Too many sound-equipped locomotives in one place, like those shown here on the MR&T, can spell trouble for a DCC layout. Paul Dolkos takes you through the steps he used to set up power districts on his HO model railroad. Imagine you’ve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
The initial goal of a new model railroader flush with locomotives, track, and rolling stock is to operate two trains on his layout at the same time, each with independent speed and direction control. This milepost can be reached with cab-control wiring. With two direct- current power packs, single-pole double-throw toggle switches, and hardware-store wire, […]
Name: Progressive Rail Layout designer: Jim Hediger Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 3 x 16 feet Prototype: Airlake Industrial Park Locale: Minnesota Era: 1970s Style: Island Minimum turnout: no. 5 Originally appeared in the June 2002 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF of this track plan. […]
Before the trackwork can be added to MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout, David Popp first makes a few modifications to the turnouts. In this video, he guides you through trimming the ties, preparing the connection points, soldering new wires, cutting the rails, and testing the modifications – steps that are intended to make […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that the framework and backdrop are in place on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. layout, work can continue on installing the plywood surface used to support track and scenery. In this video, David takes you through the cutting, fitting, and assembling steps, […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The sector plate used to transfer trains from one track to another is just one of the many intriguing features included on MRVP’s On30 Olympia Logging Co. display-style layout. David Popp walks you through sector plate and base assembly, installation, and alignment steps, […]
Robert Rello In the July 2014 issue, Robert Rello upgrades a Williams brass locomotive. Learn how to add Lionel’s TMCC and RailSounds in this companion article download. […]
Name: Joachin, Va. Layout designer: Peter North Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 6 x 10 feet Prototype: Virginian Ry. Locale: Virginia Era: 1950s Style: Island Mainline run: 19 feet Minimum radius: 22″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Originally appeared in the July 2014 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF […]
Name: Oak Valley RR Layout designer: Hans Wolfram Nicolaus Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11′-6″ x 13′-10″ Theme: freelanced branch line operated jointly by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. and the Southern Pacific RR Locale: California Era: 1960s Style: around the walls with peninsula Mainline run: 66 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Minimum turnout: no. […]
Name: Sandy Fork Lumber Co. Layout designer: Henry Fieler Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 16 feet Prototype: Elk River Coal & Lumber and other West Virginia logging railroads Locale: West Virginia Era: 1960s Style: walk-in Benchwork: 1 x 2 and 1 x 3 grid Height: 43″ to 58″ Roadbed: cork Track: handlaid code 70 […]
Download the PDF of this project here. Note: This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Also, despite […]
For many years small towns were a major source of traffic for railroads all across the country. Long before anyone ever heard of freeways, the railroads moved all sorts of carload and less-than-carload lot (LCL) freight that kept the local businesses and nearby agricultural economy going. A local station agent-operator was the railroad’s representative who […]
