Facts & features Name: Green River, Wyoming Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 25′-6″ x 38′-0″ Theme: Union Pacific division point yard Locale: Green River, Wyo. Era: 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 1,200 feet Minimum radius: 48″ Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum grade: 1.42 percent Benchwork: open grid on L-girder Height: approximately 36″ Roadbed: cork Track: […]
Facts & features Name: Lehigh Valley Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16′-0″ x 22′-6″ Prototype: Lehigh Valley Locale: eastern Pennsylvania Era: 1968 to 1976 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 90 feet Minimum radius: 13 3/4″ (industrial track), 19″ (main) Minimum turnout: no. 5 (yards), no. 7 (main) Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 49″ to […]
Small O and S gauge layouts are how the hobby began. To demonstrate the wonders of layouts designed to fit into small spaces, let’s travel back to when most current enthusiasts were youngsters. This most likely means we’re talking about the 25 years immediately following World War II. These men and women can trace their […]
In this episode, Host Gerry Leone departs from work directly on the layout itself. Instead, he shares his techniques for customizing an HO scale Walthers grain elevator kit into much larger structure for a specific space. Getting to know Gerry Leone Back on Track host Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! […]
Facts & features Name: Ottawa Junction Ry. Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28 x 30 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Locale: Kansas Era: 1952 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 24 feet on Second District, 24 feet on main line through Ottawa Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 3/4″ plywood on […]
Facts & features Name: Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. Scale: Proto:48 (O fine scale) Size: 40 x 60 feet Prototype: Northern Pacific; Great Northern; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; and PR&N Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: mid-1950s Style: walk-in multi-deck Mainline run: approx. 1,200 feet Minimum radius: 84″ Minimum turnout: no. 7 (spurs), no. 8 (main) Maximum […]
All Aboard facts & features Name: All Aboard Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 35 feet Prototype: freelanced, based on Milwaukee Road Locale: Wisconsin Era: 1940-60s Style: walkaround Mainline run: Red Track, 58 feet; Blue Track, 49 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 (yard), no. 6 (other) Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: open […]
A lot of model railroads – and model railroaders – start out with that old standby, the 4 x 8-foot train table. The main reason is convenience; 4 x 8 feet is the size of a standard sheet of plywood. Extruded-foam insulation board, a popular train layout scenic foundation material, also comes in that size. […]
Make a lake, part 4 – In this episode of the Back on Track mini-series, hosted by Gerry Leone on his HO scale Bona Vista model railroad, you’ll see how to apply the finishing touches and details on the water effects, painted backdrop, and adjacent shoreline scenery. All of this and more, as Gerry works […]
Facts & features Name: Sierra Northern Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-0″ x 7′-6″ Prototype: Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific Locale: Western mountain railroad Era: 1949 Style: island Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 16″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 (main line), no. 6 (branch) Maximum grade: none Benchwork: hollow-core door Height: 42″ Roadbed: cork Track: […]
Make a lake, part 3 – It’s all water under the bridge for this episode of the Back on Track mini-series, hosted by Gerry Leone on his HO scale Bona Vista RR. With the lakebed colors applied, Gerry shows how to add water effects, as well as a few special details a keen-eyed visitor might […]
Enjoy these two vintage N scale track plans, taken from the 1969 Kalmbach Media book N Scale Model Railroad Track Plans. These two layouts were in a chapter called “Permanent Railroads.” Download the PDF containing both track plans. The Dapperling Railroad This line serves Cassville, Browntown, a mine, and a logging operation. During the […]
