scratch building

I’ve decided to scratch build a pair of N Scale Crossing signals with gates. I found some gates at the Amherst Train Show earlier this year and I already had several crossing buck signs from a previous layout. The part I need to construct somehow is the assembly circled in the photo below. Any...

I am scratchbuilding a turntable, and I'd like to operate it using DCC. I don't need a sound decoder or one that controls extra functions, just one that controls the speed and direction of the motor I'm using. Any recommendations for decoders to use for this purpose?

I was anxious to finish my Craigellachie (The CPR Last Spike) depot, when I realized that I didn't have enough material to finish the platform. The Craigellachie depot is a fairly simple structure, so I wanted to dress it up a little with some ship decking material for a more realistic looking...

This is an N scale version using mostly balsa, miscellaneous dowels, and two tuna cans. All scales, (N, HO, OO, O) can be constructed using basic materials and common hardware store materials. To make life easier for the N scale version I used Plastruct railings and stairs. There are thirty...

Hi All, My LHS had a carboard box with several of these in it priced at 7.99. It looks like they were "used", as they were already assembled. I bought 6 of them. Does anyone know who makes them? Also, my friends and I have always called these couplers "McCrappies". Is that a bad rap...