Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby

From the basics of tracklaying, wiring, and maintaining locomotives to the finer points of scenery building, painting, weathering, and detailing models, every aspect of modeling is presented in this up-to-date reference. Packed with simple tips and techniques and instructions for building a basic 4 x 8-foot HO scale layout with scenery.

Author: From Model Railroader
Saddle-stitched softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 80 pages; 5 black and white photos; 150 color photos; ISBN: 9780890243343

From the editors of Model Railroader magazine.

4 Questions and answers for beginners
6 Understanding scale and gauge
8 What does that mean?
10 A modeler's toolbox
12 What you need to know about adhesives
14 Flextrack for smooth operation
16 All about turnouts
18 Hide those switch motors
20 How to solder
22 Cab control
24 DCC: what it is and what it does
26 Railroading without derailments
28 Cleaning track and wheels
30 Diesel locomotive tune-up
32 Kadee HO couplers
34 Micro-Trains N scale couplers
36 Hardshell scenery
38 Scenery colors and textures
40 Using rock molds
42 How to make realistic trees
44 Let's model water
46 Building believable bridges
48 Plastic kit basics
50 Individualizing kit structures
52 Add life to your layout with details
54 Add life to your layout with figures
56 Making vehicles more realistic
58 Roads and grade crossings
60 We build the Alkali Central: 1
66 We build the Alkali Central: 2
72 Modular railroading
74 Give operation a try
76 Get started in weathering
78 Introduction to model photography