Thin Branch Series: Build a layout mock-up

David Popp holding a layout mockup.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   Although track plans are fairly accurate, you don’t really know how a layout will turnout until you build it. In this video, we’ll show you a test step where you can build a mock-up using cardboard and track sections to see if […]

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Four steps to adapting a track plan

adaptingtp

In this article, which originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Classic Toy Trains, CTT’s Kent Johnson demonstrates how to adapt a track plan from one type of track to another. His example: the Reader’s Choice Railroad, adapted from Lionel O to Lionel FasTrack. Learn the steps for adapting your plan and find an […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch, part 2

Hand modeling scenery on model railway

Before any track can be laid or structures installed on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill project, managing editor David Popp makes some adjustments to the existing benchwork. There will be some elevation changes as well as a roadway that will lead down into the quarry. Senior editor Jim Hediger also describes how he determined […]

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Build a quarry branch

Winter Hill 1

Model Railroader’s HO scale Winter Hill project layout Model Railroader‘s 2013 project layout is located on our HO scale club layout, the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. It’s a 2 x 12-foot scene with many interesting aspects including making the quarry pit for Larson Stone Co. extend into the aisle. Registered users can click the following […]

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All about the Readers’ Choice RR

R0311_template

The Readers’ Choice Railroad Tailor-made to what our readers said they wanted in a layout We were encouraged to find that many of you are reading and willing to build a layout when you’re inspired by numerous how-to ideas, simple instructions, and intriguing photographs, much like those we’ve included in CTT’s Retro Railroad (2009) and […]

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Building the HO scale Virginian Ry. part 19

David Popp next to layout

The scenery, wiring, and structures are finally complete on this Model Railroader project model train layout. The HO scale Virginian Ry. also includes the 2 x 6-foot Turtle Creek extension and a 7 x 78 inch staging yard. Managing editor David Popp shows you how to connect the benchwork and wiring for the sections. He’ll […]

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Building the HO scale Virginian Ry. part 19

David Popp next to layout

The scenery, wiring, and structures are finally complete on this Model Railroader project model train layout. The HO scale Virginian Ry. also includes the 2 x 6-foot Turtle Creek extension and a 7 x 78 inch staging yard. Managing editor David Popp shows you how to connect the benchwork and wiring for the sections. He’ll […]

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Blend benchwork into your garden railway

model train next to mountain

Sometimes the most expedient way to get your outdoor railway from point A to point B is on benchwork, so called because the height of the roadbed is similar to that of a workbench and facilitates the handling of trains and track. The many styles of benchwork construction seem to correspond to the skills of […]

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