Gateway Division NMRA

117 Photos of Bill Giese's Highly Detailed Rock Island Model Railroad #NMRA

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:00:00 -0600

Bill Giese's Des Moines Area Rock Island HO scale model railroad features highly detailed city and industrial scenes filled with cars, trucks and people. The railroad, set in the late 1960s to early 1970s, is a walk-in design with a 76-foot single track main and 24-foot branch line using DC control with two walk around throttles and two fixed cabs. The layout is completely (and beautifully) sceniced, with a masonite backdrop of painted and printed scenes and structures with building flats. See 117 photos of this amazing layout.

See 14 Photos of Herb Gilden's Hy-Sioux Southern Model Railroad #NMRA

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:00:00 -0600

Herb Gilden's 1950s-era HO scale Hy-Sioux Southern Railroad, set in Tennessee and the Carolinas, was featured in the May 2000 issue of Model Railroader. Extensive scenery and structures populate this walk-in with duck-under design model railroad with DCC Digitrax Empire Builder Radio controls and engines with SoundTraxx decoders.

11 Photos of Don Morice's Illinois Central St. Louis Division Model Railroad

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0600

Don Morice has built a detailed recreation of the Illinois Central Railroad St. Louis Division in Southern Illinois, Carbondale to DuQuoin, of the 1955-1960 (steam to diesel) era. This HO scale model railroad is a walk-in design with access gate and 59-foot double track main loop with a 56-foot branch line. Scenery is 100 percent complete and the railroad features a Masonite backdrop with building flats, DC cab control using MRC remote walk around throttles, and train order/switch list operations for a crew of five. 90 percent of the steam locos have sound and are modified to IC style.

See our new video: 2011 Model Railroad Contest Winners! #NMRA St. Louis

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0600

View the winning model, locomotive, railcar, structure, diorama and photo entries from the 2011 Gateway NMRA St. Louis Train Show model and photo contests. Photos of the winning entries may also be viewed at http://www.gatewaynmra.org/models11.htm. For more information about the Gateway NMRA, our open to the public monthly meetings, or upcoming model and photo contests you can enter, please visit us at http://www.gatewaynmra.org.

See 60 photos of the winning train models from 2011 Gateway #NMRA St. Louis Contest

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:00:00 -0600

Sixty photos of the winning models and photographs from the 2011 Gateway Division NMRA annual contests on November 5, 2011 are now online. All NMRA Judged and Popular Vote contest results are listed.

Next Gateway #NMRA Meeting is Jan. 16, 2012 - Public is always welcome! #STL

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:00:00 -0600

The next monthly meeting of the Gateway Division will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in West St. Louis County. This month's clinic is "Build an inexpensive static grass applicator." Have you always wanted to apply great-looking static grass to your layout, but just did not want to invest the necessary $150-$200 for an applicator? Now you have a solution. Steve Brawley is presenting a demonstration clinic on how to build your own applicator for under $10! His step-by-step instructions will show where to get the readily available pieces and parts and how to put them together and starting putting down that realistic looking yard, prairie and pasture land. Our monthly meetings are always open to the public. Refreshments are provided at the meeting. Guests are always welcome. More information, and driving directions to the meeting, are available on our website.

Online Registration now available for 2012 #NMRA MCoR Convention in St. Louis #STL

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:00:00 -0600

The 2012 Mid-Continent Regional Convention will be hosted by the Gateway Division NMRA, May 30 through June 3, 2012, in St. Louis, Missouri. We've added an extra day this year for more activities, more clinics, more layouts, and more value for you. Clinics, home layout tours, prototype and manufacturer tours, operating sessions, model and photo contests, the banquet at the Museum of Transportation, and a train show await you. Online registration is available now.

N Scale BNSF Model Railroad by Bob Boedges - See 36 Photos! #NMRA

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:00:00 -0600

Bob's N scale completely sceniced modern era layout of BNSF in St. Louis features a single track mainline loop with Digitrax DCC control. The layout is located in the lower level of a split foyer home and includes the 2 car garage. Bob has monthly operating sessions using a document prepared in Microsoft Word and colored adhesive dots. See 36 photos of this beautiful layout.

Mark Your Calendar! Gateway #NMRA St. Louis Train Show is Nov. 5, 2011 #trainshow

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:00:00 -0600

The Annual Gateway Division NMRA St. Louis Model Railroad Train Show and Model Contest will be held November 5, 2011, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in West St. Louis County (Clayton and 141). The Gateway Division Train Show features clinics and presentations on model railroading, swap tables, popular vote model and photo contests (bring your models and photos!), door prizes, running layouts on display, and self-guided home train layout tours.

