After sanding the cork roadbed, David is ready to lay track on the State Line Route N scale layout. His tip: start with the most complex piece of track, which, in this case, is in the train yard! Plus, David checks in with Rene and Jenny to see how their structures for the layout are […]
In this episode, host Gerry Leone gets back to the backdrop. Namely, he’s working to disguise those unpreventable seams that appear between sections of hardboard panels. Gerry shares his techniques for getting the job done in a satisfactory way, but without the painstaking efforts of a professional drywall installer! […]
It’s hard to keep with Gerry’s rapid pace of construction. Fortunately, he slowed down for a quick recap of what he’s accomplished with the cameras turned off. Then, it’s back to solving benchwork problems! […]
Host Gerry Leone continues to plan and build out a switching area for his all-new Bona Vista HO scale model railroad. This time, Gerry shares how he uses actual model structures and track remnants to visualize and plot his plans, and then adjust them to suit layout realities. […]
David works Rene and Sammi into the layout construction rotation. To start, David puts finishing touches on the subroadbed. He steps aside to let Rene and Sammi install the strips of cork roadbed that form the base for the N scale trackwork. Plus, you’ll see a preview of some structures to come! […]
Time to turn a flat tabletop into a layout with aesthetically pleasing elevations and undulations. But before David gets too far into cutting plywood, he first talks through a few changes to the N scale track plan. Plus, you’ll also see his clever, easily removable backdrop installation. […]
Facts & features Name: Brooklyn Terminal Scale: N (1:160) Size: 5′-6″ x 7′-4″ Prototype: Bush Terminal, N.Y. Dock Ry., Fulton Terminal Locale: Brooklyn, N.Y. Era: 1940s Style: island Minium radius: 7″ on Unitram street track, 14″ elsewhere Minimum turnout: no. 3 on Unitram street track, no. 6 elsewhere Maximum grade: none (flat) Benchwork: open grid […]
The layout at a glance Name: Santa Fe Shortline (SFS) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 7′-0″ x 8′-0″ Prototype: Freelanced Santa Fe shortline Era: April 1961 Style: Island Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: Plywood base on bookcases Height: 37″ Roadbed: None Track: Atlas Snap-Track Scenery: Sculptamold […]
David and Jenny jump right into the assembly of the removeable, wood legs and braces used to elevate the L-girder benchwork off the ground. Along the way, David shares construction tips and tricks that apply to the construction of any layout – large or small! […]
To get the series underway, host David Popp enlists the help of Trains.com editor Jenny Freeland. The two discuss the versatility of this wood framework, before teaming up to build a segment for the N scale layout. […]
Where the roads intersect with the tracks on Steve Brown’s N scale layout, our humble host has decided to add timber-tie grade crossings. This time around on Scale it Down, he shares his process for working with strips of basswood to complete the task. […]
Host Steve Brown continues to pave the way in and around the tracks of his N scale layout. See how he pairs regular old drywall mud with some simple techniques to install smooth, paved surfaces, including parking lots, roads, loading pads, and more! […]
