5 comments about How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery, Third Edition (Model Railroader Books).

1. I have Mr. Frary's other two editions of this book. I bought the first one years ago when I got interested in my trains again around 1982. So much had changed and I never was very good at scenery that I needed "something" to help me improve my lay-out. Mr. Frary's first edition helped me do a very credible job of building scenery on the lay-out at that time with his "water soluble method."
   
   Fast forward--after another hiatus from model trains, I came back, yet again, to my model work and read a mention somewhere that referred to this "third" edition. Like many folks, I thought this would be just an up-dated book with a few changes and maybe a new suggestion or two.
   
   WRONG! Mr. Frary has managed to put together a whole new book--new pictures, new techniques, new "everything! Wow! I don't know where to start, but I know my scenery is going to take a giant leap forward. It's still "water-soluble," but he's added all kinds of new equipment and supplies to create marvelous landscaped vistas in miniature!
   
   If you are new to model trains, if you are trying your hand at building scenery that will be the envy of your friends in the hobby, or outside the hooby, get THIS book--the third edition! Get it even if you have the first or second edition--you need this book to learn about the latest techniques in building "knock-your-eyes-out" scenery that could fool Mother Nature!
   
   Oh, and don't worry if you don't think you are "very artistic"--Mr. Frary will fix that, if you follow his instructions and advice! You might surprise yourself and have a TON of FUN!
   
   Still unsure? Look around and find his dvd on building scenery! Between this book and his dvd, I bet you become the "scenery expert" in your group of hobbyists!



2. Step by step details. Explained well by author with hands on experience. Abundant quality photographs. Many simple suggestions and hints for saving time and expenses. A must for beginners and valuable for experienced model railroaders.



3. this book was late coming but that was due to slow shipping,NOT the seller. they followed up on it when i had concerns that i hadn,t received it. it was in very good condition



4. This author has done an amazing job going through step by step on how to create realistic scale model scenery. He adds tips and tricks that helped me to build some small scale movie sets I was making. I suggest this book to anyone trying to do what the title implies. It does not go into much detail on any other model railroad facets, but for the money and subject matter, it is well worth the money.



5. Full of helpful suggestions, particularly for those who like to scratch build. Innovative use of all sorts of materials to create great scenery. Good color pictures & 'how to' steps. Plus the book names brand name items that have been used in the scenery shown, so you know what to buy & what it can do if you are after a particular effect.
   Highly recommended.

5 comments about One Hundred and One Track Plans for Model Railroaders (Model Railroad Handbook, No. 3).

1. Mr. Wescott has a great introduction to this book with many great instructions, guidelines, and tips for building your layout. The vast array of sample layouts really triggers one's imagination, but at the same time offers a realistic overview of what is truly possible in the space availiable. As most will only build one or two layouts in their lifetimes, an expensive computer program really isn't worth the investment. This book is really all that one needs for planning and building a great layout. It is adaptable to nearly all scales and he gives excellent conversion charts for the measurements in the different scales. I have found it an indispensable guide.



2. These plans are quite detailed, yet easy to work with. It has made laying track very easy.



3. 101 Track Plans must have been sent to my previous address in CA and it was not forwarded.



4. I used this book about 18 years ago for a very small N scale layout - 2.5' x 3' - since I lived in an apartment at the time. I have received many compliments on my layout even though it is now in the basement of my house next to my husband's O scale layout that is 17' x 9' and has been shown on home tours. As others have mentioned, the book covers how to make each of the layouts in all sorts of scales from N to O.



5. This book is an esential for planning. It would be most useful for those looking to build smaller RRs.

5 comments about How To Design A Small Switching Layout.

1. I just finished How To Design A Small Switching Layout.
   Terrific stuff!
   The process that Lance laid out was very well thought-out. I may even adapt his initial approach to my consulting business.
   The type / format was really nice. Larger type and a very good use of text box and text color to emphasize a particular point.
   
   I especially liked page 25, Hidden Industries. The material lay down areas were a neat idea that my favorite prototype RR used extensively. The Central Indiana Railway would use the main in Anderson, Indiana that bisected the Eveay's Grocery Store parking lot to sell peaches by the car load and use the same parking lot for passenger loading for fan trips and pro-baseball outings. They would also spot gondolas with utility poles along the 49 mile long main anywhere the Indiana Public Service Commission wanted them! Things you can do when only one train operates on the line.
   
   Also the shipping from Amazon was A-OK. I purchased the two track-plan books with HTDASSL.
   
   Thanks for publishing this terrific book.