Beautiful St. Louis Area Railroad Photography by Bill Linson #STL #railfan

Sun, 9 Oct 2011 20:00:00 -0600

View ten beautiful St. Louis area railroad photos by Bill Linson. Inspiration for your own St. Louis railfan adventure.

33 Photos of Mike Satke's N scale Union Pacific Model Railroad #NMRA

Sun, 9 Oct 2011 20:00:00 -0600

Mike Satke's N scale 1964-era model of Union Pacific in northern Utah is an "L" shaped layout with a fifty-foot mainline run. This beautiful layout features a large scratch-built bridge, many detailed structures and scenes. See thirty-three photos of this beautiful layout.

See 27 Photos from the 2010 NMRA/NRHS/WF&P Live Steam Train Picnic

Sun, 7 Aug 2011 18:00:00 -0600

On Saturday, September 25, 2010, the Gateway Division NMRA and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society held the third annual get-together picnic of these two train groups at the Wabash, Frisco and Pacific Railroad in Glencoe, Missouri. The WF&P runs 12-inch gauge small scale steam and diesel trains alongside the scenic Meramec River. It provides a 2-mile roundtrip. As they say, these are the only scheduled steam passenger trains in Missouri. Here are 27 photos of the 2010 event.

27 New Photos of Gary Gross' HO Scale Multi-Deck Franklin Pacific Railroad

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 21:00:00 -0600

Gary Gross' 18'x12' Franklin Pacific Railroad uses track on three levels connected by two multi-turn helixes to model his St. Louis to Kansas City (or Springfield) Missouri shortline. Gary's completely finished 12'x26' railroad room features a crew lounge area and a restroom. A typical operating session requires a Dispatcher, Yardmaster, and 4 Train Operators (4 switching jobs), using Digitrax DCC radio throttles, Dispatcher-based block control, and waybill/car card car forwarding. These 27 photos were taken during the May 2011 Rail Op session.

See 48 Photos from the Gateway Division Rail Op 2011 Operations Event

Mon, 4 Jul 2011 14:00:00 -0600

Hank Kraichely, Gary Gross, Bob Johnson, Bob Buschart, John Schindler, and Rich & Venita Lake hosted model railroad operating sessions for the second Gateway Division Rail Op event in May 2011. See 48 photos from the operating sessions at Gary Gross', Bob Buschart's and Rick & Venita Lake's layouts.

The Spring 2011 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Sun, 15 May 2011 18:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 306KB current issue.

The Winter 2011 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Sat, 5 Feb 2011 10:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 3.3MB current issue.

See 30 Photos of Jacob Libhart's Beautiful HO City Streetcar Diorama

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 22:30:00 -0600

Jacob Libhart, age 12, restored this diorama purchased (in very poor condition) at a Cuba, Missouri antique store. After new track, new wiring, new motive power and rolling stock, cleaning, reassembly and repainting, the diorama looks and runs beautifully. See 30 photos of this diorama which was displayed in the contest room at the 2010 Gateway NMRA Train Show.

3 New Industrial Buildings to Print for Your Model Railroad Backdrop HO/N

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:00:00 -0600

A simple sky blue backdrop changes the whole look of your model railroad. It makes your railroad immediately appear more realistic and expansive. Although it's fairly easy to paint hills and general landforms on the backdrop, buildings are a lot harder to paint. One easy solution is to print photographs of appropriate buildings in the right size, cut them out along the edge of the building, and glue them to the backdrop. Here are three new layout-sized industrial backdrop buildings, sized to print for HO and N scale, plus four tips to help you with the project.

See 90 Photos of John Kalin's Sn3 Rio Grande Southern Model Railroad

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:30:00 -0600

John Kalin's Rio Grande Southern captures the Ridgeway to Rico route of this narrow gauge railroad at the end of the thirties. Trains start at Ridgeway/Rico (which is a double-ended hidden staging yard) and proceed to Vance Junction, Ophir, the High Line, and Lizard Head. At Vance Junction, the Telluride Branch runs to Telluride and Pandora. The run from Ophir to the High Line includes all seven (amazing) trestles. The layout is 23'x50' with about 225 feet of mainline track and another 150 feet on the Telluride Branch - plus a whole lot of wonderful scenery.

