Video 101: Movies tell stories

Santa Rosa & Pacific Railroad

Some of my first video clips were simply attempts to show the sheer joy of watching the movement of trains along routes that connect cities, towns, and countryside panoramas. But when we want to create train movies, such as those we make for the Children’s Museum, we need to remember that movies tell stories. Our […]

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Video 101: Movies tell stories

Santa Rosa & Pacific Railroad

Some of my first video clips were simply attempts to show the sheer joy of watching the movement of trains along routes that connect cities, towns, and countryside panoramas. But when we want to create train movies, such as those we make for the Children’s Museum, we need to remember that movies tell stories. Our […]

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The HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy in 1989

A track plan for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy layout as it appeared in 1989

Name: Milwaukee, Racine & Troy (MR&T) Layout designer: Andy Sperandeo Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28’-3” x 54’-9” Theme: freelanced Locale: southeastern Wisconsin Style: walkaround Mainline run: about 200 feet Minimum radius: 36” (main line) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent   Click on the link to download the PDF of this track plan. […]

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Landmark Layouts: John Allen talks about operation

In this audio clip taken from a cassette recorded in 1971, John Allen discusses freight car operation on his famed Gorre & Daphetid RR. He refers to the cities of Port and Great Divide on his railroad, and makes reference to his regular operating crew. (Listen closely as he mentions an operator named Andy, who […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 2 – Legs and wheels

David Popp under benchwork

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The next stage of framework construction takes creature comforts into consideration! In this video, David first discusses how to establish the ideal layout height. He then shows how to install the layout legs, complete with sturdy casters that help keep model railroads on […]

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HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy RR (2017)

HOscaleMRTtrackplan

Name: Milwaukee, Racine & Troy RR Layout owner: Model Railroader staff Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28 x 54 feet Prototype: freelanced bridge line Locale: Southeastern Wisconsin Era: 1980s and 1990s Style: walk-in Mainline run: approx. 200 feet Minimum radius: 36″ (main) Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 spurs Maximum grade: 3 percent eastbound, 1.5 […]

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HO scale Union Pacific Spine Line

HOscaleUnionPacificSpineLinetrackplan1

Name: UP’s Spine Line Layout owner: Bob Sprague Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 18 feet Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: Eastern Iowa Era: modern Style: double-deck around-the-walls Mainline run: 74 feet visible, plus helixes Minimum radius: 27″ (main), 24″ (industrial and wyes) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.75 percent This track plan originally appeared […]

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N scale Union Pacific Spine Line

NscaleUnionPacificSpineLinetrackplan

Click the image to download a copy of the track plan. Name: UP’s Spine Line Layout owner: Bob Sprague Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10′-0″ x 17′-6″ Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: Eastern Iowa Era: modern Style: walkaround Mainline run: 59 feet Minimum radius: 15″ (main), 12″ (industrial and wyes) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none […]

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HO scale Dyer Junction & Eureka

HOscaleDyerJunctionEureka

Name: Dyer Junction & Eureka Layout Owner: Jim Molloy Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 5′-4″ x 15′-9″ Prototype: freelance Locale: Northern California Era: mid 1930s Style: shelf Mainline run: 15′-9″ Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1 x 3 joists topped with 1/4″ plywood and 2″ Styrofoam Height: 43″ Roadbed: 1/16″ […]

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