CSX East Rail

CSX East Rail layout

Name: East Rail Layout designer: Lance Mindheim Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9′-3″ x 9′-9″ x 16″ Prototype: CSX Locale: Miami, Fla. Era: 2006 Style: shelf Mainline run: 19 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Originally appeared in the Great Model Railroads 2008. Click on the link to download a PDF of this track […]

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Logansport & Indiana Northern RR

Name: Logansport & Indiana Northern Layout designer: Tom Johnson Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 26 feet Prototype: freelance short line Locale: northern Indiana Era: present day Style: around-the-walls shelf Mainline run: 85 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Originally appeared in the Great Model Railroads 2008. Click on the link to download […]

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Spotter control

TRN-AT0211_03

This sign on a SD80MAC means it can move a short distance on battery power through one traction motor. Walter Fertsak Q In Cresson, Pa., this year, I saw a SD80MAC with a little plate above the first axle. What does this signify?— Walter Fertsak, Austria  A Spotter Control is a locomotive on-board system used […]

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Rosston, Joelberg & Holly RR (CSX branch line)

Name: Rosston, Joelberg & Holly RR (CSX branch line) Division of the Delaware & Hudson Layout designer: Rick Van Laar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 4 x 8 feet Prototype: freelanced CSX Locale: West Virginia coal country Era: 1990 Style: island, portable Mainline run: 32 feet Minimum radius: 17″ Minimum turnouts: no. 6 (main line), no. […]

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Wexford RR

Wexford RR

Name: Wexford RR Layout designer: Jim Hediger Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 4 x 8 feet Prototype: Freelanced modern short line Locale: northern Midwest Era: present day Minimum radius: 18″ (main), 15″ (branch) Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 41⁄2 percent Originally appeared in the February 2011 issue of Model Railroader. Click here to download a […]

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“The Great Train Story” exhibit

What can you build with $3.5 million in donations, two professional model-building companies, and thousands of hours put in by more than 40 artists and modelers, and a score of volunteers? How about The Great Train Story, a 3,500-square-foot HO scale model railroad that includes key features of Chicago, Seattle, and an impressive representation of […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Interview with Pelle Søeborg

Interview with Pelle Søeborg

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Pelle Søeborg is a frequent contributor to Model Railroader magazine. Pelle talked with Model Railroader Editor Neil Besougloff about his Daneville & Donner River layout and his new modern-era Union Pacific HO model railroad in this interview from August 26, 2010. You’ll also […]

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Modeler’s Spotlight Video — Interview with Pelle Søeborg

Interview with Pelle Søeborg

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Pelle Søeborg is a frequent contributor to Model Railroader magazine. Pelle talked with Model Railroader Editor Neil Besougloff about his Daneville & Donner River layout and his new modern-era Union Pacific HO model railroad in this interview from August 26, 2010. You’ll also […]

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Atlas O bulkhead flatcar

Screen shot of O scale freight car on wood workshop bench

The Atlas O 68-foot bulkhead flatcar is back in new paint schemes and road numbers. Model Railroader magazine Senior Editor Cody Grivno hosts our latest product review video, taking an in-depth look at the Trainman series model. Features on the bulkhead flatcar include side stake pockets, simulated tie loops, a fish-belly center sill, pull plates, […]

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B-Line

Name: B-Line Layout designer: Robert Sprague Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16 x 16 feet Prototype: Norfolk Southern Locale: Manassas, Va., to Front Royal, Va. Era: 1988 to present Style: modified walkaround, double deck Mainline run: 170 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Originally appeared in the August 2010 issue […]

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Airlake Industrial Park

Name: Airlake Industrial Park Layout owner: Alan Saatkamp Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 3′-0″ x 13′-4″ Prototype: Progressive Rail Locale: Lakeville, Minn. Era: present day Style: portable walkaround Mainline run: 13 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Originally appeared in the June 2010 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the image to download the […]

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Railroad tonnage by state in 2004

Railroad tonnage by state in 2004 map image

If you want to sense the impact of coal on the railroad industry, consider this: The state that ranks last in population — Wyoming, with a little more than 500,000 residents — originates one of every five tons of freight hauled by American railroads. The 419 million gross tons that began its journey in Wyoming […]

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