So what happened to MB Klein?
I am one of the many MBK Alumni in the area, and I end up fielding the question “What happened to Klein’s?” a lot, so I’m going to explain my understanding of what brought about their demise.
Ops Session #1 In The Books
I’m not building my New NCR Layout to host a ton of people. Instead I’m building it for smaller “experiences”. I just got my chance to host my first one, and I am pretty happy with how it went.
Running Trains over Tehachapi with the La Mesa Model Railroad Club
Work brought me out to San Diego and, as any model railroader should, I wanted to visit the La Mesa club at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. But I got lucky: not only did I get to visit, but I got to operate and cross that one off my bucket list. I want to share some photos […]
Northern Central Railroad Winter Reference Photos
Back in December of 2021 I took a day to go get some good reference photos for NCR area winter scenery. These are the albums arranged by location.
Windsor & Newton General Purpose Matt Varnish, a Dullcote Replacement
I’ve seen it before: something important in the hobby world just suddenly disappears and now we’re stuck trying to find a good replacement. This happened with paint recently, and I’m afraid it’s going to happen with the single most important coating in the hobby: Testor’s Dullcote. I think I’ve found a replacement.
Quick Broadway Limited Imports Conrail SW7 Review
Growing up surrounded by Conrail industrial branchlines in Philly gave me an early love of end cab switchers. So, when Broadway Limited Imports announced blue SW7s I had to get (at least) one. Here’s a quick overview of it right after I pulled it out of the box.
The V&O: More important than you realize
Tony Koester’s recent book on Allen McClelland’s Virginian & Ohio was an incredible tribute to a man who’s work made the hobby I’ve known my whole life. It also inspired me to do a little “What would Allen do?” work to bring little bits of the V&O to my own world.
Making some changes to the Windsor St Crossing
I was getting ready to build the building for Wolf Home Products at my Windsor St crossing and realized that I had made a big mistake. So I fixed it.
Fix Your Atlas Code 55 Turnouts with Conductive Paint
Atlas’s code 55 track line is great, except when it isn’t. The various internal wiring in the switches that transmits power to the closure rails sometimes fails, leaving ugly unpowered sections right where you don’t want them. A line of conductive paint solves this problem quickly and easily.
“Betz Lights” – The Model Railroader’s Secret Weapon for Lighting Where You Need It
A few years ago my friend Dave turned me onto some lights on Amazon that were just what the doctor ordered for various household and modeling lighting needs. They’re cheap, light, and flexible when it comes to mounting.