2. I am really glad I have this book.
   
   Having read many hundreds of articles in model railroad magazines
   about layouts and having my layout featured in a magazine, I can say from experience that this book offers an
   entirely new perspective on layout design. I don't judge it by the number of pages but by how much it has opened my eyes to optimal layout design.
   
   When I design my next layout, I will use this book and will have a lot more fun with my new layout.
   
   Thank you, Lance.



3. This book is another excellent model railroad design resource from Mr. Mindheim!
   
   While most model layout design guides tend to run either to the large, basement size layouts, or the the 'bowl of spaghetti' designs typical up to the 1980's, this book (along with "8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts", also by Mr. Mindheim) gives plenty of tips on designing layouts that
   
   a) Fit into a more modest space
   b) Look and operate protoypically
   c) Are realistically achievable to complete
   
   The railroads shown offer plenty of ideas that will help you design a layout that will fit your space (and budget)! Highly recommended!



4. Switching, particularly on a model railroad, has been likened to playing chess as both involve strategy. If you are planning to start a layout and want something small for your first attempt, a switching layout could be just what's needed. Enter this book.
   The author has presented interesting information on the 'mechanics' of designing and building a small layout over a number of chapters. This book, however, is not intended for the person with a large basement who wants miles of mainline trackage, but rather someone with a spare room -or part thereof- who wants to maximumise available space.
   While it touches on the 'baseboard building' stage it's more of the what and why tracks and structures are utilised the way they are. The result is not a large layout with track everywhere but a plan that will hold the operators interest for quite a while and provide operating interest and enjoyment.



5. This book is specifically about layout design and does a good job of exploring all the things that a beginner should learn when designing a layout for the first time. Sometimes it's easy to overdo a design. Planning to the smallest detail can be fun but, I've personally found that a design is better used as a sketchpad for ideas.

5 comments about The Dcc Guide: How to Select and Use Your Command Control System.

1. If you are thinking of using DCC for your model railroad, this book will answer just about any question you may have regarding DCC. Buy it and read it before you buy a system. If you already have a system, this book will explain how to use your system to it's full potential, or guide you as to where to get answers.



2. this is a great book to use as an introduction to DCC (digital Command Control). It compares the various systems and their features. It also shows typical decoder installations. A must for those entering the world of DCC



3. Although I'm not done reading this book and being a Virgin to DCC it has been very helpful so far and when I finally purchase I am sure it will come in handy then also.



4. Certainly helped me choose which equipment to buy. Well worthwhile buying, especially for a beginner.



5. The DCC Guide by Don Fiehmann is an outstanding publication for anyone new to DCC! The author presents a very comprehensive approach to the subject and is accompanied with excellent graphics. I have purchased various publications on the subject, but The DCC Guide is truly the best guide for the non technical model railroader.

3 comments about How to Use an Airbrush, Second Edition (FineScale Modeler Books).

1. Great book. I recommend it as a a complement to "The Basics of Scale Modeling (also from FineScale Modeler Books)" on the more detail topic airbrushing.
   But please be aware that I only recommend this one or "Painting and Finishing" (from FineScale Modeler Books).
   I've bought the two and 50% of the contents/projects are shared between both.



2. This is a good book, if it weren't for the directions that come with any airbrush kit. Nothing new, so save a few bucks and move on to the master modeler books with many more tips on how to use the airbrush more effectively...or simply use the trial and error method...



3. Since I never used an airbrush before I am in need of some information to help me with the use of a book telling me what the accessories are used for and how to use the airbrush.

1 comments about Building Structures for Your Garden Railway (Garden Railways Books).

1. Some people choose garden gnomes for decorations, but others prefer something a bit more historic. "Building Structures for Your Garden Railway" is a guide for customizing the mini railway you place in your garden with a railway and structures for a bit more realism and sampling for it. With ideas and advice for making these structures look as realistic as possible with plenty of effects and details, "Building Structures for Your Garden Railway" is a top pick for anyone who wants to make their garden a model of history.

5 comments about Easy Model Railroad Wiring, Second Edition (Model Railroader).

1. This is a must have book for any model railroader. It is well researched and I have recommended it to others. It will help you with electrical wiring problems you encounter on you railroad layout or keep you from making mistakes. Thanks again Andy on helping to revive my 35 year old Mantua 0-4-0.



2. I'm just getting started on my first non-oval layout and this book is invaluable. Contains all the basics and stuff you'll probably want to know when you get fancier.



3. I started out with a DC train set under the christmas tree about two years ago and now I'm diving into DCC. I wish the book had more on computer control and wiring occupany detection but still it's a very good starting point.



