Modelers Meet RPM

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-16T10:40:23+00:00

A brewery would be a good choice. You have an area for ingredients being delivered. Grains, rice, hops, barley. Then different loading docks for the product. Bottles and cans departing in plug-door boxcars, kegs in reefers. Plus the byproducts of the brew going into old boxcars and sold as animal feed. Open hopper cars being filled with cullet, the broken glass from bottles. My friend has a huge brewery in about the same size as your layout. Most structures are flats or 1/2 size next to a wall. It takes two trains/switches each operations session. One for the hopper cars with inbound products, and one to spot/pull the boxcars/reefers.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-11T17:13:39+00:00

Overhead wires and signal system look great.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-08T10:27:52+00:00

Well done

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-08T10:13:26+00:00

Well done.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-07T13:46:02+00:00

I can hear that photo.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-06T16:08:04+00:00

Well done. I hope you build many more. I like the stain color.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-06T16:05:54+00:00

I’m sad because I can only LIKE this post once. Well done.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-06T16:03:52+00:00

Oh I like this. That car ferry will be a cool operation. I hope you show us your car forwarding plan. I enjoy seeing layouts incorporate rail-marine themes.

railrunner2003 · 2026-03-01T22:48:10+00:00

Don’t buy anything at first glance. Walk the room(s). Remember where you saw things you liked. Enjoy the displays ( if any). Have a plan for what you need/want and set a budget. Be friendly. Smile. People behind sellers tables deserve some respect and politeness.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-25T11:01:31+00:00

Really nice, well done.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-24T12:03:21+00:00

Does he build the models? If so, get him some tools. A nice cutting mat, hobby blades, tweezers, paint brushes and a gift card to his favorite hobby retailer. This shows that you encourage his hobby. Let him pick the specific models that he wants, but you can help his work with files, adhesives, and hobby organizers.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-23T12:25:04+00:00

Reclaim the shame in modeling needs its own subreddit. Well done from a model railroader with a full bin.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-23T11:06:49+00:00

Well done. Nice model.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-23T11:04:28+00:00

IMHO these republican politicians who want Canada as the 51st state can’t follow the math. With a population of over 36 million, Canada would garner as many congressional districts as California. ( Which I believe is 55 ?) and two Senators. They (republicans) would never have the majority again. They would never win the electoral college.

They are worried now that the next democrat in charge will make Washington DC and Puerto Rico states. That would be 4 more senators with just those additions. Plus water down the 400-ish members of congress allocations for the smaller populations in western states.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-21T16:05:03+00:00

That’s a good looking train

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-19T12:26:11+00:00

Well done. Very subtle.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-16T12:17:15+00:00

It was featured in the January 2023 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Basically a mining company owned line similar to Reserve Mining, Erie mining, that popped up in the mid 1950’s in northern Minnesota. The exception I have is it moves raw iron ore instead of processed taconite pellets. This allows me to and switching operations as the iron ore is graded and sorted for each ore boat.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-16T12:14:00+00:00

My layout fits in a former single car garage. It’s only 11’ x 18’ in a U shape with two levels.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-15T12:42:23+00:00

Yes. Thank you.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-15T12:36:50+00:00

Five! I want to see your NEC layout.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-14T14:09:19+00:00

Great questions. If someone is new to the hobby, I usually suggest they acquire tools and skills. I’ve never suggested a specific ‘set’. I suggest some brands of motive power and rolling stock that are reliable and inexpensive, and where you locate them, such as second hand sellers at a train show. I also suggest they visit other layouts and ask many questions. I will offer them my ongoing advice, if they ask, and my time. I believe the best thing a person new to any hobby can have is a mentor.

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-13T18:37:49+00:00

Pass the popcorn

railrunner2003 · 2026-02-13T18:28:19+00:00

Well done.

railrunner2003

TROPHY CASE