The Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette

16/07/2024

JULY/AUGUST 2024: Keith Pashina and Lind Wickersham both built detailed models of the Gilpin Tram’s Black Hawk, Colo., engine house. Keith’s model is HOn30, and Lind built an On2 version. John Hopkins describes a clever diorama of a White Pass & Yukon locomotive that has been thrown in a river as rip-rap. This is followed by Rob Bell’s 15th part of his series on WP&Y locomotives. Pete Replinger’s description of an early Heisler named "Tollie" is charming. Bob Bennett builds an On30 flag stop. Chip Pecere describes his friend Al Stohl’s three On30 Galloping Geese. Looking for a great gift? Try Bert Donlon’s use of display boxes designed for signed baseballs and bats, but with HOn3 trains in them for your friends. James Anton is back with an article about his HO scale Martha’s Vineyard Railroad, followed by Gregg Condon’s MMR suggestions for getting rid of shine on your layout. All this and more in the July/August 2024 issue of Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

16/07/2024

MAY/JUNE 2024: Hans Bieri describes his 1:20.3 scale working live steam model of D&RGW pile driver OB. Looking for a small layout? Mike Engler, MMR, tells about his prize winning one-foot square mine scene. David Price shows his modern era Durango & Silverton On3 flatcar. Rob Bell continues his series on White Pass Locomotives with a description of Sumpter Valley 101 purchased by the railroad. Carl Skowronski has built a wonderful HOn3 layout he calls the Silverton Northern and Steve Harris is back with an article on his HO scale Ridgway Depot. Dan Windolph remembers building Ophir for his On3 layout and Allen Littlefield shows how he built an On30 model of East Broad Top “boose” 26. All this and more in the May/June 2024 issue of Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

16/07/2024

MARCH/APRIL 2024: Patrick Thoney models the 3-foot gauge Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad in On30 and tells how his friend, Allen Peese, converted Bachmann On30 locomotives into Q&TL models. Pete Vollmer follows with a description of his On30 Port Anne Western; and Rob Bell continues with Part 13 of his series on White Pass & Yukon Route locomotives. Jon Stetz, MMR, tells about his On30 whimsical, tropical Punta Cayo layout that won third place Modular Layouts at the 43rd National Narrow Gauge Convention in Denver; and John Campbell, MMR, who won First Place Steam Locomotives in Denver, shares several of his techniques for working in brass on his prize winning On3 K-37. Phil Holden presents a simple On30 rail truck; and Dr. Gregg Condon, MMR, shares several weathering techniques. All this and more in the March/April 2024 issue of Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

04/07/2024

Shop our 2024 Firecracker sale now through July 8th for 15% off select White River Productions titles. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/collections/2024-firecracker-sale

17/04/2024

NEW BOOK! Georgetown, Breckenridge & Leadville Railway was incorporated in 1880 to merge with Colorado Central Railroad, build west to the mining camps in the Colorado mountains, connect with Denver, South Park and Pacific, and compete with the larger Denver & Rio Grande. Built in 1883, the Loop was an engineering marvel of the day, solving the problem of linking the towns of Silver Plume and Georgetown (only two miles apart), but with more than 600 feet in elevation difference. The Loop was more than 4.6 miles of track, including two hairpin turns and a viaduct where the route looped 100 feet over itself within the narrow mountain valley. This allowed the railroad grade to be traversed by conventional trains. In addition to serving the mines, the line proved a popular tourist destination. Indeed, the rebuilt Loop has hosted tens of thousands of riders each year since 1974. This new book details the history of the line until its abandonment in 1938.

Pre-publication sale expires June 30, 2024. Free U.S. Shipping during pre-publication sale. Regular price $79.95 plus shipping.

Pre-publication sale expires June 30, 2024. Free U.S. Shipping during pre-publication sale. Regular price $79.95 plus shipping. . Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway was incorporated in 1880 to merge with Colorado Central Railroad, build west to the mining camps in the Colorado mountains,...

16/04/2024

Published six times a year, the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette is the hobby's leading publication dedicated to providing accurate information for fine model building in all scales. In each issue, you'll enjoy visits to beautiful layouts, in-depth kitbashing and scratchbuilding features, new product announcements and reviews, detailed scale drawings, columnists, and more. Complete your collection and stock up on back issues today at https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/collections/narrow-gauge-and-short-line-gazette

26/03/2024

The debut issue of O Scale Trains Annual is an expanded 116-page edition celebrating the art of 1:48 model railroading! Inside you’ll find visits to beautiful home layouts, detailed how-to articles on ktibashing and scratchbuilding, a look back at vintage two-rail models, and a showcase of new products for your layout! Pre-publication sale expires May 31, 2024. Free U.S. Shipping during pre-publication sale. Regular price $34.95 plus shipping.

