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Digital Hobby Books

Shop digital books from your favorite brands including Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, and Finescale Modeler!

Links below will take you to Barnes & Noble where you can purchase and access these books from Kalmbach Media.

"Modeler's Guide To The Right Of Way" book

Modeler’s Guide to the Right of Way

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Allen McClelland and His Virginian & Ohio book

Allen McClelland and His Virginian & Ohio

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Combining Scales for Realistic Dioramas book

Combining Scales for Realistic Dioramas

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Your Guide to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse book

Your Guide to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

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The Railroading Handbook

The Railroading Handbook

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Electro Motive E and F Units magazine cover

Guide to Electro-Motive E and F Units

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Freight Car Loads book cover

Model Realistic Freight Car Loads

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Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery

Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery

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How Steam Locomotives Work

How Steam Locomotives Work

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Building What’s in a Photo

Building What’s in a Photo

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The book cover shows the Big Boy

Union Pacific’s Big Boys

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the cover shows a multi deck HO scale layout

Multideck Design for Model Railroads

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An HO scale scene with a Santa Fe engine

Building the Right-Sized Layout

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the cover features a freight train

Classic Railroad Scenes: Railroads at Work

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the cover shows a freight train crossing a bridge over a river

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Bridges & Trestles

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The cover shows a white caboose

Guide to North American Cabooses

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the cover shows a HO scale diesel train by stacked shipping containers

How to Design a Model Railroad

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the cover shows a HO scale train yard with a diesel train by signal lights

Guide to Signals & Interlockings

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the cover shows a steam locomotive

Tourist Trains Guidebook, Eighth Edition

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the cover shows a train yard with cars filled with iron ore

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Iron Ore Railroads

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Applying Lessons from the Prototype cover showing a layout

Applying Lessons from the Prototype

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Build your first layout cover showing diesel train on a layout

Build Your First Layout

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modeling cities and towns cover showing a black and white photo of a city by a railroad

Modeling Cities & Towns

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Modeling world war two in the pacific cover showing models of a battleship, a bomber, and a tank

Modeling World War II in the Pacific

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Conrail and its predecessors cover showing a blue conrail diesel

Conrail and Its Predecessors

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Realistic layouts cover showing steam train on a layout

Realistic Layouts

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Milk trains and traffic cover showing a black and white photo of a milk truck next to a train car

Milk Trains and Traffic

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Modeling Aircraft cover showing a fighter jet and a large plane model

Modeling Aircraft

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Turbine power cover showing a diesel by a depot

Turbine Power

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Time saving techniques for building model railroads cover showing author Tony Koester working on a layout

Time-Saving Techniques for Building Model Railroads

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build three model railroader project layouts cover showing three photos of different layouts

Build 3 Model Railroader Project Layouts

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Real stories of the rails cover showing a silouette of a train conductor

Real Stories of the Rails

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DCC projects and applications volume 4 cover showing a pair of hands holding a controller in front of a layout

DCC Projects & Applications Vol. 4

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Getting started in model railroading cover showing benchwork with a variety of tools and a diesel train model

Getting Started in Scale Modeling

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Modern Freight Cars cover showing a photo of a rail yard

Modern Freight Cars

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classic railroad scenes cover showing a vintage photo of a streamlined engine in a train depot

Classic Railroad Scenes

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modeling world war 2 in europe cover showing a battleship, and bomber, and tank models

Modeling World War II in Europe

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build big and small industries for your model railroad cover showing an industrial section of a layout

Build Big and Small Industries for Your Model Railroad

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railroading and the automobile industry showing a train layout and a couple of black and white photos showing cars loading up on a train car

Railroading & The Automobile Industry

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steam and diesel locomotive servicing terminals cover showing a layout with a depot and a passenger train

Steam & Diesel Locomotive Servicing Terminals

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wiring projects for you model railroad showig a passenger train in a train crossing on a layout

Wiring Projects for Your Model Railroad

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Produce traffic and trains showing a photo of a fork lift next to a train

Done in a Day

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Out of this World Modeling cover with an X-Wing fighter model and the starship Enterprise model.

Out of This World Modeling

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Detailing and Upgrading Steam Locomotives cover showing a model steam engine on a layout

Detailing and Upgrading Steam Locomotives

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the historic north american locomotives cover with a streamlined and steam engine illustrated against a white background

Historic North American Locomotives

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Biran Solomon's Railway Guide to Europe

Brian Solomon’s Railway Guide to Europe

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Building vehicles for your model railroad cover shows a section of a layout with model buildings and traffic

Building Vehicles for Model Railroads

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waterfront terminals and operations cover shows a diesel model in front of a ship on water

Waterfront Terminals and Operations

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guide to north american diesel locomotives cover shows an orange bnsf diesel with mountains in the background

Guide to North American Diesel Locomotives

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modeling the transition era cover shows a layout with steam and diesel passenger trains

