Model Railroading 101

Here are some model railroad basics; things you should know before investing in model railroad trains. If you’re planning on building a model railroad layout then this is the essential information you’ll need before starting out.

Freight Yard Disaster

I get a call Friday asking if I could come in Saturday to cover for another volunteer that can’t make it in. Normally, I volunteer at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum on Tuesdays, but I didn’t have any plans for Saturday so I said yes.

Coming in on a Saturday gave me a chance to work with some folks I normally don’t get to work with, so I figured it was an opportunity to learn something new. I learned some new stuff but I also re-learned something I already knew; or so I thought.

Uncouple Tip

One of the things I’ve learned while volunteering at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum (TCMRM) is how quickly and easily uncouple cars without lifting them off the track with your hand.
A simple plastic stir stick, available at most fast food restaurants that serve coffee, can be used as shown in the pictures at right to uncouple two [...]

Model Railroading Magazines

Are you reading model railroading magazines to stay current and learn more about this great hobby?

I find that reading current magazines helps me stay fresh with what’s new as well as picking up tidbits of useful info. I decided to check to see what’s available today and share it with you.

Twin City Model Railroad Museum

On June 10th, I paid a visit to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota to take some pictures for an article I was working on for the Model Train Tips Newsletter. I also just wanted to check out the trains; I hadn’t been to the museum in several months and this seemed like the perfect excuse.

The centerpiece is a large O-gauge model railroad on display for the public. Each of the four main lines are 220′ long which translates into two scale miles of track! In addition to the four main lines there are several yard lines