Follow Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White as he demonstrates how to scratchbuild generators for the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park Project Railroad. Using manufactured shipping containers as a guide, Eric constructs the generator structures using .040″ styrene sheets. He details the process of cutting and assembling the frame for the units, and then installing intricate clapboard siding to represent the generator’s louvers.
Be sure to keep up with the construction progress by linking into the Trains.com Workshop Webcam (available 24/7), and the full series of helpful, instructional videos rolling out every month until the effort concludes. Even then, the fun will continue in frequent Trains.com articles/updates and Model Railroader print features, beginning with the January 2026 issue. You won’t want to miss the Expert Tips and Techniques the crew will share with you along the way, as they have a bit of fun bringing the ETIP into fruition!
Looks good keep them coming Eric.
Anybody else notice how many different kinds of glue he used to put this together?
For an interesting side note, plant where worked used gensets that were in containers. The only indication they weren’t a normal container were the exhausts on top, grills in the sides, diesel fill, and power lines coming out the side. If you didn’t know, they’d look just like any other container sitting there.