This Month
November 2025
Vol. 94/No. 11
Features:
Chicago & North Western Alcos to Sleepy Eye
by LANCE MINDHEIM — A detailed HO model railroad designed to evoke memories of Minnesota in the 1970s.
OTDX Container Car
by JAMES KINKAID — An unusual fleet of Thrall cars designed to haul synthetic rubber in modular containers.
Contour Scenery
by ROBERT SCHLEICHER — Using contour maps to develop realistic slopes for hillsides and mountains.
Southlake Salvage Scrap Yard
by MICHAEL O’KEEFE — This modern scrapyard diorama packs huge detail into small space.
Roselli Bros. Scrapyard Micro Layout
by MARC PITANZA — A detailed HO scale micro layout modeled after an old scrapyard on Staten Island.
Upgrading an Atlas O 50’ Boxcar
by BILL YANCEY — Replacing the stock underframe with a more detailed version in O scale.
Build a Lackawanna Water Tank in HO
by BILL BOTKIN — Scratchbuild a steam-era water tank from styrene and wood parts.
Departments
Safety Valve – Letters from our readers
Receiving Yard – Product and industry news compiled by Harry K. Wong
Test Track – Product Reviews
Railbooks – Book news and reviews
Craftsman Timetable – Scheduled events and notices
Craftsman Workshop
Painting & Weathering
Company Photographer
The Layout Doctor
Diverging Points – Opinion by Jason Shron
Editor’s Notebook- Commentary by Otto M. Vondrak
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