Trains.com and Model Railroader magazine unite to launch an all-new project railroad! Series host David Popp leads the way into the initial overview and planning of this N scale (1:160) layout. This mid-sized, stand-alone model railroad draws inspiration from the legendary HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy, so you’ll see plenty of new and familiar hands ready and willing to help in the forthcoming construction stages!
Introducing the MR&T State Line Route in N scale, Episode 1
By Kent Johnson | July 29, 2021
| Last updated on August 2, 2021
Amtrak from Milwaukee to Rockford… *sigh* from your mouth to Amtrak’s ears? Looks like a great project. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.
wondering when you plan to post the track and bench plans for printing?
I am bummed that you dropped the Rehab My Railroad Jones Island Project. I don’t think it was finished.
Wonderful idea!! Just what I’ve been looking for without getting into formal module creation things like N-Rail (N-Track, T-Trak, FeeMoN, etc.)
At least we know what David’s been working on in the webcam view for the past few weeks!
Looking forward to printable copies of the track plans for the initial pair and for the “add-on” modules. By the way, David Popp’s introductory commentary was excellent and opened my eyes to a better way to plan my next N-scale layout.
Allen Nordmeier
How about operating signals this time around????
Looks promising, can’t wait for the next installment. Will there be a run of N-Scale MR&T freight cars as well?
For those asking about the On30 Sand Creek layout, watch the recent Cody’s Office episode. David explains what is going on with that layout.
Stay safe all! Maurice
Looking forward to this new series for ideas. What is going on with “Rehab my Layout”? I also look forward to the updates as the crew at MR has given me lots of ideas and inspiration. Thanks
Building for expansion is always a good idea. I just “retired” the two 3×3 foot pieces of my original N scale from 1982 which grew in stages to 10 by 11, 14 by 15, 15 by 19 and is now 20 by 30. Several household moves were involved. Being able to re-use previous construction allowed for always having a “finished” layout rather than trying to tackle building a “large” layout all at once.
Can’t wait for the entire series so I can binge watch. I’ve always liked the series construction videos from benchwork through equipment weathering. Thank you!
What a great idea David. I especially like the expansion potential of the layout and the distribution of townscapes and industrial areas that you described. I too like the Beaver Creek bridge scene, inspired me to include a steel bridge and creek scene on my layout. Be sure to include a logical vehicular road layout as well to tie the parts together. Thanks.
Is Sand Creek dead???
Vert cool, David. Looking forward to following along an this N-Scale MR&T build.
One “state line” railroad I’ve always though might make an interesting model railroad is a former CNW branch-line that ran from Kenosha WI to Rockford IL, known as “The KD Line”, or Kenosha Division. It ran through several small towns in both states with several interchanges along the way.
One interesting junction was with the CNW’s “Millionaire Line” that ran from Chicago to Lake Geneva and Williams Bay WI. It crossed the KD at Genoa Jct. (now Genoa City) Wisconsin. Sadly both lines are now gone.
A book, titled “The KD Line” by P.L. Behrens, was published back in 1986. It has a ton of historical photographs along with track diagrams for each of the towns along the line. It’s a hard book to find but well worth the hunt.
Grat to see yet another project railroad underway. Thank you David
The route for this plan is limitless. Many grain elevators along the way. Industry around Harvard IL plus Metra line to Chicago. Delavan WI has multiple manufacturing companies. Clinton WI had a nice depot with an interlocker for CNW & MILW. Beloit WI has Freeman Shoe, Frito Lay and Hormel plus others. South Beloit IL has a large sand and gravel quarry. Rockton IL has (had) a large chemical plant plus Taylor Freezer (famous ice cream machines). Rockford IL itself has Wrigley Gum and many other industries. If you want to back date, Janesville WI had a very large GM plant. Belvidere IL has a Jeep/Chrsyler plant, plus IRM is on that branch line.
What ever happened to the On30 logging and sand RR?
I can’t wait to see more on the MR&T State Line Route. David you come up with a fantastic track plan that can expand with time. This concept can help you design a layout for expansion of your dream layout. This type of build can get to running trains with finished scenery faster.
I like the concept of adding more sections. David this concept is having my mind work overtime thinking of other applications to our design.
GREAT JOB!
Very exciting. I have missed the project layout videos . Graham Parry
Good to see another member of the Parry clan in modelling.
It’s exciting to see a new series starting! Thanks for posting more videos.