Putting the layout to the test | Back on Track, Episode 16

Following his recent grand tour, Gerry puts his HO scale Bona Vista under greater scrutiny. In this episode, our host closely examines how his construction efforts align with his established Givens and Druthers. After failing to pass every part of his self-graded test, Gerry invites fellow layout builders David Popp and Seth Puffer to check […]

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Venice Simplon Orient Express journey: two Australian’s adventure

Venice Simplon Orient Express journey: A dining room table in a luxurious rail car.

Join Jess and Stephen (or Stephen and Jess?!) for a full-review experience of the luxury Venice Simplon Orient Express journey by train from Venice, Italy, to London, U.K. The Australian family maintains a travel blog, Flying The Nest, where they detail their globe-trotting experiences, mostly out of a converted van. They’ve traveled throughout North America, […]

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Gerry walks a fine line | Back on Track, Episode 15

Gerry walks a fine line…the recently completed main line of his HO scale Bona Vista layout, that is! Our host, with assistance from his wife, has driven the Golden Spike into the trackwork of his double-deck model railroad. That’s a great time to take a walking tour of the construction progress. Following the tour, Gerry […]

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Bob’s Train Box 79

Atlas St. Patrick's Day boxcar.

Bob’s Train Box Episode 79 Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Bob’s Train Box Episode 79! Bob Keller and CTT editor Hal Miller check out the latest O gauge holiday boxcar from Atlas O. They also look at buildings from Menards including the Halls of Handsome Barbershop, Cripple Creek Tractor Repair, and Sacred Heart Hospital. The […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Printed backdrop installation, Episode 14

Man standing near an unfinished model train layout in an episode that will discuss printed backdrop installation.

A printed backdrop installation might be the focus of this episode, but first, David Popp shares how he protects the new toggle switch installation along the fascia of the HO scale Jones Island layout section. Meanwhile, Eric White works to trim and secure a printed paper backdrop installation to the wall behind the industrial tank […]

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Amtrak Silver Meteor family trip

Baby girls eats food at a tray table on a train.

Watch as Stephen, Jess, and baby Hunter take a Silver Meteor family trip from New York City to Orlando. This video shows their adventures from NY Penn Station to Orlando, Florida, via Amtrak’s long-distance Silver Meteor. The Australian family maintains a travel blog, Flying The Nest, where they detail their globe-trotting experiences, mostly out of […]

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Back on Track: Fascia and upper deck design, Episode 13

It’s a new year with new progress on Gerry Leone’s all-new HO scale layout. Of course, that means a new season of construction videos gets Back on Track right now! In this episode, you’ll see how our host made quick work of his hardboard fascia installation. While work on his upper deck isn’t quite as […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 77: 2021 in review

2021 in review with Bob and Hal

It’s 2021 in review as Bob and Hal look back at the big toy train news and products from The past 12 months, including the breakup (mostly) and sale of pieces of MTH Trains and how it has been a net gain for the company and the hobby. They also discuss structure and rolling stock […]

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