Booklets and Magazine Articles

I have well over 30 years experience as a published author, mostly writing how-to articles on hobby topics. When I began building my model railroad in 2006, it wasn't long before I started writing about it for Garden Railways magazine. These issues are now out of print but digital versions are available online for subscribers. Later I wrote several articles for Model Railroad Hobbyist, a digital-only magazine.

During the 1990s and early 2000s I wrote articles for High Power Rockety and Extreme Rocketry magazines, primarily with an emphasis on camera payloads and aerial photography. I don't currently have a list of those magazine articles. I also wrote two booklets. Both the magazine articles and booklets are now out of print.

Model Railroading Publications:

Miniature Masonry Part 1

How To Build Real Stone Retaining Walls

Garden Railways April 2009

Miniature Masonry Part 2

How To Build Real Stone Arch Bridges

Garden Railways June 2009

Portraits In Clay Part 1

How To Sculpt Realistic Figures

Garden Railways Dec. 2009

Portraits In Clay Part 2

How To Sculpt Realistic Figures

Garden Railways Feb. 2010

Portraits In Clay Part 3

How To Sculpt Realistic Figures

Garden Railways April 2010

Portraits In Clay Part 4

How To Paint Large Scale Figures

Garden Railways June 2010

The Concrete Bungle

If I’d Only Known...

A short article on replacing the concrete access panels over my tunnels.

Garden Railways April 2011

The In-ko-pah Railroad

A unique line set into a hillside.

This was a feature article on my 1/24th scale In-ko-pah Railroad.

Garden Railways Dec. 2011

Build A Rustic Structure Part 1

Styrene construction is easier than you think.

This two-part article explains how to make realistic, weathered rustic structures using styrene to simulate wood.

Garden Railways Dec. 2012

Build A Rustic Structure Part 2

Styrene construction is easier than you think.

Part two of this series finishes up construction and covers paint and weathering.

Garden Railways Feb. 2013

Creating A Radio-Controlled Railbus

Scratchbuilding the “Tin Lizard."

This article explains how I built a Model T railbus, including choosing the motor and electronics.

Garden Railways June 2014

Modeling With Sintra Part 1

Using PVC board to model a stone building.

The first of three parts detailing the use of this versatile material to create realistic scale structures.

Garden Railways April 2017

Modeling With Sintra Part 2

Using PVC board to model a brick building.

The second of three parts detailing the use of this versatile material to create realistic scale structures.

Garden Railways June 2017

Modeling With Sintra Part 3

Reproducing wood, concrete and stucco.

The last of three parts detailing the use of this versatile material to create realistic scale structures.

Garden Railways Aug. 2017

Hand-painted Signs

Durable, realistic signs made easy.

Stencils made from printable vinyl are used to replicate signs on buildings and other structures.

Garden Railways Feb. 2018

Imagineering: Introductions

Exploring the creative side of the hobby.

The first in a series by modelers of freelanced railroads. This issue introduced the six columnists, including myself.

MRH April 2015

Imagineering: The In-ko-pah Railroad

Combining real-life elements to create a believable fantasy.

In my first full-length column I introduce the In-ko-pah Railroad and my approach to modeling.

MRH June 2015

Buildings On The In-ko-pah Railroad

Designing realistic freelanced structures for a fictional railroad.

In my second column for Model Railroad Hobbyist, I explain how I design and build freelanced structures that fit my theme.

MRH June 2016

Developing Modeling Skills

Anyone can learn to create custom models.

In my third column for Model Railroad Hobbyist, I talk about how modelers in any scale can develop their scratchbuilding skills to create structures unique to their layout.

MRH March 2017

Creative Architecture

A structure in an odd space.

In this column I show how I designed and built a building to fit the limitations of the site.

This column was published in “Running Extra,”a fee-based addition to the free magazine.

MRH March 2019

I wrote one other column for Model Railroad Hobbyist, titled “The Scene and The Unseen” but I don’t know whether it was ever published.

From Styrene To Wood

A structure in an odd space.

I had a chapter in the 2013 issue of The Modeler’s Annual about using styrene to realistically model heavily-weathered wooden structures.

Modeler's Annual 2013

Rocketry Publications:

A Guide To Camera Payloads

Forty-page booklet all about building and flying custom rockets with onboard cameras. Includes photos, illustrations and information on modifying and using 35mm cameras, Super 8 movie cameras, and some early methods of recording video.

Originally published by Extreme Rocketry magazine, it was later available from ARA Press. It has been out of print for several years, and much of the information would be very outdated now.


A Guide To Staging High Power Rockets

Twenty-page booklet packed with photos, illustrations and information on building and flying multi-stage rockets. Three different styles of staging are discussed: In-line staging; Parallel staging; and Parasite staging. Includes methods of timing, ignition, and recover.

Originally published by Extreme Rocketry magazine, it was later available from ARA Press. It has been out of print for several years, and some of the methods used are no longer permitted at most sanctioned launches.