The Fall 2010 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Sun, 9 Jan 2011 18:30:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 1.2MB current issue.

See 53 photos of the winning Models & Photos from the 2010 Gateway NMRA Contest

Mon, 3 Jan 2011 17:30:00 -0600

Fifty-three photos of the winning models and photographs from the 2010 Gateway Division NMRA annual contests on November 13, 2010 are now online. Both NMRA Merit Judged and Popular Vote contest results are listed.

36 Photos from the Gateway Division Rail Op 2010 Operations Event

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:00:00 -0600

Hank Kraichely, Gary Gross, Bob Johnson, John Schindler, and Rich & Venita Lake hosted model railroad operating sessions for the first Gateway Division Rail Op event in September 2010. See 36 photos from the operating sessions at Randy Meyer's and John Schindler's layouts.

9 New Photos of Paul Fries' HO Scale Red Board Hobbies Layout

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:00:00 -0600

Paul Fries' HO scale model railroad is displayed in the front window of his hobby shop, Red Board Hobbies, in Belleville, Illinois. The layout features fall scenery and a small town theme. The layout's design provides continuous running and industry switching in a relatively small space. He recently modified the town square scene to add a tribute to Dee Joseph. See 9 new photos and the 16 original photos of this completely sceniced small model railroad layout.

99 Photos of Dave Roeder's HO Scale WG&F Model Railroad

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:30:00 -0600

The Webster Groves & Fenton RR is a fictional short-line railroad serving as a connection to local industries for the Burlington Northern RR in St. Louis County, Missouri. On the WG&F, a switching layout connects the industries of Valley Park, Missouri, via the BN main line from Springfield, MO. There are two yards to service the layout. Lower level staging sends and receives trains during operation sessions. The Burlington Northern operates in Valley Park moving grain, rock, petroleum and manufactured goods. The Bussen Quarry is another feature from St. Louis County that is represented on the layout. The real quarry ships by truck, and so does the scale version located in the center of the exposed helix and wye on the Webster Groves & Fenton.

Scratch Building a Stone Arch Viaduct - Casting and Construction

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 -0600

Phil Bonzon, MMR describes how he designed, cast, assembled and detailed a stone arch viaduct with 16 photos illustrating each step. This is a great project for the first-time scratchbuilder.

Photos of the 2010 Union Pacific Operation Lifesaver Trip

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 -0600

The St. Louis Chapter National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS) President Ron Gawedzinski arranged for a group of railfans and friends from St. Louis Chapter NRHS and Gateway Division NMRA to ride Union Pacific's Operation Lifesaver train from Pacific to Washington, MO on May 20, 2010. An estimated 60 people were present and rode. See four photos from this event.

Photos of the 2010 Gateway Rail Services Tour

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:00:00 -0600

A group of 30 railfans from the St. Louis Chapter NRHS, Gateway Division NMRA, and friends met in the Gateway Rail Services yard in Madison, IL on May 15, 2010. We met with Roger Verbeeren, President of Gateway Rail Services, who gave us an extensive tour of the shops and explained the process of rebuilding, remodeling and maintaining private rail cars. See seven photos from the tour.

Building a Model of the BC&G Railbus A

Sat, 7 Aug 2010 23:00:00 -0600

Phil Bonzon, MMR scratchbuilt an HO scale model of the 1921-built Mack Model AC Railbus that the BC&G acquired in 1941 to provide passenger and mail service between Dundon and Widen, WV twice a day. Phil's Railbus model won Honorable Mention in the "Scratch Built Locomotive Other" category at the NMRA 75th National Convention in July 2010.

Building an HO Scale B&O P-7d "Cincinnatian" Steam Locomotive

Sat, 7 Aug 2010 23:00:00 -0600

Since the brass version of this locomotive is at prices beyond his engine budget, Phil Bonzon, MMR choose to build one from a plastic Pacific. The steam locomotive started as a Bachmann Spectrum Penny K-4, 4-6-2 that was modified to closely capture the appearance and features of the B&O 4-6-2, P-7d (Cincinnatian) number 5301. Phil's model won First Place in the "Scratch Built Steam Locomotive" category and the "William J. Lenoir Memorial Award" for Best Scratch Built Steam Locomotive at the NMRA 75th National Convention in July 2010. A month before, at the MCoR 2010 Convention, this engine won First Place in the "Scratch Built Steam Locomotive" category and "Best of Show" in the merit judging.

