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Model Railroading for the New Enthusiast
A Pathfinder by Pam Crane, Librarian
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A hobby for young and old, families and individuals. Small space or an entire basement. Engines as small as z scale or large enough for an adult to ride. Electric or live steam. One operator or several. Indoor or outdoor. Paper, plastic or metal. Decorated or plain. Fully assembled or in kit form. The world of model railroading awaits you.
Directories
Books & Videos
Magazines
Databases
Websites
Museums
Forums
Additional Resources
Empire State Railway Museum’s … Annual Guide to Tourist Railroads and Museums. Kalmbach Books.
Walthers…HO catalog. Walthers.
Known as “the bible” among model railroaders, it contains nearly every kit, part, tool, book, video/DVD and piece of equipment any model railroader would ever need or desire.
Here are some useful Subject Headings to search for materials:
Railroad Museums---United States---Periodicals
Railroads---Models
Railroads---Models---Biography
Railroads---Models---Catalogs
Railroads---Models---Electric Equipment
The library’s online
catalog is your source for books, magazines, movies and software about model railroading. If the items are not on hand at your library, you may place them on Hold. As soon as the materials are available, they will be sent to your library for you.
Books
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48 Top Notch Track Plans Kalmbach Publishing, 1993. |
6 HO Railroads You Can Build
Kalmbach Publishing, 1993.
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Koester, Tony. Realistic Model Railroad Operation: How to Run Your Trains Like the Real Thing Kalmbach Publishing, 2003. |
Miller, Allan. Getting Started with Lionel Trains: Your Introduction to Model Railroading Fun
Krause Publications, 2001.
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Pryke, John. Building City Scenery for Your Model Railroad Kalmbach Publishing, 2000. |
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Sassi, Lou. Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide Kalmbach Publishing, 2002. |
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Selby, Rick. Basic Wiring for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide Kalmbach Publishing, 2001. |
Westcott, Linn Hanson. Model Railroading with John Allen
Kalmbach Books, 1996.
Videos
Basics of Model Railroading Wiring
Model Railroader, (VHS)
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Traintown Deluxe Sierra On-Line, c2000. CD-ROM for Windows 2000 and 95/98. This is a software program for children who wish to design and operate train layouts for 10 faraway settings, such as the North Pole and outer space. |
Magazines are a great way to keep current with the latest trends and products in model railroading. Each issue announces upcoming shows and competitions and features a new technique. There are magazines with general appeal and ones to satisfy your specific interest in say, Garden Railways or N Scale model trains.
The library subscribes to the following three:
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Model Railroader Model Railroader also has an excellent website with articles from past issues featuring topics, such as, getting started in the hobby. |
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For articles about model railroading, see OCPL’s Online Databases. Here you can access magazine and journal articles, newspapers, and reference books 24 hours a day using your OCPL library card and Personal Identification Number (PIN).
For in-library use of the online databases, please see a librarian.
Two selected databases, Ebsco and Gale, offer full text articles with graphics to hundreds of magazines.
Using the keywords < model railroad? >, articles describing new technology, how-to projects, profiles of model railroaders including their research and modeling tips, plus detailed descriptions of specific years so you can use your layout as a time machine, can be found.
The following sample of articles came from the Gale
General Reference Center Gold database:
"Tom Kutzley, Scale Model Railroader". Ikenberry, Donna.
Grit, Sept 2004 v122 i9 p20(2)
"Whirlwind Research Trips (railroad modelmaking)." McGuirk, Marty.
Model Railroader, Feb 2000 v67 i2 p50
"1966: A Year You Can Model: Railroads Faced the Future ... And Said Farewell to the Past." Swanson,
Carl.
Model Railroader, March 2004 v71 i03 p92
"A Year You Can Model: 1942 Railroads Go to War: Modeling U. S. Railroading in
the First Year after Pearl Harbor." Sperandeo,
Andy. Model Railroader, Jan 2003 v70 i1 p72
"Fenced In: A Barbed-Wire Fence Keeps Your Animals Corralled Till the Cows Come
Home." Schleicher,
Robert.
Boys' Life, April 2003 v93 i4 p47(1)
"Smart Chips, Software Take Model Railroads to a New Level." (The Dallas Morning
News) Marvel, Bill .
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, May 21, 2002 pK1909
These articles are found in EbscoHost Primary Search.
This database is geared toward the interests of school age children.
"Railroads Are My Hobby." Boudreau,
Robert. Boys' Quest, Feb/Mar2001, Vol. 6 Issue 5, p18, 3p, 1bw
"Working on the Miniature Railroad." Kaminski, Lori Widmer. Child Life,
Dec95, Vol. 74 Issue 8, p32, 3p, 5c
"Laying Railroad Track." Schleicher, R. Boys' Life, Apr92, Vol. 82 Issue
4, p80, 1p, 6bw
"Small Train Big Problems: How to Keep Your N-Scale Model Railroad on Track." Schleicher,
R. Boys Life, Feb2003, Vol. 93 Issue 2, p52, p2c
"Magic Meadows." Schleicher, R. Boys Life; Aug2001, Vol. 91 Issue 8, p64,
1p, 4c
Historical Society
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Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc. Sponsors of the Annual Train Fair that is held at the New York State Fairgrounds during the first weekend of November. There are over 50 operating model layouts and nearly 100 manufacturers and vendors with model train and associated items for sale. |
Local Clubs
Central New York Division of the National Model Railroad Association
The monthly meetings are held at the homes of members. This gives you an excellent opportunity to view different layouts in various stages of completion.
The Central New York Model Railroad Club
This up-to-date website is an excellent source for links to other local clubs, historical societies, resources and hobby shops. It is well worth checking out.
Central New York Modelers of Distinction
The Syracuse Model Railroad Club
Resources for Equipment, Supplies and Links to other websites
Central Hobby Supply
102 Walter Drive, Syracuse, NY
J R Junction Train and Hobby
652 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY
Perceptions: The Paper Train Factory
Walthers – specializing in HO
1-800-4-TRAINS
The Railfan Network
Offers a number of forums, valuable links to vendors, magazines, model railroading, layouts as well as European and International sites. A special feature of this site is the 700,000 images submitted by railfans.
Homeville Museum,
49 Clinton St., Route 41, Homer
Three rooms and five gauges of model trains, including some operating layouts, plus railroad memorabilia from the Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, NYC, D&H, New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp.
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Medina Railroad Museum of Medina, New York is located in one of the last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States. It has a 14 foot by 204 foot HO layout and diorama under construction. |
Several active forums relating to a variety of skill levels and interests in Model Railroading, can be found at the following websites.
The Railfan Network
Railserve.com
Trains.com
Model Railroad Life Size Scale Calculator
Model Railroad Scale Converter
Use this scale in order to create a more accurate layout.