O Scale Trains Annual 2024

20/03/2024

My late wife, Irene, and I were married in June 1955. While we were courting, Irene bought me a copy of This Was Logging by Ralph W. Andrews for my birthday. She knew I liked logging railroads and spent all of $8.95 on the book, a considerable sum since we were both in college and money was scarce. Such are the happy memories of a long and happy marriage....

Happy memories of model building lead to some interesting mysteries as well...

18/03/2024

Gold! Gold! Gold! Those words were the driving force behind the mad rush to the Klondike in 1896 and 1897. Yet, by 1898 the fever was waning in the Yu-kon, and word of other gold-rich regions echoed in the dance halls, saloons, and along the trails. In the spring of 1898, Fritz Miller and Kenneth MacLaren left the trail north at Bennett, B.C., and headed east. They crossed the frozen Taku Arm of Tagish Lake and then Lake Atlin...

Built by Baldwin in 1878 for Atlin Short Line Railway & Navigation Company, which was later acquired by White Pass & Yukon.

15/03/2024

Ride Trains has released a series of resin 3-D printed passenger equipment in HOn3 and soon in Sn3. I discovered and obtained some kits at the National Narrow Gauge Convention in Denver last summer from the young couple making their debut. Offered are many variations of Rio Grande passenger equipment...

Ride Trains has released a series of resin 3-D printed narrow gauge passenger equipment in HOn3 and soon in Sn3.

13/03/2024

Sometimes — just in the interest of pure goofy fun — Pat Thoney and I host an alternative operating session on his On30 Quincy & Torch Lake layout. What kind of alternative? I take my small fleet of Mineral Point & Northern locomotives and cars to Pat’s layout. Yes, many of you know my layout is HOn3 and it portrays the Rio Grande Southern...

Alternate operating sessions are a fun way to explore different scenarios on your model railroad simply by changing up the equipment and introducing new off-line locations.

12/03/2024

This new Berkshire Valley Models kit for a fire hose house is based on a building still standing in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The O scale kits sell for $54.95 and the HO versions are $32.95. Each kit comes with an additional kit for a two-wheel hose cart that are available separately...

This new kit from Berkshire Valley Models is based upon a real fire hose house located in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

12/03/2024

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024:Keith Stamper describes his magnificent On3 Colorado & Rio Grande Southern Railroad, which combines elements of the Colorado & Southern and Rio Grande Southern. Tom Knapp, MMR, well known for his Nn3 models, presents another way to model very small models in his article on TTn3. This is followed by Joe Crea showing how he prints O scale structures on his computer. Rob Bell continues his White Pass & Yukon locomotive series by describing the Duchess with a set of plans by David Fletcher. Mike May spent a month operating on the Puffing Billy Railway in Australia and tells all about his experience. Gregg Condon, MMR, describes how much fun it is to operate on another modeler’s layout, and Dan Windolph shares some tips on building On3 Galloping Geese. All this and more in the January/February Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

04/03/2024

Check out the all-new 2024 On30 Annual from White River Productions! Pre-publication sale expires May 31, 2024. Free U.S. Shipping during pre-publication sale. Regular price $34.95 plus shipping.

https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/on24

2024 On30 ANNUAL: What a time to be a modeler, especially in On30! We’ve added even more value to the On30 Annual, delivering amazing models, layouts, and building projects in O scale for 2024. Now in its 19th year of providing modeling fun and accessible narrow gauge for everyone, the On30 Annual is your definitive guide to O scale narrow gauge modeling. Order your copy today!

Pre-publication sale expires May 31, 2024. Free U.S. Shipping during pre-publication sale. Regular price $34.95 plus shipping.

https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/on24

05/02/2024

A little more than 50 years ago, I received an American Flyer train set for Christmas. Just four straight tracks and some curves to make a circle. Around and round it went until it derailed. As I remember, the wooden floor was not real level. Anyway that, and our landlords’ children’s Lionel train set with lots of extras, put the train bug into my system...

A freelanced version of the Narragansett Railroad as modeled in On30 focusing on structures and scenery.

05/02/2024

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023:Pete Leach, MMR, has completed his On30 Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington layout and needed a new project, so, he built an HOn30 module depicting an ice loading facility. Tom Staton shows us some detailed scenes on his On30 layout. This is followed by Part 11 of Rob Bell’s series on the locomotives of the White Pass & Yukon Route. Laura Burtness and her husband visited California’s Kentucky Mine Museum and talks about their visit. Dr. Gregg Condon, MMR, shares his ninth layout based on a resort railway — all in HOn30. In contrast, Dan Windolph shows his huge On3 Alpine Engine House. All this and more in the November/December Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

24/11/2023

Fran Foley is a local model railroader and railfan who makes detailed 3D printed On30 cars and critter-like locomotives and small passenger and freight cars. He often comes by at one of my open houses with a briefcase full his wonderful 3D printed models. Several months ago, a local model railroader passed away and his family wanted to have an estate sale...

