How To Track Plan Database The HO scale Cincinnati Traction layout

The HO scale Cincinnati Traction layout

By Mitch Horner | September 10, 2025

A portable layout in a permanent home

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Facts and features

Name: Cincinnati Traction
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Size: 2′-6″ x 14′-6″
Prototype: Cincinnati Street Ry. (city streetcars) and Cincinnati & Lake Erie (interurban)
Locale: Cincinnati, Ohio
Era: 1930s and ’40s
Style: shelf
Mainline run: Approximately 24 feet (dogbone on interurban rapid transit line)
Minimum radius: 7″ on streetcar line, 11″ on interurban rapid transit line
Minimum turnout: not applicable
Maximum grade: none
Benchwork: open grid
Height: 43″ (interurban rapid transit level), 471∕2″ (city streetcar loop level)
Roadbed: 1∕2″ Homasote
Track: code 70 flextrack and handlaid track on interurban rapid transit line, code 100 flextrack in paved streets on city streetcar loop
Scenery: carved extruded-foam insulation board and Sculptamold
Backdrop: hand painted on 3∕4″ extruded-foam insulation board
Control: DC via overhead wire

A model railroad track plan for the Cincinnati street railway layout

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