Modeling the Transition Era

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building a sectional layout cover shows a model diesel train in front of an industrial section

Building a Sectional Layout

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piggy back and container traffic cover shows a flat car with a semi trailer on top

Piggyback & Container Traffic

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collectible lionel classics cover showing a red lionel diese

Collectible Lionel Classics

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beginner's guide to locomotives and rolling stock cover shows a variety of HO scale models

Beginner’s Guide to Locomotives & Rolling Stock

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space saving industries cover shows a section of a HO layout

Space-Saving Industries for Your Layout

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Shep Paine's Armor Modelers Guide cover shows a tank model

Shep Paine’s Armor Modelers Guide

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The Allegheny Midland cover shows three photos of a heavily wooded train layout

The Allegheny Midland

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25 freight car projects cover shows a collection of HO scale freight car models

25 Freight Car Projects

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airbrushing for scale modelers cover shows an airbrushed tank, plane, and a airbrush gun

Airbrushing for Scale Modelers

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guide to north american steam locomotives cover shows a black and white photo of a steam locomotive

Guide to North American Steam Locomotives

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45 original track plans cover shows a couple of illustrated track plans

45 Original Track Plans

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Track Planning for Realistic operation cover shows a HO scale railroad scene

Track Planning for Realistic Operation

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guide to narrow gauge modeling cover shows a photo of steam locomotive

Guide to Narrow Gauge Modeling

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Model Railroader's Guide to Mountain Railroading cover shows three photos of trains in mountain scenery

Model Railroader’s Guide to Mountain Railroading

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model railroads go to war cover shows a photo of an armored train car

Model Railroads Go to War

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design and building multi-deck model railroads cover shows four photos showing tony koester by a multi deck layout, a track plan, and parts of the layout

Design and Building Multi-Deck Model Railroads

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the model railroader's guide to grain cover shows a model of a large building next to a diesel locomotive

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Grain

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industries along the tracks 4 cover shows a couple of photos of flat cars with building materials on it

Industries Along the Tracks 4

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modeling airliners cover shows a model of an airliner and close ups of a modeler detailing the model

Modeling Airliners

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livestock and meatpacking cover shows a variety of black and white photos of trains shipping livestock

Livestock & Meatpacking

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wiring your model railroad cover shows controllers, wire, wire cutters, and other tools

Wiring Your Model Railroad

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realistic animation lighting and sound cover shows a layout with lights on bulidings, lamp posts and a passenger train

Realistic Animation, Lighting & Sound

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the historical guide to north american railroads cover shows a photo of a steam engine

The Historical Guide to North American Railroads

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classic combat aircraft vol 2 cover shows a model world war 2 fighter plane

Classic Combat Aircraft Vol. 2

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model railroad bridges and trestles volume 2 shows a model diesel train on a bridge

Model Railroad Bridges and Trestles, Vol. 2

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the model railroader's guide to steel mills cover shows various images of steel mills

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Steel Mills

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the model railroader's guide to logging railroads shows various photos of of the logging industry and trains

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Logging Railroads

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50 ways to a better looking layout cover shows a downtown scene and a diesel train model

50 Ways to a Better-Looking Layout

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n scale railroading showing a full n scale layout

N Scale Railroading

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building dioramas shows a model or world war 2 german soldiers on a motorcycle half track

Building Dioramas

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101 More Track pland for model railroaders show an illustrated track plan

101 More Track Plans for Model Railroaders

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essential skills for scale modelers cover shows a model jet fighter, a tank, and a model figure

Essential Skills for Scale Modelers

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structure projects for your model railroad cover shows a HO layout showing a train by a group of buildings

Structure Projects for Your Model Railroad

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track plans for lionel fastrack cover shows a variety of illustrated track plans

Track Plans for Lionel FasTrack

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scenery techniques for toy trains cover shows an o gauge layout

Scenery Techniques for Toy Trains

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wiring your toy train layout cover shows an o gauge train by a control panel

Wiring Your Toy Train Layout

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realistic toy trains cover shows a full o gauge layout

Realistic Modeling for Toy Trains

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command control for toy trains shows a close up of a red o gauge diesel locomotive

Command Control for Toy Trains

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track work for toy trains cover shows an o gauge diesel locomotive with different types of o gauge track

Trackwork for Toy Trains

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build a better toy train layout cover shows an o gauge layout

Build a Better Toy Train Layout

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101 classic toy trains cover shows two vintage o gauge streamlined locomotives

101 Classic Toy Trains

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Basic Paintin and Weathering for Model Railroaders shows a hand painting an HO scale diesel locomotive

Basic Painting & Weathering for Model Railroaders

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Basic trackwork for model railroaders cover shows a variety of track and tools

Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders

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basic model railroad benchwork cover shows a variety of tools and wood by a HO scale diesel model

Basic Model Railroad Benchwork

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starter track plans for model railroaders shows an HO scale diesel model, track, illustrated track plans, anda pencil

