S scale Central California RR

MRRB0613_Central

Name: Central California RR Layout designers: Robert Jackson and Brian Jackson Scale: S (1:64) Size: 27 x 39 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (diesel) and Southern Pacific (steam and diesel) Locale: Fresno to Sacramento, Calif. Era: 1955-1959 Style: walkaround Height: 55″ to 58″ Benchwork: L-girder Roadbed: Homabed Track: code 100 flextrack and handlaid […]

Read More…

A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret

schematic of track plan

Layout designer: Peter Riddle Scale: O Layout size: 6 1/2 x 11 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the September 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret schematic A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret components […]

Read More…

Build a faux stone bridge out of Styrofoam

styrofoam_bridge

Rod Eaton In the August 2013 issue, contributor Eric Schade demonstrates how to make “stone” structures from leftover composite decking material. Download this companion article, originally published in the October 2011 issue, about how to make “stone” bridges easily out of Styrofoam. Click here to download a PDF of the article. […]

Read More…

Build a baggage cart in 1:29 scale

Build a baggage cart in 1:29

Download the PDF of this project here. 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. Please make sure […]

Read More…

How to landscape around your buildings

model building on garden railway

What do your buildings have to say for themselves? Each structure evokes a feeling for its purpose, the folks who might live or work there, and a bit about the history that transpired on the premises, as shown in photo 1. How the structure was built and maintained is “written on the walls.” All of […]

Read More…

The HO scale Kettle Valley RR

KettleValleyRR

Name: Kettle Valley RR Layout designer: Jim Bonnett Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11 x 22 feet Prototype: Canadian Pacific Locale: Canadian Rockies Era: late 1940s to early ’50s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 85 feet Minimum radius: 28” Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main); no. 4 (yards and industries) Maximum grade: 3 percent Originally appeared in the […]

Read More…

The HO scale City of North Weston

CityofNorthWeston

Name: The City of North Weston Layout designer: Larry Nast Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 8′ x 18′-2″ Prototype: Chicago & North Western Locale: upper Midwest Era: 1955 Style: island Mainline run: 80 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (yard) Maximum grade: 2 percent Originally appeared in the August 2013 Model […]

Read More…

The HO scale Virginian Thin Branch

VirginianThinBranch

Name: The Thin Branch Layout designer: David Popp Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 30″ x 72″ Prototype: Virginian Ry. Locale: West Virginia Era: spring 1955 Style: portable Mainline run: 7 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: Atlas 22″ radius Snap-Switch Maximum grade: 3 percent (switchback) Originally appeared in the August 2013 Model Railroader. Click on the […]

Read More…

The N scale Aroostook Valley RR

Name: Aroostook Valley RR Layout designer: Geoffrey T. Smith Scale: N (1:160) Size: 7′-0″ x 16′-6″ Prototype: Aroostook Valley RR Location: Northern Maine Era: 1950s Style: Point-to-point (shelf) Mainline run: 23′-6″ Minimum radius: 14″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in the August 2013 Model Railroader. Click on the link to download […]

Read More…