The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4th Street Spur layout in HO scale

A shelf layout track plan

Facts and features   Name: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4th Street SpurScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 1′-6″ x 8′-0″Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa FeLocale: downtown Los AngelesEra: 1950-1953Style: shelfMainline run: 8 feetMinimum turnout: No. 4Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: 1⁄2″ plywood secured to wall with shelf bracketsHeight: 48″Roadbed: 3⁄32″ basswood Track: Atlas code 83 Scenery: extruded-foam insulation board […]

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Meet Bob Lettenberger, Q&A with the Editors

Man wearing polo shirt being interviewed.

Meet Bob Lettenberger, Trains Associate Editor in this Q&A with the Editors. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another Q&A with the Editors. We are so privileged to have Bob Lettenberger from Trains Magazine join us. Bob, welcome. Bob Lettenberger: Thank you. […]

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Ask Trains.com March 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com March 2024 compilation | Cody tackles questions regarding modeling and prototype railroading, including an explanation about forward-facing locomotive practices; modeling detailed backdrop scenes; precautions for working on freight cars previously sprayed with Dullocote finishing; and so much more. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions […]

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Meet more of the Trains.com staff

Meet more of the Trains.com staff. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Ben Lake: Welcome to Kalmbach. Want to learn more about some of the people who work at Trains.com? We thought we’d answer a few questions. First one, what is your favorite railroad? I have to go with […]

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The Norfolk & Western Pocahontas Division layout in N scale

A model railroad layout trackplan

Facts and features   Name: Norfolk & Western Pocahontas DivisionScale: N (1:160)Size: 36 x 36 feetPrototype: Norfolk & WesternLocale: southern West VirginiaStyle: walk-inMainline run: 290 feetMinimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2 percentBenchwork: tabletopHeight: 52″ to 58.5″Roadbed: corkTrack: code 80 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation board and SculptamoldBackdrop: hand-painted on drywall Control: NCE Digital Command Control […]

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The Great Northern Kalispell Division layout in N scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts and features   Name: Great Northern Kalispell DivisionScale: N (1:160)Size: 29′-7″ x 36′-3″Prototype: Great NorthernLocale: MontanaEra: late 1950sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 238 feetMinimum radius: 18″ (main), 16″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: box frame, shelf, and L-girderHeight: 421⁄4″ to 501⁄2″Roadbed: extruded-foam insulation board or 1⁄4″ plywoodTrack: Atlas code 55 and 80, Peco code 55Scenery: […]

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Meet Brian Schmidt, Q&A with the Editors

Meet Brian Schmidt, Classic Trains Editor in this Q&A with the Editors. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: Well, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another episode of Q&A with the Editors. We’re so pleased that Brian Schmidt could join us this time. Brian Schmidt is editor […]

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Meet Steven Otte, Q&A with the Editors

Meet Steven Otte, Model Railroader Senior Associate Editor in this Q&A with the Editors. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of Q&A with the Editors. Today, we are so pleased to welcome Steven Otte from Model Railroader. Steven, welcome. Steven […]

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Meet Carl Swanson, Q&A with the Editors

Two men seated in a video studio with dramatic lighting.

Meet Carl Swanson, Trains Editor in this Q&A with the Editors. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: Welcome everyone. This is the very first episode for Q&A with the Editors, a new Trains.com special. We’re so glad all of you can join us. For our very first […]

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Mike Farrow’s N scale Norfolk & Western

Title screen from video showing train on bridge passing over train below.

Mike Farrow’s N scale Norfolk & Western Pocahontas Division layout is set in southern West Virginia during the 1970s and early 1980s. The 36 x 36-foot walk-in model railroad features a 290-foot mainline run, 18” minimum radius curves, and No. 6 turnouts. Among the items used to re-create the authentic Appalachian scenery were ground foam, […]

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Doug Dederick’s N scale Great Northern

Title screen from video showing N scale model railroad.

Doug Dederick’s N scale Great Northern Kalispell Division is set in Montana in the late 1950s. The 29 x 36-foot walk-in layout, featured in the April 2024 issue of Model Railroader, is set between Whitefish, Mont., and Shelby, Mont. The model railroad features several of GN’s name passenger and freight trains, including the Empire Builder, […]

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