The Summer 2010 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Fri, 6 Aug 2010 18:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 1.4MB current issue.

25 New Backissues of The RPO are Now Available Online

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:00:00 -0600

Twenty-five more backissues of the quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, are now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format.

20 Photos of Rick & Venita Lake's HO Scale El Dorado & El Reno Railroad

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:00:00 -0600

This golden era layout is a free-lanced shortline railroad with heavy Rock Island influence, running northwest from Lillie, Louisiana, to El Reno, Oklahoma, with the modeled portion ending at Howe, Oklahoma. It also serves as a bridge route for the CRI&P Railroad through El Dorado, Arkansas, to Howe, Oklahoma. The major industries served include a paper mill, lumber mill, coal mine, chemical industry, and oil refinery. The El & El operates on a single track mainline with both passenger and freight service. Four Rock Island trains run in each session adding additional freight and passenger trains. Interchanges are with the Cotton Belt and the Rock Island at Camden, Arkansas, and with the KCS at Mena, Arkansas. Multiple staging tracks at both ends of the line allow realistic 1950s era operation with both steam and diesel power. North Coast Engineering DCC (radio) control.

102 Photos of Bob Johnson's HO Scale Pseudo-Soo Model Railroad

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:00:00 -0600

The Pseudo-Soo Line (PSL) is set in north-central Wisconsin in June of 1953. It represents the Third Subdivision of the Gladstone Division of the "Soo." The HO scale PSL is in an approximately 50'x16' area using an around the wall design with a long center peninsula. The mainline is a closed loop with two single ended staging yards that represent Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan ("The Soo") and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Designed for operation, the layout's traffic features iron ore, local forest and agricultural products, passenger, and a variety of freight runs. The layout uses Digitrax DCC, card cards and waybills developed by Bob Johnson, and a 6:1 fast clock for operations. Dispatching is by verbal authority. These photos were taken during a recent operating session.

Photos of John Schindler's HO Scale St. Louis Junction Railroad

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:00:00 -0600

The St. Louis Junction Railroad focuses on late 1990s era local and industrial switching, including Granite City Steel, in the metropolitan St. Louis area. Interchange and through traffic between the major railroads rounds out the operations. Seven different railroads are represented: BNSF, UP, NS CR, CSX, TRRA (Terminal Railroad Association) and the St. Louis Junction RR (local switching railroad). See six photos of this layout built for operations.

The Spring 2010 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Sun, 23 May 2010 18:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 4.6MB current issue.

Building Your First Model Railroad Video Series

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:00:00 -0600

Build your first HO scale model railroad with the new YouTube video series from the World's Greatest Hobby. This video series, hosted by Michael Gross, will teach you the simple how-to techniques you need to know to take an HO scale electric train set and make it a scenic model railroad.

Designing the Gateway Central XV Small HO Scale Switching Layout

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Our 15th project model railroad is different in many ways from the previous layouts. This one is designed as a small, easily transported switching layout for display and discussion at local Train Shows. It features five industries, trailing and facing sidings to switch, and DCC sound - all on a 13 pound 14"x48" layout. Read about the design and see planning and finished photos of the railroad.

Buildings and Structures on the Gateway Central 2009 Layout

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Each of the buildings on the new Gateway Central XV layout are visually interesting and provide a boxcar setup location on this switching layout. See detailed photos of each assembled structure and simple instructions on how to kitbash two unique background industrial structures.

Track Plan & Parts List for the Home Version of the GC2009 Switching Layout

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Build the home edition of the Gateway Central 2009 model railroad as a home layout or an expansion to your existing home layout. This 14"x60" HO scale railroad features six industries, a runaround, mainline connection, and lots of switching opportunities and operation for a standard diesel switcher and 40' boxcars.

Build a Model Railroad Layout Access Gate

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

There are many different benchwork and layout designs. Current trends favor a walk-in around-the-walls design. This is best from an access standpoint since it allows unlimited entrance and exit. But there are also those who do not want to loose the space required to turn trains around at each side of the entrance of a walk-in design. The use of a duckunder is not a good solution, as it limits access and are a hazard to tall folks. A properly designed gate allows easy access without any drawbacks. The key to building a successful gate is in the design and construction. A good design takes into account not only access, but expansion and contraction, safety, and ease of maintenance. The gate on Dave Roeder's HO scale Webster Groves and Fenton Railroad has all of these features.

