With so many books available at your local hobby shop, (We entered more than
120 into this list with our first compilation) weeding out the useful ones from
the duds can be a daunting task. It is our hope that you will be able
to use this area to find the types of information that your interested in.
While your at it, why not take a minute and tell us what you think of some of
the publications that you have read. The submission form is simple and
quick, and no matter what your skill level is, your opinions matter.
By David Frary / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / February 1993
Expert tips and techniques for
building plastic, wood, plaster, paper, and metal structures. Includes roofing,
painting, weathering, and detailing information.
Excellent
- 100% (1) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders:
The Complete Photo Guide
By Lou Sassi / Kalmbach Publishing
Company / November 2001
This book covers simple techniques needed
to make realistic scenery for a layout of any size or scale. Each chapter
includes step-by-step color photos, illustrations, and diagrams that
demonstrate the basic steps to adding prototypical scenery elements to a
layout.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Basic Structure
Modeling
By Jeff Wilson / Kalmbach Publishing Company / April 2005
Build quality structures for your
layout! Photo-driven projects demonstrate the tools, materials, and techniques
used when modeling plastic or wood structures. Offers techniques for
realistic finishing, including painting, weathering, sign making, interior
detailing and more.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 100% (1)
The Model
Railroader's Guide to Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels
By Jeff Wilson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / October 2005
Jeff Wilson shows
modelers how to re-create numerous types of railroad and highway bridges based
on prototype designs. Divided into chapters by bridge type, each chapter shows
several prototype examples and demonstrates techniques for modeling, painting,
weathering, and installing the models on a layout. • Covers the history of
railroad bridges, trestles, and tunnels • Includes specific details for modeling
iron and steel truss bridges, plate girder bridges, concrete bridges, lift
bridges, tunnels, and more • Lists currently available models • Targeted for
intermediate and advanced hobbyists
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By John Pryke / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / March 2000
With the variety of new city
structures and details now available, modelers are looking for a guide to help
them build their own realistic urban setting--this book is it! Initial chapters
introduce concepts of urban development; later chapters give specific
instructions on how to model realistic city structures and scenes of any size in
any scale.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The
Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards
By Andy Sperandeo / Kalmbach Publishing Company /December, 2004
HO and N
scale illustrations and prototype and layout photos introduce modelers to the
principles of designing, constructing and operating a realistic freight yard.
Covers the operations of a prototype freight yard, including receiving,
classifying, cleaning, and more; outlines the basic structures; and offers
techniques for modeling a freight yard on a layout of any size or era.
• Perfect
for intermediate and skilled beginning modelers • Written by Andy Sperandeo,
executive editor of Model Railroader Magazine and author of the popular
Kalmbach's Easy Model Railroad Wiring.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Lou Sassi / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / December, 2004
This
practical, photo-driven guide covers the principles and techniques of designing
and constructing detailed, realistic model railroad scenes. The various projects
include structure, scenery, and detailing techniques for both urban and rural
settings. It's the essential information modelers need to make a good layout
look great!
Excellent
- 100% (1) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Dave Frary / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / November 1, 1991
A cookbook approach to creating
scenery like an expert that delivers predictable results every time. Teaches how
to design, build, model, and finish backgrounds, mountains, hills, trees,
bushes, water, dirt, and much more. Features detailed photos, techniques, and
product information.
Excellent
- 66% (3) Good - 33% (1) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The
Number #1 book on my list. - G. L.
Very
Good! - A.C.
Excellent for beginner or advanced hobbyists! - Z.H.
Model Railroad Bridges & Trestles: A
Guide to Designing and Building Bridges for Your Layout
By Bob Hayden / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / March 1992
Teaches how to build sturdy model
bridges and trestles of stunning realism. Includes construction plans, prototype
photographs, and over 20 sets of scale drawings for scratchbuilding, kitbashing,
or modifying commercial bridge kits.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Tony Koester / Kalmbach Publishing Company / December, 2006
Master modeler Tony Koester gives you a handy reference for modeling a coal-hauling prototype-based or freelance railroad. Chapters introduce coal and the coal industry. Includes information on modeling coal trains, company towns, and coal customers, plus operating tips.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The Model
Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks
By Jeff Wilson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / November, 2004
Provides model railroaders with an
overview of North American mining, refining, and agricultural operations served
by the railroads, and the specific techniques used to model them on a realistic
layout of any scale. Jeff Wilson's clear, concise style makes these complex
industries easy to understand and model. Numerous photos and illustrations show
key structures, the sequence of operations, and the details modelers can
incorporate to accurately represent the industries.
Excellent
- 100% (3) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks II
By Jeff Wilson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / November, 2006
Add realism to your layout! Jeff Wilson provides insights, photos, and guidelines for modeling several rail-served industries. Includes overviews of creameries and milk traffic; the paper industry; breweries; iron ore mining and transloading; freight houses and less-than-carload traffic, and coal customers.
Excellent
- 0% () Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
This is one of the best railroad books I own! - K.L.
