Tour the HO scale (1:87.1) Chicago, Peoria & Western, John Brennan’s masterfully designed model railroad depicting the flatlands of Illinois in September 1940. Housed in a dedicated 35 x 45-foot building, this expansive walk-in empire features a 230-foot mainline modeled after the CB&Q, EJ&E, and Illinois Central. The open-grid benchwork supports meticulously handlaid code 70 […]
Our host Gerry Leone continues working on his HO scale Bona Vista layout, transforming the upper deck with a brand-new water feature. See how he uses Shaper Sheets to protect against resin leaks, harvests real limestone for perfectly matched river rocks, and even overcomes a bit of a misstep using clear coat spray. Plus, you […]
Facts and features Name: ZigZag Valley RR (ZZVR) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 23′-6″ x 44′-5″ Prototype: BNSF Ry. and Mt. Hood RR Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: June 1998 Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 460 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 main line, No. 5 yards Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: a combination of studwall, L-girder, […]
You can make the best models in the world, but as soon as you can see the layout room wall behind them, they tend to lose their feeling of realism. Adding a backdrop behind your layout is a great way to extend the miniature world beyond what you’ve modeled. Back in part 2 of our […]
Gerry Leone is goin’ to town… More precisely, the Smithtown site on his HO scale Bona Vista layout efforts to transform a drainage ditch into a scenic river! Watch as he uses clever caliper tricks to make precision-cut abutments, and then shim them for perfect track alignment. You’ll learn how to upgrade plain plastic with […]
Wm K. Walthers Inc., the Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based hobby manufacturer and distributor, has announced it will not publish its annual reference book in 2026, marking a shift for the nearly century-old company. In a statement to customers, Walthers acknowledged the importance the printed reference book has held for hobbyists over the years. “For many years, the […]
Gerry Leone is back at Smithtown on his HO scale Bona Vista layout for Part Two of his river expansion project! Watch as he converts two single-track plate girder bridges—including a forgotten scratchbuilt gem from his Master Model Railroader certification efforts—into one massive double-track span. You’ll learn clever tricks for dissolving clogged glue, scoring styrene […]
Many of us dream of a model railroad empire on a massive scale. While the time, space and resources required usually dictate whether or not that dream becomes a reality, it never hurts to be inspired. Whether you’re daring to dream or have what you need to dare yourself, explore these monster track plan recommendations! […]
Explore even more of the incredible world of mini Modutrak, as presented at Trainfest 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Host Gerry Leone catches up with Mark Runyan, as he represents this unique collective of N scale (1:160) modelers and shares some of the stunning features of the modular display. This assembly of “Jack of all trades” […]
Facts and features Name: Baltimore & Ohio Ridgely Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: extension: 8 x 8 feet, entire layout: 20 x 28 feet Prototype: Baltimore & Ohio, Western Maryland Locale: central West Virginia Era: 1967 Style: around the walls Mainline run: NA Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: none on main […]
Facts and features Name: Union Pacific Geneva Subdivision Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 17 x 25 feet Prototype: Union Pacific (ex-Chicago & North Western) Locale: West Chicago Yard to Clinton, Iowa Era: late summer 2000-2005 Style: multi-deck walk-in Mainline run: approximately 210 feet (not including helix or staging) Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum […]
Host Gerry Leone returns to the upper deck of his HO scale Bona Vista layout to tackle a “flat” problem. Watch as Gerry expands a tiny drainage creek into a wider, deeper river to add much-needed vertical relief. You’ll see him cut through sub-roadbed, repurpose deck girder bridges from a previous layout, and secure a new river […]
