Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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Spaces to Places III | Making a highway, part 2

Host Gerry Leone is making great inroads on his new roadway construction! In this episode, he’s all set to pave and finish the highway route defined in the debut of this relaunched exclusive Trains.com Video modeling series. But while he waits for the concrete roads to cure, Gerry shares his progress on a few other […]

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Spaces to Places III | Making a highway, part 2

Host Gerry Leone is making great inroads on his new roadway construction! In this episode, he’s all set to pave and finish the highway route defined in the debut of this relaunched exclusive Trains.com Video modeling series. But while he waits for the concrete roads to cure, Gerry shares his progress on a few other […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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The Polar Express train set from Lionel in O gauge

The polar express from lionel

The Polar Express train set from Lionel in O gauge (and S, for that matter) evolves with the technology. The train itself, celebrating the Christmas book and movie, has been in the catalog for years. The train maker continues to find ways to keep it fun and fresh with each iteration. The latest version of […]

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The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives

Menards A-A Beta 4.0 Santa Fe locomotives

The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives are the latest version of the company’s foray into motive power. A year or so ago Menards tested the waters with a diesel locomotive in Santa Fe paint. Let’s take a look at this set and see what’s changed with this latest release. In this Beta 4 version, […]

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The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives

Menards A-A Beta 4.0 Santa Fe locomotives

The Menards Beta 4 Santa Fe locomotives are the latest version of the company’s foray into motive power. A year or so ago Menards tested the waters with a diesel locomotive in Santa Fe paint. Let’s take a look at this set and see what’s changed with this latest release. In this Beta 4 version, […]

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Department 56 buildings on toy train layouts

Christmas scene on S gauge layout with Department 56 buildings

Department 56 on toy train layouts: Toy train enthusiasts enjoy using Department 56 buildings and accessories on their O and S gauge layouts. In the spirit of the holidays, we’re sharing this photo gallery of displays. We hope you enjoy it.   More holiday fun is in this holiday toy train photo gallery. […]

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Great Model Railroads 2023

The cover of Great Model Railroads 2023

PLUS Celebrating the CP’s centennial The freelanced HO scale Strathcona Division models the Canadian Pacific in British Columbia Modeling C&O’s Kanawha Sub Coal is king on this HO scale Appalachian layout Time well spent An O gauge modeler replaces his three-rail layout with a 1:48 scale granger road New England memories A new version of […]

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How to Model Locomotives

The cover of How to Model Locomotives

PLUS Motivation for motive power Introduction Sound for legacy locomotives – F units A little soldering goes a long way How to detail, paint, and decal a locomotive Give a road switcher a new look How diesel facilities work A lot of work goes on behind the scenes between road trips Speed matching for DCC […]

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Bob Davies’ O gauge layout

Illustration of an O gauge layout

Name: Bob Davies’ O gauge layout Dimensions: 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ feet Track: GarGraves (diameters range from 42 to 54 inches) Motive power: Lionel, Wiliams by Bachmann Rolling stock: Lionel, Menards Controls: Lionel GW-180 transformer Accessories: Z-Stuff for Trains Structures: Mattel, MTH Vehicles: Mattel Download the track plan for this layout. […]

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