The NMRA's Turntable is a monthly publication that, like a railroad turntable, will lead you in several directions on the internet. 



This e-publication is a collection of railroad and model railroad videos, podcasts, websites, and/or other information freely available on the internet that we think may be of interest to you. The NMRA claims no ownership of this information, nor do we endorse its creators or their websites. The NMRA Turntable will not promote individuals or their for-profit ventures.

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Do you like Coors beer, oil refineries, stock pens and passenger service, all in Colorado? Watch Chuck Lee describe his new freelanced HO scale model railroad, set in the 1980s with both BN, DRGW and UP influences as he gives a complete layout tour in this video. You will be astounded at how much he has accomplished in the past six years, including working signals and CTC and regular operating sessions.

Chuck delivered this slide show presentation to the "Second Saturday" series of Zoom layout tours hosted by the fourth division (https://4dpnr.com) of the Pacific Northwest Region (PNR) of the National Model Railroad Association.

Taking a thoughtful approach to weathering railcars is more than just following a series of steps. It's a mindset and a philosophy, though nothing overly complex. Here are some thoughts, with railcars weathered as discussion examples.

A very good and informative video on how to modernize your motive power fleet by installing ditch lights on your locomotives.

The Sacramento Model Railroad Historical Society is home to not one, but two HO scale layouts. One of these layouts is HOn3 narrow gauge, and the other is the Sierra Central, which models Western Pacific and Southern Pacific railroading from Oakland to Keddie, CA around the 1960s.

This is an operations-based layout with a full CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) machine which is the original Western Pacific CTC board that was used in the area modeled. This machine has been restored and now controls the signals and turnouts on the layout. When CTC is not being used, the layout can be operated using ABS (Automatic Block Signaling).

A discussion of one person's view on what is happening in the model railroading world regarding the ongoing question by some as to whether or not the hobby of model railroading is dying, growing or just going through a change in direction.

Here we look at a cool modeling project, CSXT 708218!  This car takes form using an Athearn RTR Railgon. You will see how to go about upgrading, modifying, and detailing this model to match the prototype car!

An update on the Wandering Spruce On30 layout showing progress that has been made on this portable model railroad over the past few months.

Although it currently is constructing both light rail and heavy rail transit systems, the Los Angeles area had, but then abandoned, an earlier streetcar network that was quite extensive. This telling, from the "This Is the Story" public radio program, describes what happens. It is a bit flip about some of the background history and comments are inserted in a couple of places to note more nuanced references to past events. Illustrations are provided to go along with the story.

A great convention needs an amazing location, and our hotel is the Westin Long Beach in downtown Long Beach. The Westin Long Beach is just two blocks from the beach, harbor, and pier. Directly across the street is the Center for Performing Arts and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

This just in:

The initial Convention Timetable is available. Updates to the Timetable will occur frequently, so check on it from time to time.

NOTE: The times & days of operation of the Celebration (Contest) room are different from previous years. Entries can now be entered on Sunday August 4th between 6pm & 9pm, Monday 8am to 6pm, and Tuesday only between 8am to 10am. Entries must be picked up between 6pm and 9pm on WEDNESDAY NIGHT! The awards ceremony will occur on Thursday afternoon as usual starting at 2pm.

Layout Bus Tour 5 added.

Check out the Layout Tours page for the details.  

Sign up for these tours when you register for the convention, or if you have already registered you can modify your registration to add any of these tours.

The Convention Team looks forward to seeing you in August!

This is the Official YouTube channel for the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). Here you will find over 350 videos including clinics, layout tours, reviews and how-to presentations along with the popular NMRAx clinics, all told there is about seven years' worth of material to look over and watch!

On June 18, 2016, a visit was made to the Pacific Electric Days at the Orange Empire Railway Museum (this has since been renamed the Southern California Railway Museum) in Perris, CA. The day was full of fun stuff to see, and at a vast location like the OERM, it was hard to decide what to film. The stars of the day were freight motor 1624, and the Pacific Electric Red Cars, also known as "Blimps". Seeing and hearing working machines from around 100 years ago is truly a sight to behold. So, sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Electric.

This is an in-depth review of Bachmann's latest HO Amtrak Siemens Venture Coach, showcasing ultra-modern passenger car excellence! Explore every detail, from design to performance, in this comprehensive analysis.