4. The book will answer all my questions nicely.
   
   
   Thank You
   
   
   Jim Murphy



5. Requires electrical and soldering knowledge. Younger individuals may require supervision. Excellent ideas for creating personal layouts.

2 comments about Essential Model Railroad Scenery (Model Railroader's How-to Guide).

1. It is very rare that I have seen such advanced and well done scenery as shown in this book. It would be very understandable if someone buidling layouts at this level of detail and skill would show occasional photos, have people look at them in awe and lay back to enjoy the admiration.
   INSTEAD Pelle Soerborg shares each and every aspect of his work in this book. There are chapters on Desert, Mountains, City etc. each one showing a fantastic module and then a step by step "how to" guide including a complete list of materials at the end of each chapter.
   Anyone interested in building model railroads will find this book a gold mine of information.
   If you want to purchase only one book on railroading, buy this one. If you want to get someone hooked on the hobby: This is a great gift.



2. Railroaders will find important Pelle K. Soeborg's ESSENTIAL MODEL RAILROAD SCENERY TECHNIQUES, a survey of techniques for creating mountain, desert, city and country scenery. Photos accompany step-by-step instructions perfect for a range of landscapes from deserts to rural Midwest scenes and mountains.

5 comments about Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains, 1945-1969 (Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manuals).

1. If you have Lionel Postwar(1945-1969) trains, this book is the best companion you can have. It has just about everything you need to know on how to maintain & repair your trains. This book is worth every dollar it cost to buy. Only wish that the publisher had made the book in large format page size, as the original instructions are sometimes hard to read.



2. The full collection of repair and operations drawings and details helped repair many cars that I thought I could not fix. With the diagrams, I was able to order the correct parts from Lionel Direct.



3. This book is a must for anyone operating a Lionel train layout or attempting to repair postwar Lionel trains and accessories. The precise illustrations, parts diagrams, part number listings and maintenance information and tips are invaluable.



4. I've recently acquired some Lionel locomotives from 1946-49 and really wanted to know how to look after them properly as they have some minor, but possibly significant, differences from locos made in the 1950's. I found this book absolutely priceless. Since there aren't a lot of these Lionel products left in the world, and a lot of the people who worked on them 50 years ago have gone to that great roundhouse in the sky, information has been hard to come by. It also tells me a lot about the various transformers made in the "glory days" of Lionel.
   
   I have to disagree with some reviewers who have noted that the type is hard to read and/or that the paper is poor quality. I found the type crisp and the paper of a quality sufficient to its purpose. The paper is certainly superior to the coarse paper found in mass-market paperbacks, though not of the very best quality which would have made the book more expensive. The type is small, but making it larger would make the book uncomfortably large or necessitate it being split into two volumes. Anyone with normal vision shouldn't have any problem with it.



5. This book, simply put, is a must have if you collect old Lionel trains! Very informative, with tips on how to repair.

5 comments about Shelf Layouts for Model Railroads.

1. I purchased this book because I own other books on this subject by this author. They are very well written containing much useful information on designing a modelrailroad . this book contains many great ideas on how to design a layout which will fit a shelf. It helped me quite a bit with the layout which I was building.



2. I expect more out of Kalmbach books than this. I expected much more in-depth design and construction guidance than this book offers. Much of what is found here can be found on the internet or in Model Railroader Magazine articles. Kalmbach books are expensive and I expect my money's worth when I buy one. This book did not meet my expectations at all!



3. Not what I expected either. Not enough detail how to actually build the shelf work, or instructions, lots of water colored pictures with no dimensions. Some actual photos of work being completed would have been better. I wish i had ordered the benchwork or building double decker book instead.
   
   And one more thing, how come amazon prices are so much better than whats on kalbach's website? I mean, i have a sub to their magazine, and they still cant offer you decent prices on their books



4. This book failed to deliver an in-depth look at designing shelf layouts as I had hoped for. . . The basics:(width & height of a layout, basic types of benchwork, etc.,) have been covered everywhere before, and essentially no new ideas are to be had in this 86 pg soft-cover book. What is covered doesn't have enough details to be useful for a beginner in the hobby, nor of any appreciable value to an experienced model railroader, either. Quite disappointed, but really not surprised, as this book is typical of Kalmbach Publishing's efforts of late, as it's essentially a rehash of old Model Railroader magazine articles, w/ little or no new material, and considerably over-priced for what the reader gets. The author (Iain Rice) is far more capable than what he's achieved w/ this particular book.



5. I like the book, but it has too much text and is somewhat repetitive at times. I would have liked more example plans and discussion of the pros and cons of the plans over a bunch of more generic comments. I am using the book a fair amount though, just probably not the way the author originally intended. I am picking and parting different concepts into my layout.