No. 24 meets No. 17 The Laker at Waupaca, WI in late August 1954.  Models and photos by Mark Preussler.

  Model Railroading- taken to the level as seen above, combines several different types of skill sets.  Prototype research, basic carpentry, electrical wiring, scenic detailing, and model operations are represented here.

By visiting the various pages I have created, you will learn the techniques I employ to create a highly realistic HO scale model railroad and discover how you can do it yourself! 

Model Railroading in any scale provides an opportunity for family involvement.  My dad was the one who started me off in this lifelong hobby.  Through the years I have met so many wonderful friends and mentors who have helped me to take my modeling efforts beyond what I dreamed of 30 years ago.  However, it remains those first steps with my dad into this grand hobby that I remember fondest.  My hope is that you are able to share model railroading with someone close to you as well!

 Model railroading is a hobby that can be shared with others!  Here, members from the Lakeshore Area Prototype Modelers watch a detour of a SP&W Yellowstone locomotive and its long train pass through Waupaca, WI over the rails of the Soo Line railroad.

For those not familiar with the hobby, a good place to start is the National Model Railroad Association.  They are found on the web at www.nmra.org   If you enjoy modeling or are just  interested in learning more about how other model railroaders are enjoying the hobby, why not check out a local club in your area?  Most cities and even smaller towns have model railroad clubs located nearby.  Many clubs are linked to the national NMRA website via NMRA region and division pages.

Now that you are on your way to becoming an active model railroader, the next step is to click on my other pages listed at right to explore each of the aspects that make model railroading the "king of hobbies"!  "Prototype Railroad Inspirations" examines what got me into the hobby as well as what guides my modeling efforts today.  From there, the pages dedicated to design, benchwork, trackwork, wiring, and scenery will give you the platform to build your own empire!  Remember, a layout doesn't need to be immense to be great!  Once your layout is operational you'll need to check out my page dedicated to model railroad operations!  There is so much more than just running trains in a circle and operating your railroad in a prototypical manner will show you how.  So, let your journey into the world of scale model railroading begin-

  ALL ABOARD! 

The authors favorite, Soo Line No. 1003 heads out of Plymouth, WI on a snowy December afternoon in 2007.  The loco is owned by a group based in Hartford, WI dedicated to keeping the history of steam alive and is operating here on the trackage of the Wisconsin Southern RR.  Originally, this trackage was owned by the Milwaukee Road RR. and its predecessors.