By Jeff Wilson / Kalmbach Publishing Company / May, 2006
Continuing the Model Railroaders Guide to ... series, this book gives the reader the scoop on railroad junctions — where tracks meet and cross. Photos of full-scale junctions from the past and present show how junctions work and the details that surround them. Drawings provide ideas for track planning and explain train operations. Sidebars illustrate techniques for modeling functional junctions in any scale. This new book contains detailed text, photos, and examples specifically aimed to assist modelers.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The Model
Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals
By Martin McGuirk / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / October, 2001
Offers hobbyists a
guide to modeling locomotive service, repair, and storage terminals. Also
includes tips and techniques for modeling trackage, structures, and other
terminal details appropriate for the steam or diesel era.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 100% (1) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Kent Johnson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / November 2002
Compiled from Model
Railroader, this completely revised edition includes intriguing ideas on
creating realistic ground cover, trees, bushes, rocks, water and other scenery
details. Full of outstanding photos, diagrams, and instructions; ideal for
beginning model railroaders.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Realistic Animation, Lighting &
Sound : 21 Projects for Your Model Railroad
By Kent J. Johnson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / April 2000
Model railroaders can add more
realism to the operation of their layouts with animated accessories, lighting,
and sound. These simple projects are easy to implement and don't require
complicated circuitry. Step-by-step instructions and color photos or
illustrations demonstrate the featured effects in each chapter.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks: An Introduction To Layout Design Elements
By Tony Koester / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / December 2005
Long-time Model Railroader magazine contributor Tony Koester offers techniques for incorporating Layout Design Elements into a larger layout, a sectional or modular approach to model railroading that he invented. Various LDEs based on actual railroad scenes - towns, yards, terminals, industries, and more - are offered as track plains suitable for N to large scale layouts. • Applies the “kit building” concept to track planning • Features new material compatible with Koester's previous books, Realistic Model Railroad Operations and Realistic Model Railroad Design
Excellent
- 50% (2) Good - 25% (1) OK - 25%
(1) Poor - 0% (0)
Realistic Plastic Structures for Toy
Train Layouts
By Art Curren / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / November 1997
Teaches the basics of combining plastic building kits (kitbashing) in O
scale/gauge, and shows how to create realistic structures that add enjoyment to
toy train layouts. Includes step-by-step photographs, illustrations, and
instructions for creating unique new buildings.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Scenery for Model Railroads,
Dioramas & Miniatures
By Robert Schleicher / Krause
Publications / January 1999
Making realistic scenery for model
railroads has never been so fun and easy. Transform setups from miniature
to magnificent with the expert-proven techniques presented in these pages.
This book details the easiest and most effective methods for recreating
the splendor of nature in miniature. Foolproof techniques are explained
with easy-to-follow directions, step-by-step photos and 26 handy reference
cards. 16-page color section. 120 b&w photos.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Mike Danneman / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / December 2000
Create a more realistic scene behind
and around your model railroad! This book shows you how, from ground cover and
rockwork, to trees, water, and more. Learn the finishing touches that give a
railroad character.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
The Scenery Manual is the
complete Woodland Scenics guide to creating life-like terrain, landscaping
and scenic details for your model railroad, military diorama or
architectural model. For the beginner or for the advanced hobbyist this book
describes the products, the tools, and the foolproof methods used in
creating natural settings in scale. No detail has been overlooked. Contains
all the proven advise and inside tips for achieving craftsman quality
results the very first time. But most important The Scenery Manual offers
the confidence necessary to begin any miniature modeling project and finish
it with pride.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
SubTerrain Manual - Constructing a
Lightweight Model Layout the Woodland Scenics Way
Publisher: Woodland
Scenics / April 1998
In just five easy steps, you'll learn
how to build a realistic model railroad layout with mountains, valleys, creeks
and low-lying areas. The SubTerrain Lightweight Layout System makes it all
possible without the need for power tools or complicated calculations. It's fast
and there's no mess to clean up. These 101 pages with 43 illustrations and 160
photos give you all the basics plus the advanced techniques on using
SubTerrain's high density foam components. It's fun and anyone can do it
anywhere!
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 0% (0) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
By Jim Kelly / Kalmbach Publishing
Company / November 2003
Historic color and black-and-white photographs capture intriguing prototype
railroad settings from all over the U.S. The author details how you can
realistically model each prototype scene on your own layout. Each chapter
features a description of the scene including trackage, structures, and
operating environment, and a suggested track plan
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 100% (1) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Trackwork and Lineside Detail for
Your Model Railroad
By Kent J.
Johnson / Kalmbach
Publishing Company / September 2000
An introduction to the basics of
tracklaying and lineside detailing. After the trackplan and benchwork are
completed, modelers turn their attention to the finer details of trackwork and
lineside activities. Here, they'll find tips, techniques, and ideas for working
with track and the details immediately alongside it.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 100% (1) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
Great ideas for building a dream
model railroad! Covers all popular model railroading scales, and includes
inspirational photographs, diagrams, and layout explanations.
Excellent
- 0% (0) Good - 100% (1) OK - 0%
(0) Poor - 0% (0)
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
More
