Books

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This second volume of articles from Model Railroader offers modelers more tips for building bridges and trestles on their layouts. New information and how-tos include modeling a highway underpass, building a viaduct, creating a stone arch bridge, and...

Delve into the history of the meat packing industry and trace the role of railroads in hauling livestock and meat products. Livestock traffic, stockyard operations, dedicated meat train operations, regulations, and scheduling are just a few of the topics...

The title may say “basics,” but this book covers a full range of skills and materials. Beginners building a small table or shelf layout up to experienced modelers assembling the benchwork for a basement empire will find what they need in this...

Simple, affordable, straightforward – the track plans in Starter Track Plans for Model Railroaders have one thing in common – they’re eminently buildable. Perfect for small spaces and beginner layouts, this mix of HO and N scale track plans...

New detailing projects from Jeff Wilson, plus favorites from the pages of Model Railroader, help modelers add the finishing touches to their layouts and create a higher level of interest and realism. Projects range from adding weeds to creating signs and...

More than a dozen easy weathering and detailing projects will show you how to add realism to rolling stock and locomotives. Well-illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions make this book suitable for beginning model railroaders. Author: Pelle K. Søeborg...

Get started with Digital Command Control (DCC)! This how-to guide covers the basics, with an overview of DCC, track wiring, cab bus wiring, and converting an existing layout to DCC. Written by Mike Polsgrove, Model Railroader’s columnist on DCC...

Featuring plans from Model Railroader magazine from three decades, each of the 101 track plans has a newly written, informational description of the design. The track plans range in size from simple 4 x 8 foot and smaller layouts to room- and...

If you have a limited space for your layout, here’s the answer! This completely revised edition of Model Railroading in Small Spaces provides a variety of creative approaches for building compact layouts. It covers how to build seven different layouts...

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Steel Mills makes modeling this archetypical American industry possible for the average modeler. Author and expert Bernard Kempinski explains the industrial process and the massive complex built around steel production...