N scale Canadian Canyons

NscaleCanadianCanyons

Name: Canadian Canyons Scale: N (1:160) Size: 5′-7″ x 8′-0″ Prototypes: Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Locale: British Columbia, Canada Era: 2015 to present day Style: multilevel, island Mainline run: 113 feet Minimum radius: 13″ Minimum turnout: Peco code 55 medium Maximum grade: 1.9 percent (in helix) Benchwork: free-standing sectional Height: 40″ Roadbed: Midwest cork strips […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a tie treatment plant

Steve Otte next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR’s Steve Otte shows off the various kitbashed and scratchbuilt structures he assembled to represent the rail-served tie treatment plant on our Canadian Canyons N scale layout. Steve explains the origins of his structures and details that help complete this signature scene. […]

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End details that add realism to heavyweight passenger cars

MRRID0215

Passenger car end details were pretty standard and most followed the pattern used on sleeping cars built by the Pullman Co. The car in the photo is Crystal Point, a Pullman 3-compartment, 2-drawing-room, observation lounge assigned to the Milwaukee Road’s Olympian Hiawatha in 1947. A number of details are visible that appear on most cars […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Modeling a plywood plant

Eric White next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page MR’s Eric White returns to the N scale Thompson River Canyon scene to install the structures and scenery that shape our representation of a large plywood plant. Eric shows how capturing key signature elements of a scene sure beats attempting to add each […]

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How to make trees from a natural kit

MRRST1015_100

A group of SuperTrees populates the hillside by Artz Lumber Co. on the HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Cody Grivno explains how to make realistic trees using the Scenic Express kit. Photos by Bill Zuback If there is one thing our HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy club layout can use more of, it’s […]

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Handbook of layout wiring

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Layouts controlled with a conventional transformer are still as popular and practical as ever. The basic electrical principles of this setup haven’t changed since their origin, but you may find it helpful to refresh your understanding of how things work. William Zuback Of all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries […]

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Model the desert

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The skeleton of a desert in progress at Scott Kennedy’s East Bay Union Railroad at one end of his dogbone trackplan. A flagstone plateau supports the track and retains soil while a dry creek provides drainage and a footpath. Nancy Norris In the fleshed-out desert, a dwarf, blue-green olive tree (Olea ‘Little Ollie’) flanks the […]

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Utah Belt photo gallery

We didn’t have room to publish all the photos from Eric Brooman’s spectacular HO scale Utah Belt, featured in the December 2018 Model Railroader. Check out these bonus trackside images. […]

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High tech modeling for garden railroaders

PETG_Strings

3D printing has become less expensive and can produce higher-quality prints than ever before. Most people limit themselves to PLA or ABS filaments. These two plastics are quite common and can even be found in your favorite big-box store in the most common sizes: 1.75mm and 3.0mm. There are others out there with advantages and […]

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Building an outdoor garden caboose

she_sheds

Photo 1 Sun has set but modeling continues in paradise—a building for building railway gear, rain or shine. In this caboose, the author keeps kits under construction, trains ready to run, parts drawers, a tiny fridge, and an electric kettle. A train runs through it. Garden tools hang just inside the end door. Rungs lead […]

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Build plywood tipper cars

tipper_cars

Eric Schade Starting in the December 2018 issue, author Eric Schade explains how he built tipper cars from scratch. Download his drawings here and follow along to build your own cars. […]

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