What is your typical stereotype of a model railroader? Let’s see… well… perhaps a retired white male introvert in his ’70s? In other words, me? As is the case with most stereotypes, there is actually a grain of truth to… Read More ›
Model Railroading
Famous railway modellers
Or railroad modelers, as we spell it on this side of the pond. I don’t know why the Brits have such problems with spelling two perfectly good words that we ’Murricans invented: railroad and modeler. Nonetheless, railroad modelers are of… Read More ›
“So you want a model railroad” — a well-known… okay… not-so-well-known Warner Bros. film from 1955
When you watch a movie made in 1955, you can’t judge it with 2025 glasses. A lot has happened in 70 years! With that caveat, enjoy this short Warner Bros. film. Also keep in mind, as the French say, plus… Read More ›
Three cheers for Jason Jensen — not only a model railroader but also a true American artist!
Model railroading is both a craft and an art. My favorite model railroader on YouTube is Jason Jensen, who is #1 as both a craftsman and an artist. Many of his videos are lengthy, but they’re worth it, as he… Read More ›
No need for instructions?
Usually a kit for building a model-railroad structure comes with instructions and pictures. On the other hand, the last one that I bought just came with this explanation:: Hmmm… couldn’t they have found a competent English speaker nearby? I guess… Read More ›
A close-up view of Neighborhood #5, Newtown
Despite its name, the neighborhood of Newtown is actually the second oldest part of Rose City, being preceded only by the Center City neighborhood. (I guess that still made the name somewhat appropriate, comparatively speaking. It’s rather like the name… Read More ›
A close-up view of Neighborhood #4, Orchard Heights
And now we move on to another neighborhood in my model railroad layout, a.k.a. Rose City: Orchard Heights is — wait for it — the Rose City neighborhood with the highest altitude. What a surprise! But it no longer has… Read More ›
A close-up view of Neighborhood #3, The ’Burbs
This month’s exploration of my model railroad layout is our third look at an individual neighborhood of Rose City. Back in the 1940s some developers noticed that there was a lot of still undeveloped property just north of PowerTown. Clearly… Read More ›
A close-up view of Neighborhood #2, PowerTown
Slowly but surely (well, slowly at any rate) we continue our journey through the neighborhoods of Rose City, a.k.a. my model railroad layout. Keep in mind that all of it is a work in progress: I won’t keep waiting until… Read More ›
A close-up view of Neighborhood #1, Center City
As you know, if you’ve been following this blog, the semi-fictional Rose City is the locale of the model railroad that I’ve been constructing with the assistance of my friend Meredith. You may also recall that there are nine named… Read More ›
Developing the new development
As we discussed last month, a new development is in store for Rose City: Rose City’s wealthiest real estate developer, J. Elon Mark Jorgensen — who happens to be the mayor’s brother-in-law, but that of course is just a coincidence… Read More ›
All nine neighborhoods
So here’s the thing about neighborhoods. In some cities, neighborhoods have official names, and precise boundaries, and even signs telling you which neighborhood you’re in — often with the name of the mayor attached (you might wonder why that’s done,… Read More ›
A new development
Rose City’s wealthiest real estate developer, J. Elon Mark Jorgensen — who happens to be the mayor’s brother-in-law, but that of course is just a coincidence — has proposed building a new development of ranch-style tract houses on a piece… Read More ›
The house under construction: the final phase
The “house under construction” kit for my model railroad is finally completed! I remind you that that does not mean that the house is fully constructed, just that Meredith has completed it up to the snapshot in time provided by… Read More ›
“Raise high the roof beam, carpenters.”
As you look at the title of this post, you’re probably thinking of J.D. Salinger’s novella. Or perhaps, if you are of a more classical bent, you’re thinking of Sappho’s fragment #111, which of course I still remember from Greek… Read More ›
The challenges and rewards of building a staircase
A 1:87 model staircase, that is, not a lifesize one. When you first came upon the “House under Construction” kit that Meredith and I are using to build our current project, you probably realized how this kit was different from… Read More ›
Apparently a book review: What is Château Rock?
Read the book! But read this review first. (I know that some people don’t like to read reviews first, but be assured that you won’t find any spoilers here.) First, though, take this one-question multiple-choice quiz: What do you think… Read More ›
Building a house under construction
Now that my model railroad includes a pre-fab house built from a standard kit, which I showed as a work in progress over ten weeks, it’s time to experiment with a different approach: a compromise between a standard kit and… Read More ›
Building a model railroad structure, week 10
Finally, the house and detached garage are done! It will take a few more weeks before we can see them in context, as the surrounding neighborhood isn’t quite complete (it’s missing some streets and most of the landscaping). When all… Read More ›
Building a model railroad structure, week 9
More progress, as the Goldbergs get close to the scheduled date for their closing. They needed a mezuzah before the closing — and remember that it’s 1969, so they had to look up Mezuzahs in the Yellow Pages (if you’re… Read More ›
Learning Strategies 