Model Railroader Associate Editor Cody Grivno compiles insider tips and projects from Model Railroader as well as favorite projects from his 'Cody's Office' online feature into one exciting volume. Easily recognized as an expert in the model railroad community, Cody covers tools, painting and decaling, weathering, track and wiring, structures, scenery, locomotives, and freight cars in his friendly, knowledgeable style.

• Tools and adhesives
  • Put together a basic tool kit. Jim Hediger
  • Select tools that bend, grip, and cut. Terry Thompson
  • Get a grip on glues and adhesives. Jim Hediger
  • Glue structures using braces and jigs. Cody Grivno
• Track and wiring
  • Ballast track easily. Cody Grivno
  • Work with curved turnouts. Jim Hediger
  • Use magnetic couplers. Andy Sperandeo
  • Tune up turnouts. Jim Hediger
  • Use connectors for easier layout wiring. Jim Hediger
  • Wire a layout for two-train operation. Neil Besougloff
  • Shape and install spike-head feeders. Andy Sperandeo
  • Solder wire and track feeders. Jim Hediger
• Structures
  • Scratchbuild a station from drawings. Cody Grivno
  • Make simple hoses. Cody Grivno
  • Model a weather-beaten structure. Cody Grivno
  • Put a big industry in a small space. Cody Grivno
  • Glaze windows with adhesive. Cody Grivno
  • Cast your own wall sections. Andy Sperandeo
  • Cut door and window openings. Cody Grivno
  • Kitbash large modular structures. Jim Hediger
• Locomotives and freight cars
  • Perform rolling stock checkups. Jim Hediger
  • Service locomotives. Jim Hediger
  • Open handrail holes with reamers. Cody Grivno
  • Remove and replace molded details. Cody Grivno
  • Install a distinctive nose bell. Jim Hediger
  • Clean locomotive wheels. Cody Grivno
  • Repair and paint acetal handrails. Cody Grivno
• Scenery
  • Add mounting pins to fence sections. Cody Grivno
  • Make a forest of puff-ball trees. Neil Besougloff and David Popp
  • Uncover the basics of ground cover. Cody Grivno
  • Create a quiet grade crossing. Cody Grivno
  • Cast rocks in place. Cody Grivno
  • Add gravel parking lots and roads. Cody Grivno
  • Model water with two-part resin. Cody Grivno
  • Build a ballasted-deck bridge. Cody Grivno
  • Install modern car-stopping devices. Cody Grivno
• Painting and decaling
  • Learn the basics of airbrushing. Cody Grivno
  • Loosen paint jar caps. Cody Grivno
  • Airbrush models with acrylic paint. Cody Grivno
  • Paint yellow boxcars. Cody Grivno
  • Tint turn signals and taillights. Cody Grivno
  • Detail with different brands of decals. Cody Grivno
  • Model patch out freight cars. Cody Grivno
• Weathering
  • Weather and string line poles. Cody Grivno
  • Create hard-working diesel locomotives. Cody Grivno
  • Re-letter and weather steam engines. Cody Grivno
  • Make couplers look realistic. Cody Grivno
  • Produce great ghost lettering. Cody Grivno
  • Add grime with an airbrush. Cody Grivno
  • Apply washes with artist's oils. Cody Grivno
  • Weather with powdered pastels. Cody Grivno
  • Simulate rust with makeup applicators. Cody Grivno
  • Drybrush different weathering effects. Cody Grivno