In this video a realistic transformer shipment is modeled. This is a smaller unit, say around 5MVA or so, on an Intermountain 70-ton flatcar. The transformer itself is from Artitec, thus is actually a European (AEG) prototype, but some slight modifications were made that make it look better for a domestic USA shipment.

A review of Bachmann's diminutive narrow-gauged Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0 Tank locomotive modeled in scale 1:76/OO9. The locomotive is named 'Alice' and it is painted in Dinorwic Quarry Red.

The following video shows some of this type of locomotive (including Alice) in preservation and operation.

A look at some of the preserved steam locomotives of Dinorwic Quarry, Llanberis

Starting off is a look at the Gilfach Ddu workshops at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, before taking a look at Bagnall Sybil under restoration at the West Lancashire Light Railway.

The remainder of the locomotives that will be looked at are of Hunslet design and build. First off are examples of the Alice class of Quarry Hunslet, Velinheli, King of the Scarlets, George B, Enid, Cloister, Holy War, Alice, Maid Marian and Irish Mail, then moving onto the Port Class with Dolbadarn and Michael, before finally taking a look at Jerry M.

The locomotives are seen at several locations including the Llanberis Lake Railway, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, West Lancashire Light Railway, Threlkeld Quarry Railway, Statfold Barn Railway and Bala Lake Railway.

At 100 cars, this was one of the longest trains ever operated over this railroad and care was needed to transverse the railroad grades with a train of this length.

How to scratch build a skeleton log car for your model railroad. A list of parts and tools needed is provided for this relatively easy scratch building project. This is a good starter project to introduce you to the world of scratch building and the satisfaction that can be achieved when your creation is finished!

March 23, 2024, was a somber day in the San Juan Mountains of La Plata County in Durango Colorado at the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad yard.  For 139 years, the railroad had been powered by coal-fired steam locomotives until after it began converting its locomotives from coal to oil fire to help mitigate the chances of fire ignition after the 416 wildfire was started near the trackside, possibly from a passing train, whether from the locomotive or a passenger’s carelessly thrown cigarette. One by one, the steam locomotives were turned from burning the bituminous rock to recycled waste oil.

Watch as the locomotive hostlers shake the coal and ashes from the ashpan for the final time and 481 rolls into the stall of the roundhouse to begin her 'Rebirth of a Locomotive', well, into an oil-burner.

All about freight rail car springs. This video shows defects and types of springs on rail freight cars along with the springs getting compressed as the car is loaded and decompressed as the car is getting unloaded. Also shown are some rail car spring groups and patterns of groups along with a nest of springs and spring designations.

The NMRA Partnership Program is a member benefit that truly has a tangible payback. We've partnered with model railroad manufacturers of all sizes, giving them exposure on our website in return for receiving generous discounts for NMRA members all year long. Some provide members with special codes, others prefer a phone or email order, but all appreciate the additional business from our members. And of course, our members appreciate the extra savings...savings that can actually pay the cost of NMRA membership!

Also, be sure to check back often as new Partners are being added all the time!

Exciting News! We are thrilled to welcome Model Railway Backshop to our esteemed NMRA family of partners! It's partners like this who help us bring unparalleled Discounts and exclusive Member Benefits directly to you! Model Railway Backshop is a game-changer in the world of model railroading, specializing in making your brass model trains look and sound like the real deal. Whether you're a collector, operator, or a visionary building your dream railway, their attention to detail ensures a prototypical appearance for your models.

Dive into the realm of authenticity with high-fidelity DCC & Sound Decoders that capture the genuine whistle and bell sounds of the locomotives you adore. Plus, their expert precision paintwork will elevate your models' value above and beyond a factory paint job.

We are also thrilled to announce White Rose Hobbies as our newest NMRA Partner! 

This hobby shop just recently announced the acquisition of Bethlehem Car Works. At White Rose Hobbies, they offer model trains for any enthusiast. Whether you prefer O scale, N scale, or HO scale model trains, you’ll find a wide selection of trains in your preferred scale. In addition, they offer model train supplies including DCC, model scenery, and electronics & wiring supplies. Most U.S. orders ship the same day they’re placed.