Starter Track Plans for Model Railroaders

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The DCC guid cover shows a hand holding a controller in front of two ho scale diesel locomotives

The DCC Guide, 2nd Edition

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basic dcc wiring for your model railroader cover shows a model diesel locomotive opened, revealing it's electronic innards

Basic DCC Wiring for Your Model Railroad

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Workshop Tips and Projects for MOdel Railroaders cover showing Cody Grivno working on a model

Workshop Tips and Project

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101 track plans for model railroads cover shows an illustrated track plan

101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders

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building a model railroad step by step cover shows a variety of photos of a layout in progress

Building a Model Railroad Step by Step

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model railroading in small spaces shows a variety of photos of smaller layouts

Model Railroading in Small Spaces

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Shelf Layouts for Model Railroads cover shows a variety of illustrated track plans

Shelf Layouts for Model Railroads

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How to build realistic model railroad scenery cover shows a photo of a ho layout

How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery

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express mail and merchandise service cover shows a vintage photo of a mail delivery truck

Express, Mail & Merchandise Service

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Cover shows a HO layout

Easy Model Railroad Scenery Projects

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the cover shows a railyard full of freight cars

Freight Cars of the ’40s and ’50s

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Cover shows a colored track

Planning Your Model Railroad

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The book cover shows a variety of track plans and a black and white photo of a diesel locotmotive

Compact Layout Design

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Cover shows a lit downtown setting on a layout

How to Kitbash Structures

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The book cover shows an HO scale layout featuring older style passenger and diesel locomotives

Modeling the ’50s

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cover shows various photos of scenic areas on a HO layout

Planning Scenery for Your Model Railroad

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the cover shows photos of time table, a diesel locomotive, and a train light

Realistic Model Railroad Operation

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the covers hows an HO layout

Realistic Model Railroad Operation, 2nd Edition

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the cover shows photos of diesel locomotive models, a trackplan, and a boxcar model

Realistic Model Railroad Design

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the cover showing photos of various painted backdrops

Painting Backdrops

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the cover shows a variety of photos showing HO layouts with various seasons

Scenery by the Seasons

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the cover shows a variety of photos of working on a HO layout and a real diesel locomotive

Rebuilding a Layout from A-Z

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the cover shows a variety of photos showing diesel locomotives and train cars

Done in a Day

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the covers showing a variety of photos showing a layout being built

Build a Ready-to-Run Model Railroad

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the cover shows three photos of diesel locomotives

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Diesel Locomotives

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the covers hows a closeup of freight car models

Detailing Projects for Freight Cars & Locomotives

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the cover shows various images of diesel locomotives model

Detailing Diesel Locomotives

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the cover showing three black and white photos of trains by varous structures

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Trackside Structures

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the cover shows a variety of photos of a diesel locomotive on a coal rail line

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Coal Railroading

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The cover shows various photos of vintage passenger and equipment trains

Passenger Equipment & Operation

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the cover showing a variety of photos showing servicing terminals

Locomotive Servicing Terminals

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the cover showing three photos of freight yards

The Model Railroader’s Guide to Freight Yards

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the cover showing photos of a trackplan and vintage steam engines

Industries Along the Tracks

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the cover showing three photos of vintage train operations

Industries Along the Tracks 2

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the cover showing 3 photos of various train operations

Industries Along the Tracks 3

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the cover showing three photos of HO layouts with bridges

Bridges, Trestles & Tunnels

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the cover shows a HO layout with an amtrak train on a bridge

Basic Model Railroading

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the cover shows a piece of HO track along with tools

Basic Trackwork for Model Railroaders

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The cover shows a layout work in progress with various tools and supplies for scenery

Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders

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the cover showing a ho layout with a steam locomotive, houses, and nature

Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders, 2nd Edition

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the cover shows a close up of a hand holding a brush that's painting a diesel locomotive ho scale model

Basic Painting and Weathering

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Cover shows various photos of ho structures being painted and detailed

Basic Structure Modeling

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the cover shows an o scale diesel locomotive and various layouts

Creative Toy Train Track Plans

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the cover shows a streamlined o scaled steam engine and a wiring diagram

Wiring Handbook for Toy Trains

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the cover shows various tools and an o scale diesel locomotive

Modern Toy Train Repair and Maintenance

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the cover shows various images of detailing sherman tanks

Building and Detailing Realistic Sherman Tanks

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the cover shows various images of airbrushed models and a hand holding an airbrush

How to Use an Airbrush, 2nd Edition

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the cover shows various details of model aircraft

Building and Detailing Model Aircraft

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the cover shows various images of structures on a garden railway

Building Structures for Your Garden Railway

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the cover showing three images of a garden layout in various stages of construction

Garden Railway Basics

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The cover shows a steam engine on a garden railway layout

Garden Railroading: Getting Started

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the cover shows a small garden with a train layout

Miniature Garden Guidebook

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