Kalmbach’s own Cody Grivno talks through the basic ways of fastening track to a layout so you can run model trains. […]
How to Lay Track
Modeling Topic: Benchwork
Back on Track, with Gerry Leone (Trailer)
Host and star of MRVP’s Off the Rails, Gerry Leone, is returning to Trains.com with a new series on building a new layout for his home in the Pacific Northwest — Back on Track. In recent years, Gerry not only scrapped his old layout, but he moved from his existing home in a brand-new house […]
Meet Walthers Open Class Contestant DJ Arlia
WAUKESHA, Wis. — It’s mid-April and the second-annual Walthers National Model Railroad Build-off is well-underway. Across the country, modelers are hard at work on their layouts. With four different categories and hundreds of contestants, the judges are sure to see no shortage of talent from this year’s submissions. “Open class” contestant Domenic Joseph Arlia, otherwise known […]
Walthers second-annual National Model Railroad Build-Off is gaining steam
MILWAUKEE — Despite a global pandemic, the world of model railroading is high-balled to roll on. And now, Walthers is offering builders of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to use this quarantine to show the world what they’re made of — and what they can make — in the model railroad company’s second […]
Back on Track: Track planning with a helix, Episode 2
Off the Rails host Gerry Leone has re-railed and is gaining traction in this Trains.com exclusive series, Back on Track. From his new home in the Upper Midwest, members can follow Gerry as he walks, talks, and works his way through planning and building an all-new, double-deck model railroad in HO scale. First order of business? […]
Back on Track: Track planning with a helix, Episode 2
Off the Rails host Gerry Leone has re-railed and is gaining traction in this Trains.com exclusive series, Back on Track. From his new home in the Upper Midwest, members can follow Gerry as he walks, talks, and works his way through planning and building an all-new, double-deck model railroad in HO scale. First order of business? […]
Workshop Webcam
Watch modeling in progress with our Workshop Webcam. This camera is placed inside the Model Railroader workshop, where you can see Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains editors building models, testing equipment, painting and more! This camera only activates when someone is inside the room. At other times, we’ll offer pre-recorded video from the cam […]
6 simple scenery tips for toy train layouts
Classic Toy Trains recommends these six tried-and-true tips for simple scenery that goes beyond sparse displays of “trees” or a random tunnel and will improve nearly any toy train layout. 1. Start with foam framework A 4 x 8-foot sheet of 2- or 3-inch-thick pink or blue extruded foam insulation board is much lighter than […]
Back on Track, with Gerry Leone (Official Trailer)
Host and star of MRVP’s Off the Rails, Gerry Leone, is returning to Trains.com with a new series on building a new layout for his home in the Upper Midwest — Back on Track. In recent years, Gerry not only scrapped his old layout, but he moved from his existing home in a brand-new house […]
HO scale Midwest Lines
The layout at a glance Name: Midwest Lines Layout owner: Rolf Plachter Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 33 x 52 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Rock Island; and Union Pacific Locale: Denver to Milwaukee Era: mid-1960s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 400 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2 […]
On30 Laurium, Mohawk & Brockway Ry.
The layout at a glance Name: Laurium, Mohawk & Brockway Layout owner: Larry Burk Scale: On30 (1:48, 30″ track gauge) Size: 27 x 38 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Era: 1935 Style: shelf Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 4 percent on switchback to lumber branch […]
Ask MRVP: Episode 52
Host David Popp has scores of your hobby-related questions to address in his triumphant return to MRVP headquarters! As he tools around the MR workshop, MR&T layout, and other popular project railroads (several are up for sale!), he tackles inquiries regarding benchwork, trackwork, wiring, scenery, and so much more. […]
