Download this free nine-page PDF to learn how to control the growth of miniature trees, and prune, shape, and trim a variety of different plants. […]
Shape and Prune Mini Trees

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Download this free nine-page PDF to learn how to control the growth of miniature trees, and prune, shape, and trim a variety of different plants. […]
Download this free 24-page PDF for a brief overview of track-planning terms, tips, and techniques as well as a handful of Lionel FasTrack plans of all sizes. […]
When you have more than a bedroom for your railroad, you have some choices to make regarding what to fill the space with. Download this free 15-page PDF for 28 inspiring N, Nn3, HO, HOn 2 ½, Sn3, and On 2 ½ layout plans. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of AWA, host Aaron Skinner is making BIG waves! Follow along to learn an easy technique for making a realistic seascape atop a foam insulation base. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of AWA, host Aaron Skinner is making BIG waves! Follow along to learn an easy technique for making a realistic seascape atop a foam insulation base. […]
Facts & Features: Name: Agawa Yard Layout owner: Chris Dening Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 4 x 12 feet Prototype: Canadian Pacific Locale: Vancouver, B.C. Era: 1969 Style: Portable sectional layout Mainline run: 30 feet Minimum radius: 20″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Benchwork: L-girder Height: 48″ Roadbed: cork Track: Peco codes 75 and 100 Scenery: Foam […]
Name: Rock Island Lines Layout owner: Mike Armstrong Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 30 x 40 feet Prototype: Rock Island Locale: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., to Kansas City, Kan. Era: 1964 to 1970 Style: multi-deck walk-in Mainline run: 750 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 1.96 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 40″ to […]
Sometimes finding the space to build model railroads can be difficult. To help combat this problem, we have compiled six railroads that you can model in an apartment-sized room. Download this free 15-page PDF to gain access to detailed information on room-sized plans for both HO and N scale layouts. […]
Click on the links at left to download this trackside photo. Paul Dolkos Baltimore & Ohio class E-24 Consolidation arrives to switch the industries at Winchester, Va., on John King’s HO scale B&O Shenandoah Valley Branch model railroad. Frequent Model Railroader contributor Paul Dolkos shot the photo. Click on the links below to download the […]
Name: Kent Johnson Railroad Name: Canadian Pacific Joy Division Location: Milwaukee, Wisc. Scale: 1:29 Theme: Modern-era branch line in Western Canada Description: The sun was making a weak effort to shine over the CPR Joy Division garden railroad on a cold January afternoon. Even so, I still wanted to capture the inaugural run of my […]
Rock Island passenger Train No. 18, “The Plainsman”, passes through Trenton, MO., Des Moines, Nevada, Clear Lake Jct., IA., and Albert Lea, MN., on its journey from Kansas City to St. Paul / Minneapolis. This train is operating on my Rock Island-based HO scale model railroad. Video by Michael Armstrong. […]
Staging, major industries, interchanges between railroads, and prototype inspiration are four characteristics that all successful model railroads tend to have. However, incorporating all four of these characteristics into one small space can be challenging. Download this free 12-page PDF download for HO and N scale plans, waterfront railroad layouts, small shelf Union Pacific inspired layouts, […]