Books

A comprehensive guide to railroad intermodal equipment and operations.

If you’re thinking about modeling a layout that will be easy to move, Pelle Søeborg offers how-to advice for building sectional benchwork, laying track, and much more! Well-known author and modeling expert, Pelle Søeborg, introduces the sectional...

Express, Mail & Merchandise Service describes rail express service and merchandise traffic on railroads from the early 1900s through 1960s when railroad personnel handled packages and merchandise — everything from baby chicks and cornflakes to...

Tony Koester takes an in-depth look at the time period (and most popular modeling era) when railroads were changing from steam locomotives to diesel during the 1940s and 1950s.

Learn about how the automobile industry and trains have worked together with this book from Jeff Wilson. This book gives you information about Rail and auto traffic history. Open and enclosed auto racks. Auto parts boxcars and how they carried thousands...

This all-new book by Tony Koester explains how steam, diesel, and electric servicing facilities work, with details on the processes and equipment that can be replicated on model railroad layouts. The book includes: • An overview of locomotive...

From the late 1800s to the 1960s, the railroad industry faced a unique challenge: What was the best way to ship fresh produce across the U.S. to prevent spoiling? Produce Traffic & Trains looks at the development of refrigerator cars and how their...

This book contains all-new material from a star-studded roster of Model Railroader authors - Tony Koester, Mont Switzer, Cody Grivno, Jeff Wilson, James McNab, Keith Kohlmann. In 25 Freight Car Projects, modelers will find a wide variety of modeling...

Rail-marine operations are a vital aspect of modern transportation, and Waterfront Terminals and Operations explores this interesting topic in model railroading. This book includes: A historical overview of the railroad-marine interface - the terminal...

Model railroading is an easier hobby to join than ever before. This new book by Jeff Wilson helps modelers get started with the basics. It provides enough information for beginners to confidently build a layout, and it equips them with the knowledge to...

If model railroaders could own one book about wiring, this would be the best choice. In Wiring Your Model Railroad, Larry Puckett provides a helpful overview of all things wiring, including traditional wiring and DCC. This is the first wiring book any...

Tony Koester provides an overview of prototype narrow gauge railroading. This one-stop book is an ideal entry point for any modeler interested in building a narrow gauge layout. Kalmbach Guide to Narrow Gauge Modeling - Tony Koester Road Name: Road...

This comprehensive guide helps modelers get the most out of DCC with diagrams and photos showing how DCC works, from wiring to installing decoders in locomotives. This book presents an overview of the product lines available and helps modelers select the...

In this book, popular author Aaron Skinner provides a comprehensive guide to airbrushing. Inside this indispensable tool, scale modelers will find: •    Advice for modeling armor, aircraft, automobiles, figures, ships, and more. •    600+...

Any modeler who wants to paint, decal, or weather locomotives, rolling stock and structures will find plenty of in-depth, how-to techniques in this updated edition! New prototype photos, current manufacturers, and the latest products are featured along...

Model Railroads Go to War is the only book that covers a large scope of model railroading wartime scenes. Written by veteran author Bernard Kempinski, it spans the American Civil War through Operation Iraqi Freedom. This guide provides detailed modeling...

Don’t get derailed! Get up to speed in trackwork with the one book that focuses solely on proper track installation, Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders, 2nd Edition. This book shows you how to: • Lay flextrack • Handlay track • Install...

Realistic structures are an essential component of any successful model railroad layout, so hobbyists will appreciate this collection that guides them step by step through various structure modeling processes. They’ll learn to complete simple and...

Acclaimed modeler Chris Mrosko explains how to build dioramas that showcase models and create dramatic scenes, as well as offering expert modeling tips. Focusing on a step-by-step, how-to approach, modelers will learn the fundamentals of construction and...

Model Railroader Associate Editor Cody Grivno compiles insider tips and projects from Model Railroader as well as favorite projects from his ‘Cody’s Office’ online feature into one exciting volume. Easily recognized as an expert in the model...