RMC Extra Board

Welcome to Craftsman Extra Board! This section is updated periodically with short features contributed by our readers, as well as some recent favorites straight from the pages of Railroad Model Craftsman. Check back as we continue to add new articles!

O Scale Pennsylvania Railroad Nassau Division

December 18, 2023

O Scale Pennsylvania Railroad Nassau Division

This freelanced O scale empire recalls Pennsylvania Railroad heavy electric action in central New Jersey at mid-century.

Build Boston & Maine SW1 1109 in HO

December 18, 2023

Build Boston & Maine SW1 1109 in HO

Adding details, paint, and weathering to a Walthers model to recreate a specific Boston & Maine diesel switcher.

Don Janes’ HO Scale Green Mountain Division

November 16, 2023

Don Janes’ HO Scale Green Mountain Division

This beautiful HO scale layout depicts scenes of New England railroading of the 1950s centered around White River Junction.

Model a Steam Era Cinder Pit in HO Scale

November 16, 2023

Model a Steam Era Cinder Pit in HO Scale

Cinder pits were used to collect waste from steam engines as part of the normal servicing routine at engine terminals across the country.

Clinchfield Railroad: Carolina Division in HO Scale

October 18, 2023

Clinchfield Railroad: Carolina Division in HO Scale

Set in the summer of 1977, this double-deck HO scale layout depicts the Clinchfield Railroad in the Carolinas.

Build Sacco’s Esso Service Station

October 18, 2023

Build Sacco’s Esso Service Station

Turn a simple City Classics HO scale mid-century gas station kit into a special scene for your model railroad.

Rio Grande Moffat Line in HO Scale

September 15, 2023

Rio Grande Moffat Line in HO Scale

We visit Rob Biddison’s beautiful HO scale Rio Grande layout with a focus on passenger operations through Denver.

‘Foreign Power” on Your Railroad

September 15, 2023

‘Foreign Power” on Your Railroad

There are numerous reasons why locomotives may appear on a railroad other than their home road, and you can model them on your layout.

Pennsylvania Railroad South Bend Branch in HO

August 16, 2023

Pennsylvania Railroad South Bend Branch in HO

An HO scale proto-freelanced Pennsylvania Railroad branch line shelf layout designed for realistic photography.

Pixels Before Plywood: Using Train Simulators in Layout Design

August 16, 2023

Pixels Before Plywood: Using Train Simulators in Layout Design

Using a train simulator program can help you build and test successful layout designs before you spend money on materials and start construction.