The layout at a glance Name: Cascade Mountain RR Layout designer: David Miller Scale: Z (1:220) Size: 12 x 13 feet Theme: freelanced Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: 1960s to present Style: island Mainline run: 45 feet Minimum radius: 12″ Minimum turnout: 13 degrees Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 42″ to 50″ Roadbed: […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this how-to video, MRVP’s David Popp shows you how easy it is to install Blue Point push-pull control levers used to manually throw turnouts on a layout of any size, scale, or complexity. David’s demonstration talks you through the tools and techniques […]
Originally published in Great Model Railroads 2007, this article by Bill Darnaby follows a way freight as it works its way eastbound on Bill’s HO scale Maumee Route. You’ll find a track plan and description of the operation of each town along train No. 20’s route. Follow a model train along the HO scale Maumee […]
In Model Railroad Planning 2015, Gary Hoover describes how he switched from modeling the Santa Fe in 1951 to modeling the Norfolk & Western in the mid-1950s. Gary’s fascination with the N&W goes back farther than that. In the May 1998 Model Railroader, Gary recreated several of O. Winston Link’s famous photos of the prototype […]
Over the last year, model railroader Andrew Dodge has gotten a lot done on his O fine scale (Proto:48) Colorado Midland. Read this article from Model Railroad Planning 2013 to learn how Andrew designed this 28 x 28-foot model railroad set in 1897 in western Colorado. Planning the O scale Colorado Midland […]
Long stretches of elevated main line gave the New York Central RR’s 30th Street Branch its High Line nickname. New York Central RR’s 30th Street Branch was known as the High Line because of its long stretch of elevated mainline track. Learn all about this interesting prototype railroad in the article below originally published in […]
After years of dealing with rodents, like gophers and moles, burrowing into his gravel-ballasted trackbed, Bobby Waal embarked on a project to convert all roadbed to concrete, seen here under the middle track on his Alps Railway. —Photo: Nancy Norris Alamo, California, Zone 9 When using concrete forms to pour roadbed for track, I’ve developed […]
The Pattersons’ Ever Green and Palm Tree Railroad’s central mountain towers over the railway and dwarfs visitors. Robin Patterson Robin missed the snow but made it permanent on his mountaintop by sprinkling on crushed glass just after painting the summit. Robin Patterson New Port Richie, Florida, Zones 9-10 Before you build is the time to […]
1. Gary Broeder’s almost-finished Roman arch bridge has evolved through several phases, yet the bridge has been operational for well over a year. Juniper trees (Juniperus sp.) and sedum groundcover, mulched with sharp gravel and pebbles, create an easy-care landscape and hardscape. The piers, arch stones, and cap stand out for a more three-dimensional face. […]
1. The hillside around the Skunk Holler Mine on the author’s Hoot ’n’ Holler Railroad is covered with Turkish veronica, which bursts into bloom every spring. Don Parker 2. The lighter-blue flowers in the foreground are produced by miniature speedwell (Veronica oltensis), growing shorter than Turkish veronica. Don Parker 3. Three different groundcovers flank this […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Contributing Editor Andy Sperandeo returns to Model Railroader magazine’s HO scale layout to share proper model railroad operating techniques for our cameras. In this MRVP exclusive video, he recruits Cody Grivno to demonstrate how to use hand signals, a topic addressed in Andy’s […]
Gn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western track plan Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western Layout designer: John Johnson Scale: Gn3 (1:22.5 proportion) Size: 20 x 55 feet Theme: D&RGW Locale: Colorado Era: 1950s Style: Continuous-run display Mainline run: 300 feet Minimum radius: 8 feet Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Benchwork: Plywood on […]
