Story by Shawn Branstetter The age-old question. But can anyone really provide an answer? My personal belief is no. That is a question that you, the modeler, must answer on your own. Now there are many thoughts on the matter and all seem to be pros and cons for both sides. This article will be no exception. Its purpose is to speak to the modeler who is new to the hobby surfing to gather information on model railroading. more →
The Stockton & Copperopolis Railway
Story and Photos by Don Ball, Why would anyone model an obscure shortline with a name that sounds like it’s out of a Carl Fallberg drawing? The Stockton & Copperopolis Railroad was a poor 49-mile long line that probably should never have been built but it lasted for over one hundred years and it inspired me enough to try to reproduce it in my basement. more →
Weekly Inspiration #3
A weekly series of web and user inspiration. This will just be images and links to inspire you. If you have photos or links to share, pass them along. more →
The Stockton & Copperopolis Railway
Story and Photos by Don Ball, Why would anyone model an obscure shortline with a name that sounds like it’s out of a Carl Fallberg drawing? The Stockton & Copperopolis Railroad was a poor 49-mile long line that probably should never have been built but it lasted for over one hundred years and it inspired me enough to try to reproduce it in my basement. more →
Weekly Inspiration #2
A weekly series of web and user inspiration. This will just be images and links to inspire you. If you have photos or links to share, pass them along. Models and Photos by Jack Burgess more →
Sierra Railway’s Angels Branch
Story by Shawn Branstetter, Photos from the collection of Steven Cope, Ambitions California’s Gold Rush in 1849 saw fortune seekers from all around the world hoping to strike it rich. As the mines and timber mills in Toulumne and Calaveras Counties grew in numbers, so was the need to transport the material. Seeing that need, Thomas S. Bullock, with the help of William Crocker and Prince Andre Poniatowski in 1897, began construction on a line that would branch off of the Southern Pacific in Oakdale... more
Some Thoughts on Podcasting
Story by Shawn Branstetter, Podcasting is not a new idea. The technology has been around for sometime and ever since Apple’s iTunes was released, podcasting has been getting more popular and easier to access. What is podcasting? Wikipedia defines it as a series of digital computer files, usually either digital audio or video, that is released periodically and made available for download by means of web syndication. more →
Why Wait?
Story by Shawn Branstetter, Photos by Chuck Doan, For some of us in the hobby, life is just to demanding to build a model railroad. There is just not enough time or space to create the layout of your dreams. Then there are those, like me, who just can’t decide what they want to build. Do I want a European “Troop Train” set in France in WWII? Yes. I love the Hetch Hetchy Railroad and would love to build a Proto48 layout based on it. more →
Weekly Inspiration #1
We are beginning a new weekly series of web and user inspiration. This will just be images and links to inspire you. If you have photos or links to share, pass them along. more →
We Are Looking for Authors
Shortline Modelers Lounge is looking for modelers who want to share information or modeling techniques with us. We are currently looking for layout tours, track laying tips, weathering and scenery ideas. Anyone is welcome to submit and if published, you will get paid. If you have any questions for us, please feel free to contact us at shortlinemodelers@gmail.com. →
Weathering Wood for Beginners
Story and Photos by Shawn Branstetter, When I first started in the hobby one of my biggest challenges was staining wood. It was to me what a blank piece of paper is to someone who can’t draw, frightening. I didn’t understand that I could practice on scrap first and then tackle the real stuff. Now I know there a million articles in magazines all across the globe which have done “how-to’s” on this subject, however, this one is targeted to the very beginner. more →




