My new N Scale layout is currently under expansion. Pictures are now available to show (show off?) the progress. I'll post more updates as the process continues. Let me know if you have any comments...

An exciting new development in model railroad electronics is the RPS, or Railroad Position System. This is like GPS for your railroad! Requirements: ~ DCC control,
~ N-Scale or larger locomotive with decoder and open grill on top,
~ a PC or MAC computer,
~ JMRI (a freeware computer software program),
~ a transmitter in your locomotive,
~ 3-4 receivers mounted over your layout, and
~ line-of-site from your loco to receivers. (May not work for trains in large tunnels unless you put receivers in the tunnel) No complicated wiring is necessary. It can be used for location of trains (e.g, in a hidden staging yard), train identification, control of signals, turnouts, trains, sounds, lights and other automated actions. It can actually create a map of your layout by following the loco around the track. Starter set costs around $400 including base station, transmitter and 3 receivers.

All the information, tools and techniques you need to design and build your own realistic, artistic and fully operational model railroad.

How to install traffic signals on your model railroad layout.

Share your own model railroading tips and comments to help other model railroaders improve.

Ideas, dreams and musings about building a new model railroad layout in addition to the main layout.

This is another great tip from Model Railroader magazine, written by Cody Grivno, entitled Model the Edge of a Forest on a Bluff, Oct., 2008, pp.34-35. demonstrating how to attach metal tree branches from a Woodland Scenics tree kit to the trunk of a Grand Central Gems fir tree by drilling small holes in the side of the trunk, gluing in the branches, covering the attachment with putty, painting with Polly Scale Earth color and imbedding the tree on the layout at the front of a forest or on a hillside. Great stuff!

A new free e-zine called Model Railroad Hobbyist will be available in January, 2009 for your viewing pleasure right on your computer screen! It's all electronic and will give you lots of model railroad news and informative articles about model railroading. It's all supported by sponsors, and did I mention, it's free! Here's the link. Check out the demo pages...

How to conduct sessions for model railroad operation.

Using a Train Camera System to enhance your model railroad layout - a way to view your train layout from a different perspective.

How to superelevate the outer rails of flextrack in a model train track curve.

Description of various track codes and tips for laying model train track for a realistic and prototypical appearance.

Tips on how to use illusions to enhance your model railroad layout.

Building Your Model Railroad - Sitemap: Navigate to any page on the site with one click.

Describes the basic process of building a website for your model railroad club or to display your own train layout, and what's required to accomplish this.

The addition of multiple details to your model railroad scenery will greatly enhance the interest and dimension of your layout and its theme.

Where to find more information about model trains and model railroad supplies, the best resources and references.

Automated electronics prove to be very useful in advanced model railroad wiring applications, including automatic train stops, train delay, slowdown or reversing operations.

Don't forget to sign up for the MER (Mid-Eastern Region) NMRA model railroad convention coming up in mid-October (Oct. 16-19) in Reston, VA. Sign up before Sept 1 when the price goes up!

Includes a discussion of ready-made animated train layout effects and various types of animation parts that you can use to create your own animated effects.

How to model operating railroad crossing gates and lighted crossbucks, including bell sounds, all occurring automatically as your train approaches.

This is a great website containing everything you need to know about building dioramas plus a lot of other information about fantasy art, animation projects, telescopes, terrariums, model rockets, etc. The Diorama section includes articles on landscaping, terrain, making trees and rubber molds, and a tutorial on creating your own model diorama from start to finish.

Search page to find anything on or off this site about model railroading.

Just thought I would share with you a page I wrote for the new Google Knol featuring a general overview of the hobby and a brief guide for those who are just starting out.

How to set up a system of train signals on your model railroad layout.

This is an amazing website showing how one couple in Oregon built the railroad of their dreams. The first page is about a problem they had with the local land laws which is unfortunate, but this seems to be resolved now. The scale is a little bigger than I'm used to working with. Looking at the pictures of their layout and especially the construction photos, you really can appreciate the amount of work and effort that went into it... Incidentally, check out the bridge construction. You might get some ideas on how you can scratchbuild your own trestle bridge - in a smaller scale, of course.

Special lighting effects for your model railroad layout, including lighted building signs, billboard lights, street lamps, emergency vehicles, neon signs, theatre marquees, fiber optics, etc.

How to create simulated or fake fire effects, arc welding and smoke effects for your model railroad. Using electronics to enhance your train layout.

Check out this video of Miniatur Wunderland containing the longest model train ever constructed - over 300 feet long!

All about model train couplers different types of couplers and uncouplers, and installation tips.

How to create special effects for model railroading and other new ideas. Tips on sound and lighting effects, animation, signal systems, mirrors, fire and smoke, automation and other details.

All about sound effects for model railroads, including various sound systems available, and tips on creating your own railroad sound system.

Overview of different types of model railroad wiring

Tips and techniques for model railroad wiring gauges, making connections, buses, terminal strips, etc.

Everything you need to know about model railroad track turnouts for your layout.

How to make a removable lift-out section of model scenery for your train layout to access hidden tracks.

Tips on the best methods of creating model buildings from scratch.

All about how to take great model railroad photos the best tools and techniques.

Troubleshooting model train derailments

Tips and techniques on airbrushing for model railroad applications.

Soldering tips for model train track rail joints, adding feeder wires to tracks and soldering wires together.

All aspects of building and developing model train scenery, including creating terrain and rock formations, tunnels, ground cover, trees, roads, water effects, etc.

Gallery of prototypical and/or model train photos and model railroad layout photos

How to make an electric train control panel with remote turnout switches, accessory switches, turntable controls, etc. for your model railroad layout.

Check out the new Pokie Roads photos on the "Photos 2" tab after the main photo page loads.

Various tips for painting models, especially model buildings for a very realistic appearance on your model railroad layout.

Basic weathering techniques for model trains and model railroad buildings.

Tips and techniques on how to apply model railroad ballast to your model train track.

There is a great article in the April, 2008 issue of Model Railroader on how to construct a helix from scratch for do-it-yourselfers, by Jeff Johnston; but if you want to purchase a helix, which I think would be a lot easier, check out this site...http://www.easyhelix.com/

A great site on how to take model railroad photographs. http://arailfan.googlepages.com/home