Waste not, want not! Recycling old models into new scenes is a great way to re-use classic pieces that need a new home.

22/11/2023

Mine Mount Models, LLC offers the Utopia Café in HO, and will be releasing this kit in O scale as well. The prototype is in Texas, but this attractive design is universal with similar cafés throughout the US. The kit consists of laser-cut wood walls and MDF sub-roof parts, peel and stick laser-cut windows, Tichy plastic doors, MDF sandwich boards, acetate for windows, tile roof panels, 3D printed details, fully illustrated color instructions and signs.

Mine Mount Models offers the new Utopia Café craftsman kit in HO, and soon to be released in O scale.

20/11/2023

Shortly after it was introduced back in 1980, I purchased a Grandt Line On30, 18-ton Porter kit. Grandt Line produced the kit in On3, but sold them with On30 drivers and instructions on how to narrow the frame. I assembled my kit to the point where I could test-run it, but then for reasons lost in the mists of time, it got put aside in favor of some other project...

East steps to detail an older On30 steam switcher model with the latest digital command control and sound system installed.

17/11/2023

Wild West Scale Model Builders has released Colorado Rust in their Smoke and Mirrors series of stains and paints. On my most recent visit to Wild West owners, Mike and Korie Pyne, a few years back, we discussed the unique purplish color of high-country rusted corrugated metal...

Wild West Scale Model Builders has released Colorado Rust in their Smoke and Mirrors series of stains and paints.

15/11/2023

Life for the WP&YR had settled down after the various gold rushes had faded. There was still plenty of mining and prospecting going on in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, so rail and steamer traffic kept the WP&YR comfortably afloat. Copper had been discovered some four miles northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory in 1897 and a few claims were staked in 1898...

Continuing our series, we take a look at the short life and tragic end for White Pass & Yukon Route 2-8-0 Consolidation No. 68.

15/11/2023

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023:Tom Yorke is building a new G15 layout and describes it and his locomotives. If you have an old Grandt Line On3/On30 18-ton Porter kit, Gary Bothe shows how he added DCC to his kit. Matt Woods gives techniques for making a realistic shoreline right-of-way for his On30 railroad, and Rob Bell continues his series on White Pass & Yukon locomotives with the life and tragedy of No. 68. Todd Gieg has been building an HO scale model of the Boston Revere Beach & Linn Railroad for a museum and brings us up to date on his progress, followed by Jack Burgess, MMR, telling about his 40-plus year quest to build a Yosemite Valley 4-4-0. All this and more in the September/October Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette!

10/11/2023

Enjoy 25% off back issues of modeling magazines October 1 through November 30. While supplies last! Discount automatically applied at checkout. Visit https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/collections/modelingbackissuesale

02/08/2023

Scale Railroad Models is a new manufacturer (since 2019) that I discovered at the Rocky Mountain Train Supply shop in Arvada, Colo., near Denver. Scale Railroad Models offer a series of nice structures and details in N and HO scale as a visit to their website will show. Each structure is from a different state and based upon a prototype illustrated on their website, with the goal of offering a building from all 50 states...

Scale Railroad Models injection-molded plastic kit of an HO scale storefront based on a structure in Durango, Colo.

31/07/2023

The Model Works kit came well-packed with two major parts, the almost-complete body, and a detailed underframe, along with detail parts for stirrup steps, brake wheel, turnbuckles, coupler pocket covers and trucks ready to take Kadee 718 wheelsets (not supplied). These were all neatly packed inside the body print.

Gato Model Works produces a line of 3D printed kits for 3000-series Rio Grande boxcars in HOn3.

28/07/2023

Bar Mills has released the Metropolitan Garage in N, HO, and O scale. This structure was originally part of the limited release Cigar Corner super-kit. I assembled the HO model, priced at $79.95. If you wish to add a set of discounted Woodland Scenics gas station figures, the cost is $84.95...

Based upon a notable George Sellios design, the gas station is on the lower floor with apartments above in a wedge-shaped design.

27/07/2023

The story of two of these locomotives starts over 1600 miles to the southeast of British Columbia in eastern Kansas. Chartered on May 31, 1871, the Kansas Central Railway (KC) was to build a 3-foot narrow gauge railroad from Leavenworth, Kan., to the western side of the state...

In early 1900, the company bought three more used locomotives bringing the total number of locomotives to 15.

26/07/2023

The Giordano’s Grocers & Cold Storage kit contains laser-cut and engraved resin impregnated board (RIB), chipboard, matboard and basswood; clear window glazing, strip wood, wire, tarpaper roofing strips, self-adhesive foil corrugated material, corrugated embossing tool, Tule (screen) fabric, color graphics, 3D-printed detail parts, Tichy plastic details, pallet mini-kit and a 62-page full color instruction booklet...

This is a simple kit because the parts fit well, but is an advanced kit due to the hundreds of individual components.