Photos from the 2009 DPM Structure Kitbashing Contest

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Members who attended the May 2009 Division meeting received a DPM building kit and some extra wall components. Many of them brought their completed kitbashed models for a "show and tell" presentation at the September 2009 meeting. Members voted for their favorites and prizes were awarded. Each modeler spent a few minutes talking about the design and finishing of his own model.

Modeling Boxcar Grain Loads

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

John Carty models East St. Louis in 1955. In that era, grain arrives at his mill by boxcar. Grain doors were placed within the door openings of boxcars, usually reaching about halfway up the opening, to prevent the grain from spilling prematurely. John describes an easy method to model the grain doors and loads, with photos of the process and a completed car.

Photos of Hank Kraichely's HO Scale Burlington Route

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

Hank's double-deck layout depicts the St. Louis to Hannibal portion of the CB&Q Railroad's North Bound main known as the K Line in 1963. The Francis branch running from Old Monroe to Francis is also modeled. The layout runs through rural areas and has six towns, two cement plants, along with paper, chemical and power plants. There are also two interchanges on the Francis branch, at Wellsville with the Wabash and at Francis with the GM&O.

Model Railroad Operations with a Computer Spreadsheet

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

There is no substitute for running trains to gain experience and confirm your general direction as the railroad takes on a more finished look and the operating crew becomes more familiar with your overall operation scenario. Dave Roeder, MMR, soon realized that the computer was a much more efficient way to keep switch lists than manual approaches. This article discusses how Excel spreadsheets are used to support operations. The schedule is done as one spreadsheet with a separate sheet for each train order. A master schedule sheet provides the dispatcher with the overall game plan and each train order has notes describing the details of the switching moves.

The Winter 2010 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 2MB current issue.

Photos of the Litchfield Train Group's Large HO Model Railroad

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:00:00 -0600

The Litchfield layout depicts the ever-gentle rolling countryside of Illinois from Centralia to Chicago. The main room is set in the 50s and 60s era when steam engines were becoming extinct and the "new" diesel locomotives were gaining in popularity. The smaller room is "Chicago," which is set in the 70s and not only provides additional destinations with modern industries, but where you can also find a mix of old and new railroads, buildings and equipment. In the rail yards, you'll see railcars to service the old meatpacking plants, warehouses, factories, gravel and milling operations, as well as high-tech inter-modal, auto loading, chemical companies, and barge facilities. Operators can store hundreds of cars and stage 14 trains each 16 feet long. View 66 photos taken during the December operating session.

The Fall 2009 Issue of The RPO is Now Available Online

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:00:00 -0600

The quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, is now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. This link opens the 1,405KB current issue.

Photos of Bob Buschart's HO Model Railroad

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:00:00 -0600

Bob Buschart's multi-deck layout was a featured model railroad on the November 2009 Train Show home layout tour. CB&Q is the emphasis on this large 35'x40' HO railroad, although both the UP and Santa Fe make their appearance. Multi-cab lash-ups and long trains are frequent on this layout which features three yards, one of them primarily for reefers. A coal mine, diesel facility and other assorted industries are all online. Mountains and 1,000 feet of track provide a setting in which trains can appear and disappear seemingly at will. Hidden yards below the layout provide storage for several trains. The webpage has 33 photos taken during the layout tour.

Winning Models and Photos from the 2009 Gateway Division Annual Contest

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0600

Seventy-three photos of the winning models and photographs from the 2009 Gateway Division NMRA annual contest on November 7, 2009 are now online. Winners were selected by the popular vote of those attending the Gateway Division Annual Train Show. Phil Bonzon won the Best of Show with his Cressmont, WV diorama. Other first place winners included Tom Trotter (Steam Locomotive category), Dave Roeder (Diesel Locomotive, Maintenance of Way, and Whole Train categories), John Carty (Traction and Diorama categories), Gregor Moe (Freight Car category), Tom Smith (Caboose category), Greg Gray (Off-Line Structure category), Ron Schlueter (Prototype Photograph category) and Phil Bonzon (Passenger Car, On-Line Structure and Model Photograph categories).

Playing Trains With The Kids

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0600

One common thread unites model railroaders - the love of trains. Children love to explore their world. Model railroading provides an excellent means for teaching kids about their world, while sharing the hobby with the children you love.

