Links

Railroad Historical Societies

Chessie System Historical Society
A great resource for information on the Chessie System Railroad. This is useful for modeling the actual trains and locations of the Chessie System railroad.  http://www.chessiesystem.org

Modeling Electronic Magazines “E-Zine”

Electronic magazines are collections of high-quality information regarding the modeling side of our hobby.  Generally, each magazine is offered by a historical society and the content will focus on how to model the prototype.  The content is available for free and generally updated several times a year.

Historical Society Publications

B&O HS – http://borhs.org/ModelerMag/index.html
C&NW HS – C&NW Modeler Facebook Group
C&O HS – http://www.cohs.org/ (search for “Basement Subdivision”)
CSXT HS – http://csxthsociety.org/ (look for “The Journal”)
ACL/SAL HS – http://www.aclsal.org/
PRR HS – http://www.prrths.com/ (look for TKM)
The Mill – https://steelindustray.blogspot.com/ (Steel Mill Industry)

General Hobby Publications

Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine
A high-quality online magazine that is free for download. http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/

The Model Train Magazine Index
A website that searches over 6000 different magazines for articles based on your own keywords. Very handy when you can’t remember if Model Railroader or almost any magazine has the article you are looking for. http://index.mrmag.com

Model Railroad Clubs and Organizations

National Model Railroad Association
Good website for beginners and has an excellent list of worldwide websites on model railroading. Support the NMRA, Join Today! http://www.nmra.org

Northwest Trainmasters
I am a member of this modular railroad club. We bring a portable train layout to several shows in the area each year. If you are interested in learning about the hobby, this group meets once a month and it is an excellent place to start. https://www.facebook.com/nwtrainmasters

Oak Park Society of Model Engineers
I am a member of this train club in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago. We are currently building a new HO-scale train layout based on the Chicago Great Western in the 1950’s. https://www.opsme.org

Layout Design Special Interest Group (LDSIG)
by: NMRA Special Interest Group
This website provides guidance on planning your model railroad.  Basic, as well as advanced topics, are covered on how to build a satisfying model railroad.

Prototype

Appalachian Model Railroading
A website devoted to Appalachian coal hauling railroads in the 60’s – 80’s. Prototype photos. model track plans and articles are available on the site. http://appalachianrailroadmodeling.com

Train Layout – Benchwork

Masterpiece Modules
Offers an extensive line of Free-mo and T-Trak module and module kits that are laser cut and can be assembled with minimal tools. http://www.masterpiecemodules.com/index.php

Modeling – Detail Parts

American Model Builders
Laser Cut windows for diesel and rolling stock. http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm

Archer Transfers – Out of Business
Detail parts for models special rivet transfers for freight cars. Item AR88001 is a sample rivet sheet that can be used to model box car rivet lines. http://www.archertransfers.com

Cannon and Company
Manufacturer of locomotive detail parts and a wide array of fans and fan housings. A good catalog of parts is available online. http://www.cannonandco.net

Cy-Pox
Features Cyanopoxy adhesive which is a combination of superglue and epoxy-like adhesive. http://www.mrhobby.com/

Details West
Specializes in parts to detail and enhance your model collection. An online catalog is available. http://www.detailswest.com

Minutemen Scale Models
Makers of Scalecoat I and Scalecoat II paint lines.
https://www.minutemanscalemodels.com/

Moloco Trains
Freight car and caboose detail parts. Roof brackets and caboose end platforms are especially nice. http://www.molocotrains.com/

Plano Model Products
Specializing in photo-etched (thin metal) detail parts for model railroaders. An online catalog is available. http://www.planomodelproducts.com

Proto:87 Store
A great resource for track detailing accessories, parts, and kits. http://proto87.com

Smokey Valley
Manufacturer of diesel handrail kits and detail parts. http://www.smokeyvalley.com/

Modeling – Decals

Bright Future Decals
Specializes in CSX decal sheets exclusively.  There is an extensive amount of prototype information on this site related to current and historical CSX paint schemes.
https://www.brightfuturedecals.com/

Circus City Decals
Custom decals, patch-outs, circus decals, and Chicago Metra decals.
http://www.circuscitydecals.com

Herald King Decals
A company I thought was out of business but still offers a very limited product selection to the modeling community.
http://heraldkingdecals.com/

Highball Graphics
I was interested in the ACI (Automatic Car Identification) decals and diesel warning graphics.  The decals are great and I look forward to making additional purchases. http://www.highballgraphics.com

K4 Decals
Wide variety of decals across multiple scales. Offers V&O decal sets as well.
https://k4decals.com/

Microscale Decals
Extensive line of decals for model trains across multiple scales. http://www.microscale.com

Shellscale Decals
A small company specializing in Norfolk and Western decal sheets. They also carry number board decals with different fonts, borders, and backgrounds. http://www.shellscale.com/

Weathering

Mellow-Mike
This a superb example of weathering that is so convincing, you will think some of the models are real. http://www.mellowmike.com/

The Weathering Shop
Excellent photos showcase top-notch weathering.  The article on freight car trucks drew me to this website and secured it in my list of good modeling resources. http://theweatheringshop.com/