Lots of news dropped in at the same time: I was recently Ray’s guest on episode 260 of the Around The Layout Podcast. October 15th, 2026: I’ll be a keynote speaker at the 2027 NMRA National Convention.
Author: Lmind1
Lots of News
Attitude and Edge
The atmosphere of model railroads spans a spectrum of styles. On one extreme, we have what I call the “Disneyland” look. Particularly popular among the casual recreationalists, it’s characterized by amplified features, vibrant colors, caricatures, and an emphasis on the extraordinary. On the other side, we have what I call the “architectural model look”. Neat, […]
Switching Layouts, Design Lessons Learned
Through years of operating my layouts, rail fanning, and studying rail fan videos, I’ve gained insights I didn’t have before. This knowledge has changed how I design things, how I stage a layout for an operating session, and how I operate. The more you understand the prototype and just copy what they’ve done, the easier […]
Sentry Industries – East Rail
Sentry Industries in Miami makes water treatment products. Don’t be misled by its diminutive size; it processes an enormous number of cars. The black tanker contains sodium hydroxide. The white car on the right is loaded with hydrochloric acid. In some cases, we can create a high-value, sophisticated industry without doing much of anything. Free […]
East Rail Ops. Video
I just uploaded a new video showing a typical solo op. session on the East Rail layout. Typically, something like this would be highly cropped, with a focus on being entertaining. I decided to break form and show the vast majority of the session so viewers can get a sense of speed and pacing. I […]