O Scale Trains

I tinkered around at the bench and after looking over the prototype photos Greg Elems sent, I came up with the arrangement shown below. I think it turned out well. (more…)

I’ve updated the Cougill Studios website with new pages featuring the boxcar project also seen here. I’ll be adding more photos and comments about it in both places soon.
Regards,
Mike Cougill

I managed to get reacquainted with my modeling bench over the weekend, and made progress on the Pullman Standard 5344 project. I came up with a representation of the cushioned draft gear using the Protocraft couplers and with a little more experimenting, I think it will work out nicely. I’ll post some photos when I have something worth looking at.
Regards,
Mike

As mentioned in my review of the new Protocraft Type E couplers in issue #49, here are some additional photos and thoughts on the product. (more…)

I thought I would post some in-progress photos of my 1970s era Pullman Standard boxcar. It’s scratchbuilt out of styrene. I had it at the Naperville show last fall. (more…)

Joe Giannovario, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of O Scale Trains Magazine, and Mike Cougill, the current Managing Editor of O Scale Trains Magazine, have joined forces to create a new publishing company, OST Publications, Inc., a separate and distinct entity from the magazine.

“The art and craft of scratchbuilding is alive and well in O Scale and P48 modeling circles. We’ve heard many times over that O Scale modelers have a hard time finding material that speaks directly to their interests in the hobby. We hope to change that,” says Mike Cougill, the new company’s Vice President and Creative Projects Director. He adds: “The new company will produce books and other information aimed at enhancing the O Scale modeling experience for the intermediate to advanced modeler who is looking to further their skills and enjoyment of the hobby. We hope to provide as much inspiration as information.”

First up for OST Publications, Inc., will be a book on modeling track authored by Mike Cougill, titled Detailing Trackwork. The release date is planned for late October 2010. A second publication in the works is a Proto48 Handbook, an introductory guide to Proto48 (also known as P48). Other projects are under discussion and will be announced as plans firm up.

Mike Cougill, brings a writer’s and artist’s approach and insights, while Company President, Joe Giannovario brings over twenty-five years of book and magazine publishing experience to the company’s business administration.

For more information, contact Joe Giannovario or Mike Cougill via the OST website Contact form.

From the P48 Yahoo group, John Pautz of American Switch & Signal announced he will be making a #8.5 turnout frog in code 83, which represents 50-55 lb. rail on the prototype. (more…)

The photo below shows a detail that can help lift your model track from ordinary to extraordinary. (more…)

Model railroading and a 16th Century Spanish explorer? You may remember Cortez from world history class. He was going to conquer Mexico and the Aztecs and take all the gold and other loot for the Spanish crown. Upon arrival in Mexico, some of the five hundred troops began having second thoughts about the whole idea and asked: “How are we getting home?” or something to that effect. In response Cortez burned all the ships. The men suddenly had a lot to think about and get motivated over, like survival. (more…)

We’ve had this blog platform for quite a while now and, let’s face it, not much is happening here. Truth is a blog without a blogger is digital dead air. (more…)