A last look at the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy in HO scale

Facts and features Name: Milwaukee, Racine & TroyScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 28′-3″ x 54′-9″Prototype: freelanced bridge lineLocale: southeastern WisconsinEra: 1980s and 1990sStyle: walk-inMainline run: approximately 200 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (spurs)Maximum grade: 3% eastbound, 1.5% westbound (5.5% on ramp)Benchwork: 1 x 4 open gridHeight: 493∕4” to 671∕2“Roadbed: cork on 3∕4” plywoodTrack: […]

Read More…

Sir Rod Stewart’s Grand Street & Three Rivers RR in HO scale

A track plan for Sir Rod Stewart's Grand Street & Three Rivers layout

Facts and features Name: Grand Street & Three Rivers RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: Layout: 27′-6″ x 62′-0″, Room: 31′-6″ x 66′-0″Prototype: New York Central and Pennsylvania RRLocale: Chicago/New York CityEra: mid-1940sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 900 feetMinimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 8Maximum grade: 3.5%Benchwork: box gridHeight: 39″ (main line), 51″ (El), 52″ (viaduct loop), and 56″ (upper cement […]

Read More…

Ask Trains.com November 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com November 2024 compilation | This month, Host Cody Grivno addresses your questions about model railroading and 1:1 scale railroading too! Topics range from identifying buffer service cars; decoding a particular marking commonly found on a caboose; selecting the optimal adhesive for use with foam insulation board; plus a wide array of other modeling […]

Read More…

Ask Trains.com October 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com October 2024 compilation | In this episode, Host Cody Grivno talks about model railroad locomotive wheel flanges; signage along the 1:1 scale right-of-way; modeling an industrial brewery complex; using the right tool for the job; plus a wide array of other modeling and prototype railroading topics that viewers just like you have raised! […]

Read More…

The HO scale Pennsylvania RR Apple Gap layout

A model railroad tracplan with a man standing at the layout at its bottom left corner

Facts and features Name: Pennsylvania RR Scale: HO (1:87)Size: 6′-8″ x 12′-6″Prototype: freelanced, inspired by PRRLocale: northeastern PennsylvaniaEra: changeable between 1870-1915, 1916-1942, and 1943-1959Style: island Mainline run: 31 feetMinimum radius: 36.5″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: none (flat)Benchwork: tabletopHeight: 511⁄2“Roadbed: corkTrack: Micro Engineering flexible code 83Scenery: foam board and Kingspan underlayment on 3 ⁄4” medium density […]

Read More…

The S scale Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville layout

A model railroad trackplan

Facts and features Name: Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) Scale: S (1:64)Size: 38 x 62 feetPrototype: MononLocale: west central IndianaEra: late 1940sStyle: walk-in Mainline run: 180 feetMinimum radius: 48″ (main), 36″ (sidings and spurs)Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1% (main), 2.5% (to staging)Benchwork: L girderHeight: 46″ to 49″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: code 100 (main), codes 83 and […]

Read More…

The HO scale Hudson, Delaware & Ohio and Trenton Northern Transportation & Light Co. layout

A large model railroad track plan for the Hudson, Delaware & Ohio railroad layout

Facts and features Name: Hudson, Delaware & Ohio and Trenton Northern Transportation & Light Co.Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 40 x 40 feet (phase I), 60 x 80 feet (phase II, under construction)Theme: freelance, inspired by Eastern Class I railroadsLocale: northern New Jersey and PennsylvaniaEra: steam-to-diesel transition (circa 1955)Style: multi-level walkaroundMainline run: HD&O (40 x 40-foot section), […]

Read More…

The HO scale South Durham Railway layout

A model railroad track plan for the south durham railroad, with two figures seen from above standing in an around-the-walls layout

Facts and features Name: South Durham Ry.Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 9’-6″ x 11’-0″Prototype: freelancedLocale: North CarolinaEra: 1970sStyle: around the wallsMainline run: 22 feetMinimum radius: 22″Minimum turnout: No. 4Maximum grade: none (flat)Benchwork: shelf Height: 57″Roadbed: cork on HomasoteTrack: code 83 extrackScenery: tabletopBackdrop: photo backdrop from Backdrop JunctionControl: Lenz DCC   Click the link to download a PDF […]

Read More…

Ask Trains.com August 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com August 2024 compilation | From our new Firecrown Media office space in Wisconsin, host Cody Grivno fields a wide array of modeling and prototype railroading questions. This month Cody addresses your questions regarding locomotive paint schemes for the legendary MR&T HO scale layout; airbrushing skills; prototypical placement of railcar data; selecting industry-appropriate freight […]

Read More…