Notes on Operations - How Other Folks Do It

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:00:00 -0600

Rick and Venita Lake provide their observations on things they learned and saw during the Bayrails event on how to create great operating sessions for regular operators and especially for "boomers," or first-time guests. Apply these basic principles to improve your next operating session.

Operations and the Steel Industry

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0600

Curt Regensberger shares the switching operations on his HO scale steel mill centric railroad "The Streator Connection." He describes the industries modeled with their switching jobs and equipment, and illustrates it with four photos of his layout.

Frisco 1522 Steam Train Adventures

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0600

There is only one way to describe a steam locomotive - big, heavy and dirty. Dave Roeder recalls what he did with his weekends for two and a half years as part of the St. Louis Steam Train Association that restored and ran the Frisco 1522 Mountain-type steam locomotive. The locomotive is now once again on display as a restored piece of railroad history at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation, but Dave will always have fond memories of this unique once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Freight Car Scratch Building for the NMRA Achievement Program

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0600

The rolling stock category of the NMRA achievement program has a requirement that the applicant build a total of eight pieces of rolling stock, four of which must be scratch built. Dave Roeder describes the process he followed, and the parts used, to scratchbuild a Civil War era Carter Brothers flat car.

Overview of Interurban Railroads

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0600

This "introduction to modeling trains under the wire" by John Carty describes the types and infrastructure of interurban railroads, modeling techniques, general operating practices, St. Louis area interurban railroads, and typical (and not-so-typical) equipment used.

Stockyard Upgrades, Improving the Walthers Cornerstone Stock Yard Kit

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0600

Learn how to "dress up" the HO scale Walthers stock yard kit with simple painting techniques and added details. John Carty's article, and photos of the finished model, show how he created a eye-catching model for the National City (East St. Louis) stockyard on his train layout.

Building City Streets Using Walthers Cornerstone Street Systems

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0600

The Gateway Division has used the Walthers Cornerstone street systems on several of its annual project layouts. This article by Venita Lake describes the kits used, assembly methods, planning considerations, and painting, weathering and detailing tips.

14 New Backissues of The RPO are Now Available Online

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:00:00 -0600

Fourteen more backissues of the quarterly members newsletter of the Gateway Division NMRA, the RPO, are now available online in PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format.

Photos of Phil Bonzon's Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad

Fri, 29 May 2009 20:00:00 -0600

Phil Bonzon's Swandale module from his HO scale Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad won first place in modules at the Gateway Division 2008 Train Show. Phil's goal is to capture the character and surroundings of the ERC&L and BC&G and bring them back alive through his layout. Eight photos of his highly detailed Swandale module are now online.

Photos of Brad Joseph's Union Pacific Railroad

Mon, 25 May 2009 20:00:00 -0600

Experience the beauty of Brad's HO scale Union Pacific with seven highly detailed photo stops from Cheyene to Laramie. Linn Moedinger enhanced the depth of sharpness of these photos using multiple images taken with different focus points and stacked with Helicon Focus software.

Wabash, Frisco and Pacific Live Steam Railroad Train Picnic

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:00:00 -0600

The Gateway Division NMRA, and the National Rail Historical Society St. Louis Chapter, sponsored a member's picnic at the Wabash, Frisco and Pacific live steam railroad in Glencoe, Missouri (West St. Louis County). Enjoy these pictures of the railroad and the picnic. A fun time was had by all.

Greater St. Louis Area Layout Directory

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:00:00 -0600

Great model railroad layouts abound in the St. Louis area. We have home, club and garden layouts. From N and TT to live steam, narrow gauge, standard gauge, tinplate, short lines, mainlines, indoors and out, you'll find fine train layouts everywhere in Greater St. Louis.

Gateway Central Project Model Railroads

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0600

For over a decade, the Gateway Division has constructed small model train layouts for display and demonstrations at local train shows. See photos and descriptions of over fifteen small model railroad you can build.

Designing Model Railroad Operations

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0600

A primer for model railroad operations. Modelers enjoy visiting and running on model railroads that are realistic in appearance and operated in a realistic manner. This only happens when the model echoes the mission of a real railroad - cars move to transport freight and passengers.

Model Railroading Downloads

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0600

Photos of vintage metal signs, building interiors and exteriors that you can download and print for use on your model railroad.

Model Railroad Article Library

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:00:00 -0600

This is a directory to the clinics, photos, articles and reference materials of interest to model railroaders that are available on our website.