A quick and simple method to get rid of the plastic new freight car look is to spray a light coat of Dullcoat.  This will take away the 'toy' train look of your layout.  If you don't have any Testor's Dullcoat you can use any Matte Finish spray to get the same results.  Just a simple spray to each side and let dry.  This can be done to any plastic kits also.

Micro-Trains 2 Story Barracks Build by Modelersguild.com

These Micro Trains kits are nice, real nice. A few nights build time and you have a piece for [ ... ]

Never had a blog but now seems just as good a time as any to start one. I think that I never really had a good subject to write on but chronicling the [ ... ]

I've read lots of advice, howto, intro, and helpful things on the internet about modeling railroads.

But nowhere is there any information for the beginner, [ ... ]