JUNE 2026: NOW EXPANDED TO 108 PAGES! This month, we celebrate the New York Society of Model Engineers’ 100th anniversary with a visit to its expansive HO scale Union, Hoboken & Overland. Andrew Nelson models an unusual movement of Coast Guard boats in N scale, while Jonathan Jones explores the details of a skewed truss bridge on Jersey Central’s Newark Branch. Chris Adams demonstrates straightforward techniques for creating mud and dust effects on a diesel switcher, and Ken Harstine shows how to make more realistic rock castings. All this and more in the June issue of Railroad Model Craftsman!

This Month

June 2026

Vol. 95/No. 6


Features:

Century Club: New York Society of Model Engineers

by ANDREW BRUSGARD – The Union, Hoboken & Overland is a celebration of craftsmanship in HO.

Bridge 193: CNJ’s Jefferson St. Bridge

by JONATHAN JONES – An interesting skewed truss crossing busy city streets. Includes scale drawings.

Coast Guard Train in N Scale

by ANDREW NELSON – Creating an interesting nautical load inspired by 1937 Midwestern flood relief efforts.

Squawbottom Depot on the Cease & Desist

by GLENN LAPKIN – Scratchbuilding an ornate junction depot inspired by John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid.

Oil, Mud, and Dust for a 44-Tonner

by CHRIS ADAMS – Applying simple weathering tips and techniques learned from “The Mudfather.”

Create Realistic Rocks with Custom Molds

by KEN HARSTINE – Folding in real minerals to give your plaster rock castings extra dimensions of realism.

Scratchbuilt Elevated Sand House

by ROBERT SCHLEICHER – An unusual Western design found in turn-of-the-century engine facilities.


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

Perspective

Craftsman Workshop

Collector Consist

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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Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine