For The Pizza Layout
On our N scale pizza layout I wanted to add some fun, interesting elements beyond what we’ll be doing with scenery. The first two things that popped in to my head were lighting and sound. We’ll get to the lighting as we build the scene so for now I decided to start with the sound […]
A Planet Locomotive In Brooklyn, New York
I think the aspect of model railroading that appeals most to me is trying to recreate the history and archeological feel of the real thing. I find abandoned railroad tracks, trains and buildings fascinating, even long disused earthworks can tell a story. Compared to other countries, here in the US our historical and archeological timeline […]
Model Railroading Work Lights
I had written previously about buying a softbox lighting setup for taking our train and product photos, here’s that article. I’ve had this same setup now for a couple of years and for a very inexpensive rig, I’ve been surprised at how well it’s held up. This 3-piece set included 3 softboxes measuring 24” x […]
N Scale Pizza Layout Base
After weighing the size options for our pizza layout, the decision was helped along by a Google search for “round, galvanized tray”. As this is going to be something of an industrial scene, I thought a galvanized metal base would be a nice compliment to the scene above. I came across this 18” wide galvanized […]
Our First Pizza Layout
EDIT | April 2025: Years after this post was originally written, I’m starting a new website called, appropriately enough… www.pizzalayout.com I really do love these little things!!! In our previous article, I talked about some of the benefits of building small model railroad layouts, very small layouts, which include the pizza and micro varieties. We […]
Micro Layouts and Pizza Layouts
EDIT | April 2025: Years after this post was originally written, I’m starting a new website called, appropriately enough… www.pizzalayout.com I really do love these little things!!! I’ve always been a fan of micro layouts and pizza layouts; they’re exciting to build and a lot of fun to watch as the builder’s creativity is really […]
Modeling Safety Tip
I find model railroaders; most modelers in general really, are pretty big on safety. In my (occasionally) cavalier mindset, sometimes to a fault. Yes, don’t inhale toxic paint or glue fumes, don’t light fires around open chemicals, don’t sprinkle rail spikes on your morning cereal… got it. Kidding aside, I really am very careful around […]
Joel Bragdon | Bragdon Rock Molds
One of my favorite go-to products when building a new scene are Bragdon rock molds. Made from high-grade latex, in my opinion these are some of the finest molds available for modeling real rocks because they’re molds from real rocks! Incredibly versatile too as they work well in all scales. Below you can see casts […]
Chris Lane, Editor | Carstens On30, HOn3 Annuals
For someone brand new to or just curious about On30, what do you feel are On30’s biggest strengths, its main appeal? The main appeal is that it allows someone with an interest in narrow gauge to dip their toe in the water and see if it is for them, without a huge commitment of time […]
