Modeling Articles  

Rather than taking the time to write magazine articles, I decided to invest my free time into creating articles online about topics that might be of interest to you. The articles are intended for model railroaders of all skill levels. The information is purely based on my own personal experiences from the model railroad layouts I have built.

You are free to read and print the articles. Please do not reproduce them either on your own web site, in published print, or in any electronic format. They are here for all to enjoy. The dates listed are the last time the article was modified. Click on the article title to read the article. All articles are copyrighted by Peter Vanvliet.

 S-scale Track
Ceiling Tile Roadbed 01/21/2009
  Using ceiling tile for roadbed.
Foam Roadbed 12/03/2008
  Installing foam roadbed. Don't do it!
Handlaying Track 06/07/2009
  My latest information about how I build track.

 S-scale Equipment
Coupler Gauge 11/03/2008
  A simple jig to check wheels and couplers.
Inspection Car 01/30/2009
  A see-through car for inspecting track.
Proto Max Couplers 06/17/2009
  Building and installing these HO-scale couplers.
Sergent Couplers 04/14/2009
  How I built the Sergent S- and HO-scale couplers.
Uncouple 02/11/2009
  How to uncouple S-scale cars.

 S-scale Vehicles
1937 Duesenberg Cord 04/01/2009
1937 Mack Jr Pick Up 02/17/2009
1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 02/10/2009
1948 Ford F-1 Pick Up 02/10/2009
1949 Mercury 02/16/2009
1950 Oldsmobile 88 02/16/2009

 Scenery
Abutments Casts 01/29/2009
  Creating an abutment mold and cast.
Scenery Base 06/24/2007
  How I create scenery base.
Scenic Barrier 09/11/2006
  Hiding staging tracks.
Thin Castings 07/19/2006
  Description of how I make thin rock castings.

 Electronics
Above-ground Tortoises 08/19/2006
  Installing a Tortoise above ground.
Flickering Lights 09/27/2005
  Simple circuit for flickering lights.
Helix "Elevator" 10/23/2002
  Infrared detection of trains in the helix.
Helix "Elevator" (part 2) 09/23/2004
  Installing the Helix "Elevator" circuits.
LED's 01/08/2007
  Some generic information about LED's.
Modifying Tortoises 12/09/2002
  Modifying and installing turnout controllers.
Resistors 02/15/2002
  Handy reference information about resistors.
Sound 07/05/2002
  Project for including sound on the layout.

 DCC
Digitrax DCC Basics 04/03/2006
  The command station, throttles, etc.
Reset Command Station 02/24/2009
  How to reset the Digitrax command station.
Replace Command Station Battery 02/24/2009
  How to open and replace the command station's battery.
Digitrax DS 44 12/04/2002
  Stationary decoder installation.

 Animation
Experimental Moving Doors 08/12/2005
  Successfully created experimental moving doors.
 N-scale Track
Roadbed 11/04/2008
  Using AMI Roadbed material.
Laying Flextrack 05/25/2004
  Detailed article on how I lay flexible track.
Painting Track 12/19/2002
  Simulate weathered track using spray cans.
Ballasting Track 12/20/2002
  My method of ballasting flextrack.
Track Cleaning 12/04/2002
  What I do to keep my track clean.
Custom Turnouts 07/04/2003
  Describes how I built code 55 custom turnouts.
Pivot Table 09/23/2004
  Yard access that replaces a dozen turnouts.
Helix 11/25/2002
  Ten-level helix construction fully documented.
Handlaying Code 40 Track 01/09/2009
  Step-by-step article on how I handlay code 40 rail.

 N-scale Engines & Rolling Stock
Arnold S2 09/15/2005
  Upgrading the motor, couplers, and wheels.
Atlas GP7 06/18/2003
  Installing couplers and applying number decals.
Atlas RS-1 07/15/2006
  Information about how to disassemble this engine.
Bachmann Doodlebug 05/19/2001
  Convert the couplers and upgrade to DCC.
Bowser Caboose Z-scale Couplers 06/05/2003
  Installing Z-scale couplers in a Bowser Caboose.
Bowser Hopper 06/11/2006
  Disassembly, coupler conversion, new weight and load.
ConCor 4-8-4 "Northern" 04/12/2006
  DCC Conversion, mechanical problems.
Inspection Car 07/07/2007
  A see-through car for inspecting track.
Kato 2-8-2 "Mikado" 05/27/2006
  Disassembly, coupler and DCC conversion, adding weight.
Kato E8 06/06/2006
  Disassembly, coupler and DCC conversion, improving lights.
Kato Passenger Cars 01/08/2005
  Converting a Kato passenger car to Z-scale couplers.
Life-Like SW9 08/02/2007
  Coupler and DCC conversion, improving pickup and wheels.
Micro-Trains X26 Boxcar 01/28/2006
  Replacing couplers & wheels, weight, and weathering.
Micro-Trains X43a Boxcar 10/02/2005
  Replacing couplers, and weathering.
Model Power 4-6-2 12/02/2007
  Installing Z-scale couplers and converting to DCC.
Painting Wheels 01/28/2006
  A simple how-to for painting plastic wheels.
Rivarossi 2-8-8-2 04/05/2002
  Installation of N-scale couplers and DCC conversion.
Surface Plate 11/16/2006
  A jig for checking locomotives and cars.

 The Hobby
Changing Scales 10/30/2008
  What I went through when I changed scales.
Clubs 10/29/2008
  My experiences in clubs.
Funnies 04/19/2009
  A more light-hearted look at the hobby.

 Woodworking
Control Panels 02/05/2009
  How I build control panels.
Foam Drawers 09/23/2004
  Lining drawers for rolling stock storage.
Paint Caddy 02/04/2009
  An easy way to store your paint bottles.
Tools 06/17/2009
  Various tools and jigs I use.