AUGUST 2026: Eric Williams takes us trackside to visit his proto-freelanced HO scale Waites River Railway, inspired by classic New England short lines of the 1970s and 1980s. This compact, cameo-style switching layout packs plenty of operation into just six feet. Also this month, Matt Woods shares simple techniques for scratchbuilding weathered barns from styrene, Peter Hall upgrades older Kato RS-2s with modern Digital Command Control and sound, and Trevor Marshall explains how environmental audio can add another layer of realism to any layout. All this and more in the August issue of Railroad Model Craftsman!
Bachmann’s Amtrak Midwest Siemens Venture Coaches in N Scale
Bachmann’s Venture Cars have been developed in collaboration with Siemens Mobility, using original design documentation and field research.
Waites River Railway: North Arlington
Building a cameo-style HO scale layout to pack big scenes and switching action reminiscent of New England short lines in an apartment.
Simple Styrene Barns
Easy techniques using styrene sheet and strip to scratchbuild weathered wooden barns for rural scenes of any era.
Rapido Rio Grande Steel Riveted Cabooses in HO
Now available from Rapido Trains are highly detailed lighted replicas of Denver & Rio Grande Western’s steel riveted cabooses with end cupolas.
Broadway Limited Imports Five-Car Heavyweight Passenger Set
Broadway Limited Imports’ latest passenger car releases feature a set of five “heavyweight” passenger cars unique to the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The Case for Another Brown Boxcar
A sea of mid-century “brown boxcars” may actually challenge your operators to break the chain of familiarity in your operating sessions.
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